On Thursday, we rode on San Francisco's quintessential public transportation, the famous clankin'-and-bankin' cable cars, before heading to Ghirardelli Square to put our faces in some chocolate sundaes.
One of our recurring conversations this trip is Nate's claim (several times a day) that whatever we just noticed, he pointed out a few minutes ago but nobody listened. While we were waiting for a cable car, an odd fella walked by wearing a mask like a professional wrestler's. Someone mentioned it, then Nate of course said, "I just said that," which put us in yet another debate over who saw what, and said so, and in what order. We were all wrapped up in this endless spiral when Trevor interjected something like, "Is nobody interested in what's happening behind you??" Our masked friend chained himself to a post and was launching himself into an escape act from the chains and straightjacket. Of course he then worked the crowd for tips, but it was kind of impressive. You just never know what you're going to see. If you pay attention. And if you see it first in this family, ya gotta speak up. :)
A note about the weather. It's been spectacular for us the whole trip. Sunny and warm... but not quite as warm in the weird weather vortex that is San Francisco, where it stays a tad on the cool side.
When I came to SF one summertime probably 30 years ago with my grandparents and cousins Kim and JJ, we weren't prepared for the cool weather here, and Grandma & Grandpa bought sweatshirts from a souvenir shop so we'd be more comfortable. I did pack a light jacket this time, but it wasn't heavy enough for the chilliness of the evenings, and I again had to buy a sweatshirt. It's like I've learned nothing. Good thing there are plenty of shops ready to take advantage of goosebumpy tourists like me.
My extra layer came in handy for one of the high points of this trip, our visit to Alcatraz. I just can't say enough how much I love visiting the Rock. I don't know what it is--the history, the mystery, just something in the vibe. The audio tour is the same one they've had for years and years, and it is excellent. Being guided around the cellblocks by the voices of former inmates and guards is haunting and really takes you to a whole different time and place. I don't know, maybe I just watched Escape from Alcatraz too many times as a kid.
Wildlife photo of the day -- there were baby gulls outside Alcatraz's rec yard! So cute!
Because the fun just never ends, we also decided to catch a midnight showing of Man of Steel on its opening night. I was super impressed with the concession counter at this theater, which had pretzel thins & hummus. When I took the container to the cashier, he had to first ask me what it was, and then have another employee show him how to ring it up. It's official-- I'm the first person to eat hummus at a movie theater.
I was also buying a box of Sour Patch Kids for Trevor. One of the workers told us we should have bought it at the dollar store for a buck and sneaked it in, rather than paying $4 for it at the theater. Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking. It was just weird to hear it from an employee.
So anyway, this morning we returned our rental van and boarded our Amtrak train that will deliver us home in a couple days, with any luck. We love riding the train -- I think this is our 5th time using Amtrak for at least part of a vacation, but our first time on this route that will take us back through Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Omaha. It's such a throwback way to travel.
Dennis has done most of the driving on our trip, and says he can't sleep when I'm driving, so he's happy to just ride and sleep for the next couple days.
Trevor's happy we won't be driving past any more signs for universities.
On about day 3 he was all, "You don't have to say, 'You could go there,' every time we pass a sign for a college!"
Nate's happy we have tables in the sleeper cars for playing games. We still have two prizes left to be awarded and he's feeling confident.
I'm happy to have a reprieve from the shortcomings of both Google Maps and Apple Maps. You know what's fun? Start directions to the same place on two different phones using the two different apps, and let 'em fight it out. Make sure the voices are turned on for maximum entertainment.
I will miss using the Roadside America app to find oddball attractions. But there will most assuredly be future road trips.
So now we plan to chill, read, and play cards while riding the rails, and as such, this wraps up our Good Old-Fashioned Driving Vacation blog. Thanks for indulging me by listening along the way!
Signing off from somewhere near Sacramento.
elevation 35 ft.
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