Scheduled trip:
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Actual trip: -
Touring Frisco
We helped ourselves to breakfast and briefly discussed what
the plan for the day was. Once again we let Ursine pilot
us in her Mercury. One of the first points on the agenda
was Golden Gate Bridge, the trademark of San Francisco and
probably the most famous bridge in the world. Indeed it
was quite exhilarating to drive across this famous structure.
We went to the north shore and drove into the hills that
overlook the entire Bay Area in order to take some pictures.
The climate of Middle California was quite different than
what we had gotten used to in LA. A strong wind contributed
to the chilly feel of the day; it couldn't have been more
than 60F even though the sun was shining. The view from
the hills was nice but we didn't stay around for longer
than we absolutely had to.
We headed back across Golden Gate and into San Francisco.
We toured the characteristic streets that are made famous
by car chases in films such as "Bullitt" with
Steve McQueen, and "Dirty Harry" with Clint Eastwood.
Our speed was somewhat more leisurely but we weren't chasing
criminals in the first place. The next stop was the Coit
Tower, a lookout point, which also gave a nice elevated
view of the area. To the east we could see Oakland and other
bridges that span the Bay. In the other directions the financial
district with its skyscrapers, and the to the west the ocean
could be seen.
San Francisco is also famous for its streetcars. We rode
one for a few blocks in order to get to another landmark:
Lombard Street, probably the most crooked street in the
world.
Next we drove across town, left the car in a parking complex
and headed towards the seaport on foot. The wharves were
crammed with tourists and vendors. We discovered that the
next ferry to Alcatraz wouldn't leave for ages so we dropped
the idea of visiting this infamous prison. Instead we strolled
along the piers and watched a large colony of sea lions
occupy several low, wooden jetties.
By this time hunger began to take control of us. We decided
for Chinese for a change and none of us regretted the choice.
We could choose from several types of chicken, seafood,
and, of course, rice. The food was excellent and cheap as
well.
Later we visited Ghirardelli's, a large chocolate store.
It carried every type of chocolate imaginable, everything
from the darkest to the whitest. Everybody sought out his
or her personal favorite before we headed back to the car.
To round the sightseeing off, we went to a bar on the Pacific
Shore. From our table we had a lovely view to the Ocean
and the setting sun. We stayed for more than an hour while
chatting and writing postcards.
Later that evening back at the house we decided to go see
a movie. We had to hurry if we were to catch the 10:30 PM
showing of "Mission: Impossible" in the local
Century Cinema. We missed the opening credits but at least
we were able to find our seats in the darkness. The film
wasn't as bad as "Twister" but that didn't stop
Niels from catching a nap toward the end. It must have been
all that fresh seaside air!
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Day
00: Prelude
Day 01: Leaving NC
Day 02: Tupelo, MS
Day 03: Henryetta, OH
Day 04: Roswell,
NM
Day 05: Flagstaff,
AZ
Day 06: Las Vegas, NV
Day 07: Victorville, CA
Day 08: Long Beach, CA
Day 09: Los Angeles, CA
Day 10: Thousand Oakes, CA
Day 11: Malibu, CA
Day 12: Lompoc, CA
Day 13: Lompoc, CA
Day 14: Palo Alto, CA
Day 15: Palo Alto, CA
Day 16: Fallon, NV
Day 17: Escalante, UT
Day 18: Grand Junction, CO
Day 19: Lafayette, CO
Day 20: Colby, KS
Day 21: St. Louis, MO
Day 22: Knoxville, TN
Day 23: Burlington, NC
Epilogue: Author's notes
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