Greetings from San Francisco Pride!

JWBear · 06-22-2006, 09:31 PM

(Pictures will come after we get back.)

Day 1:

The least said about the flight up the better. We took BART in to the city. Today turned out to be a special free fare day for BART and MUNI. Cool.

We got to our hotel at about 4:30 in the afternoon. We’re staying at the Ramada Plaza International on Market Street, right across the street from the Civic Center (Site of the Pride Festival). The hotel, which is an eight story - vaguely Renaissance Revival – pile, served as City Hall from 1911 (when the building was built) to 1916. I’m told that there are still jail cells in the basement. Our room is small (which is to be expected on hotels of this vintage) and has all the original architectural details – including the old steam radiator! Parts of the wood trim are painted a blue that, as Bill pointed out, is the exact shade as painter’s tape. The toilet looks to be original also. It’s very small and seems to be doing its best to be inconspicuous, as if wants to apologize for its very existence. For some unexplainable reason I find myself feeling sorry for the poor thing. The walk-in closet, on the other hand, is huge. It’s almost as big as the bathroom.

After checking in and unpacking, we took MUNI to the Castro. There is a wonderful little café there called Cove Café. Simple, basic, comfort food excellently prepared. We had both been there, separately, in the past. I recommend it highly.

After dinner, we walked around the Castro and did some shopping. In one shop, we saw this and immediately thought of Lisa.

The highlight of the evening happened when we went to A Different Light. Out former NFL player Esera Tuaolo was there for a book signing. Bill is in the middle of reading his book – Alone In the Trenches. He bought another copy for Esera to sign, and I took a picture of Bill getting a bearhug from him. I don’t think Bill is ever going to wash that T-shirt again!

After that, it was back to the hotel for a quiet evening watching TV.

Ghoulish Delight · 06-22-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBear

I’m told that there are still jail cells in the basement...After checking in and unpacking, we took MUNI to the Castro.

Well, that could certainly make for an interesting evening.

Sounds like a good time is being had!

Prudence · 06-22-2006, 09:45 PM

Sometimes older buildings have ginormous closets because they used to house the murphy bed. Not sure if that's the case in your hotel or not, but I've been in similar settings where small room + giant walk-in = former murphey bed.

Not Afraid · 06-22-2006, 09:48 PM

Oooh! A good SF trip report to prepare us for our trip in July. I'm excited!

I actually OWN a crazy cat lady action figure. It was a gift from Toddler a few years ago. I display it proudly even though there are 8 cats in the action figure ad I only have 6.

Keep us posted about Pride!

JWBear · 06-22-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Oooh! A good SF trip report to prepare us for our trip in July. I'm excited!

I actually OWN a crazy cat lady action figure. It was a gift from Toddler a few years ago. I display it proudly even though there are 8 cats in the action figure ad I only have 6.

Keep us posted about Pride!

LOL!!!! I should have known!

Snowflake · 06-23-2006, 04:14 AM

Have a great trip, I love my city! I can't wait to get back there!

Gemini Cricket · 06-23-2006, 05:27 AM

Get this, Ralphie and I went to Pride a couple of years ago and stayed at the Ramada and ate at Cove Cafe. Ralphie's somewhat of a bear, so I guess bears think alike...

I'm a big fan of Tuaolo, such a great guy.

lashbear · 06-23-2006, 06:57 AM

Make sure you have a drink at the Lone Star and Daddy's for me !!

SzczerbiakManiac · 06-23-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I actually OWN a crazy cat lady action figure... I display it proudly even though there are 8 cats in the action figure ad I only have 6.

Well, right now you only have six—that could change any minute.

JWBear · 06-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Day 2:

We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I ordered the Belgian waffle, and it came without butter or syrup. When I asked for butter (I don’t use syrup) the waitress acted surprised – like this was some bizarre request. To make things worse, the waffle was tough and chewy. How on earth do you make a Belgian waffle tough and chewy? I had to use my knife to cut it! Are there legions of tourists out there who prefer their waffles dry and chewy? Goddess only knows. The OJ was good, though.

After breakfast we took MUNI (which was free again today) down to the ferry building. This iconic waterfront landmark has been completely restored. The ground floor now houses a food oriented shopping mall. The Grand Concourse on the upper level has been restored to its former glory after being subdivided into office space for the last 50 years. This huge space – nearly 700 feet long – now serves as a grand lobby for the offices that line it on either side.

We had a quick lunch at the Embarcadero Center, followed by a free Cherry Garcia ice cream cone that Ben & Jerry’s employees were handing out on the street corners. (Gotta love this city!) Then, it was off to Golden Gate Park!

We took the N train all the way to 9th Ave, then walked in to the park. By the time we got there it had become overcast and chilly; with wisps of fog rolling in.

Our first stop was the new de Young Museum. The old de Young (or “de Old Museum”, as Bill insists on calling it – lame Bill) was declared seismically unsafe after the 1989 earthquake. It was torn down and replaced by the current building, which just opened in October. The building is critically acclaimed, but controversial. It’s covered with acres of dimpled and pierced sheets of copper, and boasts a twisting 8 story tower. We spent about 2 hours inside, admiring the collections.

By the time we left, it had become bitterly cold. That, and our tired feet, convinced us to skip a planned visit to the Japanese Tea Garden (though we took a couple of pictures from outside of it). We headed back to the N train, and our hotel.

After an hour or so rest, we headed for Fisherman’s Wharf and dinner. Someone from work had recommended a restaurant there called Cioppino’s. Good recommendation! Excellent food.

We’re back at the hotel after an interesting ride on the MUNI. Tomorrow: The Pride Festival!

06-22-2006, 09:31 PM	#1
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Greetings from San Francisco Pride! (Pictures will come after we get back.) Day 1: The least said about the flight up the better. We took BART in to the city. Today turned out to be a special free fare day for BART and MUNI. Cool. We got to our hotel at about 4:30 in the afternoon. We’re staying at the Ramada Plaza International on Market Street, right across the street from the Civic Center (Site of the Pride Festival). The hotel, which is an eight story - vaguely Renaissance Revival – pile, served as City Hall from 1911 (when the building was built) to 1916. I’m told that there are still jail cells in the basement. Our room is small (which is to be expected on hotels of this vintage) and has all the original architectural details – including the old steam radiator! Parts of the wood trim are painted a blue that, as Bill pointed out, is the exact shade as painter’s tape. The toilet looks to be original also. It’s very small and seems to be doing its best to be inconspicuous, as if wants to apologize for its very existence. For some unexplainable reason I find myself feeling sorry for the poor thing. The walk-in closet, on the other hand, is huge. It’s almost as big as the bathroom. After checking in and unpacking, we took MUNI to the Castro. There is a wonderful little café there called Cove Café. Simple, basic, comfort food excellently prepared. We had both been there, separately, in the past. I recommend it highly. After dinner, we walked around the Castro and did some shopping. In one shop, we saw this and immediately thought of Lisa. The highlight of the evening happened when we went to A Different Light. Out former NFL player Esera Tuaolo was there for a book signing. Bill is in the middle of reading his book – Alone In the Trenches. He bought another copy for Esera to sign, and I took a picture of Bill getting a bearhug from him. I don’t think Bill is ever going to wash that T-shirt again! After that, it was back to the hotel for a quiet evening watching TV. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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06-22-2006, 09:45 PM	#3
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	Sometimes older buildings have ginormous closets because they used to house the murphy bed. Not sure if that's the case in your hotel or not, but I've been in similar settings where small room + giant walk-in = former murphey bed. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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06-22-2006, 09:48 PM	#4
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Oooh! A good SF trip report to prepare us for our trip in July. I'm excited! I actually OWN a crazy cat lady action figure. It was a gift from Toddler a few years ago. I display it proudly even though there are 8 cats in the action figure ad I only have 6. Keep us posted about Pride!
	Submit to Quotes

06-23-2006, 04:14 AM	#6
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Have a great trip, I love my city! I can't wait to get back there! __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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06-23-2006, 05:27 AM	#7
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Get this, Ralphie and I went to Pride a couple of years ago and stayed at the Ramada and ate at Cove Cafe. Ralphie's somewhat of a bear, so I guess bears think alike... I'm a big fan of Tuaolo, such a great guy.
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06-23-2006, 06:57 AM	#8
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	Make sure you have a drink at the Lone Star and Daddy's for me !! __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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06-23-2006, 10:30 PM	#10
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Day 2: We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I ordered the Belgian waffle, and it came without butter or syrup. When I asked for butter (I don’t use syrup) the waitress acted surprised – like this was some bizarre request. To make things worse, the waffle was tough and chewy. How on earth do you make a Belgian waffle tough and chewy? I had to use my knife to cut it! Are there legions of tourists out there who prefer their waffles dry and chewy? Goddess only knows. The OJ was good, though. After breakfast we took MUNI (which was free again today) down to the ferry building. This iconic waterfront landmark has been completely restored. The ground floor now houses a food oriented shopping mall. The Grand Concourse on the upper level has been restored to its former glory after being subdivided into office space for the last 50 years. This huge space – nearly 700 feet long – now serves as a grand lobby for the offices that line it on either side. We had a quick lunch at the Embarcadero Center, followed by a free Cherry Garcia ice cream cone that Ben & Jerry’s employees were handing out on the street corners. (Gotta love this city!) Then, it was off to Golden Gate Park! We took the N train all the way to 9th Ave, then walked in to the park. By the time we got there it had become overcast and chilly; with wisps of fog rolling in. Our first stop was the new de Young Museum. The old de Young (or “de Old Museum”, as Bill insists on calling it – lame Bill) was declared seismically unsafe after the 1989 earthquake. It was torn down and replaced by the current building, which just opened in October. The building is critically acclaimed, but controversial. It’s covered with acres of dimpled and pierced sheets of copper, and boasts a twisting 8 story tower. We spent about 2 hours inside, admiring the collections. By the time we left, it had become bitterly cold. That, and our tired feet, convinced us to skip a planned visit to the Japanese Tea Garden (though we took a couple of pictures from outside of it). We headed back to the N train, and our hotel. After an hour or so rest, we headed for Fisherman’s Wharf and dinner. Someone from work had recommended a restaurant there called Cioppino’s. Good recommendation! Excellent food. We’re back at the hotel after an interesting ride on the MUNI. Tomorrow: The Pride Festival! __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
	Submit to Quotes