[Aug 3rd]
Once entering California, we were stopped at the border in order to check for cocoons of the invasive Gypsy moth…luckily my dad had removed some cocoons before we left that morning, not really thinking anything of it, simply for aesthetics. They also informed us that we would either have to consume or throw away the pound of cherries we had bought in Oregon as they might be carrying pests, so we sat in the truck and gorged ourselves on cherries…not an awful thing to have to do in my opinion! As we drove along 101, the coastline began to change, the air felt somehow different and we began to notice new and interesting vegetation along the side of the highway. Our campground was right in the National Redwood Forest, and although we got in rather late and couldn’t see much in the dark, the next morning my dad discovered a little path right behind our camper that led into the forest, where there was the HUGEST fallen redwood, with all of its roots now perpendicular to the ground. It was even majestic in its fallen state, with several kinds of mosses and ferns clinging to the crevices between its roots and bark and trees growing right out of the trunk. We left the campground, headed for San Francisco and drove through the National Forest, stopping to get out a few times and marvel at the absolutely amazing giants.
[Aug 4th]
The first full day we were here, Thursday, we headed into the city to check out Fisherman’s Wharf. We hopped on a cable car on Washington Street- one of the coolest experiences in our trip thus far (in my opinion). The car was pretty crammed full and Adele and I hung off the edge, holding on to the bars, which was exhilarating as we squeezed past traffic and climbed up incredibly steep streets. Operating the cable car is surprisingly complicated, and the driver manipulated the various levers, peddles and pulleys as if moving through a constricted dance, knowing exactly when to apply the brakes and when to release. Fisherman’s Wharf was crowded with people, seagulls and pigeons, all hoping to get some of the famed seafood from the vendors along the waterfront. My dad got a crab cocktail and I enjoyed a clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. After leaving the crowded wharf area, we headed to the Exploratorium, an awesome museum somewhat like a huge Children’s Museum, filled with exhibits demonstrating the workings of the human senses and natural phenomenon. It was really cool after seeing geysers, twisters and hot springs to be able to play with the simulations in the museum and really understand how they function. My personal favorite was the exhibit on color and light and the way that the human eye functions- fascinating. After leaving the museum, we walked through the remainder of the structure built for the 1915 World Fair, just 6 years after the earthquake that destroyed most of San Francisco. Here are some interesting things I read on a plaque at the site of the fair: The fair featured a reproduction of the Panama Canal that covered five acres which visitors rode around the model on a moving platform, listening to information over a telephone receiver. The first trans-continental telephone call was made by Alexander Graham Bell to the fairgrounds before the fair opened, and a cross-country call was made every day the fair was open. The ukulele was first played in the United States at the 1915 fair, creating a ukulele craze in the 1920’s. An actual Ford assembly line was set up in the Palace of Transportation and turned out one car every 10 minutes for three hours every afternoon, except Sunday. 4,400 cars were produced during the Exposition. After leaving the downtown area, we hopped on a bus and headed to Haight-Ashbury where we bought some more bumper stickers for The Great Northern, my dad got a drug rug (for those of you who don’t know, a (usually) striped poncho with sleeves and a pointed hood) and Adele and I made some awesome vintage purchases at the Goodwill. We also got to see the house on Ashbury where the members of the Grateful Dead lived for a while! Everyone in the area was friendly, helpful and kind. My only complaint about the neighborhood is that you can’t find anywhere to go to the bathroom. We got dinner in Chinatown, a vegetarian combo for three that really could have fed about 6 people, and ended up giving the leftovers to two homeless guys on our way back to camp.
[Aug 5th]
The next day we headed back into Haight-Ashbury briefly, then headed over the bay bridge to check out Berkeley. What a gorgeous city! The houses are incredible- mostly a mixture of Mediterranean and Asiatic styles. We walked around the university campus for a little bit, then grabbed some tacos at a little place near the campus where we could eat in the sunny courtyard- the first time we were warm in days! We headed up the biggest hill in Berkeley, and reaching the top, pulled over to enjoy the view. We could see carpets of clouds below, the bay sparkling below us, the golden gate bridge poking through the mist that seems to cling to San Francisco and the entire side of Berkely that rolled out below us….sooooo beautiful. Headed back to camp to make an early night- we have miles to go to St. Louis Obisbo.
