The gate, the hills...and the big bunny

Yesterday, we spent a fun filled, steep hilled kind of day in San Francisco. We woke up bright and early to catch the BART train into the foggy city where we met my good friend from Goucher College, Whitney. Whitney guided us to the bus route that would take us near the Golden Gate bridge; however, when we got onto the bus, the driver announced the bus would not be dropping off at the Golden Gate, nor would any bus at that time because of a serious accident that occurred by the bridge. We got dropped off by the Walt Disney Museum; I could see the bridge in sight and was determined to make it there. We noticed the sidewalk leading the bridge was also not available due to construction. Thus, we took the road less traveled. 

[ Over the wall we go ]

[ Into the woods ]

[ Thumbs up to a somewhat side walk area ]

We were practically fence jumping, wall hopping, and tree climbing...until we finally got to a path leading to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

[ There she is! ]

[ Whitney and I ]

As we got closer to the bridge, we thought it would only be appropriate to play the 'Full House' theme song; so we did (seriously...on Dave's phone).

[ Here we go, Golden Gate! ]

[ I see boats ]

[ Trails from the sails ]

[ David Lawrence Dobkin ]

[ Whitney and I ]

[ Observations from the Gate ]

[ No, Dave and I did not plan to both wear stripes in San Fran ]

[ Almost there... ]

It took us 33 minutes to cross the bridge (and no, I was not walking my normal speed...friends, you know the ehd on-go-can't-break-my-stride-speed walk) which was less time than I thought it would take. At this time Whitney had to part ways, so it was just Dave and I (Mike was having his own adventure with a friend who lives in San Fran) and we decided to treck on the sunny Sausalito. 

[ See you soon, Sausalito ]

Saucilito is a small waterfront community with a Mediterranean flair. A small town, it is both charming and and serene, and known for it's art galleries, house boats (Shel Silverstien had one there!) and Dave and I agree it should also be known for its ice cream ...because we had it and it was delicious. 

[ Entering Sausalito ]

[ This is Sausalito ]

[ Banana caramel chocolate chip ice cream on a chocolate dipped waffle cone ]

Soon after our ice cream stop, we headed toward the dock to catch a ferry. As we boarded the ferry, I noticed a violin player strumming some tunes on the dock, which I thought was just lovely. What made it more lovely, is as we left, he was playing 'Over the Rainbow' (kind of perfect for this journey to the Emerald City). The ferry ride was gorgeous as we passed Alcatrez, the Bay bridge, and other beautiful boats, all upon sparkling water. Once we reached the pier, Dave and I went to the market for some clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl (yum). We met up with one of his friends and further wandered the city by the bay. 

[ Chinatown ]

[ Haight Street ]

[ Maroon in bloom ]

[ Tiles created by the Boys and Girls club of San Francisco ]

[ More tiles ]

[ Lovely livings ]

[ That house got height ]

[ San Francisco ]

My day was made complete by spotting the biggest bunny rabbit I have ever seen in my entire life. I kid you not, I thought it was a dog at first. Then  I thought, this can't be real...perhaps it's battery operated. But no, it was a real, live, German Angora bunny rabbit, hoppin and flopping around the park. It did have an owner, and a leash. The owner told me she had this bunny specially shipped from Germany. Big  bunnies; only on a hill in a park in San Francisco. 

[ German Angora Bunny ]

Today is our final stretch...wow. EUGENE, en route.