Is This the Way to Muir Woods?

The plan was to bike from our flat in North Beach to Muir Woods. Never mind that a younger and fitter couple titled their blog about that particular ride "To Hell and Back." We're experienced bikers. We've biked over the Golden Gate Bridge a dozen times. We even biked all the way down the coast to San Luis Obispo this summer. So we suited up and started off.

The first stop, though, was a little sooner than we expected. It was COLD outside, foggy and damp, and as we headed towards Fisherman's Wharf (about 10 blocks from our house), the siren song of the Buena Vista--the cafe that claims to have invented the Irish Coffee--called to me. "I bet you know what I'm thinking," I said to Ace as we pedaled past. He did.

These weren't all for me.

After a pit stop, we headed down to Aquatic Park to take a look at the swimmers. "One of these days," I keep telling myself, "I'm going to get into that water, too." But not today.

Swimmers on the steps of Aquatic Park beneath Ghiradelli Square


After climbing the hill that overlooks Fort Mason, we coasted down to Marina Green. We had to stop there to take a picture in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club, because that's where we embarked 28 years ago today to get married on a boat on the Bay.

Twenty-eight years later, a little the worse for wear, in front of St. Francis Yacht Club.

After that it was smooth cycling until the steep approach to the Golden Gate Bridge, where Ace suddenly broke a spoke. His back wheel wobbled so badly we had to turn around and head back. He was able to ride his crippled bike most of the way, but on one downhill slope, we thought we'd better walk.

Above the Broadway tunnel. That's the Bay Bridge in the distance.

It's a good thing we live where we do, because there's a bicycle shop right across the street--Cykel. Ace knew he could drop off his wheel for rebuilding, and carry his bike's carcass home. Before we got there, though, we stumbled across a blues band playing on Polk Street. So instead of hiking through the redwoods on our anniversary, I ended up dancing in the streets.

Worked for me! :)



Home sweet home.

Around the Dinner Table

there were cranes, trucks, bicycles, cars, pedestrians, strangers laughing and eating and speaking German, and tall, tall, tall buildings with mirrored windows.
Tonight we ate at Kate O'Brian's on Howard at 2nd St. where they make great bangers and mash.

Our son met us there after work and drank a pint of Lagunitas, which is brewed in a small fishing town up the coast.

Then we got back on our bikes and pedaled home.

English Teacher's Fantasy

We Players is performing The Odyssey on a schooner. If you can afford it, GO. If not, see their free production on Angel Island in the spring.

This morning I set sail on the Alma--an 1891 schooner from the San Francisco Maritime Museum--to see We Players put on a live performance of The Odyssey on the Bay. I got very little sleep last night anticipating this event. I've taught The Odyssey to my high school freshmen every year for the past 10 years, and I'm teaching it again right now, so the timing couldn't have been better. I love this book. I was delighted I'd been chosen to volunteer at future performances (since I couldn't afford the $160 ticket), and eager to see who would portray Odysseus, how they would depict the various monsters, and if they could accomplish it all while under sail. I wasn't disappointed.

What I saw was a dress rehearsal. There will be eleven performances on the boat, scheduled on weekend afternoons in September, October, and November. If you can afford it, go. This was the best event I've been to in years--perhaps in all time. But if the cost is too high for you, don't worry. According to their website, We Players "are actively preparing a full-scale, by-donation, traveling, choose-your-own-adventure version of The Odyssey for Angel Island in Spring 2012." That one--like all We Players' past events--will be free.

This is an amazing troupe with a wonderful mission to perform classic works in public spaces. Check out their web site. http://www.weplayers.org Love them. I did. I took so many photos and video clips while on board that my iphone stopped midway and refused to take any more. Still, I captured enough to give you a good taste. It's delicious. Have some.

We boarded the boat at the Hyde Street Pier.

The Port of San Francisco sign looks out over the water from the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street.

The Transamerica pyramid catches the light.