Last day with gramma and grampa in the city

March 2, 2008 San Francisco

Kai stands between the propeller blades of a huge boat.

I stumbled to the bathroom to find a chair propped up against the door knob of the entry door. Greg had done this to prevent Kai from escaping into the atrium, as he was able to unlock the door and open the door quite easily, as he tried to in the middle of the night.

This morning I spent some alone time with Kai, while Greg got his zzz's. That's us with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background on this nippy morning.

The Coit Tower in the background, and heed the sign on Dungeness Crabs.

Alcatraz Prison!

The Palace of Fine Arts under renovation. This is where Greg and I had our wedding pictures taken in 1994.

Taken on our walk to Fort Mason.

Pretty big alright!

Kai has a debate with the tall man.

A great view of the GG Bridge with the homes in foreground.

Where the orchid expo was being held. I had gone to this a few years ago and was just amazed by the hundreds of orchids on display. Some I had never even seen before! Well worth the visit.
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Kai and I wait for the rest of the group by the cable cars, and eat yogurt and fruit while watching the cable car operators turn the trolleys to head back uphill.

Grampa and Kai with the real SF cable cars in the background, which by the way, Kai rode alone with Gramma at about 6:30 in the morning to Union Square while Greg and I were asleep!

A Dungeness crab sneaks up from behind! (Pier 30)

We visit the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.

Kai check out a tank full of fish.

A skate in the making!

Caution! Shark overhead! Reminds me of my first encounter with the biggest shark known- not the Great White but the Whale Shark. Greg and I were doing our first certified dive in Aruba checking out this shipwreck when this large shadow passed us overhead! I just about hyperventilated and slammed up against the ship's hull when this 20-foot shark swam by and came back towards us! I later learned that the whale shark is vegetarian (eats plankton)- but heck, if you could have seen just how big its mouth was- it could swallow you in one gulp -you'd panic too!

Moon Jellyfish. They are certainly prettier floating in the water rather than looking like a gelatinous blob on the water's edge when beached .

A sting ray practically pops out of the water to greet Kai.

Greg strokes a tiger shark.

VIDEO: Aquarium of the Bay compilation of short films.

Kai throws a full-blown tantrum for reasons unknown. He had a time-out in the middle of Pier 39 and packed with tourists. We had lunch at Boudins and had a factory tour of the bread-making there.

It started here first! Sourdough bread, martini's, Popsicle's, cioppinos, fortune cookies, and Irish coffee.

Lactobacillus san francisco. Bacteria used to help make sourdough.

VIDEO: Sourdough dough.


Then after all the sight-seeing, we bid gramma and grampa good-bye. They will stay there for the week in the city while we head for home. Ninang Cheri and cousin Hope and Cohen will be flying in tomorrow afternoon for Kai's birthday party.
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More action to come!

Sightseeing along Pier 39

Kai and Gramma wave from the hotel window as Greg and I finally get our "R&R" time we were supposed to have last night. Instead, we went for a quiet breakfast at Lori's Diner with a panoramic view of the Bay. Early bird Kai had already been to the beach to feed seagulls with his grandparents!

Greg is having a thought? Naw, it's just odd to see a clock on the ceiling.

The Golden Gate Bridge and morning kayakers .


This statue reminded me of Kai when he used to nurse, where he would try to pinch my nipple and I would threaten to spank him .

Afterwards, we went for a morning stroll along the waterfront to work off the hearty breakfast.


Ghirardelli- home of the Earthquake Sundae (12 flavors of ice cream, 12 toppings) Yummy! You need 6 people to eat all that as I did over 10 years ago!

We visited Hyde Street Pier which features about 4 different museum ships and boats. This is the section of Hwy 101 where cars embarked ferries enrout to San Francisco. This was in an era before the Golden Gate Bridge was even built. So it was interesting to see they kept a bit of antique highway here.

We returned to the hotel to get warmer jackets and to check on Kai, who was in for his morning nap and with Gramma to watch over him. Thanks Gramma!

With Kai asleep, we picked up dad and snuck out again to check more things in the neighborhood.

The Firetruck Tour in San Francisco where you can actually wear the fireman gear!

Greg tries to take this pirate's cup of jo. On boy is he in for trouble!

Turtle sourdough bread-to-be.

A huge alligator sourdough bread!

We purchased a teddy bear sourdough bread, especially for our friend Rolf for his birthday.

Posing with the "silver man" who dances when you drop money into his cup. For some reason, he gave me a lollipop in return for my buck. The famous "Bird Man" of Alcatraz- a poster to lure tourists to the isolated island where the world famous prison is located-Alcatraz of course!

At the Mechanique there are several vintage games to feed quarters. Well worth it for the fun! Here is an incriminating photograph of Grampa peeping in on what was probably considered "immoral "decades back then. GOTCHA!

View through the viewfinder. Actually, I lured grampa there by inserting coins and telling him it was something cartoon else or another- just so I could get my blackmail photograph! haha.

Greg's hand gets stuck in the Bocca.

Cuban cigars for sale?

View of the hotel atrium.

We head back to the hotel to get ready to visit the Bienert's for Lukas' 2nd birthday. We have an hour for Kai and I to hang out together doing nothing in particular.

Kai is given a lollipop and is mesmerized by the fountain.

Future gymnast? Kai does the Chinese splits.