Pier 39

September 4, 2013 Photo of the day: "Pier 39"

Pier 39 is a fun place to dine and shop 
on the Embarcadero in San Francisco.

Along with great views of the San Francisco skyline,

you can interact with huge seagulls,

and, of course, watch the barking sea lions
sunning themselves on floating docks.

Yet our favorite thing about Pier 39 
was Fog Harbor Fish House,
a great seafood restaurant with a very friendly staff.

Image via Yelp.com

Eric had the Ahi Tuna (amazing!) and
I ordered a seasonal special:
Grilled local halibut and a quinoa salad with
pine nuts, cranberries, and arugula - so good!

Our table had a breathtaking view of Alcatraz,
ferries, and sailboats flying across the Bay.

Alcatraz

September 3, 2013 Photo of the day: "The Rock"

Crossing San Francisco Bay approaching Alcatraz,
you immediately sense its foreboding presence.

 
A sign warns prisoners of the futility of escape.

Alcatraz was once a military prison...

A maximum security federal penitentiary...

..and the site of Native American activism.

The tour narrated by former inmates & guards
is a graphic representation of life on The Rock....

in a 5' wide x 9' long x 7' high cell.

The tour is also a step back in time...

to the 1940s, '50s, and '60s...

until 1963 when the prison permanently closed.

Some of the buildings have fallen into ruins.

While others, like the lighthouse, are still functioning.

Alcatraz is now a National Park.
The views from the island are actually quite stunning.

It must have been tortuous for prisoners
to see and hear freedom so close and yet so far...

Although Alcatraz is a fascinating place,
it is a relief to return to civilization on shore!

Muir Woods

September 2, 2013 Photo of the day: "Muir Woods"

What a serene and inspiring place,
just twelve miles from San Francisco!


I tried to capture the enchanting light...

If only, I could capture the intoxicating smell...

or accurately portray the enormity of these giant redwoods!

This tree was over 900 years old!

Not everything is gigantic though :)


Golden Gate Bridge

September 1, 2013 Photo of the day:
"The Golden Gate Bridge"
in the fog at Crissy Field

Marin County looking back toward San Francisco

Driving across the Golden Gate to Sausalito

Iconic San Francisco

America's Cup

August 31, 2013 Photo of the day:
"San Francisco, A Place for Sailing"

What an amazing place for sailing!
The wind is incredible!

San Francisco is hosting the 2013 America's Cup









Next week it's Oracle (USA) 
vs. Team Emirates (NZ)

Eric is ready if Oracle needs an extra grinder!