“The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco” – Mark Twain.
It’s August and over most of the US and Europe it is sweltering, with over 100 degree temperatures.. except here. If you want to cool off, come to the Bay Area.
I went into the City to meet my long time friend Jane and her godchild Christy for a celebration: Jane’s 90th birthday.
Jane is a medical miracle. I don’t know she does it. I met her in 1972 when I first started working in the Antioch Unified School District and we’ve been fast friends ever since. The years go by but she remains unchanged, always youthful. She is very active, with her traveling, socializing, and reading and is forever curious about the world around her. She and her godchild Christy met in the City for a few days of celebration, and I was lucky enough to be invited along for the fun.
We met at the ferry building in the fog and got our tickets for Sausalito, then boarded the ferry.
On the ferry, people congregated alone or in groups, inside and out. Notice also that the fog was still clinging on to the Bay Bridge, even though it was almost noon and most people are wearing their jackets. No one was hanging out on the deck getting sun, because there was no sun to be seen.
However…
As we got ready to land in Sausalito, across the bay in Marin county, the fog was leaving us and the sun came out, as did the people on the ferry to capture the scene. You see, we have microclimates in California.
Sausalito is a tourist attraction to be sure but it is also a delightful village with beautiful views and many artisan shops. It also has a fascinating history and “real people” do live here. It’s not cheap, though. They’re lucky to have ever changing views of the City by the Bay, as San Francisco is called. I haven’t been here for a while, but it is always a treat to stroll the streets and have some lunch.
Jane wanted a restaurant with a view and we chose a good one.
We all had the same thing: a snack portion of ribs with slaw. Delicious. Our view was outstanding. We watched as Alcatraz island and the skyscrapers of San Francisco peeked out from the cool grey mist.
We did a bit more walking but it was soon time to get back on the ferry Jane and Christy had to have a nap, then make their dinner plans.
Isn’t vacation great?
A vacation can last several days or a few hours. It’s just a bit of time away from the usual humdrum everyday life. It can be visiting friends for a day in an interesting setting, and often times you can find it close by. Don’t despair if you’re not on a European cruise or an African safari. Find pleasure in your own backyard.
Just don’t pack tank tops and shorts if you’re visiting San Francisco in the summer!