One Way Trip to Canada, Eh? FINAL THOUGHTS 08/10

[DMMarla07860]

enjoying your report

I watched us go under the bridge from the window in my stateroom, was going to go up on deck, but took to long of a shower and wasn't ready, and decided I'd see us go under on the way out

 

[MAGICFOR2]

enjoying your report

I watched us go under the bridge from the window in my stateroom, was going to go up on deck, but took to long of a shower and wasn't ready, and decided I'd see us go under on the way out

Thanks Julia! At least you got to see it when we left again. I forgot, did you run up there when we left the second time?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

When I left off, we had just made history under the bridge and the air was abuzz with excitement!

We headed up to Triton’s for breakfast. I had the Mermaid Tower – French toast, with grilled pineapple and scrambled eggs and bacon. I think Jim had a ham and cheese omelet.

We headed out to the street at 9:30, arriving at 9:35. We weren’t sure how long it would take to get out so we left in plenty of time. I called Deborah, and she said she was about 20 min out, so we walked down and explored the pier a little bit, and then came back to stake out a place for her to pick us up. At 10:05, she pulled up in her Toyota Prius, and we quickly piled in and we were off!

Our first activity of the day was to head to Walt Disney Family Museum!



There was a problem. The GPS system in the car took us around the hill near us, looking for the street address, but it wasn’t the right building. We got a nice tour of the area, and I took a few pics along the way.

We finally realized that the museum was in the Presidio, and old Army base,

so we made it over there. It turns out that the street INSIDE the Presidio has the same name as a street in the city. The Walt Disney Museum was everything I had hoped for and more!

We were only allowed to take pics in the lobby, not inside the display area, so I only have a few:

Even the restroom is festive

Walt's Oscars - the large one in the center is for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

We were there for over 3 hrs, and we could have stayed longer. There were lots of different media used to share the information, and you really got a sense of the whole family and their history, not just Walt’s story. Stories about different character and movie developments and behind the scenes information took up a lot of our time. At the end, there was a place to sit and read some final thoughts from Walt, and just to reflect. This found Jim and I both sitting with tears in our eyes – not really wanting to get up and leave.


We did have permission to take a pic of the GG from a huge curved window overlooking the bay.

Having paid tribute to a great visionary, we drove out and came across
The Famous Zig-Zag Lombard Street! I took a video of us going down:

And one from the bottom up:

We decided some lunch was in order – it was now about 2pm. So we started making our way down the hill toward the pier.

We found some parking and headed over to walk around at Fisherman’s Wharf.

We ran across this Hot Dog Stand and decided it fit the bill for a late lunch before our dinner date with Deborah’s boyfriend Gregg. Eating a hot dog while walking around in the sea air was just perfect. It was a little chilly and breezy, but the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.

CONT NEXT POST:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We walked over to the Trolley station, but they were down for maintenance, so we made a note of it for tomorrow. We headed to Ghirardelli Square – such a pretty spot – I bought a bag of mixed chocolate squares. I would have loved an ice cream treat, but there just wasn’t time for my stomach to digest it before dinner.

Jim and Deborah

Another little courtyard

We headed back along the street – we were looking for a small backpack, for DGS Mason’s 4th birthday. We were unable to find one anywhere in DLR, nor on the ship, and we were having no luck out here, either. It was a request, so we were on a quest. We actually found a small black one at Walgreen’s of all places! We purchased a Mickey Mouse keychain on the ship, and Viola! A Mickey Mouse backpack!

We found a pirate

And a robot

We made it to the main Pier 39 area and looked around a little bit

We looked around in the shops on the pier, and then Deborah made a hesitant suggestion. “Would you be up for a display of slightly disturbing old arcade games?” Well now I had to know – boy, she wasn’t kidding:

We stopped to check out the sea lions

These were actually games that worked with a nickel or a quarter or two. Some were just too creepy to even turn on! I’m glad we checked it out, if just for seeing something new and different!

CONT NEXT POST:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

CREEPY CONT:

We headed back out and found a restroom to “get pretty” in because it was just about time to meet Gregg. He called right on time, and we met him on the upper boardwalk, very near where he had made 6 pm reservations for us at
Bar Harbor Restaurant!

We really enjoyed getting to know Gregg, who is from Australia and works for Intel right on the wharf. We had a nice glass of wine, and some delicious Calamari for an appy. I ordered the Mahi Mahi with mango salsa. It was TDF!!! Very nice. Great view as the sun was getting lower in the sky, wonderful service and good prices. I would eat here again in a heartbeat!

Jim ordered Cioppinno - sort of a seafood stew - so they provided him with a bib. Deborah piped up with "Do we all get one?" So they brought us sympathy bibs so we could all look as special as Jim

At about 8pm, we said our fond good-byes. Deborah and I have been friends since 4th grade up in the Seattle area. We have only seen each other 3 times now since 6th grade, but we have stayed in touch, and we have always been able to pick up our friendship like we’ve never been apart! It was such a blessing to spend time with her and see how she’s doing. She was widowed a few years ago and doesn’t have children and no family in the Bay Area. She is doing well – God is good to her, and she is very happy – that made me very happy

Jim and I headed back to the ship. We had planned to see John Charles Adult Cabaret, but we were just too tired to party. Jim ordered Big Island Cookies and milk from Room Service and I had a glass of wine. We were soon in La La Land.

Next: No Trolley for You! And Chinatown!!

 

[NAB]

So cool to see your pictures.

Isn't that zig zag road cool. I loved all the Victorian type house the best.

No trolley ....that is too bad, my son and husband were like the movies and hung off the dare thing that they were going to get hit by the cars beside us. We started at the top and went to the bottom.

Can't wait to hear what you think of China Town. Hope you didn't have to use the bathroom there.

EDIT: forgot to say that first picture with the big hill looks like the one we took our 26ft travel trailer up.....it was scary ....stuipud GPS for not knowing we had a double cab truck and trailer behind us.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, now that I have revealed all the answers, I will reveal the winner. With only two who played, they each had a 50/50 chance:

Andrea, ANEWMAC, won by one point. I gave Yuki, YUKIPHNX, an extra point for saying that I watched part of the wedding, cuz I did.

Technically, I went to bed, but I did wake up and watch
Both got a point for guessing I made it up on deck
Deborah was 5 min late, so Andrea got a point for that
Our First Activity was Walt Disney Family Museum
Our 2nd Iconic sight was Lombard Street
Hot Dogs for Lunch
We ate seafood on the Pier!

NOW Drea, you can PM me with your info so I can send you your smallish prize!

 

[nunzia]

Great TR!! I am trying to place where the Wonder docks in all of this. I've been in that area..Pier 39..and Fisherman's Wharf..how far of a walk from the ship is it to all of these places? I had read another TR where a group had taken a town car to the Walt Disney Museum and then slowly walked back and we are thinking of doing that also. I know the Presidio is quite a way out but wondering how close the other things are.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

So cool to see your pictures.

Isn't that zig zag road cool. I loved all the Victorian type house the best.

No trolley ....that is too bad, my son and husband were like the movies and hung off the dare thing that they were going to get hit by the cars beside us. We started at the top and went to the bottom.

Can't wait to hear what you think of China Town. Hope you didn't have to use the bathroom there.

EDIT: forgot to say that first picture with the big hill looks like the one we took our 26ft travel trailer up.....it was scary ....stuipud GPS for not knowing we had a double cab truck and trailer behind us.

The zig-zag is very interesting! We decided it must have been made for horses and wagons to get down.

We still have another day in SF, so maybe a Trolley is in order

Yikes, I would hate to tow a trailer up there. Not gonna do it!

Great TR!! I am trying to place where the Wonder docks in all of this. I've been in that area..Pier 39..and Fisherman's Wharf..how far of a walk from the ship is it to all of these places? I had read another TR where a group had taken a town car to the Walt Disney Museum and then slowly walked back and we are thinking of doing that also. I know the Presidio is quite a way out but wondering how close the other things are.

Thanks! We parked at Pier 35. There didn't seem to be anything between 35 and 39. Maybe some small slips? It was just a 2 minute walk to the actual Fisherman's Wharf area from the Wonder.

The Presidio is 5 miles away, if you drive straight there. You could walk back, and it is scenic for sure. There is not much to do as far as shops or anything until you get close to the Pier again, unless you stay uphill and wind your way over to Ghirardelli, then down.

 

[anewmac]

We headed up to Triton’s for breakfast. I had the Mermaid Tower – French toast, with grilled pineapple and scrambled eggs and bacon. I think Jim had a ham and cheese omelet.
Yummy! almost sounds like a Kona breakfast!

Our first activity of the day was to head to Walt Disney Family Museum!
how fun!

so we made it over there. It turns out that the street INSIDE the Presidio has the same name as a street in the city. The Walt Disney Museum was everything I had hoped for and more!

what a cute gal Walt has LOL. So is this in the same area as George lucas's studio?

We were only allowed to take pics in the lobby, not inside the display area, so I only have a few:
no sneak pics like my shutters times.. lol you law abider you lol

At the end, there was a place to sit and read some final thoughts from Walt, and just to reflect. This found Jim and I both sitting with tears in our eyes – not really wanting to get up and leave.
Just like Walt to make us cry


Having paid tribute to a great visionary, we drove out and came across
The Famous Zig-Zag Lombard Street! I took a video of us going down:

We headed to Ghirardelli Square – such a pretty spot – I bought a bag of mixed chocolate squares. I would have loved an ice cream treat, but there just wasn’t time for my stomach to digest it before dinner.
yum


Jim and Deborah

Did Jim think this was a trashcan that talks like at WDW/DLand? LOL

We actually found a small black one at Walgreen’s of all places! We purchased a Mickey Mouse keychain on the ship, and Viola! A Mickey Mouse backpack!
What a smart gma!

We found a pirate

still not as good as Capt Jack

And a robot

P just walked by and asked what this was from and when I told him he said OMG SHE'S SO LUCKY lol

We looked around in the shops on the pier, and then Deborah made a hesitant suggestion. “Would you be up for a display of slightly disturbing old arcade games?” Well now I had to know – boy, she wasn’t kidding:
LMAO I would have been all over there disturbing and video games are right up my alley, next to alcohol and facebooking LOL

These were actually games that worked with a nickel or a quarter or two. Some were just too creepy to even turn on! I’m glad we checked it out, if just for seeing something new and different!
and cheap just like me LOL



Jim ordered Cioppinno - sort of a seafood stew - so they provided him with a bib. Deborah piped up with "Do we all get one?" So they brought us sympathy bibs so we could all look as special as Jim
yummy love the look too

At about 8pm, we said our fond good-byes. Deborah and I have been friends since 4th grade up in the Seattle area. We have only seen each other 3 times now since 6th grade, but we have stayed in touch, and we have always been able to pick up our friendship like we’ve never been apart! It was such a blessing to spend time with her and see how she’s doing. She was widowed a few years ago and doesn’t have children and no family in the Bay Area. She is doing well – God is good to her, and she is very happy – that made me very happy

that is so awesome to have a friendship like that!

Jim and I headed back to the ship. We had planned to see John Charles Adult Cabaret, but we were just too tired to party. Jim ordered Big Island Cookies and milk from Room Service and I had a glass of wine. We were soon in La La Land.
love cookies in milk before bed!.. almost as good as tequilla and pizza LOL

Okay, now that I have revealed all the answers, I will reveal the winner. With only two who played, they each had a 50/50 chance:

Andrea, ANEWMAC, won by one point. I gave Yuki, YUKIPHNX, an extra point for saying that I watched part of the wedding, cuz I did.

NOW Drea, you can PM me with your info so I can send you your smallish prize!

YEAH ME!! I never win anything.. lol did I win a 3day cruise its small not like a 7day LOL jk

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

well i think i am all caught up, and i just have to say mmmmm that steak looked good and my oh my that is alot of sea lions.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

YEAH ME!! I never win anything.. lol did I win a 3day cruise its small not like a 7day LOL jk

Yay you! I wish I could give you a cruise. I'm thinking of being a travel agent so maybe some day....

Jim with the trashcan. I was going to go back and make a comment about him trying to have a conversation with it, and I forgot.

Then I filled the backpack up with fruit loops!

Disturbing games, I can see that about you - first the Pizza and tequila, then head over and play the laughing lady about 20 times

It is a very special friendship

well i think i am all caught up, and i just have to say mmmmm that steak looked good and my oh my that is alot of sea lions.

Hey Dan! Welcome back. It seems like you've been gone forever. Did you update yet? I've been watching for it. I think those sea lions wait around for fishing boats to come back and throw scraps to them. I was thinking there weren't nearly as many seagulls as I expected. I wonder if they are giving them some kind of birth control or something???

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Hey Dan! Welcome back. It seems like you've been gone forever. Did you update yet? I've been watching for it. I think those sea lions wait around for fishing boats to come back and throw scraps to them. I was thinking there weren't nearly as many seagulls as I expected. I wonder if they are giving them some kind of birth control or something???

hello, i know it has been a while...i got through about half of my reports yesterday and going to finish up the rest today, then we will see about an update.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sat, April 30th our second day in SF! We were excited to get out and cross some more to –dos off my list, but we had time to enjoy our morning first. I ordered my coffee and pastry from RS, and Jim went out and ran for a bit. I had some thank you cards and Via coffee or small rum bottles for those who ordered our thread lanyards and for Laura who organized our FE exchange. Jim went out and delivered them – he came back with extra rum bottles because “some people didn’t have Fes” I knew this ahead of time and tried to problem solve but he kept telling me it would fit – I meant in the fish and he meant in the FE. So some didn’t get the gift I brought. I don’t know why sometimes we don’t speak the same language – I guess I’ve heard we are from different planets..

When he came back, he brought in our first goodies of the day:

We headed down to BBB to get a real breakfast. I had MICKEY WAFFLES!!!
I love those little cuties! Now Jim, who really disdains the DIS( there, I said it!) decided if I loved my little Mickey waffles so much I should have a pic for my TR, so he wrapped one up in a napkin for me - I didn't have my camera. It was really funny -a CM was walking by, and you could see him thinking, Dude! you can have all you want, you don't have to steal them!

I think some scrambled eggs and fruit. Jim had an omelette made. We carried our trays out into the beautiful sunshine and had a nice view of the GG Bridge while we ate our breakfast. I called my mom to tell her I was looking at the bridge right now. I think we even saw ALCATRAZ! We got our day bag ready and had another gift in our FE:

We headed out in search of a cable car.

Jim had studied the handy map we got in our FE, and had a couple of streets in mind where we might find a cable car closer and not have to walk all the way back to the station from yesterday. So we trekked up the hill and over a few blocks. We found a spot where a car was loading passengers. There was a sign that said $5 One Way, $10 round trip. Hmmm, round trip to where? Can you get off and get back on? Guess I need some info. I walked toward the guy who was sitting on a chair behind the sign. He gave me a surly look, and yelled – “YOU PAY ON THE CAR!!! “ While thumbing toward the sign which also said, “payment accepted on the car.” Makes you wonder what exactly his job was - Cable Car Nazi, I guess

So we got on, sitting on the bench. While waiting to fill up, we met a gentleman with his son visiting there from New Jersey. HE even said, “Wow, I’m from Jersey and even I think that guy is rude and unhelpful!”

Once the car was almost full, I decided to claim a spot out on the verandah on the back so I could have the view, so I moved back there. Our conductor, who I think was Shaq moonlighting, jumped on and started taking money. When he came to us, “you paying for 1 or 2? One way or round trip?” I asked, “If we go one way, where does it let us off?” His response, in a very loud, annoyed voice, “HOW DO I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GETTING OFF??” Okay, one way please. Yup. Nazi.

As we rolled out, he came back on the verandah with me – “If you are going to be back here, you’ll have to move over, this is where I stand.” I think he wanted to intimidate me. Ha! Okay, I smiled and moved over. I turned around and took pics of the best view in the world:

ALCATRAZ!

After about 6 blocks, I could see how the pattern works. They stopped at the corner every 2 or so blocks, and it seemed like it was just kind of random or requested. So at the next corner I said, “Can we get off here?” “Sure!” he said with a smile and rang a bell, and the driver stopped. We hopped out – I thanked him and he said, “have a nice day!” Really? :

CONT NEXT POST:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Chinatown Cont:

[COLOR][SIZE]
Okay, Now where were we going? Well, I had hoped to see Chinatown, and looking on the map, we had an idea that we were pretty close, so we looked down the block – Looks like Chinese!

We walked down and turned right and found ourselves right in the middle of the madness that was Chinatown

Having lived in Okinawa, we were pretty comfortable with the cultural feel of the place – very similar. I even had a “cultural moment” when there were a scad of people stopped right in front of us, Jim was stopped in front of me, or barely moving – anyway, a little old lady dug her shoulder into me and pushed. I didn’t even mind – I just smiled at the familiarity of it and enjoyed it!

These are the "stinky fruit" you see on Andrew Zimmerman:

VERY fresh shrimp

There were live fish flopping on the tables, fish cut in half while still alive, wiggling around

Can anyone tell me what this is:

We stopped by a dumpling shop and had a fresh pork dumpling, right out of the steam pot! It was a bit too “meaty” for me, so Jim finished the last half of mine.

We stopped by a Walgreen’s (getting to be our favorite SF spot) to pick up an air freshener for our cabin – more on that later. I stopped in a little “junk shop” and purchased either a table runner or a shawl – not sure which it’s supposed to be, but I’m using it on my coffee table. I also bought a set of two little glass bowls with plastic lids – just because they were only $1.99.

We went up and down both sides of about 4 blocks, and then we had had enough “culture.” We started making our way back to the street we came from. I just had to take pics of laundry day:

We saw a street named after our grandson

Funny Story: When we first started walking over toward Chinatown, Jim noticed a few police cars parked in one block. He made the comment that it might not be too safe around there – obviously there was something going on. Well, when we walked back by, I looked up and saw it was a Police Station! We had a good laugh over that!
CONT NEXT POST:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

With my list of Must Dos all crossed off, and it being a nice warm sunny day, I was dying for what would be the last chance for pool time on this trip, so we made our way back “home” to the Wonder.

I wanted a pic of us with the GG bridge in the background, so we headed up to the front of the BBB and found a lady taking pics with her girls. I offered to trade photography services, so she took our pic with the bridge.

We had a phone message saying to come by the DVC desk and say Arrgh - it was pirate night and we would get a gift - another pin and some tatoos and decals

We got our suits on, I grabbed my Nook, made an adult beverage and headed to the pool for some serious relaxation in the 76 degree sunshine!
The pool water was almost hot. I took a dip or two and just enjoyed relaxing, reading, drinking... I tried to sleep, but a certain "table 19" from a certain neighboring country of ours forgot that Quiet Cove is the "quiet pool" Just sayin' They were having an apparently rip roaring game of something or other I haven't seen before - I'm glad they had a good time, but it was hard to relax... I got over it pretty quickly once I finished my drink in my Mickey Mug!

Now, I of all people, know about sunscreen. I can often be heard lecturing others about taking care of their skin. In fact, that's how I get paid. Well, I was didn't really expect it to stay warm out there for that long, and just couldn't tear myself away. I got totally fried. Good news - I had my spa lotion along, and it took the burn right away and I didn't peel - so I guess that's sort of okay.

Once I was totally cooked, it was just about time to sail away, so we covered up and went to sit at a table by the windows, and just watched us sail away - we were soon to repeat history......

 

[eandesmom]

I am at your cable car story! That is so funny. Basically you can on or off anywhere on the route which is essentially a straight shot over the hill. But...that's only if there is room and often there isn't. It is not marked at all but yeah, they are pretty rude on there, I think (for some reason) they are supposed to be.



MAN that is a lot of candy. I have to figure out what we are doing but was kind of waiting till closer to our cutoff as I have a feeling the list will grow and it might change what we do. I was FINALLY able to book excursions and Palo last night.

A bit scared about the room freshener.

 

[lozzypop]

Cable car Nazis! Yes!!!! That is the term I was looking for. We had one of those the day before, not directed at us but at some guy with his baby in a carrier. I know that it can be hard to work with the public but geez.....

I guess they can't get guys who can work the brake AND be polite.

Loved your pictures, especially of Chinatown. We didn't intentionally go to Chinatown - well, we did because we got lost but we turned around because we were headed elsewhere.

The pink and green items are dragonfruit. The have a white centre with little black seeds. Tastes OK I guess but I wouldn't go out of my way for one.

I too tried the Quiet Cove pool later in the afternoon and wished the water had been ten degrees cooler.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I am at your cable car story! That is so funny. Basically you can on or off anywhere on the route which is essentially a straight shot over the hill. But...that's only if there is room and often there isn't. It is not marked at all but yeah, they are pretty rude on there, I think (for some reason) they are supposed to be.



MAN that is a lot of candy. I have to figure out what we are doing but was kind of waiting till closer to our cutoff as I have a feeling the list will grow and it might change what we do. I was FINALLY able to book excursions and Palo last night.

A bit scared about the room freshener.

Hmmm maybe they think it adds to the character, like at Prime Time Cafe

Yes, alot of candy, which can be expensive if you have kiddos who want to eat it all. We ate the granola bars, and maybe a piece or two, but we brought the bulk of it to my 4 nieces in Seattle at the end of the trip. Filled up a whole bowl just like Halloween.

Yes, do bring a solid air freshener with you, just in case. Yay for booking excursions and Palo!!! Feels like the planning makes sense now, right?

Cable car Nazis! Yes!!!! That is the term I was looking for. We had one of those the day before, not directed at us but at some guy with his baby in a carrier. I know that it can be hard to work with the public but geez.....

I guess they can't get guys who can work the brake AND be polite.

Loved your pictures, especially of Chinatown. We didn't intentionally go to Chinatown - well, we did because we got lost but we turned around because we were headed elsewhere.

The pink and green items are dragonfruit. The have a white centre with little black seeds. Tastes OK I guess but I wouldn't go out of my way for one.

I too tried the Quiet Cove pool later in the afternoon and wished the water had been ten degrees cooler.

Those Nazi's need to remember that the tourists are the reason they have jobs, pretty much. I mean I know locals use it to, but most of their business has to be from tourists.

Thanks for the compliments, and the info about the Dragonfruit. Now I wish I had bought one and tried it - I thought maybe it was some kind of radish.

So we were probably at the pool at the same time! Where were you for sail away?

 

[nunzia]

I am at your cable car story! That is so funny. Basically you can on or off anywhere on the route which is essentially a straight shot over the hill. But...that's only if there is room and often there isn't. It is not marked at all but yeah, they are pretty rude on there, I think (for some reason) they are supposed to be.



MAN that is a lot of candy. I have to figure out what we are doing but was kind of waiting till closer to our cutoff as I have a feeling the list will grow and it might change what we do. I was FINALLY able to book excursions and Palo last night.

A bit scared about the room freshener.

LOVE the Cable Car story!! I think I am too afraid to try those.
Speaking of SF assorted Nazis..I was in Chinatown with a group of friends in a very popular, tiny and packed restaurant and one of us was dithering with the menu too long a guy came along and took away all out menus and didn't let us order and just started bringing dish after dish after dish along with some sort of Chinese beer until we told him to stop..the food was great (but all of it had some sort of hotter than heck sauce on it). It was quite a memorable experience!
Yes..lots of candy! I am going back and forth on the FE thing..seems kinda fun but also seems like alot of extra stuff to lug home and I plan on packing light.