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San Fransisco, Day 1
Mar. 21st, 2011 07:14 amI'll get to the Go Club eventually, but the Family is on vacation in San Fransisco just now, so instead I shall relate it.
Although today we did nothing so much as drive here, which took seven hours plus an hour long stop for dinner. We took the 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) north. As you may or may not know, it was uncharacteristically wet today, so we drove through rain. These Californian natives cannot deal with rain, so we passed any number of collisions, but of course being from Michigan it was a dull drive.
I was shocked at how green everything was, though. There's been a lot of rain this year, and I suppose that makes for happy plants, at least where they are not underwater plants. We did see some trees whose branches were above water but trunks and roots were submerged; however, nothing so horrible as underwater corn. We also passed some cows, although I am unsure of their happiness. And finally, we passed miles and miles and miles of vineyards. Every so often, there was be a sign telling us to go to a winery, although of course if you've been to one you've been to them all and we have been, so we didn't go.
For dinner, we got off in Gilroy, the self-proclaimed garlic capitol of the world. (I have been assured by a business associate of the Panda's former admin that, in fact, Korea is the garlic capitol of the world, but don't tell the Gilroy natives.) Anyway, we went to a tapas restaurant.
Tapas are finger foods with an interesting history. In Spain, it is Traditional to drink wine rather than beer, and to enjoy the nice weather by eating al fresco, or outside on the patio. The issue is that wine is a sweet liquid, and so it attracts insects. In order to prevent this, it became common to have a small plate with which to cover the wineglass between sips. Restaurants began to put small finger foods on these plates, and thus "tapas" were born, taking their name from the "tapas" plate used to cover the glass.
We had a cheese plate, and pan-fried potatoes, and anchovies, and salmon of various bents, and stir-fried vegetables, and bread, and of course, garlic. Then there was lava cake for dessert. It was delicious, although I am sure we all reek.
Then we finished the ride into San Fransisco. The sun finally came out, unfortunately to be right in our eyes for the last hour or so. We are now ensconced in a hotel which recently remodeled itself to have a horrible sixties aesthetic, to which my response is: why? But there's internet, at least. I brought my camera as well, so I will attempt to provide some photographic documentation of my adventures (barring museums where photography is forbidden, or individuals who may not wish their likeness on the internet).
If you happen to be in the Bay area, free during the week, and wish to meet me IRL, it might be arrangeable. Let me know, if you want!
Although today we did nothing so much as drive here, which took seven hours plus an hour long stop for dinner. We took the 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) north. As you may or may not know, it was uncharacteristically wet today, so we drove through rain. These Californian natives cannot deal with rain, so we passed any number of collisions, but of course being from Michigan it was a dull drive.
I was shocked at how green everything was, though. There's been a lot of rain this year, and I suppose that makes for happy plants, at least where they are not underwater plants. We did see some trees whose branches were above water but trunks and roots were submerged; however, nothing so horrible as underwater corn. We also passed some cows, although I am unsure of their happiness. And finally, we passed miles and miles and miles of vineyards. Every so often, there was be a sign telling us to go to a winery, although of course if you've been to one you've been to them all and we have been, so we didn't go.
For dinner, we got off in Gilroy, the self-proclaimed garlic capitol of the world. (I have been assured by a business associate of the Panda's former admin that, in fact, Korea is the garlic capitol of the world, but don't tell the Gilroy natives.) Anyway, we went to a tapas restaurant.
Tapas are finger foods with an interesting history. In Spain, it is Traditional to drink wine rather than beer, and to enjoy the nice weather by eating al fresco, or outside on the patio. The issue is that wine is a sweet liquid, and so it attracts insects. In order to prevent this, it became common to have a small plate with which to cover the wineglass between sips. Restaurants began to put small finger foods on these plates, and thus "tapas" were born, taking their name from the "tapas" plate used to cover the glass.
We had a cheese plate, and pan-fried potatoes, and anchovies, and salmon of various bents, and stir-fried vegetables, and bread, and of course, garlic. Then there was lava cake for dessert. It was delicious, although I am sure we all reek.
Then we finished the ride into San Fransisco. The sun finally came out, unfortunately to be right in our eyes for the last hour or so. We are now ensconced in a hotel which recently remodeled itself to have a horrible sixties aesthetic, to which my response is: why? But there's internet, at least. I brought my camera as well, so I will attempt to provide some photographic documentation of my adventures (barring museums where photography is forbidden, or individuals who may not wish their likeness on the internet).
If you happen to be in the Bay area, free during the week, and wish to meet me IRL, it might be arrangeable. Let me know, if you want!
