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

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

Friends to Visit

My friend Anna is here!  She is a good friend from my time at PLU and we were able to arrange for her to come stay with me for about a week.

My room has never been cleaner -- haha.  There's something that feels grown up about playing serious hostess to a good friend.  We've planned out some tourist stops, are leaving others up to wanderlust.  Planned out a couple meals.  I'm excited to have a friend around and to go play tourist in this city I've been living in for about 5 months (give or take).

Here's to wanderlust!

Love&Harmony,
Erin

Back in the Bay

Long day. Was productive. Lots of walking. Tired and a little lonely, truth be told.

G'night.