San Francisco
San Francisco, California: Happy May Day
and Greetings from San Francisco. We are at a RV park across the street from
Candlestick Park - now known as 3Com Park. I have just been terrible at
updating the website! Busy, busy, busy! I do not have good cellular service
here, so I can probably get the words over, but not the photos. I will send
them as soon as technology allows.
We left Merced Saturday morning. We left late. We were having trouble with a
tire - the inside dual tire. Of course - it seems we can't go a day without
something needing attention! DT pulled into several 'truck tire' places on
the way to San Francisco, but no one was available to help, or the attendant
had no idea how to repair our problem. Just before crossing the San Mateo
Bridge, we saw a Goodyear truck tire shop, so we exited the freeway and
caught the manager of the shop just as he was closing. He knew what was
wrong instantly and helped us! Problem was - the tire was hot and we had to
wait or "the tire could blow". It was a bit frightening for me the next few
hours as I expected an explosion at any moment - but luck was with us (an
entire hour of praying helped) and the problem is solved! The tire shop
manager would not accept payment, a tip, a bottle of wine - nothing. It is
truly amazing - the kind people we meet on our adventure. Guess which brand
we will be buying next time Goldie needs tires??
Snickers needed some help so we could leave him alone tonight. My Vet had
given me a sedative for him, but I had never used it. Tonight, I phoned my
sister-in-law, Ali, who is a Vet Tech, for advice. Ali told me what to do
and Snickers did not put up much of a fight tonight and was dozing happily
when we left.
So, we were late for dinner with our old friend, Mr. P and his family. We
pulled up in front of his house at about the time of our dinner
reservations! No problem, Mr. P arranged for a late arrival and we went to
one of our favorite restaurants - Kuleto's - off Union Square. We were
joined by Mr. P's gorgeous and clever #3 child, (Lisa's good friend), his
niece and her husband, for a lovely meal. We had several appetizers - a
potato cake, grilled peppers and eggplant with fresh mozzarella, and the
guys had fish-things. We all had wonderful meals! When I spoke with
Lisa and told her we had dined at Kuleto's - she was so jealous!
Sunday, DT and Mr. P went golfing and I stayed home with my poor dog.
Snickers did not enjoy his sedative, so I guess I will not try that again.
He was quiet all evening - according to the neighbors - and was quite frisky
when we came home at 10:30. I took him out for a 15-minute stroll and he was
very lively... but when we came back from our walk, Snickers hopped up in
the bed next to DT and fell into a coma-like sleep and we could not wake him
for hours! Even the next morning he was a little groggy. Ali told me about a
new drug for 'doggie separation anxiety', and I will look into it the moment
we arrive home.
But not to worry, Snickers is very happy now. Sunday afternoon he began Pet
Camp! Yes, yes, yes... I love big cities - all those executives (and motor
home travelers) who can't take care of their dogs! I found Dog Camp through
my Vet and had Snickers signed-up for a stay while we are in San Francisco.
They have planned activities! Snack time! Play time! Snickers gets to
play with other dogs - he will be so happy. Actually, when I "enrolled" him
yesterday, he went off with the "counselor" and didn't even look back at me
(the drug-pushing dog abuser that I am).
DT and Mr. P picked me up for dinner in a new 700 series BMW, which Mr. P
had recently purchased for his #2 child. DT was driving (Mr. P does not
drive) and the car came complete with a talking GPS. They punched-in the
address to Mr. P's home (I had to help from the back seat, as neither DT nor
Mr. P could figure it out and obviously Mr. P knows where he lives, so they
didn't need to use it anyway... but none of that matters when you have a new
toy to play with) and a female voice told DT where to turn and in how-many
feet the turn would appear! Actually, it was quite fun - maybe we need a
talking GPS in Goldie???
Tonight, we had dinner at
Antica Trattoria. We tried their potato cake; artichoke flan, mozzarella
salad and the guys had squid salad - for appetizers. I had spinach ravioli
filled with peppered ricotta, topped with a sauce made from miniature cherry
tomatoes - very sweet, with just the perfect touch of basil. We had several
different desserts to share and lovely wine. Mr. P's sons and their friend,
Evelyn, joined us.