Did I ever leave?

The old and new eastern spans, side by side.

Two months on island flew by. In some respects it's good that the flights take all day otherwise the transition would be too fast. You would think after having done this close to twenty times it would be no big deal. It still is. From a 12x12 shack, with a 20mph speed limit driving on the left, it still takes an adjustment stepping to the curb waiting for Denise. I don't even drive, that says it all, until the next day. Hoping on a freeway at night with everyone barreling along at 80 is rather daunting, especially when you are half asleep. Instead, I fasten my seatbelt and white knuckle it all the way home--20 minutes of pure terror! I'm not a good passenger.



The western span is still my favorite, right up there with it's famous cousin, the Golden Gate.



Like all thing bureaucratic the new bridge is decades late and billions over budget. We won't even talk about all the defects they are finding already. A skeptic might say we have made no progress in 85 years. The original bridge and the Golden Gate came in under budget and took less than three years including the drawings. Now 15-20 years at extraordinary costs. Still to be determined--will they last?



Taken from inside Macy's at Union Square.

 

Xmas is when we pretend it's winter by putting up an ice rink! This one by the Ferry building.

Just like the flights, the month in SF is on an auto pilot of sorts. Movies, museums, a few dinners out with friends, and the walks to get to them.

 



One of the six we crammed in. I found it hilarious. Not for everyone--that is for sure.

We have friends that live just outside of Napa so taking the ferry to Vallejo is the best way to go. How else would we find ourselves at Pier 39. I love these guys. They moved in and took over the whole marina!



http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/about/mission

Winter is our rainy season. Everything turns green and blooms. Like I said, we pretend it's winter. Originally this conservatory was destined for a private residence back in the 1870's. James Lick died and the crates were later bought and given to the city. Added bonus--the deYoung museum is just a short stroll away. It's a twofer for us. We are always there several times a year. This time it was the Bulgari Collection. You actually know it even though you may not. It's that big bling Liz Taylor always seemed to have around her neck or hanging from her ears. The piece below was one of hers.


https://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/art-bulgari-la-dolce-vita-beyond-1950-1990

 

 

One of the best parts of going to the movies are the walks to get there. It makes the fattening popcorn not so decadent.

 

 

 



The park at the top of Octavia looking put towards Angel island.



Some years this is the extent of our xmas decorations! Truth is we leave it there all year minus the red ones.  lol.



Had some more stitches added to my collection. This time on the back of my neck. My eye/nose is healing nicely but the nerves haven't returned yet. If I ever end up on the wall of the Post Office my defining feature will be one eyebrow. Thank god I'm old now otherwise this could be tragic!

It follows us wherever we go...lol

One last walk in the park, this time the Legion of Honor for Anders Zorn. Who? Sweden's greatest painter.

http://www.sfgate.com/art/article/Anders-Zorn-Sweden-s-Master-Painter-review-4968871.php#photo-5432374

 

Out front of the museum. If you walk forward and turn right past the statue the Golden Gate looms not to mention the city off to the other side. If the museum wasn't here it is safe to say I would visit this incredible spot as much as I go to the top of Twin Peaks---which is twice! Thank god they plan the museums layouts here for peeps like me otherwise I would miss so much.

Finally in my desperate attempt not to gain 15 pounds when I'm here, our daily walk of sorts--the Presidio.



the pier off the Warming Hut



 

 

The red eye to New York. It's always a little strange flying into NY. Having grown up there for eighteen years, yet never really returning after college, it feels like home but It's not. I know all the people yet I don't know anyone. But it is home in some bizarre way. I guess the formative years do put a stamp on you.  

 

 One month goes by really fast....