Day 15 - Fireworks by the Marina

Date 7/4

Weather: Sunny

Expense
$16 breakfast
$33 jacket
$10 dinner
$59 today
$740 for the trip

Mileage: 0 today, 3,138 for the trip

Beer: 1 (Irish coffee) today, 16 for the trip

Pictures: None

I woke up first. I wanted to go for a run so I changed and went for a half hour. I went little further than Japan Town on Geary from Leaventhworth. I felt most of the concrete sidewalk on my shins. I guess I am soft now. I felt good afterwards.

We all walked over to Union Square to get breakfast. Of course, we freshened up first. We went to the Italian coffee shop. It was nice to sit, enjoy sun, and watch people while eating your pastry and drinking your coffee. I thought we just don’t have enough Union Square like places.

We were walking back when my sis suggested I check the visitor center, because I wanted to get a week pass for mass transit. I walked down the street where the cable cars go up and down. I got a pass for twenty dollars. I walked back. I saw Capm outside my sis’ apartment. We said goodbye as he was going back to Sacramento for a family BBQ. I think my sis decided to stay in SF. I felt bad, as I know she planned on going. I told her I am a big boy and could hang in SF to meet up with Garrick.

My sis and I drove to a place where we can park free for a week. In the city, you have to move the car so often for cleaning. In addition, finding a spot would be a pain in the rear. We parked near a SFPD station and walked over to get me a windbreaker from a REI store. We walked back home stopping to get a sandwich for each of us.

We waited for Garrick while moping in the apartment. Garrick showed up with a buddy, Bill. We all headed to Marina for dinner and fireworks. We walked up what seemed like a hill from hell. While walking down the street, we came to the most crooked street. You know, where they hold the contest to see which wait person can move fastest without dropping stuff. I think it is called the Russian Hill or something. People from condos were throwing rolls at cars. I wondered what that was all about. By the time we all wished for a ride, we were already more than half way to Marina.

When I talk to Garrick, I do not feel like we live very far away or do not speak often. It just feels natural. It is a good thing. We all went to get Irish coffee from a bar. I forget the name of the bar. The bar was packed. We managed to get in and find a corner where we enjoyed Irish coffee. It was nice, because it was windy outside.

We kept on walking through crowd of people after our Irish coffee. There were seas of people on Marina to Fisherman’s wharf. There were street performers, hordes of teenagers (some enjoying grown-up drinks), tourists, and residents. I really enjoyed walking around looking at different people and talking to Garrick, Bill, and my sis.

We ate at an Italian restaurant. It was okay, but not great. Therefore, I don’t feel bad about not remembering the name. We continued to have chat about things I don’t even really remember what we talked about. It was great nonetheless as we had a great time.

We walked back to Marina to find a spot to watch the fireworks. I must say I was not ready for the kind of show SF put on. I just really regret not having a camera with me. I think the show will stay with me forever. It was bit chilly and windy. Fog was also rolling in and threatened a good show, but it never did. My sister repeatedly told us of how fog ruined or diminished the show prior years. I guess we were lucky.

Again, we walked back up the hill and went back to the apartment. Garrick and Bill came up for a tea, but they soon left. It was a great day.