Today started much like yesterday, except that we woke up amongst family and with no fear of checking out. With three babies in the house we were all up by 7:30, which wasn't really a problem because our hosts had coffee ready for us almost immediately and the laughing began early. Before long there was a breakfast spread that would put two out of the three BnBs we've stayed at over this trip to shame. Sandy made French toast and we all bobbled it up like we hadn't eaten in months, or like Gord.
We laughed a lot.
After breakfast we all got cleaned up and dressed and ended up sitting in the living room, most of us on the ground, playing with the kids. Not to toot our own horn , but this gene pool makes some food looking off spring. And charming? Not to be beaten by any Von Trapps, or whomever.
The Bay bridge, it will be torn down in September.
Before we knew it the clock was reading 3:00 and it was time for us to booth. We had a 7:15 date at AT&T park to see the Giants take on the Diamond Backs and we hoped to spend some time in the city before the game. We let Karen drive us in her truck because we could all fit and because that way we could leave if we wanted to go early (we would be travelling with Gord and Sloan, Sandy was going to have some alone time with Casey back at home) and she knew a great parking garage right at Pier 39.
The laziest Sea Lions in the world.
Along the way we saw plenty of sights, including the Trans America building, the hills that make the town so famous, and the trolleys. There wasn't too much traffic because we were going in a little early for the dinner crowd.
'The Rock'
Once we made it to the parking garage we got out and started to amble through the busy Pier. Theresa had been dreaming of the Sea Lions so we followed the sign ps for 'salty' passed the throngs of funnel cake eating, puppet show watching tourists. <hilarious 'wah way' sound effect> Did you know that the Sea Lions of Pier 39 migrate every summer? We didn't. There ended up being 4 (lazy?) lovely barking and basking specimens on a single distant dock, but the crowds were still there and we snapped a few pics. It was also a good view of the famous Alcatraz, I think they filmed a Nick Cage film there, making it very famous.
After snapping pics it was time to feed the babies (and grow ups), and why not go to Bubba Gumps? This family has a tradition of sharing meals at the movie themed restaurant (T and I ate with Kren's sister Julie in Time Square a few years ago, and the view can't be beat. The good news is that th place is made for busy tourist season so we got a table for 5 right on the water windows immediately. Everyone but Sloan order the veggie burger and we were off to the races.
That's Sloan waving like a mad woman on the top level - I can't see her either, but she's there.
After dinner we ambled around the midway(?) and enjoyed watching Sloan own the carousel while we bought a few postcards. And then we needed to make our way to the game. We knew the stadium was right near the bridge, so we took aim and headed off in that direction. It really didn't seem that far away when we started, but that darn bridge just wouldn't get closer. By the time we made it to the bridge (and realized that there were still over 10 blocks to go) I was carrying Sloan and we were planning on taking a bike courier back to the car.
Enjoying the game.
Finally we made it to the stadium, and let me tell you, this organization does it right. Great ball park, great food, great fans - there's good reason this team is a defending World Series champs, a class A organization all the way.
A great ball park.
But we were travelling with babies, and we till needed to drive back to Livermore, so with the 6th inning compete (the home team was up 2-0) and the clock about to strike 9:30 we headed for the exits. It took us three or four blocks to find our first (and only) bike rickshaw guy, and the only thing I wanted to know was how many he could fit. He said all of us and told him where we were headed. It may sound silly, but this may have been the highlight of our day in SF. the city was all lit up and the kids LOVED IT! Not to mention that we didn't need to walk the miles back to the car.
Some would say the best part of the evening.
In about 20 minutes we arrived back at the car and began the drive home. Sloan nearly fell asleep in the elevator and both were soundly asleep before we got on the bridge home. All in all it was a great (if short) day in the big city, and one we won't soon forget. We got home by 11:15 and were all in bed by 11:30, what would tomorrow bring?
TOTAL FUEL FILL UPS: 7
DAILY WILDLIFE: Sea Lions, sea gulls, pandas (we were in San Fran after all) and diamond backs (baseball fans will get the reference).
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