The highlights of the trip
Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 09:32AM This is only the second time I've been to San Francisco, and for all practical purposes the first time I've really had a chance to visit the city. The first time I visited I only stayed for a day or two and that just wasn't enough to enjoy the city. I arrived on Tuesday the 10th of July and went to the hotel where the UW meeting was the Westin St. Francis, right across from Union Square. On Wednesday morning, I woke up early and hopped on the cable car that ran right in front of the hotel and rode it to the end. The cable car was virtually empty at 6:30 am and the views as you topped some of the hills in San Francisco were amazing. I rode back to the top of Nob Hill and got off to go to Grace Cathedral and walk the labyrnth. The meeting started Wednesday afternoon and I didn't have much time to do any sort of walking around the city. One of the evening receptions was at the Asian Art Museum and the portions of the museum that were open to us were nice.
On Friday, I left the Westin and went to the Willows Inn, a lovely gay B&B. I had some time that afternoon so I went up the street (up being the operative word) to Buena Vista Park. From there I watched the fog roll in, the pictures I have are OK, as there is nothing like the real experience.
Saturday, off to Marin County to visit with my friend Urania and her partner Luann. I took the ferry from the end of Market Street to Larkspur. While waiting on the ferry I enjoyed a local farmer's market. We went to Point Reyes and managed to see Tule Elk along the way.
Sunday I spent the day with Cypress and we went to Muir Woods National Monument and talked with the Redwood Trees, layed on the beach at Stinson Beach, and spent the evening touring Oakland and Berkely.
Monday was China Town, a visit to Imagiknits, and knitting night at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center.
Tuesday I headed to the Japanese Tea Garden (see the link for Golden Gate Park), Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park as a whole.
There were many great meals, mostly in the Castro and lots of walking through various neighborhoods. Some of the following posts will talk about the magic that I experienced, the challenges of the poverty and destitution in the Tenderloin, and thinking about what it would be like to be an old, gay man.
Reader Comments (1)
I'd forgotten that there's more than one way to stay in touch with you, Beloved Stan. It sounds like San Francisco was soul opening in many ways. I'm glad to think that you have soaked them in, are sitting with the revelations and listening carefully. The Wild Mystic course sounds remarkable. I wonder if we could get them to bring it East?