Fast Winds and Big Waves at the Berkeley Municipal Pier

Odd sign isn't it? Well we tried to leave Kai there...

Wednesday, 9/19/07
Today my in-laws were to return to Canada, so we made the most of the day at the Berkeley Marina.


We hung around at the playground, while Kai had two bodyguards to watch him closely.


Kai gets a lift into the swing by grampa.


Grampa keeps a close eye on Kai, who will suddenly take off running.

I used to work at the high rise buildings to the far left and far right of the picture above (in Emeryville for Siebel Systems). There I would pluck away at the computer and evaluate employees for a safe work environment. I was apalled when I learned that the majority worked an average of 15-hours/day.
The wind was so strong, it could have blown my car door wide open and probably break it had I not been careful. The windsurfers took advantage of the winds, while Greg watched them longingly as the winds were too strong for kitesurfing.

The winds were strong at about 45mph and the coast guard had to retrieve a windsurfer.
Another coast guard boat in action- off to San Francisco?

The waves hit the rocks pretty hard, throwing spray at the cars.


Despite the strong winds, we went for a walk on the Berkeley Municipal Pier. This pier once served ferries to transport people, goods, and cars from Berkeley to San Francisco. When a football game was held at UC Berkeley, hundreds of autos would wait for hours to be transported back to the city. It was not until 1936, when the Bay Bridge was completed, that the pier became an obsolete means to travel from.

Greg and Mum in front...

3,000 feet of it original 3.5 miles length built over landfill is still usable and serves as a place to fish from, and is great for walks. The last time I walked this pier, several people were catching stingrays- we must have seen at least 7 that day...thank goodness only to be thrown back into the water. (Their meat is too tough to eat they say). They are such elegant creatures, and great fun to play with when scuba diving- even better when you have a handful of squid.


...dad behind. Dad runs about 1/3 of the length of the pier to catch up to us. His new ticker is doing him wonders!

We reach the end of the pier which is gated off for obvious reasons (that's Greg and me with my hair being whipped around by the wind).

The view through the gate towards the rest of the pier in the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge. I wonder just how much longer the remains are- does it add up to the 3.5 miles as documented?

At the base of the pier, Kai played on the giant sundial, thinking it was a slide.

This sundial represents a mutual understanding between cultures of the people of Sakai Japan and Berkeley. I don't know how the sundial acts as a symbol for this relationship.

Dad plays around with the big dog.

A close-up of the statues "heads".

For dinner we went to the Pyramid Alehouse off Gilman in Berkeley, where Kai had his first alehouse experience. He threw a fit when he couldn't get a sip of our brews...that was his experience. It must be in the Thomas genes to get that beer.

Kai runs after this little girl in the pub.

King of the Hill! He's at the top of this pyramid alright!

Mum and Dad pack. Mum wore black for her trip home, as she stated she was in mourning as she was going to miss Kai. Kai gave them both a kiss and continued to blow kisses and wave goodbye's from the doorstep as they departed.

BOO HOO! What will I do now? My babysitters are gone, and I will be intimidated by Kai to pay all attention to him just as his grandparents did.