San Francisco, July 16, 2009

A morning of relative rest, Martha did some laundry while we let Mark sleep in. We ended up getting a second room so nephew-in-law Ian Cox was to bunk with Mark. Ian arrived at the Courtyard by about noon and we went out and around the Fishermen's Wharf area.

Down at Pier 39 we had lunch at the Wipeout Cafe. Really good fish tacos, tequila and Anchor Steam Ale.

After some window shopping we worked our way back up the Fishermen's Wharf area and took an hour boat tour of the harbor area, under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. It was a little choppy; we had started on the bow area and moved aft to get out of the wind and the spray.

Stopping at Lou's, we had some wings and cocktails alfresco on the sidewalk and watched the street scene. There are a couple of guys who have makeshift bushes and, as an unsuspecting pedestrian walks up the sidewalk, they kind of jump out at them. Its pretty fun to watch folks' reactions; some aren't very happy but the observers tend to tip the pranksters.

There are all sorts of street performers including one guy who just walks around in a mirror-like tinman outfit.

The late afternoon and several drinks called for a nap before joining nephew Hayden, his girlfriend Emmie, her two roommates and another friend of Hayden who is joining us in his chase vehicle in Ft. Bragg.

The nine of us had a terrific dinner at Absinthe, then walked back to Emmie's apartment; very nice quasi victorian with high ceilings and nicely maintained. Hayden and friend Astro gave us a ride back to the hotel where we gave them most of our gear, keeping that which we needed for the ride to Ft. Bragg. It was a late evening, but a great time.

A guest blog for the 17th.

Ward, June and the Beaver