Thanks Wingless, although it was for the most part a hellish day i tried to make light of it while writing

As far as the CTRL+Z, i didn't know that one. but then of course there is much about computers i don't know "LIKE EVERYTHING"

Today was a fun day and i'll write about it later.

-rich

 

Day 7: Friday

This morning i got up just before sunrise. I had alot of work to get done before our full day of bieing on vacation. Christina was still asleep and most likely would be for another few hours. Plus the house above has been having their kitchen remodeled and that starts just after 7:00 am. Luckily the writing just flowed this morning (with no mistakes) and i knew then that i was going to be very happy today.

We took our showers and dressed fairly casual for the day. Nice yet comfortable. It needed to be. We would be doing plenty of walking and much of it would be out in the sunlight. After all it was a beautiful day, sunny but with the slightest of cool breezes. Perfect for going to the San Francisco Zoo.

We first drove down to Chestnut and picked up the mornings coffee at Pete's. Because they really do make the best coffee anywhere. Grapped a few pasteries to hold us over and headed out. Christina loves it when I drive a car while holding onto a hot cup of coffee. It's very slow and i don't do much swerving in & out of traffic. Instead i drink slowly and chat away. I guess that's how most people drive, but for me it complety another story. I'm in competition at all times when behind the wheel of a car. Trying to do nothing but perform at the top of my driving skill. Not the nicest thing to do to my passengers.

We ended up with a really nice way to drive there but for got to bring the map along with us. This caused a figure pointing reaction that was quickly forgotten. We ended up getting to the Zoo, not the way we originally planned but we got there never the less. Christina had come here several times over the past few years while being a "nanny" a couple days a week to our landlords. They had an all around year pass that lets you go in anytime you feel like it. Sadly we did not have this pass with us, but luckily the Zoo isn't a bunch of greedy scum sucking dirt bags. The charge was only $10.00. Which for me didn't seem that bad.

It was so amazing. I loved every minute of it. When you finally walked though the front gate and where in the park we made a sharp (left) down "African Trail" which was filled with Zebra, Giraffes, Kubu, Ostriches and Gorillas. To name just a few. The habitats that they had built for the animals were great. For the most part they seemed fairly happy just relaxing where they were. Then it was to the "Lemur Forest". Damn those things are cute. Plus it was a good time for them. They were running about, many of them were playing and chasing each other around the enclosed world they lived in. But it didn't feel small. The plant life surrounding them was think and rich and the height from floor to top was very tall. There was also little tunnels connecting each area. So they could run and play in a much larger place. Right after that we walked up to the "Australian Walk About" where they kapt the kangaroos. Those guys were just layin around without a care in the world while zoo keeper joe (not real name) walked between them picking up their ****.

Over the next few hours (four and 1/2 to be exact) we saw many wonderful things. My favorites had to be "The Steam Trail Ride" which we got on a miniture train with a conductor and several cars and drove around the "Rain Forest Trail" It was small and cute, but some little kid about 5 years old raced me to the last car and beat me to it. That little f\/cker. If i knw he was going to grab my car i would have pushed him to the ground, even if it was in front of his mother. After all i was first in line. We even stayed back from the last train because i wanted it so badly. But Christinaworked on calming me down and when the train took off I was acking like a big kid again. Although after to two laps which only take six and a half minutes I gave the kid a few dirty looks.

The lion feeding was unbelievable. They fed the 4 lions and 3 tigers these (dead) white rabbits and everyone got to see the big cats just chew them apart like they were bread. Red blood over white fur made for more drama and louder screams and moans by the crowd.

We also took a ride on the "Carousel" which was nice. I always try to go on them when and if i get the chance. We choise the cats to ride and Christina's ended up beating mine. ( You can tell the winner by who's is up higher at the end)> But like a man i hook off the loss and found something else to think about. Besided all the wonderful animals and the joy apon my baby's face there were Kids everywhere. my god i hadn't had any idea how much they were taking over this planet. Sure there were plenty (and i mean plenty) of M.I.L.F's walking around. but the kids were out of control. Hell we are in the 21'st century and the planet is suppose to be more responsible. But no, people are breeding like friggin rabbits.

After the Zoo we headed over to the Height to see Huck at work over at "Kid Robot". He's really a good person and i'm sure any of you that have had the pressure of meeting him would agree with me. When we got to the store Samantha ( huck's girlfriend) was also there and we both gave her a big hug. That store is so cool. They have wall to wall of collectable toys and figures, many of which i would love to own. huck was very happy to see us. It had been a long time since we last got the chance to hang out or do some drinking. I remember he use to come out on drives with us North Bay guys all the time, but now his car is too pretty and he is worried about hurting it. I could have stayed there for a long time but we put every piece of change we had into the meter and that was almost over. We said our goodbyes and headed out. I didn't leave empty handed though. I got myself a "Kid Robot" t-shirt that has the skull Huck created (which is his avatar and the tattoo on his neck)

The rest of the drive back was mellow and we even stopped off at "Insperation Point" ontop of the hills over the Presidio. The sky was beginning to darken as the fog started rolling in.

Later that night we said to one another. This is our last night in the city so lets make it a good one. We decided to go back to "Luisa's" for dinner and make this her real Birthday Dinner. Since the one we had on Saturday wasn't everything we hoped it would have been. We didn't waste too much time before we left the house for our one mile walk down the street to there address on Union. Tonight being Friday the place was jumping. Most of the tables were filled with happy smilling faces. It's really hard not to be happy in this place, everyone there is so kind. They sat us at a small table and at the table right behind us was Luisa herself. Just finishing up on a large plate of pasta. She began talking to us and asking us what we were planning on having. Also making a few recommendations to us and saying we couldn't miss out on her wonderful red sause. Red sauce is really a Southern Italy thing and i tend to lean more to Northern dishes, but she was right. Her sauce was to die for. Our Italian waiter was there again from the other night and he reconized us the moment we walked though the doors. He gave us a big "Hello" and asked if he could bring us some of the same wine we had from before. I said yes and was very happy he remembered.

Every bite of food was perfect. We shared a plate of Calimari in Luisa's famous sauce. Which she made sure we got double sauce. Then we shared a plate of Gnocchi. And for the main course Christina had Prawns in a saffron sauce and i had lightly breaded chicken breasts covered in a chicken gravy like sauce and mushrooms. We took our time and made sure to finish off the second bottle of wine before ordering the desert. When we walked in there we told them we were looking to have a three hour dinner. And even Luisa patted us on the shoulders for that comment. She said nothing pisses her off more than people coming in there and ordering something not on the menu and them tell them to hurry up. Because they have a play to make it to. She knew we were not Italian but we understood the proper way of things.

Then desert and grappa. But our waiter gave me two shots of grappa because he didn't believe there was enough in the last of the first bottle. I felt fine at the time but knew i was going to be in trouble come morning. Because earlier in the day i had reached Pete and we were running the 49 Mile route to see if was possible to run as a rally. And i told him I'd be out on the sidewalk at 5:30 am. Which is usually not an issue for me, but then again i had just been on a weeks vacation and i was drunk in a restaurant and it was close to 10:30 pm.

We had a nice walk home. We held hands and desided on going the one extra block down to Broadrick so we didn't have to go up the big hill. That was a good idea. It ended up being a great night and Christina was happy to pretend that tonight was her Birthday all over again.

It was a perfect last day. We did many fun things. We even watched a few movies and stayed up till midnight.

This although only 1 hour from my house was one of the greatest vacations I have ever been on. It's nice to not take out city for granted for a little while and remember that it truely is one of (if not the best) cities in the whole country.

Tomorrow shall be the final entry in this journal and i hope the guys running the baord don't lock it down till i get to hear from all of you that have come along to share this journey with me.

-rich

 

Oh man i'm home and it feels good. Oh brother was i hung over this morning. Please wait till tomorrow to hear all about it.

-rich

 

Day 8: Saturday

Peep peep peep peep peep.... The alarm shouted at me at 5:00 am this morning. I had just fallen asleep less than five hours before hand. Still i jumped out of bed and was under the hot water in the shower before i could say "what day is this?" I had gotten use to finding my way to the bathroom with my eyes mostly closed. Even with the house pitch black. Sure the first few days i had some trouble, but now it had been a week and I felt almost at home. Just hope on this coming Monday i remember what my house is like.

It wasn't till I was in the shower that i began to realize just how bad i felt. Oh my god. What the hell did i do to myself last night. My stomach was dancing back and forth. Was i going to lose it this morning and be bent over the toilet puking my guts out when Pete comes knocking on the door. I certainly hoped not. How un-professional of me as a co-driver. It is my responsability to be at the top of my game. Making sure not to miss any turns and to tell the driver where he (or her) was suppose to be going.

I got out of the shower and began downing so much water in hopes of keeping whatever it was that wanted to come up down in my belly. I quickly got dressed and kissed Christina goodbye. then i hopped in the kichen and grapped a hand fall of crackers. I needed something to help in soaking up all the bad stuff too.

Outside the weather was crisp yet cool. Not quite t-shirt weather but the inner cooler on the car was going to be happy. I had on shorts, a t-shirt and a large sweatshirt on top of that. In my hands i was holding a couple of maps, a highlighter and a pen. Oh man did i feel like ****. Within twenty seconds Pete came over the crest and i stepped out into the street. He was ready. Much more than i could be under my condition. He was alert and there were rally computers filling up every extra square inch of the dashboard. He handed me the pace notes and quickly went over all the things expected of me along the way. I just hoped I don't screw up. If i do, he'll have to run the whole thing all over again.

We shot down Broadrick and turned (right) onto Lombard which at this time on a Saturday morning was rather quite. We were heading for the Embarcardero where we would be starting, just under the clock tower of the Ferry Building. Once everything was put to zero and the clock read 6:00 am we were ready to go. Like a bullet out of a gun we shot north/west heading towards the Financial District. Then looping back to 1st Street and turning (left) onto Howard. There we drove past the Museum of Mordern Art, The Center for the Arts and Moscone Center. (Right) on 9th crossing Market and past City Hall. Turn (left) onto Geary. Drove past St. Mary's Cathedral and up to Japan Center. There we ran into our first problems. They had closed off three whole blocks along Post Street while filming either a movie or commercial. So then we had to make computer re-calculations just north / east of japantown before driving further along Post one our way towards Union Sqare.

Oh by the way the whole time i'm telling Pete i'm about to blow my cookies are over his car. And this is not car sickness. The could be in a car while in the WRC and sit there peacefully reading a book. Never in my life have i got motion sickness and i feel sorry for those who do, like my wife. Pete in the other hand spent the night out with friends that "don't drink" at all. So he was sober as can be. Only propblem he had was lack of sleep. He had only three hours of sleep and was starting to feel it. But we wouldn't have time for coffee until this thing was over.

Back down towards the Financial Disctrict. Then (left) on Grant and (left) on California into Chinatown. It funny i was spending so much time reading papers and punching the rally clock i had no idea we even went through there. Then (left) on Columbus and (right) on Grant. Hey now this is the heart of Little Italy. Man i didn't spend any time down here while on vacation. Oh damn that's a shame. But hey i'm not sad about my choices for Italian joints to eat in. No way.... Luisa's is my new favorite place. Even if they are responsible for the way i felt right now. Then (right) onto the end of Lombard and up to Coit Tower. Even though we were only up there for less than 30 seconds the view from up there was breath taking. Through North beach again and (right) towards Fisherman's Wharf. Then we got stuck behind some a$$hole that stops at a green light and waits for it to turn yellow and red. Pete honks at the guy and he had the ***** to give us the fingure. A god damn tourist has the guts or maybe the lack of brains to flip someone off who just came out of Little Italy. He was lucky we weren't jerks ourselves or I would have thrown him into the bay right next to the fishing boats. That piece of ****. Then it was down Jefferson and (right) onto Beach. Past Maritime Museum. Turn (right) back onto Bay going past The Fort Mason Buildings and down onto the Marina Green. This i believe is the true starting point for many tourist while doing this drive but not for us. plus doing it Pete's way we'ld get all the downtown parts out of the way as early as possible.

(man this is taking awhile. i'll finish up later)

-rich

 

I think i'm finally starting to feel (almost) normal. Christina made me homemade chicken soup and we watched a couple David Mamet films. Who is of course one, if not our favorite film makers. We watched The Heist & State and Main. Both great films and part of the DVD collection i got Christina for her birthday. We were able to pick them up at the post office on our way home today.

 

Day 8: Saturday continued

The waves of sickness kept coming and going, but i was sure i was going to make it. Thankfully Pete was a good sport and even told me i was doing a good job. From the Marina we headed out past the Palace of Fine Arts and very close to where the house was. We turned (right) onto Lincoln and headed into the Presidio. Going past the Presidio Museum and the San Francisco National Cemetery. Back under the highway and out around the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot. Still driving on Lincoln we started making up some good time as we drove past The Baker Beach area.

Baker Beach was the place of my very first BAIC meet. About a year and a half ago mmboost (Jason) but on a BBQ down there and Christina and I went. That's when I met Jason, shadowcat (Joe and his beautiful wife Roe), and Eric (SF miami) and many more. But most of their names escape me now. That seems alot more than just 17-19 months ago. It's a nice beach and there's a great view of the Bridge from there (if it's not foggy).

Then it was past the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Which to this date I yet to be in. Christina has gone there a few times and says I would enjoy it. Well one of these days I'm sure. Then (right) on Geary / Point Lobos. Where we had more chances to pick up some really good speed as we flew past the Cliff House and down to The Great Highway. That stretch of road whould be so much better if it wasn't for those timed lights and 35 mph speed limit through there. just past the San Fracisco Zoo we headed up to Skyline Blvd. There we turned (right) Sadly we didn't stay on Skyline long. I just love that road. But instead we turned (left) onto John Muir Dr. Around Lake Merced where we turned (left) onto Lake Merced Blvd. Going past Harding Park and the San Francisco State University. Those i didn't get to see. Once again my head was down in the notes with my left index finger ready on the rally computer. But i had driving on this road many times, because during real bad traffic times it's the way to our next turn. Right) onto Sunset Blvd. A street that mostly only the locals take and the pace is very quuick. Well hell anything is quicker than 19th. From Sunset we entered the famous Golden Gate Park. Where we drove past almost everything on a very back and forth weeve from one end to the other. Oh man if this was entered any later than when we went in the traffic would have sucked, but we got lucky again. Out past the Kezar Stadium and (right) onto Stanyan. Just up ahead of us on the other side of the road there was a bunch of fire trucks and cops. Some person driving a SUV went staight off the road and slammed into a massive tree. Then (right) onto Pamassus driving past the University of California Medical Center. (Left) on 7th Ave. Then to Laguna Honda. This was the second screwy area. The notes that Pete had printed out were now different then the 49 Mile signs along the road. This park would have to be worked on at a later date. Because we both got a little lost. Plus some of the names of the streets weren't posted making it even more fun.

We entered Twin Peaks and turned (left) up Skyview. Wow i had never been up there before. And to my joy there wasn't much for me to do up there but enjoy the view. It was beautiful. Coming down around Clarendon and Tank hill. The roads and maps were totally messed up again. What the hell!!!!!!! I hate being lost lie this. Ok sure we were not lost in the real since of the word, no. But we were not on course. Somehow we stumbled upon Roosevelt and found our way again. Thankfully that part was over. Then we passed Buena Vista Park, Corona Heights and the Randall Jr Museum. Then turned (right) onto 14th St. Then (right) onto Dolores passing Mission Dolores and Mission Dolores Park.

Ah it was almost over. Then (left) onto Cesar Chavez passing under Hwy 80 and continued to Hwy 280 North. When we got off we were so close. We drove past Pac Bell Park and along the Embarcardero. We were talking about if this really could be done. Pete said he believes it could. With a little work and maybe cutting out some checkpoints. Just telling the teams that they had to be at the certain place at a certain time, it could work. He would look at the computer readouts and check it against the "cast" (speed in which teams need to average along entire route) we set for the drive and see. i guess only time will tell. He's the rally master, not me. I'm still working on becoming one.

Afterwards we went back to the house and picked up Christina. Then we walked on down to the entrence of the Presidio to a little place called "The Curbside Cafe". A small place that has chairs and tables out on the sidewalk. But it was still alittle cold so we sat inside. To our surpize an old friend of Christina's worked there. And i mean really old. They were ages 5 and 8 i think. but they kinda grew up together and just kinda drifted about. When you get to a certain age a three year difference feels like a hundred. Her name is Auti (spelling) (pronouced) "Ah-tee" She's a pretty girl and I could see that Pete thought so too. I thought hey they would make a cute couple. But right now it was all about breakfast and talking about the drive. Christina was interested in what had happened and we told her what we knew.

I was still feeling sick and the coffee only make it feel worse. But i got myself some French Toast and that hit the spot. Pete and Christina got eggs and stuff but I didn't have the stomach to even look at it. Sure it was probably heathier. But i needed something to soak up what was in my belly. Not to slosh around with it. When we left I told Christina to get her Phone Number. She didn't see any real reason to. Because they might not ever take the time to hang out. But she missed the hint. I was really hoping that she would have got it some maybe the four of us could go out together some time. But before anything was said or done we were out the door. Hey, maybe it was for the best. Maybe she was already in a happy relationship. But really, one more friend isn't a bad thing. It's not like we have alot anyway.

Pete went home when we got back to the house and we packed our thing. The house was good to us. And the City even better. Now i can't wait to come back. So many new memories and so many new places to go. I'm already trying to get Christina to make plans with her parents so i'll have a reason to go back.

And if Pete needs any more help on the 49 mile rally, I'll be there.

thanks again for taking the time to read this crapy journal of all mine ramplings, but it's been a lot of fun. Now to go back and write what i know best. Dirty Adult Based Sex Stories.

your i-club friend

-rich

 

Very fun and interesting read, Rich. Contains enough info on local places to eat and points of interest while maintaining just enough personal experiences through it all to be thoroughly entertaining. Thanks for taking the time (updated daily!) and effort to post your vacation journal.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Thanks for the kind words. Christina was arfaid it would be taking over my life and i'd start posting a dayly journal on i-club. I told her now way. It took far more out of me than i would have thought. Although i truely did enjoy myself.

Luckily for us i don;t own a lap top computer or i'd be doing this on all of my vacations.

I will have ever take the time to make really good notes and write something like this when i do my next rally. Like the 2nd Redwood Rendezvous Road rally up in Mendocino. Getting drunk around a camp fire with all the other rally guys. It'll make for a really good story.

-rich

 

Hey Rich,

I've enjoyed the journal for the last week. I am really an "anti-city" type person, and so I can't see myself ever doing this sort of vacation. However, It was a treat to see the experience from another point of view, and to get to partake in some of YOUR enjoyment of the place.

I know what you mean about the dificulty of maintaining a journal like this: I have written a "trip-journal" for each of the last three big summer road-trips that my girlfriend and I have taken, and it always amazes me how much time and effort it takes to get it all down on paper.

Actually, I'm planning on posting the last one in the general forum as soon as I can complete it. (I'm only two days (and 30 pages, ug) into a six day trip...) These journals are much like the one you describe wanting to write (mostly about roads and driving) and you may be interested to check one out.

(In fact, funny coincidence, you get mentioned twice in day-one of the most recent one, because of your potential Clear Lake rally plans... If you want to preview it, let me know and I'll email it to you.)

Thanks again for taking the trouble,
Mike

 

I keel yoo.

 

...with a spoon.

 

...slowly.

 

Mike i would love to read some of your stuff. e-mail me at gavinfive@comcast.net It sounds fun. Wow 30 pages in just two days of fun.

and i'm more of a counrty person too. I live out in the country (west marin) and would never want to live in a big city. But it's fun just being able to walk downstairs and pop into a coffee shop of a chinese restaurant. Plus i'm a BIG person watcher. Being a artist / painter that mainly works with people (hot chicks) i like to see how they move and act etc...

-rich

Oh Huck. you know it's true. Did you read the journal?