Well it was a crazy fun week in San Fran and an even crazier flight home thanks to storm central aka Boston’s weather last night.
This was only my second visit to the Bay Area so I didn’t know much about the city or the different areas that make up San Fran. Last time I was there was in 2000 when I went to visit my friend Jeff and it was while I was living in Los Angeles so I only popped in for a 4 day weekend and didn’t really do anything all that touristy.
So this time Jon and I decided to go nuts with seeing everything that SF had to offer. I am almost certain that we walked the entire length of the city during the week and rode every mode of transportation available. On Sunday alone we walked from Union Sq. to Chinatown to North Beach to the top of Lombard Street to Fisherman’s Wharf and back to Union Sq..
Monday we rode some cable cars, hit the Ferry Building, walked the piers, then went to a great place back in Chinatown for lunch then went into the Castro for a while where sadly they were not filming Milk.
Tuesday was Alcatraz and more roaming around and a little resting because we were gearing up for our big trip the next day.
On Wednesday we drove up to Santa Rosa because I wanted to see Chuck and the rest of the Peanuts gang at the Charles M. Schulz Museum (which btw is fraktastic) and even ended up on their live webcam (which GMMR was nice enough to screencap for me).
We took Jon’s brothers little red convertible and can I just tell you that neither of us are fans of bridges and the only way north was to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Scary to say the least. Then for some crazy reason on our way back we decided to stop in Bodega Bay (part of The Birds was filmed there so I had to) and then drive back to SF (stopping in towns along the way) down Route 1. This city boy from the east is not meant to be on the winding roads and cliffs of that road. I thought for sure we were dead on more than one occasion. We stopped in Sausalito for a bit then I drove back over the Golden Gate of Terror. We then went to Golden Gate Park to walk around for a bit.
Thursday was a washout for the early part of the day so we were Museum boys. From the Legion of Doom Honor to the de Young to the Japanese Tea Garden to SFMoma in the matter of 7 hours. Crazy! Then we took Jon’s brothers family out for Japanese as a final thanks for letting us stay all week.
Friday was our trip home. It was supposed to be a calm easy flight back east. We knew a pretty big storm was expected to hit Boston on Friday but what can ya do, gotta fly home anyhow. Well we get to the airport and we notice that all of the NYC and DC bound flights were being canceled. Ugh. Boston couldn’t be far behind. Shockingly we boarded and hit the air early because they wanted to try and beat as much of the storm as possible.
Yeah… so we get to Boston and find out that the runways have all been shut down because they can’t clear the snow fast enough. We circle for an hour and a half then the Pilot tells us that we have to go to JFK (NYC) because we’re about to run out of fuel and we still can’t land in Boston. Ugh, but just get me off the plane.
We land at JFK after a couple circles there as well. Finally, we can get off! Or not! Nope, we’re told that we’re going to refuel and that we’re then going to head back to Boston to try and land again. So who’s on the crazy pills up in the cockpit? For reals…
Sure as shit, we take off again and head back to Boston where about 30 minutes later we’re told is closed again so we head to Providence. Instead of landing, we just circle Providence for another 45 minutes and then we’re told that we’re making a break for it. Back to Boston where we circle again and again and again…
Finally, after 11 hours of travel we land to thunderous applause in the snow and ice of Logan International!
Ahhhhhhh.
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February 24th, 2008 at 2:30 am
I’m exhausted just reading about it – especially given how crappy our weather was this weekend. Did you get to hit up Wondercon while you were here? I’m not so sad the film crews for Milk have left – they were set up two blocks from my apt which did not make for easy parking…driving…walking…. The next time you’re in town I recommend the How I Married An Axe Murderer tour of SF. A good mix of touristy sites and local spots.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Sounds like a terrific trip. I am very jealous, as I have a new job and only 5 days of vacation to last me until October 1 – suckage.
San Fran is fantastic – every time I go there, I swear I am going to head up north to Napa and never make it out of the city, it is too much fun.
So glad you had fun (minus air travel hell) and that you are back.
Supernatural last week was A-F’ing-Mazing.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Your pictures are wonderful! I must say, I’ve visited SF numerous times and can’t get enough. For sure I’d love to visit that Schultz museum. Too cute for words.
I bet you’re craving those blue skies of Cali again.
I can’t believe your 11-hour flight. I’d be sayin, SERENITY NOW!
TiVo Queen — OMG, I want to go on that So I Married an Axe Murderer tour. If only to quote the great movie lines like singing “If You Want My Body” in a Scottish accent.