If you've ever dreamed of being a race car driver, Hwy 1 in California is for you. There were times that the entire GPS display was covered in red squiggly lines, looping back and forth and around themselves, indicating our intended route. It is surprising to notice that your abs and lower back actually begin to ache as you lean into every turn - our core muscles are incredibly toned!
We got up this morning and enjoyed our nicest breakfast to date. Some homemade porridge, eggs and raisin toast. The sky was brilliantly bright and the sun felt warmer than it should for this time of year - more like a May or June sun. An old man told us that it's like this all the time in California. We replied, "except yesterday, eh?"
The coast line became even more dramatic - if that's possible. Dan is glad that he has outgrown the teenage tendency to steer your car towards whatever you're looking at. There is very little room on the shoulder and the cliffs are tall and sheer. Even more disconcerting is the sections of ground that have evidently fallen into the ocean where the edge is giving way. If you want to see Hwy 1, now's the time - we can't promise it'll still be there in a few days. We certainly came as close to the Pacific Coast as we could today (although the cows sometimes got closer).
As we turned back onto the 101 towards San Francisco, the plantscape became much dryer and the signs became much Spanisher. Everything is "El this" and "San that". It's not hard to see how this landscape will give way to desert in a few days as we head inland.
We crossed into San Francisco on the Golden Gate bridge, stealing a few glances towards Alcatraz as the traffic buzzed around us. San Francisco is a big city and we are thankful for our GPS. The bell-hop insisted on bringing our bags up to our room and we tipped him $4.75 USD for his efforts (anybody know if that's enough?). We are having a little rest for the time being - Livi is enjoying her first horizontal nap of the trip and we are...blogging obviously. Dan is going to head out to pick up Matt & Lydia Martin at the airport in about a half hour. We are looking forward to abandoning our van for a few days and enjoying this city on foot.
Those are amazing pictures!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow why didnt you take me and Rob with you guys??
If you're going to visit Alcatraz, book a few days in advance. You can never get a same-day ticket.
ReplyDeleteA free museum that's quick and worth the time is the Cable Car museum. After (or before if doesn't scare you away too much) you've ridden a cable car, the museum takes you underground so you can see the cables and the mechanics in motion. Hard to believe that when you're going down those incredibly steep hills you're relying so much on those little gears and belts working right. They've only had a few cases of runnaway cars... oh perhaps I shouldn't tell you that.
Also don't miss the incredible view of the financial district from Coit tower, nor the opportunity to drive down Lumbard street - the most windiest street in the world.
I love SF... I'm just an hour and a half away myself... can't believe you drove right past me and didn't stop to visit! :( Well have fun, strangers.