Our lives are novels still being written, filled with dramatic passages of strength, frailties…and love. The story contains joy and jubilation along with potholes and detours. Marla has had her share of recent potholes with a 6-night emergency hospital in Santa Rosa last August and 6-and 10-day hospital visits in October. Through it all she has been a shining beacon of hopefulness and gratitude for caregivers, family and supporting friends. Many scary moments? Absolutely! Her doctor initially said, “no traveling until we see how you are doing.” Last April he gave his “OK” and we jumped on booking some trips! Marla missed most of last year’s trip to the Bay Area, so she was eager to see friends and family. San Francisco here we come!

We stopped for lunch at Perry’s on Union Street before checking into our hotel. This was always a favorite area to visit for us years ago, but the energy and retail vibrancy seem not the same. Obviously, this is due to the COVID times, high rents, and the changing retail environment.

We hadn’t seen our good friend Lea for over two years, and it was great to have her as our travel companion once again for the week! Marla and Lea go back to 7th grade and were Delta Gamma sorority sisters at the University of the Pacific.

For a historical travel side note…In college the three of us traveled to Las Vegas one weekend. We booked a hotel room outside of town for…$6 a night! You can tell we were “high-rollers”. I crawled through the hotel window to the girls’ room after dark! We did enjoy great entertainment even on our minuscule budget. Mar’s Mom knew an important Vegas pit boss who obtained close seating for us to see Frank Sinatra with the Count Basie Orchestra! The Righteous Brothers lounge show finished the evening. Out of money, we returned to school the next day.

I had to have breakfast at Sears Fine Food, a San Francisco institution on Powell Street off Union Square.

Something cracked them up!

We connected for dinner with my nephew Mika with his partner Meg, and his son, Elijah, and girlfriend at The Gold Mirror Italian restaurant in the Sunset District.

The evening was all about connection and friendship. I am very opinionated about my Italian restaurants so I wouldn’t put it on a “return list” but the camaraderie ranked a 10!

We love the Saturday Farmers’ Market at the Ferry Building! I stood forever in a huge line waiting for my favorite chicken sandwich on an Acme sourdough bun at “Roli Roti.” They didn’t have any chicken left when I got to the front! What can one do?

Checking out the market on a beautiful day!

The Bay Bridge.

I love the Legion of Honor Museum.

The “Guo Pei” fashion exhibit was truly amazing!

Lea and Marla compare notes.

I talked Marla into buying this silk Asian-inspired top. I can’t wait to see how she will wear it!

We had dinner at an old favorite of ours, Greens, at Fort Mason.

A stunning lady!

College friends and Delta Gamma sorority sisters got to together for lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant. Lea, Gretchen and Jim, Marla and I all went to the University of the Pacific together. My ties with this sorority house are strong as I was a hasher in their kitchen as a freshman and ended up being voted their “Anchor Man” later.

Waiting for our car before driving to dinner.

Heading to Fisherman’s Wharf we can see Alcatraz in the distance. It brough back a little anxiety over the “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon I once competed in with our two daughters years ago.

We had dinner at an old favorite of ours, Scoma’s. I must say it was better than ever!

Old fishing boats have always fascinated me. My great-grandfather was a sea captain living in San Francisco in the late 19th century.

Herons enjoy the fading light.

1927 Bronze statue of “El Cid Campeador”, by Anna Hyatt Huntington, in front of the Palace of the Legion of Honor. There is something breathtaking and magical at this spot.

San Francisco remains my favorite city for many reasons apart from its unique beauty as well as the home of my ancestors. “The City” has been maligned in my view by some overexaggerating its problems and unappreciative of its progressive politics. Yes, there are homeless encampments, drug and mental health issues, but these are sadly in almost all major cities today. There are still many special reasons this unique place continues to be a draw for visitors around the globe.

I’ll leave you with a couple of quotes:

“One day if I go to heaven … I’ll look around and say, ‘It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.’
Herb Caen

“Anyone who doesn’t have a great time in San Francisco is pretty much dead to me.”
Anthony Bourdain

Pictures: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.