Running, parading and weird weather
A week and a half ago we were baking in 34 degree heat and I was trying to work as best I could with an ice-pack tucked down my front or balanced on my head, getting everything finished as fast as possible so that I could head home and jump in the pool to cool off. Then, just a few days later, the daytime high barely topped 12 degrees – that’s only just above fridge temperature! The weather forecasters seem to change their mind on an hourly basis and we’ve had everything from blazing sunshine to thick fog and even rain in the last ten days.
So, what have we been up to? Well, there have been a couple of ascents to skyscraper bars – firstly to the Starlight Room with my friend from work, Molly. It was fabulous after a hot Friday in the office. Secondly, we went up to the Top of the Mark with Jon and his brother and sister, who have just been to visit. I managed to get us a fabulous table, from which we could watch the sun set over the Golden Gate, whilst sipping cocktails from the “101 martinis” menu.
May is also a good month for events. A week ago we had the 12km Bay to Breakers run. This year, I didn’t bother entering officially, but still ran the distance, while Jon and siblings walked it. My time was similar to last year’s, which is good, as I was under the impression that I wasn’t as fit this year. I’m not sure the costumes were as fun as last year, but I saw more naked people (!). When we got to the end, on the shore of the Pacific, it was really foggy and cold. However, back in North Beach, we enjoyed some lovely sunshine – a textbook example of the Bay area’s microclimates.
The Sunday just gone was the day of another event: the Mission Carnaval (that’s how they spell it, it’s not me), a vibrant Latino parade in the city’s Hispanic district. We got there after the start, so I think we may have missed some of the best sights, but there was still plenty to see, and I simply love the music (must have been a samba player in a former life). We then took a stroll a few blocks back to Dolores Park, one of the warmest parts of the city, which offers views of downtown SF above tall, feathery palm trees.
We’ve also done plenty of eating. Tried a new restaurant on Russian Hill during the week. It offered upscale American cuisine, and even had Coca Cola braised pork on the menu. Well, I had to try it, and it was, in fact, delicious! Jon, James and Jessica also made it to Mama’s, the most famous breakfast place in the city, on Washington Square. We’ve never been able to get in on the weekend because there’s always a huge line outside. Saturday night was a burger night – at Mo’s, which arguably cooks the best in San Francisco. Then, with yesterday being a holiday, Jon and I went out for breakfast to Curly’s, a great old stalwart all-American greasy spoon up the road, and I also ended up having a rather healthier Thai meal with a friend after work in the edgy Tenderloin district.
There’s been drinking aplenty too – we headed for the winelands on Saturday, specifically Sonoma Valley. However, it wasn’t how I’d imagined it (lazy picnic in the sunshine on the lawns of a fabulous winery, glugging from a cool bottle), because – very oddly – it rained! Usually, the rain is long over by this time of year, and we don’t see it again until September, but it threw it down for a large part of the day, and we ended up picnicking British-style in the car! However, we still made it around three wineries, including a tour.
We took James and Jessica back to the airport on Sunday. Unfortunately – for reasons I won’t go into here – the visit wasn’t a resounding success, but I hope that they got some enjoyment out of it. I love my State-side home and get lots of pleasure from sharing it.
So, what have we been up to? Well, there have been a couple of ascents to skyscraper bars – firstly to the Starlight Room with my friend from work, Molly. It was fabulous after a hot Friday in the office. Secondly, we went up to the Top of the Mark with Jon and his brother and sister, who have just been to visit. I managed to get us a fabulous table, from which we could watch the sun set over the Golden Gate, whilst sipping cocktails from the “101 martinis” menu.
May is also a good month for events. A week ago we had the 12km Bay to Breakers run. This year, I didn’t bother entering officially, but still ran the distance, while Jon and siblings walked it. My time was similar to last year’s, which is good, as I was under the impression that I wasn’t as fit this year. I’m not sure the costumes were as fun as last year, but I saw more naked people (!). When we got to the end, on the shore of the Pacific, it was really foggy and cold. However, back in North Beach, we enjoyed some lovely sunshine – a textbook example of the Bay area’s microclimates.
The Sunday just gone was the day of another event: the Mission Carnaval (that’s how they spell it, it’s not me), a vibrant Latino parade in the city’s Hispanic district. We got there after the start, so I think we may have missed some of the best sights, but there was still plenty to see, and I simply love the music (must have been a samba player in a former life). We then took a stroll a few blocks back to Dolores Park, one of the warmest parts of the city, which offers views of downtown SF above tall, feathery palm trees.
We’ve also done plenty of eating. Tried a new restaurant on Russian Hill during the week. It offered upscale American cuisine, and even had Coca Cola braised pork on the menu. Well, I had to try it, and it was, in fact, delicious! Jon, James and Jessica also made it to Mama’s, the most famous breakfast place in the city, on Washington Square. We’ve never been able to get in on the weekend because there’s always a huge line outside. Saturday night was a burger night – at Mo’s, which arguably cooks the best in San Francisco. Then, with yesterday being a holiday, Jon and I went out for breakfast to Curly’s, a great old stalwart all-American greasy spoon up the road, and I also ended up having a rather healthier Thai meal with a friend after work in the edgy Tenderloin district.
There’s been drinking aplenty too – we headed for the winelands on Saturday, specifically Sonoma Valley. However, it wasn’t how I’d imagined it (lazy picnic in the sunshine on the lawns of a fabulous winery, glugging from a cool bottle), because – very oddly – it rained! Usually, the rain is long over by this time of year, and we don’t see it again until September, but it threw it down for a large part of the day, and we ended up picnicking British-style in the car! However, we still made it around three wineries, including a tour.
We took James and Jessica back to the airport on Sunday. Unfortunately – for reasons I won’t go into here – the visit wasn’t a resounding success, but I hope that they got some enjoyment out of it. I love my State-side home and get lots of pleasure from sharing it.
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