DAY 7

Well today we were prepared to head to San Francisco…again. After yesterday we felt we better knew what to expect. First lesson in a big city, expect the unexpected. I grew up in Tucson, a big city I thought so I had hopes not to stick out like a sore thumb, HAHAHA I hear ya’ll laughing, I really believe it too!

When we arrived to the BART departing depo, there was a woman reading aloud from the bible and singing “Jesus loves me and, you” repeatedly. When we returned almost 8 hours later she was in the same spot, singing the same verse. The only other time I had met some one like this was in TX at the Alamo. That depot needs some good cleansing energy so if that’s what it is to some; I hope her message sinks through.

We were again asked to donate money for people to ride on BART, I think the same couple as the day before. I find it hard to teach the kids to help whenever possible in a situation like this. What would really be helpful and make difference in their day to help them self or would we just be another sucker paying for their ride. Not sure, I am always torn in these situations. I want to teach caring but also that you help those who help them self.

We rode into the city and hopped onto an old streetcar. Those bad boys get packed. We were in there like sardines and they kept picking up more and more people. We got to the Pier 39 to travel to Alcatraz. Kenzie was not to keen on the boat idea. I think see has listened to me talk alittle to much cuz she’s not to fond of boats like her mama. Kaela was relieved to see the boat was not as big as the Titanic as she has watched the movie and is scared to ride on a big boat. We rode on top of the boat. What a great ride. The weather was fabulous and the scenery could not be beat. We arrived on “The Rock” and got a pair of headphones for an audio tour of the prison told by actual prison guards and prisoners that resided at “The Rock”. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Afterwards we hiked around the island and got some fun souvenirs. The best purchase so far has been the kid’s harmonicas that have Alcatraz engraved along with a saying that, “Music is a privilege,” a story told about the prison during the tour. All 3 kids picked it and have not put them down since. They actually sound pretty good and it’s easy to know where they are. Now Brad and I need to get a washboard and a Moonshine Jug and we’ll have a real hillbilly band.

We ate at another diner, not as good as Johnny’s, I think it was Lori’s diner. I would not recommend it for the food but it did have kewl decorations of old cars and stuff.

We walked around before catching the BART to head home. This is the most diverse city I have ever been in. It was great! We have traveled to some really one dimensional towns so it’s nice to see a place that anything goes, not just about sexual orientation either. That is what everyone automatically thinks of but the food, culture, races, music, clothing styles, and art all expressed many different influences. I think we saw every nationality represented in harmony. And within each nationality was diversity. Guess what we represented, remember the kids had their harmonicas by now:)??

San Francisco is beautiful and we would love to come back. We were disappointed with the litter and graffiti everywhere but I guess it’s to be expected with such a large population in a small city. I think next time we visit we will come without the kids and stay in San Francisco rather than commute in. It is just too stressful trying to keep track of the kids in the large crowds, even with ALL of us holding hands like the freaks we are, yes I still make everyone hold hands. Easier to make sure they are not picking up things on the ground, really! Also, being a HUGE germ-a-phobe I was constantly trying to tell the kids not to touch the handrails, doorknobs, seats or anything else hundreds of people had touched that day.

We will be packing up the house and heading North through Napa Valley next. We are in route to the Redwood Forrest. We’ll see how I handle highway 101. Mel’s Bloody Mary mix might have to be a companion this leg of the trip.

Side note: if you are planning on any kind of road trip, XM is a must. We got the unit cheap at Car Toys for $39.99 with a $20 mail-in-rebate (6 month subscription is the key), Brad installed with an FM frequencier thingy, another $20 and service is $12.95. I know, I know, paying for radio is stupid but almost 4 years of driving through TX-AZ w/o radio and CO-AZ w/o radio for 3 years no less than 3 times a year, plus all the other traveling done = willing to pay $13 per month to have completely NO breaks in service where we have traveled so far.

I am working on adding photos so check back soon.