Into The Woods

Sequoia sempervirens!

On another mini-trip husband and I ventured across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods where we visited the California Redwoods. We were both in awe of how breathtakingly still it was. Somehow all the sound of the world seemed to be sucked out from the woods. Walking through the ancient forest sent us to another place where God's glory took command. Looking up into the branches hundreds of feet above we wondered what their stories were and what they had seen as most are 500-800 years old and the oldest being 1,200 years. A Park Ranger gave a brief history of the park, which husband and I found fascinating. Especially the part about a railroad that took people from the park up to Mt. Tamalpais, whose tracks were so steep and switch back that the ride down became one of the worlds first roller coaster rides! Being in the woods brought back a lot of memories for me as I spent some time when I was young running through the redwoods playing hide & seek. It was magical then and I was happy to discover that the feeling years later was no different.

Rafael Casal - Bay Area Slang Top 100

Ode to Ube.

Scoop of Ube (pic via here)

Mitchells Ice cream shop is one of those must try places that is a foggy city staple. Its famous for it's unique variety of flavors including dulce de leche, avocado, and Ube (purple yam) my new favorite. Three nights ago we discovered that Mitchells is incredibly close to our apartment and since this discovery we have enjoyed its awesomeness two of the three nights. If you stop in SF you must try a scoop of Ube (ooo-bay) its to die for.

Whats new of late

(via Sunday in the City by sfgirlbybay)

Its been seven months since husband & I first moved to San Francisco and at last the feeling of familiarity has settled in. Streets are recognizable, we've developed our local "spots", habits & rituals have formed, and the general sensation of newness we felt upon first moving has faded. In a way its sad; almost like a loss. But I am glad to be a local; even though the shiny and new SF has dulled I still am in love with the seven miles by seven miles I call home.

In a city filled with so much there will always be some "new" left to experience & learn even when you are a local. The following is a list of the "new" of late:

(via JonBauer)

* Summer in the City: Wow has this been an experience. Its July, late July at that, a time when Im typically living for air conditioning and the So Cal Beaches. Here in SF July means something entierley different. In July the Fog has rolled in and cast out any sign of Sun. I leave my house wearing a scarf and a heavy jacket. Where picnics in the Park and bbq's were typical: Husband and I find ourselves cuddling under blankets eating warm bowls of chilli in complete confusion over this so called "summer".(via Dizzy Atmosphere)

* Insight into my neighborhood: Today was a futbol game and Im guessing Mexico won. Why do I know this when I dont watch sports. Well living in a highly hispanic area it was hard to miss the streets filled with families driving in their suv's waving the Mexican flags proudly from their car windows and honking unceasingly.

(via Sunday in the City by sfgirlbybay)

* Alemany Flea Market: This has been the Little Jewel of a discovery this past month. I've known about it for sometime, but hadn't scheduled time to go until recently. I went once a couple weeks ago and have since become and avid flea marketer. There you find original art, furniture, kitchen items, clothing, and other odds & ends- I could spend weeks filtering through the treasures that surface once a week at the Sunday Flea market. My purchases so far have been 2 wall pictures and a fruit basket. Husband is a true treasure hunter and has been completley jealous that his work schedule hasnt permitted him to come browsing with me. Its a dream and one of my favorite new rituals.

Symphony in the Park

Stern Grove is a beautiful park in the Sunset district of SF. Its one of those many areas where you can become so engulfed by nature that you forget your in a lively urban city. During summer they host free concerts in the outdoor ampitheater and I finally got a chance to make it to one last Sunday. Playing was the San Francisco Symphony. They did a lovely tribute to Roger and Hammerstein as well as some classical pieces. It was a fun experience and I hope to go again soon.

Sausalito Bike RIde

We got on the road around 12 in the afternoon and made our way to the Bart.
The Bart took us to the waterfront at the Embarcadero where we started our trek towards the Golden Gate.
Stopped at Crissy Field one of my favorite local spots to catch our breath, watch the kites, and see the picturesque view of the bay.
After a mostly "uphill" ride we made it to the bridge and prepared to bike to Sausalito on the other side. We made it and although, by the time we reached our destination we were both exhausted - it was a fabulous ride. In Sausalito we ate clam chowder, perused art Galleries, explored the local neighborhoods that reminded us of Santa Barbara, experienced pistachio ice cream, and took a nap in the park.

There is a ferry that takes you back from Sausalito to SF. It only holds 35 bikes per trip and runs infrequently. Unfortunatley our trip took place on a holiday weekend and everyone else apparently had the same great idea as we did and biked to the city across the Golden Gate. So when we expected to be home by 7pm we really made it home by 12am. Luckily we had no time schedule to make , so sitting and reading as we waited hours for the Ferry wasn't so bad.


It was a great day.

Hurry please.

Okkervil River, The Chieftains, Earl Scruggs, Booker T. & the DBTs, Gillian Welch, Marianne Faithfull, Doc Watson, Little Feat, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Billy Bragg, Richie Havens, Allen Toussaint, Mavis Staples, World Party, Aimee Mann, Neko Case, The Wronglers, Hazel Dickens, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dr. Dog, The Del McCoury Band, John Prine, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Old 97's

MANY MANY MORE SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED! See Here.

**Discovered this free concert today. I can't wait!. I love my blue grass and I love San Francisco for hosting fabulous free concerts. ***

Bay to Breakers

I believe this was the 15th time husbands grandma has participated in the race. Amazing!

This is the first beaver dam I have come across in any race. We had to jump over the logs held by the "beavers" in order to pass.
It wouldnt be a race in SF without the hills. Looking back all you see is a sea of people.Dressing up as the "swine flu" was the popular costume of choice this year.

Sharks swim down stream...
... and Salmon swim up stream.
Husband and our dear friend find the SF chapter of their Alma mater along the race.

SF Zoo

Hi Ho Silver

{image via mypolaroidblog}

Every other week I have four days off from the crazy non-profit world. And every other week Cole and I struggle to come up with plans to make the most of it. On Sunday, we took my mother in law up on an invitation to ride horses in the Santa Monica Mountains. Now my experiences with horses are very limited and from what I remember from camp at seven years of age; horses and me don't mix. But being a good sport I agreed to see if my taste buds had grown any in the past decade. Lesson learned. Come Monday I woke up feeling I needed a blown up donut to help alleviate the pain my bruised backside was in every time I attempted to sit. Now understand, I love the Santa Monica Mountains and as long as Tonto didn't pick up any speed or try to gallop, which subsequently sends me into an out of control up and down movement, life is just peachy. But of course I lack any skill in controlling the behaviors of large animals and my wishes were cast to the wayside leaving me hanging on for dear life and praying that someone would stop the ride so I could get off. So here I am: Tuesday, still suffering from my lack of cushioning in the rear and Tonto's gallop's.