Discovering Another Mad Dash (Oct 14): Heading Home and Finally finishing this TR #1523 (05/03)

[PrincessInOz]

Oh the good old days. Too funny.

I'm still drooling over the crab too.

Thanks...yes, the good old days. And you know there might be another crabby patty story to come!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Around Fisherman’s Wharf




I thought you might enjoy some of my other pictures from around the Wharf this morning.

I came out of the Musee Mechanique and took a look at the USS Pampanito.

One of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull’s cousins came to play. He was definitely trying to tell me something.

He was giving me the evil eye and it became evidently clear that it might be time for a visit out to the Rock NEXT time I come. I'm long overdue for the boat ride out there.

I always like to go looking for the fishermen. They really do exist here….

…or at least a view of their boats does.

The last time I was here, the sea lions were frolicking around in the water. It’s been quite a few visits since I’ve seen the hordes over by Pier 39. The numbers seem to be dwindling every time I come and the sea lions seem to be going elsewhere now. A shame really. I miss the noise they make. BTW - that Tall ship is the Balclutha, over by Hyde Pier.

You really can’t escape the main drag.

I do try to avoid the tourist trap shops but I’m always a sucker for the sweet lolly shops!

The Cannery is another area that I like to visit for a little down time.

This courtyard is always a quieter haven away from the bustle of the Wharf area.

The olive trees are rather old; and I always wonder what it would have smelt like when the cannery was working. I always imagine the smell of peaches in the air.

And whilst I was here….given that I had spent time in one museum at the Wharf already, I figured it might as well be museum morning today! I had another museum stop in mind.






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[PrincessInOz]

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Maritime Museum, of sorts





The San Francisco Maritime Museum is situation at the end of Hyde Street. I had visited it previously and was not in the mood to head down the pier again. What I hadn’t realised was that this museum comprised of a number of location; with the Visitor Centre located at the corner of Hyde and Jefferson; in the Cannery building.

I walked in and was surprised to find that there was a ranger in residence. Believe it or not, this really was a National Park! The display in the Visitor Centre was pretty interesting. It tells the story of San Francisco’s colorful and diverse maritime heritage.

I spent some time in here checking out the various information boards and displays.

And learnt a whole heap of stuff about the wharf and the different things the wharf was used for.

Transportation of cargo such as gold…..

….food….

…and feed for livestock.

It was also used as a main passenger port.

What I didn’t know was that San Francisco wharf had been a major manufacturer of rope. But I guess it makes sense as all those ships needed rope!

I’d spent more time examining the displays than I planned and thought to head over to the Maritime museum building just down the road….







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[PrincessInOz]

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NOT the Maritime Museum (Ghirardelli Square)




I had forgotten one rather important thing on my way to the Maritime museum building.

Clearly, I was NOT going to make it to that white building. Instead, I opted for a little snack. Afterall, it was a hot day.

The snack ended up being my lunch. I also enjoyed a free sample of Peppermint Bark. I think I even came home with a packet.

I was amused to see the fire going. Did I mention it was a hot day? I think the day was pushing into the 90’s by this stage.

Despite the hustle and bustle down the other end of Tourist Wharf, this side was rather quiet.

Just how I like to do my sightseeing. I did take some time to check out a couple of shops here.

Did you know that there are 4 separate Ghirardelli chocolate shops just in this complex?

I checked out the time…

…and decided it was definitely time for me to push on with my day.

 

[zanzibar138]

I'm really enjoying checking out all the sights you've seen in San Francisco - it's giving me heaps of inspiration for our trip in 2014

 

[Minniemum]

You should rename your TR "Ambles and Rambles"

PIO, you have an uncanny ability to find the most wonderfully unique places such as the Musee Mecanique and Donnelly Chocolate Store. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy your engaging writing style from the poetic Travelling Public to the humorous Johnathon Livingstone Seagull. All this alongside the visual delights of your photography.

 

[dhorner233]

Hi! I've been in and out. Have I missed the Disney Museum?

I'm enjoying your pictures! I have bought a new camera since I saw yours. It's a Canon like yours but, I got a Rebel Ti3. Now I need to go back to Disney!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I missed a lot during my weekend at the Sac Anime. Glad that you were able to go to Fisherman's Wharf at SF during your NorCal trip. Very nice pictures of the Dungeness crab since that time of the year was the season of crabbing. My dad does crabbing in November/December for Dungeness crab and I went crabbing at Bodega Bay with him just a couple of days before our DISmeet. Bodega Bay is about 40 miles northwest of SF.

Nice to see that you were able to go to Ghirardelli's during your trip and great photos from inside the museum.

Very nice update.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm really enjoying checking out all the sights you've seen in San Francisco - it's giving me heaps of inspiration for our trip in 2014

2014? That's a whole year away!

But then I know what you're doing and where you're going this year.

You should rename your TR "Ambles and Rambles"

PIO, you have an uncanny ability to find the most wonderfully unique places such as the Musee Mecanique and Donnelly Chocolate Store. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy your engaging writing style from the poetic Travelling Public to the humorous Johnathon Livingstone Seagull. All this alongside the visual delights of your photography.

Ambles and Rambles??? Having I been rambling too much?

(I've really tried to keep it brief....I really have!)

I think those unique places find me more than anything else. I just head in a general direction and see what pops up in front of me. I'm a firm believer in the fact that there is always something interesting to see wherever you go!

Thanks!

Hi! I've been in and out. Have I missed the Disney Museum?

I'm enjoying your pictures! I have bought a new camera since I saw yours. It's a Canon like yours but, I got a Rebel Ti3. Now I need to go back to Disney!!

Denise! Congratulations! The T3i? Really? That's a good camera. Are you enjoying it?
And if you're planning a trip to Disney, 2 - 8 October 2013 at WDW is a GREAT time.

I missed a lot during my weekend at the Sac Anime. Glad that you were able to go to Fisherman's Wharf at SF during your NorCal trip. Very nice pictures of the Dungeness crab since that time of the year was the season of crabbing. My dad does crabbing in November/December for Dungeness crab and I went crabbing at Bodega Bay with him just a couple of days before our DISmeet. Bodega Bay is about 40 miles northwest of SF.

Nice to see that you were able to go to Ghirardelli's during your trip and great photos from inside the museum.

Very nice update.

Another reason why I like going to SF in November is for Dungeness crab.

How lucky that you get to go crabbing with your dad. Did you catch anything? Is Bodega Bay nice? I haven't been there.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Another reason why I like going to SF in November is for Dungeness crab.

How lucky that you get to go crabbing with your dad. Did you catch anything? Is Bodega Bay nice? I haven't been there.

Going around the Bay Area around that time of the year is great to go and get fresh Dungeness crab.

My dad has been crabbing for years and he is not one of those big commercial fisherman. He has a fishing boat and sets up crab pots out at the ocean. We catch our limit which is 10 per person with a fishing license. Bodega Bay is a very nice little town that is close to a fishing port.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Going around the Bay Area around that time of the year is great to go and get fresh Dungeness crab.

My dad has been crabbing for years and he is not one of those big commercial fisherman. He has a fishing boat and sets up crab pots out at the ocean. We catch our limit which is 10 per person with a fishing license. Bodega Bay is a very nice little town that is close to a fishing port.

Thanks. I'll have to definitely think about checking it out if I'm ever north of San Francisco. 10 crabs per licensed person is a lot!

 

[PrincessInOz]

A San Francisco Icon – Trolley Ride




I had never really intended to hit Fisherman’s Wharf today and it was that quirk of traffic that resulted in me spending the morning here. In the end, I was really glad that things ended up the way they did but it was definitely time to go.

I had intended to spend the day shopping in the downtown area so I decided to put the day back on track.

There really was only way I considered getting back to Union Square. In all the visits that I’ve made to this city, there have only been two trips where I’ve not gotten on that quintessential iconic transport mode that screams San Francisco. In both those instants, I’ve regretted the decision and if nothing else, I rarely make the same mistake three times.



The random acts of kindness….

I got to the turnaround at Hyde Street and there was a trolley boarding. I asked to wait for the next trolley, which really was right behind. The crowd controller told me to just get on the half full trolley. I wasn’t really happy about this and started to make my way to the trolley when the Gripman, who had heard my request, stopped me and told the controller to let me wait.


A simple request….and a simple act of kindness….meant that I could get my favourite seat on the trolley……

….the one right in front on the inside track…..where I get to click to my heart’s content.

I had hoped for a clear view of Coit Tower; but that position is also very popular with the people standing. And for those interested, this is the stop by Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

I like the trolley ride all those hills and streets of San Francisco make it a treat to experience ups….

…and downs.

The Hyde-Powell trolleys are the ones that most tourists take. But should you want a more genteel ride, I highly recommend the one that goes along California Street. It is never as crowded as the one I’m currently on.

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[PrincessInOz]

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Tipping the Shopping Scales



Before long, I was at my destination and there were no more photos from the rest of my afternoon.


I was too busy doing some serious fixing of the American economy.


If anyone was counting the days and dates, today was Tuesday....election day. And there were Election Day sales on. I got to Union Square and just headed into Macys. First stop was the Visitor Centre on the 6th Floor where I picked up my 10% Visitor Shopping card. This is a card offered to international visitors (proof of address is required by way of an official photo i.d. such as your passport or Drivers Licence) and is valid at any Macys store for 30 days. The discount is available for most items; some exclusions apply. I understand that a similar card is available for domestic visitors; except it is valid for 3 days.



Coupled with the 20% Election Day sales; and the discount from the Macy's Visitor Shopping Pass, I was up for at least 25% discount for most items in a traditional non-sale period!


I spent the rest of my time on Level 4 of Macys. Womans fashion. Two of the workers there took a liking to me and I ended up having my own personal shopper experience for over 2 ½ hours. Im pretty sure they had a great time spending my money. I know I did.


The two workers also weaved some additional cash register magic for me. I'm pretty sure that for some of the items I got, I ended up with a 30 - 40% discount. Another simple, random act of kindness.


Thus far, Id been out-shopped by my DH. But after this afternoon, I left him completely in the dust.







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[PrincessInOz]

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More International Cuisine – Italian





Dinner tonight was with more of DH’s work colleagues. I had thought to stay in town and let him go by himself; except that tonight’s dinner was with his manager, his American team and with an ex-colleague that we hadn’t seen for a while.

I made it back in time to pick up something from the hotel Happy Hour. Beef tacos.

DH’s colleagues picked the location for dinner tonight and we were heading towards an Italian place. I needed to watch my porn exposure tonight…...there were a number of strangers that I hadn’t met before. More the point; there were a number of people that didn’t know about my porn fetish; so I kept it clean.

The homemade bread was straight out of the pizza oven.

The dip was interesting……a red oil dip. I never figured out what they added in but it was a delicious combination with the bread.

DH got a vegetarian pizza.

And after hankering for it for so many mornings now, I got me some bacon! It came with the value-added shrimp and vegetables….a little overcooked for my tastes but not overly so.

We spent the majority of the night with DH’s colleagues and called it a night afterwards. Afterall, I had a big day to look forward to the next day…..another DisMeet coming up!

 

[zanzibar138]

Another great day! We walked a fair way along that trolley route - I recognise heaps!

Glad to hear you finally out-shopped DH

 

[dhorner233]

Ambles and Rambles??? Having I been rambling too much?

(I've really tried to keep it brief....I really have!)

I think those unique places find me more than anything else. I just head in a general direction and see what pops up in front of me. I'm a firm believer in the fact that there is always something interesting to see wherever you go!

Thanks!

I'm sure she meant ramble in a good way. I think your narratives are great! Keep it up! Did I miss the Disney Museum? Love the food pictures!!

 

[franandaj]

Somehow I missed the Fisherman's Wharf update. We need to make a point to go eat down there again. I'll have to find that olace you went last time.

Glad you finally outshopped your DH!

 

[Kristin5]

Ooh, you have whet my appetite to see San Fran again! Amazing photography! And great descriptions of everything! (and now I am craving beef tacos - thanks!!! )

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another great day! We walked a fair way along that trolley route - I recognise heaps!

Glad to hear you finally out-shopped DH

Outshopped, outspent, outlasted!

I'm sure she meant ramble in a good way. I think your narratives are great! Keep it up! Did I miss the Disney Museum? Love the food pictures!!

Thanks Denise. Really appreciate the feedback. The DisMeet was at the Disney museum. That's still to come.

Somehow I missed the Fisherman's Wharf update. We need to make a point to go eat down there again. I'll have to find that olace you went last time.

Glad you finally outshopped your DH!

I think you were digging out a dining table instead.

Yes, Scoma's. I really enjoyed the food there and have to thank skier_pete for the recommendation.

Ooh, you have whet my appetite to see San Fran again! Amazing photography! And great descriptions of everything! (and now I am craving beef tacos - thanks!!! )

Thanks for posting and commenting on my TR, Kristin. Really appreciate you doing so.

I love San Francisco. Such a great place to visit and they have quite a range of food there. Hope you make it out to that city again.

 

[rentayenta]

Great porn even on the sly.

I love SF. Nice photos. Love the ones of the trolleys.

Before i asked if you framed your photos and you seemed surprised. You really take nice pictures. I'd frame them if it were me. We have canvased a few of Michael's. I love displaying photos that we took.