J was there for work and I joined him for some exploring in the city. We had zero plans when I arrived in Oakland but it did not matter because the agenda was to spend time together, without the interruptions and commitments of our normal routine. I met an amazing woman; Huda on the flight there and although I spent no time reading my book we talked and shared for over 4 hours about faith, food, culture, children, and life. I love the reminder of why we travel: to meet people and hear parts of their stories and to see places and ask questions that make us richer in all the best ways.
Checking out a greatly raved about coffee shop was obviously our first stop (and everyday after that)
I may be a bit obsessed with the street murals and graffiti everywhere. I seriously have a strong urge to tag the entire inside of our house.
My favorite part of our time was just people watching and walking miles and miles exploring the city with this guy. Oh, and the coffee…I might have mentioned that already.
But if you are in San Fran you NEED to check out Blue Bottle Coffee
One of the coolest things about San Fran is all the street life (ya know because you can actually enjoy being outside all year) and we hit the container coffee shop in the alley.
We might be a bit obsessed with our brew but it was seriously the best mocha I have ever had!!
We stopped in the California Academy of Science to see an old friend from Chicago and got VIP treatment! He had a lunch meeting cancel at the last minute and so we hit a gourmet Mexican joint and heard all about their life in SF.
Catching up with friends over Mexican food might rank as one of my all-time favorite activities ever!
We headed to school to pick up his daughter before allowing them to get back to their regularly scheduled Friday.
Of course we had to do the whole tourist cable car thing.
obligatory cable car selfie because we embrace our cheesy tourist tendencies.
It seemed very fitting that I finally finished this moving and insightful biography of the brilliant photographer Dorothea Lange on this trip as she spent so much time creating images on these same streets. She said of the cable car, “it is almost like an animal….They hop on and off as if it were a little pony saddled and ready to go.” I spent one morning just wandering the streets making images and meeting people and while I cannot even touch Lange’s gift I see why she was so intrigued with this place and her people.
Kevin makes beautiful ink stamped prints on the streets each day. He carves old wood wine crate pieces and then uses ink to stamp the imprint on paper.
He took one art class many years ago and since then has taught himself and gathered supplies to make these prints one of which now proudly hangs in our living room.
San Francisco started collecting other city’s street cars in the 1980’s and 1990’s and still runs these vintage street cars as part of their transit system and it is fascinating to see the different cities these cars are from. They are seriously about preserving this tradition.
No visit to San Fran would be complete without visiting the epicenter to the Hippie movement and subculture.
By far my favorite street scene….blaring police car lights pull up to these guys and before the officer writes the ticket for public consumption of alcohol the guy asks if he can just chug it first to which the cop says “sure.” Gotta love Haight-Ashbury. I could seriously people watch all day.
We walked down to the wharf for some views of Alcatraz, some sourdough, and sea lion viewing.
If you look closely I am actually in this shot with J.
Then we met J’s cousin Chloe after work for some serious stair climbing (Chicagoland is flat people…and these hills are NO JOKE!)
No complaints here because our walk took us through some beautiful secret gardens we would never have found on our own. Sightseeing with locals is always best…Thanks Chloe! And we totally get why you love SF so much!
Um, also the view from her apartment roof…KILLER!
And after a full day of walking we ended the night catching up over sushi.
The next morning we got up early to beat the crowds (on recommendation of the locals) to hike in Muir Woods
And it is crazy beautiful.
Because we were both at one time hard core TGIF watchers we had to go see “the painted ladies” and views of the city.
We stopped off on the way back to the city for some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge
On our last night we may have stuffed ourselves silly at Dosa- amazing South Indian food. There was no walking after that so we used Lyft to get home. You meet awesome people from all over the world using Lfyt. We love it!
I posted this picture after a serious windy drive (I may or may not have almost puked) to Stinson Beach. It was completely foggy except for this little patch of light on the beach spilling warmth and light on the sand.
I was trying to take a beach selfie and J kept making hilarious comments and burst mode on my iphone captured this one. One of my favorites of the trip because it fit this time perfectly. I teared up telling J about how grateful I was for this time away (and grateful for my mom who wrangled the kids so we could invest in our marriage). Marriage is so hard and requires so much compromise and openness, We hurt each other and have to choose forgiveness a lot. In the daily we can forget that we were first best friends before we were partners and parents. I’m so grateful for these times to get away and explore together. I remembered why I treasure this man. Best decision I ever made when I was young and stupid. I’m so grateful for these times to get away and explore together. God is good. So good.
Hope all your wanderings are full of blessing,
Good write-up. I definitely love this website.
Keep writing!
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is very useful.
Many thanks for sharing!
Useful info. Lucky me I found your web site by chance, and I am stunned
why this accident did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through
Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, because i want enjoyment, as this this web site conations actually nice funny data too.
My brother suggested I would possibly like this website. He was totally right. This publish actually made my day. You cann’t consider just how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
Good article. I definitely love this website. Keep it up!
I’ve read some just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to create this type of wonderful informative site.
This is very interesting, You are an overly professional blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for looking for more of your great post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Your style is very unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back from now on. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice day!
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognize what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also visit my site =). We will have a link change contract among us
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Hi there, I found your website via Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your site got here up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
We stumbled over here from a different page and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this site daily, this site is truly good and the users are truly sharing good thoughts.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a information! present here at this blog, thanks admin of this website.
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, as i want enjoyment, as this this web site conations truly good funny data too.
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she maintains the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it. Thus that’s why this piece of writing is amazing. Thanks!
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
I was able to find good info from your articles.
Because the admin of this site is working, no doubt very rapidly it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
I was very pleased to find this great site. I want to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you book marked to see new stuff on your website.
cipro no prescription
Awesome! Its actually remarkable piece of writing, I have got much clear idea about from this article.
I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new stuff you post
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
I am really happy to read this weblog posts which consists of lots of useful data, thanks for providing these information.