Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Coastal Road - 17 Mile Dr, the Big Sur & Southern California
Rising early we leave Monterey after a full day at the aquarium and an early dinner at the smokehouse. We had a moment of confusion in filling the tank, until we realised we had to pay inside.The mist swirled around the silver baest, as the dulcide tones of "shirley" the GPS system guided us along Cannery Row, past the bemused bust of Steinbeck toward 17 Mile Road.
Scarlett had drifted back to sleep, Chelsea feigning. We stopped at the Guardhouse and Tollway that marks the begining of 17 Mile Drive.
Lou had a moment financial responsibility and questioned the need to pay $10.00 to drive along a private road. We coughed up the money, and proceeded along the winding drive amongst palatial homes of ex ceos and rock stars, and a series of wind swept golf courses. Lou poses in front of the lone cypress pine.
We stop at Pebble Beach Golf Course. I aprk adjacent to the club house and Lou indulges in some early morning retail therapy. Now prepared for our journey with $4.00 take away coffee that tasted suspiciously like international roast.
Quick Note to let you all know we are OK - Earthquake
There has been a brief earthquake here, registering 4.7 in South LA.
We were all in bed, I was working on the blog. the Room shook for about 12 seconds, nothing horrendous Chelsea experienced much worse on the Mummy's Revenge ride at Universal studios.
Importantly we are all OK. I can here the fire works at Disneyland going off behind me, Scarlett is sound asleep, so is Lou and Chelsea is watching the Pink Panther
We were all in bed, I was working on the blog. the Room shook for about 12 seconds, nothing horrendous Chelsea experienced much worse on the Mummy's Revenge ride at Universal studios.
Importantly we are all OK. I can here the fire works at Disneyland going off behind me, Scarlett is sound asleep, so is Lou and Chelsea is watching the Pink Panther
Monterey and the Aquarium
Up early and in the silver Brick, working our way through San Francisco's peak hour, before giving way to strip malls, and industrial blocks all the way from San Francisco to Stanford and San Jose.
About forty minutes out of Monterey the urban sprawl gives way to the Salinas setting of Steinbeck's Novels. Lots of farm lands and hills finally the sandunes of Monterey. And our home for the night the Garden Hilton of Monterey.
Luggage is hastily unpacked. We jump back in the brick and head towards the Aquarium built on the site of Cannery Row's Sardine factory, a gift of the "Packard family" to help their daughter get a job. The Aquarium paid off its loan within two years, and it has expanded to twice it size. The Monterey Bay area is itself now the largest marine protection area in the United States. Disappointed that they don't have a Great White Shark in captivity. They've had three, one at the other exhibits, the other two wouldn't eat, and the aquarium are about to catch another one this "Northern" Summer.
We make do with Seahorses. This exhibit was amazing with so many varieties. The outer Ocean tank also holds large Tuna, and Sharks. The girls are intrigued by all particularly the Otters.
Muir Woods and Goodbye to San Francisco
Its Chelsea's birthday and our last day in San Francisco we load aboard the silver brick, clinging to the far right hand lane of the Golden Gate Bridge. Accompanied by early morning tension that comes from driving in peak hour and a veering to the right.
We have breakfast at Stinson Beach, at the Parkview Cafe Chelsea's Birthday request. Both Girls eat well and Scarlett climbs above the booth to geta better view.
The girls play in the park for a hour, Stinson Beach is a
lovely town, quiet before the summer rush, with only a cafe, a surf shop, a post office and Market Shop. Everyone is fiendly and relaxed. We will miss this part of Marin County, and vow to stay here next time we return.
Muir Woods is only a short drive away. Lou and the girls were unsure what to find, but at the conclusion everyone agrees it was a highlight of our time in San Francisco. Silent and majestic the forest is shrouded in morning coolness. Scarlett is determined to find a Skunk. We find a deer but no Skunk thank goodness. The rangers also comment that Muir Woods has also had Mountain Lions and Coyotes, Skunks are also prevalent but not during our visit.
Scarlett and Chelsea just enjoy running around in a forest without shops or commercialism just enjoying their company.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Presidio, Alcatraz & Muir Woods
Mother's Day
Sunday was Mother's Day which Lou woke up to a room of presents from the girls. We left early and had breakfast on Chestnut St. Before driving across To Chrissy Field, part of the parkland strip that stretches along the bay. We walked the length of Chrissy Field along the Bay into the Presidio, to Fort Point (probably about a 4 km walk ) which sits just below the Golden Gate Bridge.
We climbed the 3 storeys and fired our cannons across the bay, before walking back along the Park to have a delicious hot dog. Hundreds of people, families having picnics and BBQs. The weather was sensational warm and clear despite the breeze. Lots of dogs, especially one black pug that took a shine to the girls.
Lou has also now started driving, and she drove us back to Union Square, exploring in turn areas of the city, coming across a much needed Chinese Laundry.
I should note there seems to be a national hierarchy of laundry or cleaning services. French Cleaning, followed by American and then Other nationalities. We were simply happy to find a Laundromat open on a Sunday, even if it was on the rough side of town.
Quiet night in
Alcatraz
Monday Morning we have arranged an early morning excursion to Alcatraz. Missing our 8:30 trolley bus we pile into a taxi and have breakfast at Pier 39 before boarding the ferry to Alcatraz.
We were all rugged up, however the wind and weather has been incredibly benign. Things have changed the island no longer has large bottomed Rangers in Bell Bottom trousers that guide you through Broadway, Michigan Ave and the Recreation Yard. Instead all new arrivals to the"Rock" are greeted by tanned and fit Rangers, who I suspect are loan from Disneyland animitronics department, as the don't move. Your Guide is an audio headset that has the collective effect of herding tourists around specific cells. As the voices of inmates and wardens past recount the Battle of Alcatraz in 1946, and the famous 1962 "escape from Alcatraz".
Chelsea was mesmerised by the eeriness of the Rock. She was particularly nervous looking in the old mortuary, haunted by by the ghost of Nicholas Cages film career. However it walking from reception into the cell blocks, but was the escape that really interested her. From the chilsing holes with spoons, scaling the three storeys to roof, but she was particularly taken with the paper mache heads stuck with real hair from the prison barber shop.
Which we should note we now claim a prize for tackiest souvenir. We have in our possession a set of three paper mache head fridge magnets based on those used in the 1962 escape.
Scarlett simply enjoyed running amuck within the prison.
By 1pm we were all pardoned for Good Behavior, and to celebrate our release we had lunch at Bubba Gumps Shrimp house.
Made famous by Lieutenant Dan and Forrest Gump this Restaurant that serves, Shrimp, Shrimp and More Shrimp is a shrine to the memory of "Jennay".
Chelsea was given a Bubba Gumps Birthday song by all the waiting staff, much to her embarrassment. Who organised that.
Another quite night in....
Sunday was Mother's Day which Lou woke up to a room of presents from the girls. We left early and had breakfast on Chestnut St. Before driving across To Chrissy Field, part of the parkland strip that stretches along the bay. We walked the length of Chrissy Field along the Bay into the Presidio, to Fort Point (probably about a 4 km walk ) which sits just below the Golden Gate Bridge.
We climbed the 3 storeys and fired our cannons across the bay, before walking back along the Park to have a delicious hot dog. Hundreds of people, families having picnics and BBQs. The weather was sensational warm and clear despite the breeze. Lots of dogs, especially one black pug that took a shine to the girls.
Lou has also now started driving, and she drove us back to Union Square, exploring in turn areas of the city, coming across a much needed Chinese Laundry.
I should note there seems to be a national hierarchy of laundry or cleaning services. French Cleaning, followed by American and then Other nationalities. We were simply happy to find a Laundromat open on a Sunday, even if it was on the rough side of town.
Quiet night in
Alcatraz
Monday Morning we have arranged an early morning excursion to Alcatraz. Missing our 8:30 trolley bus we pile into a taxi and have breakfast at Pier 39 before boarding the ferry to Alcatraz.
We were all rugged up, however the wind and weather has been incredibly benign. Things have changed the island no longer has large bottomed Rangers in Bell Bottom trousers that guide you through Broadway, Michigan Ave and the Recreation Yard. Instead all new arrivals to the"Rock" are greeted by tanned and fit Rangers, who I suspect are loan from Disneyland animitronics department, as the don't move. Your Guide is an audio headset that has the collective effect of herding tourists around specific cells. As the voices of inmates and wardens past recount the Battle of Alcatraz in 1946, and the famous 1962 "escape from Alcatraz".
Chelsea was mesmerised by the eeriness of the Rock. She was particularly nervous looking in the old mortuary, haunted by by the ghost of Nicholas Cages film career. However it walking from reception into the cell blocks, but was the escape that really interested her. From the chilsing holes with spoons, scaling the three storeys to roof, but she was particularly taken with the paper mache heads stuck with real hair from the prison barber shop.
Which we should note we now claim a prize for tackiest souvenir. We have in our possession a set of three paper mache head fridge magnets based on those used in the 1962 escape.
Scarlett simply enjoyed running amuck within the prison.
By 1pm we were all pardoned for Good Behavior, and to celebrate our release we had lunch at Bubba Gumps Shrimp house.
Made famous by Lieutenant Dan and Forrest Gump this Restaurant that serves, Shrimp, Shrimp and More Shrimp is a shrine to the memory of "Jennay".
Chelsea was given a Bubba Gumps Birthday song by all the waiting staff, much to her embarrassment. Who organised that.
Another quite night in....
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Chinatown and the Explanitorium
Yesterday was a quite day. Plans were put aside as the girls were feeling the pressure of their global jetset lifestyle. Besieged by the Paparazzi and plagued by calls from Justin and Beyonce the girls were able to slip out unnoticed spending more quality time in Macy's, GAP, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrum and Walgreens. All are contained neatly in a new Westfields Complex that borders Union Square. The girls returned triumphant, brandishing their bags of booty like a Sex and the City Prequel.
For Dinner we decided to venture forth to Chinatown. Wrapped up in our coats and scarves we hopped on the Cable car and started the crunching climb up Powell st . Scarlett who feels the same affinity for the cable cars as she does for Thomas the Tank Engine clung to Lou in nervous excitement. We hopped off and began our walk along Grant St trying to decide which restaurant. We passed the celestial Chinese garden restaurant which had been used for an episode of the Streets of San Francisco and the Love Boat, and had served Butterfly King Prawns and Snow peas to President George Herbert Bush. We pushed on. Then guided by a very persistent Hawker we found a nice place off Grant that served lovely Mu shu Pork, Peking Duck Fish Dumplings (in the shape of Goldfish) and as Lou has remarked really nice green tea ice cream. The excitement proved too much for Scarlett and we ventured back to the Handlrey by taxi.
Today was spent enjoying the Sunshine along the Marina District, Aquatic Park and Chestnut St a hip and trendy area similar to Bondi. We drove from the Hotel driving along Powell St dodging the cable cars and terrify Lou with an imminent collision with the parked cars on our right side. Forgoing the bike ride (that's for Mothers Day) We had a late Breakfast a Fort Mason. Home of The San Francisco Roller Derby Girls, Artists and Poets in residence, and Greens Vegetarian Restaurant all with sweeping views of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz.
We sat by the dock of the bay munching on croissant chocolate and peanut and jelly sandwiches, having our first semi decent coffee. Chelsea refuses to recommend Green's Hot Chocolate, and has reserved judgement on American Hot Chocolate till we've tried Ghiradelii.
We experienced our first American Supermarket, not easy to find since arriving, not quite sure where everyone in San Francisco does shop. Safeways has a lovely view of the Bay, and a extensive selection of baby wipes and formula. 5 stars for the view and speed of the checkout chick.
With the rise of Obamaism the American preoccupation with service seems to have died, no more have a nice days, no more complimentary glasses of water. Most service industry people seem on a permanent go slow, or it will take 1 GAP shop attendant 15 minutes to fold and ring up 12 items of clothing, ably assisted by 4 supervisors. The only people who have retained the service culture are the homeless of Union Square, who are more polite than the folk you may find at Sydney's Town Hall Station.
But I digress back in the car and dodging the parked cars and head toward the Explanatorium, found in the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts, built as a temporary structure for the 1915 Panama American Exhibit only to be retained and used as backdrop in Sean Connery's the Rock.
The Explanatorium is great fun lost of hands on science experiments that Chelsea, Lou and Scarlett all got into of particular note was the large bubble maker, and various smoke machines. After a few hours we leave the girls feeling peckish, we walk around the lake filled with seagulls and surrounded by Japanese tourists and small dogs.
We board the Jeep and we discover, by accident Chestnut St. We lunch at Becilli's Diner, while Chelsea gets her haircut, more glamour shots to come.
We all walk along Chestnut, Lou buying a stylish sloppy joe from "Lucky" Jeans. We hop back in the Jeep and drive along Lombard St, narrowly missing more parked cars. We drive along Lombard finally climbing the 70 degree incline before reaching the summit pausing for a moment to look at the view across to Coit Tower and to dodge a tourist standing in the middle of the road. we pass through the STOP sign (still hazy on the give way rules here) and wind our way down San Francisco's most famous street. Pausing once again to have an action photograph of "the driver" "whilst turning down one of the hedged bends.
Back at the Hotel we all chill out. Scarlett and Lou nap before we use Skype for our first Video Mothers Day call to Ganma. Everyone very excited, with Scarlett even jumping out of the bath in the nu nu to talk to Ganma and Nonno Lou who enjoying a warm bath to herself remained discreetly out of view.
For Dinner we walked up Powell St to Uncle Vito's for a great Pizza and Pasta meal Chelsea giving this one 4 Star rating.
Tmrw is Mothers Day, and Chelsea has carefully hidden Lou's bountiful supply 0f presents.
More later.
For Dinner we decided to venture forth to Chinatown. Wrapped up in our coats and scarves we hopped on the Cable car and started the crunching climb up Powell st . Scarlett who feels the same affinity for the cable cars as she does for Thomas the Tank Engine clung to Lou in nervous excitement. We hopped off and began our walk along Grant St trying to decide which restaurant. We passed the celestial Chinese garden restaurant which had been used for an episode of the Streets of San Francisco and the Love Boat, and had served Butterfly King Prawns and Snow peas to President George Herbert Bush. We pushed on. Then guided by a very persistent Hawker we found a nice place off Grant that served lovely Mu shu Pork, Peking Duck Fish Dumplings (in the shape of Goldfish) and as Lou has remarked really nice green tea ice cream. The excitement proved too much for Scarlett and we ventured back to the Handlrey by taxi.
Today was spent enjoying the Sunshine along the Marina District, Aquatic Park and Chestnut St a hip and trendy area similar to Bondi. We drove from the Hotel driving along Powell St dodging the cable cars and terrify Lou with an imminent collision with the parked cars on our right side. Forgoing the bike ride (that's for Mothers Day) We had a late Breakfast a Fort Mason. Home of The San Francisco Roller Derby Girls, Artists and Poets in residence, and Greens Vegetarian Restaurant all with sweeping views of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz.
We sat by the dock of the bay munching on croissant chocolate and peanut and jelly sandwiches, having our first semi decent coffee. Chelsea refuses to recommend Green's Hot Chocolate, and has reserved judgement on American Hot Chocolate till we've tried Ghiradelii.
We experienced our first American Supermarket, not easy to find since arriving, not quite sure where everyone in San Francisco does shop. Safeways has a lovely view of the Bay, and a extensive selection of baby wipes and formula. 5 stars for the view and speed of the checkout chick.
With the rise of Obamaism the American preoccupation with service seems to have died, no more have a nice days, no more complimentary glasses of water. Most service industry people seem on a permanent go slow, or it will take 1 GAP shop attendant 15 minutes to fold and ring up 12 items of clothing, ably assisted by 4 supervisors. The only people who have retained the service culture are the homeless of Union Square, who are more polite than the folk you may find at Sydney's Town Hall Station.
But I digress back in the car and dodging the parked cars and head toward the Explanatorium, found in the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts, built as a temporary structure for the 1915 Panama American Exhibit only to be retained and used as backdrop in Sean Connery's the Rock.
The Explanatorium is great fun lost of hands on science experiments that Chelsea, Lou and Scarlett all got into of particular note was the large bubble maker, and various smoke machines. After a few hours we leave the girls feeling peckish, we walk around the lake filled with seagulls and surrounded by Japanese tourists and small dogs.
We board the Jeep and we discover, by accident Chestnut St. We lunch at Becilli's Diner, while Chelsea gets her haircut, more glamour shots to come.
We all walk along Chestnut, Lou buying a stylish sloppy joe from "Lucky" Jeans. We hop back in the Jeep and drive along Lombard St, narrowly missing more parked cars. We drive along Lombard finally climbing the 70 degree incline before reaching the summit pausing for a moment to look at the view across to Coit Tower and to dodge a tourist standing in the middle of the road. we pass through the STOP sign (still hazy on the give way rules here) and wind our way down San Francisco's most famous street. Pausing once again to have an action photograph of "the driver" "whilst turning down one of the hedged bends.
Back at the Hotel we all chill out. Scarlett and Lou nap before we use Skype for our first Video Mothers Day call to Ganma. Everyone very excited, with Scarlett even jumping out of the bath in the nu nu to talk to Ganma and Nonno Lou who enjoying a warm bath to herself remained discreetly out of view.
For Dinner we walked up Powell St to Uncle Vito's for a great Pizza and Pasta meal Chelsea giving this one 4 Star rating.
Tmrw is Mothers Day, and Chelsea has carefully hidden Lou's bountiful supply 0f presents.
More later.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
