Big Wheel Keep On Turnin’

We did it; we actually rode our bicycles over the Golden Gate Bridge.  The view from the bridge is breathtaking.  The weather was in our favor with blue skies and we had a clear view out to the ocean to the west and downtown San Francisco to the east.  (See the picture on the left—I cannot believe we actually did this.)

It was a beautiful ride once you got past Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiradelli Square (jammed packed with people).  Then you ride through the Aquatic Park, the Presidio National Park, and then up a couple of hills to the vista point before getting on the bridge.  I was able to stop at the Park Headquarters to get my National Park Passport stamped.  The total round trip was about 12 miles.  We decided not to continue over to Sausalito, but instead turned around on the other side of the bridge and headed back the way we came .  We wanted to have lunch at the Terminal before catching to ferry to Vallejo/Napa at 3 p.m.

The ride was not without hazards.  Labor Day weekend is crowded with both locals and tourists; and we had to dodge pedestrians and other bikers.  There is a bike rental place called Blazing Saddles (I love that name) that rents hundreds of bikes to tourists—they are everywhere.  In addition to the tourist bikers and people strolling, you have serious, I mean serious, spandex people.   I know you have seen them—their bikes that weigh no more than a quarter with skinny tires no bigger than a hair and the riders are clad in spandex from head to toe (okay, they are buff and look pretty hot).  They ride fast with no intention of slowing down or stopping.   They are scary.

For the first time in my life I crashed my bike.  How embarrassing.  It was not a little bobble,  either.  As I was trying to avoid some walkers, my tire slid on some old rail tracks in the Aquatic Park; and I went over the handlebars.  Hard.  I am a firm believer in bike helmets and I am glad I had mine on.   A few scraps and bruises, but no smashed head.  Out of a bad moment though, I had a positive experience.  About a dozen people who ran over to see if I was alright—there are still nice people in this world even in a busy city on a holiday weekend.

San Francisco Heat

Cable cars, Fisherman’s Wharf,  Ghiradelli Square,  Pier 39, Union Square, the Market/Ferry Building and 100 degrees.  Lots of sights, great time people watching, but way too hot.  We thought we would escape the heat in Napa Valley by seeing San Francisco today.  It was supposed to be 15 – 20 degrees cooler there.  It was not—it was hot.   

 

We left the ferry terminal at 9:45 a.m. from Vallejo (only 14 miles from our RV Park) for our boat ride to downtown San Francisco.  (Picture on the left is the Vallejo Ferry Terminal.)  This a great way to travel downtown with no traffic or parking hassle.  It is a relaxing hour ride with the added bonus of sailing by Alcatraz Island and a picture perfect view of the Golden Gate bridge.   The bridge is usually shrouded in fog.  

Although, I have been to San Francisco on business on number of occasions, it has been 40+ years since I was here on vacation with my folks and enjoyed all the tourist attractions.  A lot has changed.  An incredible amount of people visit this city and we witnessed the volume today—mind boggling.  The cable car ride back then involved the conductor joking with the passengers and pointing out the sights.  Not today, but it is still a thrill to ride up and down the steep hills.

And let us not forget (or maybe we should) two butt-naked guys in front of the terminal building.  They were protesting something, but I did not pause to look.  They were not young and buff, if you know what I mean.  Welcome to San Fran!  You gotta' love it.

The weather will begin to cool down by this Thursday (thank you).  We went from mid-60 degrees on Sunday (Humboldt State Park) to 110 degrees (in Napa) today—what a jolt!  Tomorrow, we are planning to take the Wine Train through the valley in an air-conditioned rail car.