Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hello From San Francisco!

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I made it! I've had this unfounded desire to visit San Francisco for quite some time (only rivaled by my unfounded desire to visit Portland), and now I'm here! So amazing!

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I'm staying in a sweet hostel with awesome views of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and access to the wonderful tourist trap that is Fisherman's Wharf and the surrounding areas.

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Yesterday I spent three or four hours wandering around the beach, streets, and piers. Of course, I took lots and lots of pictures. And I made sure to walk barefoot along the Bay beach, enjoying the cool water on my hot little road-trippin' footsies.

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Then I warmed my feet right back up by trekking up the super-steep Hyde Street. It was a bit difficult, but nothing to rival the mountains of Montana. Hooah!

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After all that hill-climbing, this food blogger's stomach was a-rumbling, so I began to forage for food. The scents pouring out of Bourdin, a bakery/restaurant/bar/cafe and purported home of the original San Francisco sourdough (I'm a sucker for sourdough), were too good to resist . . .

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. . . as was the sourdough crab . . .

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. . . and the sourdough teddy bears, turtles, and alligators. So cute! Of course I had to try some of this [adorable] sourdough bread for myself.

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I ordered the half salad/half sandwich option, going for their California veggie sandwich on sourdough and a spring salad. This was delicious. Those walnuts on the salad were spiced and so yummy. Plus, both the salad and sandwich had balsamic vinaigrette, which I would like to adopt as my first "born" child.

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The sandwich had pepper-jack and harvati cheeses, as well as veggies, avocado, and some sort of tomato-y relish. This truly deserves a holy yum.

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Today my plan is to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge, and then walk across it and back. I'm toying with the idea of taking my collapsible hoop along, but I don't know that I feel like toting it along with my bag for a total of eight (ish) miles. I was also thinking of taking the Alcatraz tour, but it's a little pricey and I'm not sure it's something I'd enjoy by myself.

Because, as fabulous as San Fran is, it comes off feeling a little bit paltry with no one to share it with. In other words, I miss the Best Husband Ever. I thought I'd be reveling in the "freedom" of a little vacation, but honestly his company is far more precious to me than this little adventure. Maybe one day . . . what do you think about a getaway to the Bay, hubby? For now, I'll buck up and enjoy my solitary wanderings and take this lesson on love, friendship, and other people to heart.

4 comments:

  1. Oh man, those bread critters are ADORABLE!!! I can only imagine all the hard work that goes into making them!

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  2. AWESOME!!! love the pics, the food, the bread bears! i feel so excited with you. it is a little lonely at first but SO exciting to travel alone. i found it very liberating and great for confidence building. yay!

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  3. Great photos, Beth! I'm proud of you, taking that trip on your own. Of course, you're never truly alone, but you know what I mean...

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  4. Wow - I stumbled over your blog and read back a few entries, and this one really jumped out at me ... mostly because I'm planning my first solo trip this summer to - where else? - San Francisco.While I've already looked into several cool things to do when I get there (I was equally skeptical of going to Alcatraz alone!), you've given me a few other ideas.Funny, in my planning, I've seen so many things I know I'd enjoy doing with my husband as well. I know that traveling alone is something I need to do, but I tell you, there's nothing like vacationing with someone you love!

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"I am glad you are here with me."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King