Travelogue No.01: San Francisco

"I prefer a wet San Francisco to a dry Manhattan" Larry Geraldi 
Stop one on the California Coastal Cruise, Fog City. Upon arrival I had a fantastic view of Yosemite then fog...fog...fog....RUNWAY! The first 2 days were foggy or cloudy and cold but it didn't keep me from taking a nice, long walk around the waterfront. That is the easiest part of walking in this city. It's flat! As a former skate rat it was cool to see skateboard culture still alive down by the Ferry Building on Embarcadero. The market inside is full of great little bars, sprinkled with local cheese, mushroom, meat, seafood and baked good vendors. I took a Cable Car back to the hotel at Union Square from Fisherman's Wharf. Considering the large, steep roadways between those two places this was a wise choice.
How could I go to San Francisco and not go to 710 Ashbury st. Former home to the Grateful Dead. So I took a trip down to Haight Ashbury where the Dead's spirit can still be seen, heard and smelled. The Giants made the playoffs so I bought myself a Grateful Dead Giants jersey as a souvenir. Go Giants Go!
Golden Gate Park and of course Golden Gate Bridge were must see and do attractions if I was to only visit once. I also had to drive down Lombard St. "The crookedest street in the world".
San Francisco is a beautiful city but California was only going to get more spectacular with the drive south.

San Francisco (Highlights)
San Francisco (Full Tour)

Photo Adventure No.02: Toronto Islands & Harbourfront

When I'm on any one of the Toronto Islands it doesn't feel like it's anywhere near a busy metropolis. I got on the ferry going to Ward's Island. Taking a bike over is very easy and a great way to get around. You can also rent bicycles, quadracycles, tandem bikes, paddle boats, row boats and canoes on Centre Island. I chose the paddle boat. Meh...not as fun as I thought it would be. It was a hot day and shade was scarce on the open water. It was cool to see some of the air show that was going on at the Ex (see previous post).  An hour later I was exhausted. Need....to...refuel. Mmmmm...funnel cake! That'll do:)  Ready for another pedal. Over to Hanlon's Point where I boarded a ferry back to the mainland. The last glimpses of sunlight were breaking up through the condo wall along Queen's Quay near Harbourfront Centre when I started my ride back home. That was a good day!