Moving to Tucson

It seems to me that there is a lot to be done in San Francisco, especially if one is leaving. I've biked up Mount Tam, eaten at Shalimar, biked out to Ocean Beach, eaten burritos, swum in the bay, and attended the Silent Film Festival. But I've yet to see Laughing Sal, eat at Chez Panisse Cafe, or drop in at the MOMA. I want to eat Mitchell's Ice Cream and go to the zoo. I want to climb Russian Hill and bike up San Bruno. I want to go camping in Marin. There isn't enough time.

My next blog will be called, creatively enough, Livvy in Tucson. I plan to make it a bit more personal than this one. This blog will officially retire at the end of July. I promise to post on the new one every Sunday like a good little writer.

Still, San Francisco is and always will be my favorite city; it is in my blood. I was born here and I belong here. However, I plan to live and experience the Southwest desert with the same passion I try to live in my own city. So log in and read every now and then. Thanks.

Walk Like a Dog Across Polk

I've been meaning to write about this for a while. The crosswalk at Polk and Grove is near Lighthouse for the Blind, and therefore has an audio feature. The problem is that I can't figure out what that audio says. It sounds distinctly like the title of this post. If you know what it actually says, send me an email.

Yesterday, we started out at Velo Rouge on Arguello for a lovely bike ride to Marin. I was heartened to see a gleeful group of women watching the Tour de France at Velo Rouge while they waited to go on bike rides. It was not all that long ago that I saw very few women cyclists, especially riding solo, and now I see them everywhere. You go, girls!

For those of you who don't live here, Marin County is just a bridge away and has lovely cycling routes. We headed out of the San Francisco fog into the Marin County Sunshine, bought food at Whole Foods in Mill Valley and climbed up the mountain (Mount Tam, that is) to an Undisclosed Location for a lovely and relaxing picnic lunch.

I have yet to solve the mystery of the "link" on my new computer, but I did buy a digital camera. I'll start posting photos soon.

Sadly for this blog, I am leaving San Francisco for the University of Arizona in Tucson in a month, at which time this blog will be retired. Enjoy it while you can!

Today I bought my last book at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books. I always thought that sucked as a name for a bookstore, but I loved the store itself. I spent a lot of time perusing the non-fiction tables in the back, looking for the perfect weekend read or birthday present for my brother. About 8 months ago, we heard Sean Wilsey read to a packed crowd, and that book was the last I bought. Appropriately, it is titled "The Glory of It All".

Yesterday, N. and I went on a perfect bike ride, and I recommend the route. We toured around around the park, and then headed out 8th Street to Lake. We turned East on Lake Street, and worked our way up Arguello, somehow skipping the nasty hill right before the Presidio. We took the nice new bike lanes out Washington Street to the new lookout (that is where the Night Ride went tonight. If you would like to go on a night ride, check out the SFBC calendar). We worked our way down to the Golden Gate Bridge, but skipped crossing it. Instead, we rolled down to the Warming Hut for a hot chocolate, and back around to see a very cool new temporary sculpture installed by the Black Arts Foundation. The Sculpture is at the Mission and the Embarcadero, you can't miss it!

Fun Murals and Silly Food

Mona Caron just unveiled her latest mural at 22nd and Church Street. The opening gala had a band playing French musette, and the hot weather made for a festive celebration. I highly recommend you go mural hunting in San Francisco. Aside from Mona's great works, there are wonderful murals such as the ones on Balmy Alley. My favorite Mona Caron mural is the one behind the Safeway at Church and Market, but the latest one is lovely and subtle.

Last night J. took me out for fancy dinner at Jardiniere. I am only mentioning this because even though we had a great time, it is a lousy over-priced restaurant. So don't go there! Instead go to Greens or Liberty Cafe, or get a burrito at Mariachi! J. would especially want me to mention Naan 'n Curry, which I am beginning to think is his idea of what heaven would be like.

Finally, my friend L. made it to Philadelphia to go to Nursing School -- so wish her luck! We are all rooting for her.

Camera Obscura

This weekend, I found myself at Camera Obscura. Yes, that venerable institution is open once again at a bargain rate of three dollars. Even though the technology is ancient, I highly recommend it on a clear day. You will be mesmerized by the ocean. Sunday was foggy, but it still was well worth the trip. It is located on the patio area right behind the Cliff House (the new Cliff House is very strange. I miss the old bar where you could get beer and a snack for a reasonable price. Not any more!).

They want to go to Fisherman's Wharf

Because I swim at the South End Rowing Club, I have been spending a bit of time in Fisherman's Wharf (i.e., Fishy Wharf) and thought I would reveal a few of its secrets. This information could come in handy if you have relatives visiting from the Midwest, and a trip to the tourist trap can not be avoided.

The sea lions at Pier 39 are well-known and fun to observe. If a docent is present on the pier, be sure and ask lots of questions: that is why they are there. Then head down the street towards Ghirardelli Square. Stop in at the Hyde Street pier, especially if you have kids, because the pier has lots of really cool ships you can explore. My friend B. and I learned what it means to "batten a hatch" the last time we were there. Next to the pier is the State Park Maritime store, which is the best souvenir shop in the area. It is full of cool books and nautical things, as opposed to dumb T-shirts and tacky trinkets.

You can also stroll out on the breakwater/pier past Aquatic Park. Of course, while passing Aquatic Park, look out at the buoys for swimmers. You will probably see a swimmer any time of year or in any type of weather. Look for the folks without wetsuits -- they are probably South Enders, or a lower-caste Dolphin.

If you insist on a tourist event, take the kids to the chocolate factory and get a hot fudge sundae. They are really tasty and worth the cost. Plus, you can see the old equipment and learn how chocolate is made. If the kids were left off somewhere near Lodi, take the adults to Buena Vista for an Irish Coffee. It is fun, even if it is touristed. You can also get a reasonably priced meal there. For pricier meals, skip Aliotos and such. Instead stop in at Pompeii's Grotto or the Blue Mermaid. Both are quite good for the price you pay, and you don't feel ripped off when you've finished your crab sandwich.

My pal A. recommends the Fiddler's Green if you really want to avoid the tourist traps and hunker down for a pint with the locals. I haven't been, but I trust her recommendation.

Finally, if you want to ignore my advice entirely, then I advise plunging right in and paying the money for the Wax Museum. If you are going to go tourist, then go all the way. Have fun!

Runamucca

I am writing this post from the far reaches of Winnemucca, Nevada, where I am visiting a friend and Tweepers, his cat. Winnemucca is as far into real cowboy country as you can get. You see cowboys on the street, and they aren't dressing for the Rawhide! This weekend there is a Harley rally in town, which means there are a lot of bikers, so we stopped in at the Mineshaft Bar -- "where T&A is A OK"! They had cherry shots that tasted of lighter fluid, strippers, and a door that never locks.

Yesterday, we drove on dirt tracks to Waso: an old way-station for the railroad. It had several little tiny buildings, most of which were deserted. One of them was a tiny two-story building just big enough for a railroad worker. It was such a nice design, and very functional. It made me bemoan our culture's desire for big houses. This one would have suited me fine, if I had a shed for all of my stuff.

I haven't even written about the landscape out here. People think of Nevada as a big wasteland with Las Vegas in the middle, but out in Eastern Nevada I've seen some of the most beautiful landscape I've ever experienced -- miles of scrubby sagebrush with big rolling red mountains in the background. If you are exploring around here, seek out Paradise, a town I am hoping we'll head out to today. It is lovely: remote and arid. The climate is rough, but it is worth checking out.

Last, but not least, if you are hungry you can get a really good Basque meal at the Martin Hotel. And on some nights they have live music. If I survive one more night of bikers, bars, and booze, I'll be back in San Francisco by tomorrow night. That is, if I don't ride off into the sunset on the back of a Harley.

,