Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Weekend Getaway Pt. 2, February 11, 2006

Day 2

Day two was a full day of lots of cools stuff. It all started with a short walk to the B.A.R.T. station for a subway ride to the waterfront. Our young one had never ridden a subway before and was eager to try something new.

On the way there, he asked if we could sit in the last car of the subway. When I asked him why, he said so he could watch the light disappear at the end of the tunnel as we pull away. Kat and I immediately started laughing and he couldn't understand why. I explained to him that as adults, we spend most of our time looking for that theoretical light at the end of the tunnel and here he is...a twelve year old without a care in world wanting to watch it disappear. He still didn't get it, not that I really expected him to. I just told him that when he got to be our age....he'd understand. Oh, to be twelve again without a care in the world.

After that came the Blue and Gold Bay Cruise. That was a lot of fun. The boat was only about half full so there was plenty of room to move around. The peace of being out on the water is something that's hard to desribe. After spending over a decade in the Navy, going out on a boat is something that is still exciting for me. Part of the cruise included going "under" the Golden Gate Bridge. Everybody see pictures of the bridge from various angles and distances, but seeing it from underneath give you a whole new perspective. We also sailed by Alcatraz.....that was different to say the least. We didn't stop, so we didn't get to see much of it. Next time to go to SF we'll be taking that tour.

When the harbor cruise was over we had a quick bite on the yacht slips just off the pier. That's where we got the pics of the birds...up close and personal. Then it was off to the Exploratorium.

We decided to walk the mile and a half or two miles to the Exploratorium so we could enjoy the unusually clear, sunny, and warm day in San Francisco. Normally during the winter, SF is shrouded in fog and is somewhat cool. However, on this trip it was sunny and warm the whole time. Our walk took us through Fort Mason and the Marina District. Fort Mason was interesting to walk through. It's a very historic Army installation that was decommisioned back in the 90's. Lots of hills and lots of green. The Marina District looks totally different now that it did back in the 80's. Everytime you see the pictures on tv or in magazines of the Loma Prieta earthquake and houses off their foundations and burning....well that's Marina District. Now it's full of multimillion dollars townhome and condos. I guess that's how the other half lives. We're almost to the exploratorium now....and I'm starting to get tired after walking up and down all the hills back at Fort Mason.

Once we got to the Exploratorium, Eston was off and running. This is a place designed primarily for kids. Lots of hands experiments for the kids to participate in. Let me tell you, the place was packed. I don't think I've seen so many kids in one place at the same time since I was in school myself. The cool stuff for the adults is all outside. Unfortunately alot of that was messy and blocked off due to a major rehab of most of the architecture and horticulture exhibits. Nonetheless, we had a great time watching Eston. I don't think I've seen him that excited...oh say since Christmas Morning? LOL By the time we were done there is was time for dinner and some rest and relaxtion. Tomorrow's another day!

(originally posted 2-11-08 on Yahoo 360)

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