Sausalito - Half Moon Bay - Computer History Museum

A natural extension of a trip to San Francisco is wine country. But maybe you don't have time and really, even though it's beautiful, there must be something more original to do. 

                     

 Hop a ferry to SAUSALITO. Thirty minutes on the water transports you to a bustling, charming town. You can take the hike back to Golden Gate Bridge or wander in the other direction along the water's edge. Beyond the impressive sailboats and yacht marinas, you'll arrive at Gailee Harbor Community Association, a member-run cooperative community of artists and marine workers. Boat builders and their families have lived next to Mino Street Marsh since the 1800's. Recently, after nearly two decades of negotiation with the city, the co-op bought the land and water parcels to create this live-aboard marina community. A real sense of neighborhood can be seen as children play and older bearded folk are working in the garden. It's worth a wander to admire the funky houseboats, colorful mailboxes and mostly kitschy art. 

                      

Before heading back to San Fran, treat yourself to dining waterside at Spinnakers. If your feeling less flush, walk on  Bridgeway, with your back to the yacht clubs and find Venice. Sit outdoors for terrific views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while enjoying pizza and other specialties. 

                      

If you have a car, a quick 30 minute drive will bring you to charming HALF MOON BAY. Dolphins and breaching whales are common sites as you wander the coast. The more ambitious can climb the rocks to the beach or cliffs along one end of the bay. Boasting a large protective harbor with working and pleasure boats at one end and a newly opened Ritz Carlton at the other, this bay if several miles has much to offer.  Of course the sea air can inspire an appetite in anyone. There are about a dozen spots to chose from.  We liked the Mirimar Beach Restaurant. It boasts protected outdoor dining at a reasonable price, with sunset views. 

                          

From 1918 to 1955 a red headed madam named Maymie Cowley, aka "Boss" ruled what was then known as the Ocean Beach Hotel. It was originally designed and built as a Prohibition roadhouse.  It's small size and isolated location made it ideal for import of liquor from Canadian ships, using rum runners  to transfer this illegal cargo first by ship to Half Moon Bay and then by car to San Francisco. The hotel's secret compartments protected the contraband. The upstairs served as the Bordello, with an outdoor sign boasting Scollops and Prongs as a hint of what might be waiting upstairs. 

If your looking for something a bit more cerebral head another 15 miles south to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. The museum "celebrates the first 2,000 years of computing." Ancient computing devices can be found alongside Charles Baggage's 1849 Difference Engine No 2, through the history of circuits, chips (the computer kind) and anticipating the future. No photo here, but we'll be going back. (This is Steve's world and I have to admit it really was very interesting.) By the way, the 45 minute docent tour is VERY worthwhile and there are cool nerdy finds in the gift shop. 

   

   

San Francisco - Meandering

   

                         

Meandering down to the end of Market Street is ALWAYS worthwhile. It might be Saturday, in which case there's an craft market, which always includes a tie-dye nod to Haight Ashbury, contrasting strongly with the local sports fans and high tech cool. 

          

Cross the street to the Embarcedero's ferry building - a foodies haven with potential overwater transportation to Oakland, Sausalito or Larkspur. But even if travel is not on your itinerary, come for an experience that will tempt all of your senses. 

                                     

The terminal's interior is like being in an oversized greenhouse, lined with diverse and carefully curated stalls. Short passageways to the water add options for small specialty markets and eateries. 

                       

Maybe you are in the mood for an early morning cup of freshly roasted coffee with organic free range chicken eggs on artisanal bread with locally smoked bacon. Are you looking for springtime fiddle heads, asparagus or local mushrooms? Is it bountiful local produce, flowers or succulents your after? Naturally there could be local oysters or fish calling your name. Meander about, grad and go, sit outside or find a table with wait service; it's all here. My favorite time is weekdays, after the morning commute but before lunchtime. Give it a try. You'll be very pleased you did. Oh - and there's a farmers market 9-12 outback on Saturday. 

                       

Don't be surprised if you run into a festival. The weekend we were here, there was a Spring India Day celebration. Besides booths of wonderful handicraft and foods, there was well attended demonstrations of traditional and fusion Indian dance and music. 

          

Stop in Chinatown. Yes, aspects of it are meant for us tourists. However it is one of the largest Chinese focused cultural outposts still left in this country. If you meander just the slightest bit off of Grant Street, the main thoroughfare, you never know what you might find. (Please let us know if you find an ear candling practitioner.)

         

The street murals alone are worth the trip. Besides numerous art, clothing and gift item shops, there is produce, medicinals and eateries galore. 

                         

On the other side of Chinatown is Little Italy with its dozens of restaurants from pizza to seafood and everything in between. (If anyone can explain this seemingly illogical juxtaposition of Chinatown to Little Italy that is seen in so many cities, please let us know.)

For an irreverent magical fun-filled treat of nighttime entertainment, try Beach Blanket Babylon. It's a surprising mix of music, comedy, storytelling, fantasy and politics - not necessarily in that order. And you'll never forget the headgear. John Clease says "... It's the most fun of any  show, anywhere in the universe." Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco, says it "....brings raucous witty disorder and irreverence to this beautiful city by the bay." Steve Silver's creation has been running continuously since 1974. There's not a bad seat in the house. The tickets are reasonably priced, so simply go. No excuses.  

Oh, and by the way, Rose Pistola on Columbus Ave has wonderful food at a great price and is just around the corner. 

   

  

San Francisco - Museums - Something for everyone.

                             

                     

A few days in San Francisco. With the diversity of population, culture, wonderful history and water views - how could it be bad? Oh, but it's the laid back, un-pretentious  vibe that always begs the question, why don't we come here more often? 

      

Let's start with Golden Gate Park - for the New Yorkers, envision Central Park sprinkled with museums, botanical gardens and a Japanese tea garden. The de Young Museum's art and photography collection's airy metal tower reminds you of contemporary chain mail. Take a ride to the top while your there. 

         

The de Young Museum's tower offers a true 360 view of the city, including both Bay and Golden Gate Bridges. 

                       

Just a quick stroll brings you to the California Academy of Sciences. Although the rainforest and butterfly section, with its massive tropical blue and yellow butterflies was enticing, the aquarium was truly mesmerizing. Lacy long tentacled, highly chromatic jellyfish danced with corals and fish of all shapes, sizes and colors. If you don't already have PADI diving certificate, you'll be inspired to get one.

                       

In a more central part of town, the recently opened San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF-MOMA) is a delight. The earlier building always reminded me of a Picasso sculpture and had wonderful exhibits. However the  airy feeling reflected in the lobby's Calder and the building's expansive galleries let you breathe, relax enjoy and simply take in all that museum has to offer. (Open until 9PM on Thursday!)

                       

From contporary art's usual suspects of Warhol and Close to the substantial sculpture of Ursula Von Ridingscard on the third floor cafe, there's something for everyone. 

          

Innovative downloadable aps or museum headsets know where you are and offer options to inform or guide you through exhibits in an entirely new manner. These photo paintings by Richard Ricter (b.1932) evoke a reflection of a time not so different from where we find ourselves today. "You can see many more things in a [blurry canvas] than in a sharply focused image." The digital guide continues on to other German painters who, based on 20th century events, reflect a fear of ascribing to either blind dogma or paranoia. 

                   

The  Asian Art Museum is a short walk from Union Square. Pictured  here is a Japanese painting with pen work, Indonesian puppets, tanka from Bhutan and a sensitive bronze of the Budha in meditation prior to enlightenment. Ancient - contemporary, it is all here.  We hear that the cafe alone is worth a visit. 

 

 

   

   

   

San Francisco - Let's Begin at Stanford

Steve and I both found ourselves out on the west coast - work, visiting friends and also finding time for just the two of us - which happens less often than you might imagine. We revisited places we hadn't been to in years and discovered new things along the way. During a visit to a friend in Hillsborough, Karen stopped at one of the countries most well known and beautiful universities. 

                        

Stanford is one of those special Universities. You enter via what seems like an endlessly long, beautiful, old palm lined  roadway with broad meridian, designed, like the campus itself, by Frederick Law Olmsted. Established in 1885 by railroad magnate and once California Governor and US Senator, Leland Stanford and wife Jane, in honor of their son who died of thyroid at the age 15 in 1884. The Leland Stanford Junior University's motto is "The wind of freedom blows". Although a liberal arts school, it has specialties that rival Harvard and MIT. It admitted its first student in 1891. Today, in early June it is brimming with graduations; the campus alive with students, family and friends. 

        

                   

It is difficult to imagine that anyone affiliated with the Stanford has not been to its renowned nondenominational chapel, the Stanford Memorial Church. Often called the University's architectural crown, it seamlessly merges Romanesque and Mission Revival styles.  The simple stucco exterior belies what can be found inside its doors. Once you've been inside to admire its ceramic murals, its stained glass, five organs, sculpture and carefully constructed cedar ceiling, you will understand why for years after, alumni are drawn back to this unique space. 

                

Outside Rodin's sculptures add another reason to explore this campus. The Cantor Arts Center boasts  a total of 200 works, among the largest Rodin collection in the world and all available for public viewing with twenty bronzes outside in the sculpture garden. The Gates of Hell (1880-1890) is a cacophony of infant through wizened figures that took Rodin two decades to complete. The Burghers of Calais are inspired as a memorial to the 100 years War and the dramatic role of Calais France in 1347. Rodin chose to not idealize the figures as his way of celebrating the idea that heroic deeds are performed by ordinary people. Although the artist's work was not fully appreciated at is completion in the 1890's it has come to be as iconographic as Rodin's The Thinkker and The Kiss, also part of the collection.

There are many reasons to visit this beautiful campus, even if you were not fortunate enough to attend here as a student. If you are in the San Francisco area, put a visit to Stanford on your list. 

    

   

Crysta and Teddy - A Family Celebration

                       

Sunday June 5, 2016 was the day that family and friends met to celebrate the marriage of Crysta Jarczynski and Teddy Monacelli. The weekend in Mikwaukee was a perfect reflection of their thoughtful yet casual style. From the welcome buffet dinner and grab-a-seat at Teddy's mom's (with the incredible Love Cake) - to the lets-hope-it-doesn't-rain-because-we're exchanging vows at the hillside community amphitheater - the event had friends and family from near and far mixing it up. 

                  

 The reception party at the historical Lakefront Brewery was an equally unique venue. The large windows to the outdoors, brick walls, long wooden tables topped with casually displayed field flowers and succulents, hand printed place cards and long bar with beers on tap just oozed with a come in and have a great time vibe. And we did!

                      

The food was delicious, including local specialties like large warm pretzels with toppings only truly understood by folks who've spent a serious amount of time in Milwaukee. Hint - cheese was involved. The there was red cabbage as part of the buffet - which required going back for seconds. 

                     

The bride and groom fed each other ice cream instead of cake and why not? Who wouldn't prefer a make it yourself ice cream Sunday over wedding cake? (Could be the launching of a desert trend.)

                      

And did I mention a serious amount of dancing?  I means HOURS worth, where the dance floor absolutely never emptied out. Altogether evidence that these this couple  merged two families with the same ideas about how you define a good time with relatives and friends. If this is the beginning, it's forshadowing of wonderful things to come. 

                                               Congratulations Crysta and Teddy!