For Saturday

The joy of exploration is exponentially expounded when enjoyed with a friend. :)

Said goodbye to Anna today.  It was such a great week getting to know this place I have been living in for 4-5 months already. Plus it was nice to have a roommate to talk and laugh with for a change. :)

We made it an early morning to catch a ride on the iconic cable cars and made our way out to the wharfs again. We ended up near Hyde Pier (I think?) and checked out the old boats out there. Pre-Golden Gate Bridge the bay used a ferry system. Which makes sense, but I'd never seen anything about it. The sun and water and marina were all really lovely. We meandered closer to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch and a little souvenir shopping before heading back to my place. Then it was hi-ho to the airport we go!

It was a great week and I am so appreciative that I was able to spend quality time with a really wonderful and caring friend. Our adventures opened my eyes a little more to the better parts of the city and have given me a friendlier outlook on it.

Here's to friend-venturing!
Love&Harmony,
Erin

For Friday

Anna and I slept in today, given our late night hanging at Matt's house and our early rising throughout the week.  We got into town about noon for me to take care of a couple things at school and then headed to afternoon tea at Dartealing Lounge.  Anna found a pretty great deal on travelzoo.com for a $30 voucher for tea for two.

Dartealing Lounge is located in SOMA (South of Market) and is absolutely amazing.  We walked in and our jaws dropped from the Pintrest-worthy perfection.  We tried a Mint Lavender tea, as well as a blend called Purple Gems, which was essentially blueberry and absolutely scrumptious.  The finger sandwiches and teacakes were also so yummy and very filling for how petite they were.  The tea service we ended up ordering might be a little pricey for some, but with the online deal it was very worth it.  The ambiance and decor are delightfully pretty and relaxing.  And our waitress was very friendly.  I highly recommend a visit to Dartealing and I will certainly be back!

At about 3pm, Anna and I bussed over to the Mission District.  We rested in Mission Dolores Park for a bit, then wandered where our feet took us.  We admired the murals adorning the walls of the Womens' Building, which were stunning.  We also found Clarion Alley, which is a prime example of the mural art that the Mission is famous for.  The entire alley is covered in murals - some with a revolutionary feel, others serving as memorials to recently-passed community members, as well as some simply beautiful artwork (though I'm sure there is some meaning I don't know about.)

We were able to meet up with Matt and a couple of Anna's friends for dinner and a bit of bar hopping. At the rainbow-flag Latino bar Esta Noche, I played my most decent round of pool (well the second game at least...) when I sank 4 balls on a row. It was very exciting! It was a good time meeting Anna's friends who live in/near the city and of course spending some quality time with Matt, whom I hadn't really seen for a month.

And that was our Mission adventure!
Love&Harmony,
Erin

Perspective

It's interesting how a change of place and a change of pace can leas to a change in perspective.

Love&Harmony,
Erin

Wednesday Touristing

Today was Golden Gate Park day!

We got to the California Academy of Sciences just around 11am (after a bit of a sleep-in).  We probably could have spent all day there, though we did get a majority of the exhibits in.  One of the coolest parts was probably the dome-screen planetarium.  We also enjoyed seeing the penguins and the sunshine on the living roof.
After exploring the depths of their aquarium (and meeting Claude, the Academy's albino alligator), we took a brief sunshiny moment on a bench near one of the fountains between the museums.  Then we headed over to the de Young Museum.  A bit weary of looking at all sort of things, we sped through some of the general admission exhibits before making our way up the observation tower.  It's an amazing view of the Richmond and Inner Sunset districts, as well as the Presidio.  Definitely a highlight of the day.
Then, a late afternoon coffee stop and we were headed home for a nap!  After a spot of dinner and some hanging out at home, we headed out on a whim to Ocean Beach to check out the stars.  Under the full moon, we probably weren't able to see as many as normal, but it was pretty cool to walk on the beach lit up under the moonlight.  If we were dating, it would be very romantic... hahaha.

A great day, again, of course!  Tomorrow is more of an on-foot trek -- excitement abounds.  :)

Love&Harmony,
Erin

Tuesday Touristing

Touristing - verb; to act like a tourist, go sight seeing.

New word, new word!  (Maybe... haven't double checked).

Anna and I have been busy, so this post is a little late.

Tuesday was spent out at Fisherman's Wharf.  We caught a 10am boat cruise around the bay/under the Golden Gate Bridge.  Then headed to In&Out for lunch (it was Anna's first time there)!  Post lunch was the Ripley's Believe it or Not and then the Aquarium of the Bay.  As evening fell we watched the sea lions and sun set and had clam chowder in a bread bowl on Pier 39.  We then bussed over to Ghiradelli Square, but it was mostly closed for the day -- still managed a free sample though!

A long but fulfilling day!

Love&Harmony,
Erin