"The San Francisco Treat" 6.18.09

We dropped off the RV to get the brakes fixed on Wednesday in Martinez, CA just north of San Francisco. There was a mix up in the parts so it was going to be Thursday before it would be finished. We decided to stay in a hotel Wed. and Thurs. evening and pick up the RV Friday morning. So we relaxed on Wednesday. The boys went for a swim in the pool, Elizabeth soaked up some sun, I had a little lunch at a local pizzeria and then we went to see "Night at the Museum 2."

Thursday, we went to visit the city and started by joining Kevin and Felicity for lunch. We met at Fisherman's Wharf and ate at a second story restaurant over looking Pier 39. We could see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the outdoor eating area.

After lunch we decided to take a boat ride in the bay. It would take us under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. Seeing the bridge from that perspective is unique. The Golden Gate Bridge is 746 feet high and the 2nd longest suspension bridge span in the country. It's an incredible piece of architecture. Ethan and Kevin, as you can see, did a little bit of "hat" shopping.

Afterwards we took the trolley to Chinatown to get Stacey some chopsticks (it's what she asked for) and... to have dinner. We enjoyed the local cuisine and I enjoyed watching Ethan and Noah use chopsticks. We had a great trolley ride back as Ethan and I hung off the side.

We then headed off to the Golden Gate Bridge. We crossed the bridge and headed up to an overlook on the north side of the bridge. It was very windy and chilly but it was worth it. The bridge was lit up with the lights of San Francisco in the background. Kevin got some great pics with his camera. My camera was not up to the task of taking a "night shot."

We said goodnight to Kevin and Felicity and headed to our hotel. Tomorrow we would get the RV back and head up Route 1. Sounds like fun. -Alan