The City By The Sea

For our next California adventure we headed south to "the city." All the years we go and visit my parents and we've never done it. Growing up my dad was, and still isn't, fond of crowds and big cities. So his version of us visiting San Francisco is to drive to the bridge, park and say "now walk across." Usually we'd get about half way and then turn around. We figure it probably looks the same both ways. Anyway for this reason we've not ventured that direction too often. Once when we were first married, or maybe even still engaged, we did venture down and drive around the city a bit. He balked when we drove by Giradelli square and pointed it out but never stopped to go inside. So he we figured it was about time.

Before crossing over the bridge we drove to the look out and I played with my panorama option on my camera. Quite pleased with myself on that score.

 

After a considerable time in the car the natives were ready to get out and stretch and have a cookie.

 We took a few pictures. The Boy was the only one cooperating.

 That's why he's the favorite.

 Finally it was time to head into "the city." I let David do the driving. Which he did quite well with, I must say. Once we got into the city we found our way to the crooked street, Lombard Street, and took my parents ginormous suburban down it.

 The real reason for this entire adventure. And he was on the phone for the photo-op, the nerve. Check out The Boy in the corner. I love that kid!

 After buying sufficient amounts of chocolate we started walking toward the Piers. There was a little beach that David felt they needed to check out.

 

 The Boy struggles with his pants on a day-to-day basis. He just has nothin' to hold 'em up. Poor kid.

 She and I were content to sit back and watch. With our shoes on.

 At first, shockingly enough, Miss Thing was anti-getting-her-feet-wet-and-dirty. But eventually she came around.

 They probably could have stayed there all day. And according to my sources the water really wasn't that bad. There were people even swimming in it, for heaven's sake.

But eventually we he had to drag them back. And that is the only reason they are with us today. Because they were hauled away from the water.

 There was more to explore! We headed to one of the Piers that had a bunch of old ships docked. The weather was gorgeous and we saw all kinds of birds.

 They had a bunch of barels with ropes attached and instructions on tying each one. Our Scoutmaster couldn't pass this up. One guy even stopped him to have David help him.

Then The Boy had to try. What dad does, so do I.

From there we walked toward Fisherman's Warf and met up with David's uncle and his friend. We had lunch. I had this...

And it was good. It was very very good.

 Then we stopped and checked out these dudes. The kid's loved 'em. Then Miss Thing started barking like the sea lions.

 It was such a fun day of family togetherness. And then we made it back to the car to find it had been broken into. Which slightly rained on our "perfect day" parade. Fortunately the person didn't find what they were looking for, nothing was taken.

Not even my candy, whew!

That's what I was most concerned about.