Day 9 Had lots of plans to go sightseeing - museums and art galleries - in SF but were seduced by the neighborhood cafes, shops and generally strolling around without a plan. Went up the Coit Tower for city overviews, took a trolley bus, ate a picnic lunch in Presideo Park - not before being offered marijuana in a ziplock bag - and shopped in vintage clothing stores ( our weakness). Watched Harry Potter one night in a 15-screen cinema and gorges on fresh crab at Joe's Crab Shack, complete with dancing waiters who tie a plastic bib around your neck.
Day 10 Waving good-bye to the Holiday Inn, we sped off over the Golden Gate Bridge to our new home, a Luxury houseboat in Sausalito. Walking along the pier we spied a gorgeous white wooden boat among many whimsical and quirky homes in this waterside community - this was the SS Maggie, kindly offered to us by friends.A 100 years old, the Maggie's role was transporting freight from Fort Bragg to Monterey. In the 90s her hull was rotting and she was completely renovated to the grand lady she is today.
SF to Santa Rosa 210 km
Hard to drag ourselves away but yesterday we rode north on the 101 through Sonoma to Santa Rosa and met a friend for lunch at Fresh, an urban market and restaurant where we ate a fabulously fresh salad outside, then headed to a wine tasting.
First winery was St Francis, a beautiful place surrounded by lavender filled gardens set up for a wedding, then BR Cohn where we strolled around a collection of vintage cars and another wedding set up, before starting an olive oil tasting. Fruity 25-year old balsamic vinegars and tasty estate olive oil ($25) were favorites. Day 11 Sunday morning after yoga and stretches on the deck, we had a leisurely breakfast at the HGTV-style patio table while a posse of stand up paddle boarders poled past admiring "our" home! Tempting to loll around all day with music in every room and every comfort at hand.
as the SF fog looked set for a few hours we set off for Stinson Beach along a twisty road, dipped our toes in and picnicked then continued along more curves and twists to Point Reyes Station, fabulous road with velvet covered hills of yellow grass, dotted with deep green bushes. (75 km)
Took a cycle ride around Sausalito and a trip down memory lane for Peter (he lived here in 1987). While debating where to dine tonight we came across a live music restaurant right in the harbour, where the band was pounding out salsa. We were immediately sold, locked up the bicycles and ordered pasta dinner and Italian wine, then salsa-ed with the Latino crowd till it was time to go home. Last night on our boat - sadly - then time to move on. Mendocino tomorrow. I thought we were camping, but Peter has a surprise up his sleeve, as he often does.
No comments:
Post a Comment