San Francisco with Flowers in My Hair!

I just can't get that song out of my head!  "If  you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair"... I am singing it now!  Ah, San Francisco!  All I can say is that we most definitely needed much more time in this beautiful city by the bay!  

Seeing THE Golden Gate Bridge is something to behold!  We cruised under it at sunrise and cruised under it again as we departed at sunset.  Beautiful!  Awesome!  Am I really here?  Pinch myself!

We were so fortunate to have our own personal tour guides, Steve and Mary, who met us pierside and had a really fun itinerary set up for us!  As they say in the South, "Bless their hearts".. they got up at 5 am to meet us at the pier at 8!   We disembarked shortly after 8 and found them right where they said they'd be!  Oh my... it was chicken soup for the soul to see those two!  It's been much too long since we've seen our dear friends (& traveling companions)!  Anyway, the weather was a bit lackluster if you know what I mean.  The good news is that it went from lackluster to perfect in the scope of a few hours!

  My tour guide, Esteban, and me!

We followed Steve for our breakfast and Irish coffee stop at the Buena Vista Cafe.  Yes, Irish coffee for breakfast can't be beat!  And Irish coffee at the Buena Vista is to die for!

Along with my yummy breakfast that included corned beef hash (yes!), I think I enjoyed two Irish coffees!  LOL!

Here's the group (sans me who was the photographer!) by the bay!

As we departed Buena Vista Cafe it was "pouring down rain"!  I was so happy to have my newly purchased Helly Hansen jacket!  Steve had arranged a Bay boat tour for us and it was delightful!  We saw lots from the water, learning some of San Francisco's history and grabbing lots of opportunities for some great photos.  Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more... wow!

 Alcatraz - all I can say is that you wouldn't want to be locked up in solitary confinement there!

The rain altered our plans a bit... as we disembarked our tour boat, we wandered around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 where I loved the sea lions!  I never saw so many sea lions in one place in my entire life!  They sort of bark like dogs and jump in and out of the water.  There were big ones and even babies!  Photo op!!!

The weather took a turn for the better and what an awesome, unique and special treat awaited us!  The America's Cup race was to start at 1 pm and there we were!!!

USA Oracle Team--- WON!!!

Paula & George watching America's Cup race

 Susan and Al watching America's Cup race

What happens after all this race excitement is heaven in a bowl!.. could it be a sourdough bread bowl?  or a real bowl with sour dough bread as accompaniment?  I think I must've had the best clam chowder in the entire world!  (Yes New England, even counting you!)... The chowder was divine, filled with large chunks of clams and potatoes.  That, along with a glass of my requisite pinot grigio, completed my lunch!  Thank you Steve and Mary!!!!!  We dined at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant at Steve's recommendation and were all smiling campers.  Yum! Here are the chowder eaters! (we lost Ken & Paula & George amongst the sea lions!)

After a fantastic day in San Francisco, highlighted by being with great friends, we sailed away, cruising under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

  Thanks to George Burn for this photo!