July 17: San Francisco County
Layover Day in San Francisco
After breakfast at a little café around the corner from the ship, we left the Balclutha and scattered in all directions for the day. Gear was packed in the van until we could check into the hostel at Ft. Mason. The weather was unbelievable: beautiful & warm with blue skies all day. This is rare in San Francisco, so we enjoyed it to the utmost. Three of us walked around the jewel of a ballpark, Pac Bell Park. (Will the name change now to SBC park, or something else?)
We found a public library to check our email messages (in 15 minute bytes), and caught up on newspapers while we waited. Most of us wandered about taking in city sights, while others left for the day and night to stay with friends or relatives nearby. Some of us shopped for new boots or hiking clothes that were needed.
San Francisco is a special city to visit at any time, but when the weather is warm and the sun shines it is really special. We checked into the hostel and were visited by a vibrant woman who is hoping to do a walk from Victoria B.C. to the south of Chile. She perhaps hoped to recruit some of us to walk with her, which might take a couple of years, but we persuaded her that we are on our own mission of completing the California Coastal Trail. (Linda Hanes; photos, Linda Hanes, Richard Nichols)
Above right: Golden Gate Park. Left, below: The Balclutha, elegant home for the night. Right: Tourist Linda at the ballpark.