San Francisco - Lombard, Ghirideli and the Theater

Finally the conference was over...I had a small presentation on this final day, and was surprised at how terribly nervous I got in front of those people.  My knee was shaking so bad that I had to stand on only my left leg to avoid my right leg causing another San Francisco earthquake.  We had a theater show that night, but with the conference over at 11:30...it was time to explore some more of the city. 

Lombard street was next on our list, and we thought it was the crookedest street in the US, but later found out from our bus driver to the Muir woods, that it is number 2...right behind Wall Street in New York...Wacka Wacka.   Stop sign at the end of Lombard said "STOP", then someone added "Eating Animals", figured Dave might like that after his comment about Californians.  After some fun pics at Lombard, we made our way down to Ghirardelli square again.  We had no time to get chocolate after a quick trip home on our previous journey to this square.  Simple Burger and fries lunch in the square, then a visit to get some chocolate.  Oh everything was so good, but then we sat down for dessert...Cherry Ice cream covered in Ghirardelli chocolate in a waffle bowl...Wow, simply amazing.  

That night we had theater tickets to "The curious incident of the dog in the night time", which was a tony award winning show.  I had read the book, and was interested on how they could translate the inner thoughts of an autistic boy into a play.  I think both Magan and I both agreed, it was pretty good.  Some really neat ways to present the story...funny, sad...kindof weird at times...but tickets were cheaper than Hamilton that was playing for $350/seat in SF.

San Francisco - Country Girl can Uber

Today while in conferences, I was proud of my country gal, she got out and toured the city on her own, first taking an Uber to the Disney Family Museum.  I must admit I was worried the whole day that she was using the app correctly, and not getting lost, but she seemed to have no problem at all.  Later she told me she received a little help from the guys at the hotel on the initial use of the app. 

The Disney museum looked great, and Magan made me jealous being there, but she took some pictures and bought me a cool book to experience it later.  She actually got the closest to the golden gate during her trip this day.  She also got to experience a pick-up line from a local guy who did notice the ring, but figured she might be open.  I think the Oscar was one for Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs...and the pictures were of all Disney's characters crying at his passing. 

That night after the conference was a vendor night, so Magan showed up as they were announcing all the door prize winners...while many of my friends won, I did not.  Oh well, we enjoyed a local Chinese restaurant next door to our hotel, and I had a weird tea/milk Momba Ball drink.  Not so good. 

San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf

Another conference day for me, but Magan went out to get her toes done, and had some unique experiences there.  She then went to a local pizzeria that she had also went to on Monday.  Apparently the waitress and cook liked her southern belle accent, and provided her with a free dessert for coming back.  She said they all waved as she left.

That night we had a chartered bus ride down to Fisherman's wharf area, and I really have no idea how we made it thru those streets without wrecking a car...but the driver made all the turns I would have never even attempted.  At the wharf we didn't have much time before dinner, so we quickly ran out to see the sea lions at Pier 39, then jetted back over to Ghirardelli Square where a vendor was taking us out to dinner.  This was an amazing restaurant with a window seat overlooking the bay with a view of Alcatraz and the golden gate bridge.  Food was amazing...and we at way too much...Magan got the steak she was wanting, and it was D-licious. 

San Francisco - Giants and a Cheese Cup

First day of conference began, and I had to actually go to work.  I don't remember what Magan did this day, but I think it involved binge watching "The Handmaid's Tale".  I was glad she got some relax time, and I think she got some shopping done too. 

After work, we made our way down (after verifying with the concierge we weren't walking thru a crazy part of town) to the Giant's stadium for another night of baseball.  While not candlestick, the look and feel seemed much like the stadium I had seen on TV many times.  Such a cool location with right field right on the bay. 

We had some good seats, but they were on the very back row of the 1st level, under the overhang of the second level...so any balls popped up were our of our view.  But we took our time and walked around the park.  Great viewing areas from all around.  And we were also on a hunt...a hunt for cheese fries.  Apparently in SF, the garlic fries are popular, and they were everywhere, but Magan had a craving for cheese fries...so we made it almost all the way around the park with no luck...till we found a pretzel cart.  How much for just a cheese cup?  $2 the man said...I then saw the sparkle in Magan's eyes, and almost got two cheese cups...but just one worked. 

So we ate our cheese fries, and watched the Giants make some crazy bad errors, and end up losing to the Indians.  Then began our short 1.2 mile walk back to the hotel.  I think Magan was ready for the Uber after this walk. 

San Francisco - Church/Chinatown

Sunday morning began with a Hardee's Breakfast burger...massive amount of bad stuff...but oh so good.  Then since it was a pretty morning, I decided that we could walk the 1 mile to the local church building.  I quickly found out that while we were in a nice big city, some of the streets including the neighborhood we walked directly thru (Tenderloin) was NOT recommended.  Our concierge later drew us a map of the city, and said we could go pretty much anywhere EXCEPT the area she scratched out on the map...well, that was exactly the neighborhood we walked straight thru on that Sunday morning.  Seriously some bad images that are in both Magan and my head now because of that bad decision.  We kept our eyes focused ahead and moved as fast as we could.  After finally arriving at the church building, I think even many of them were surprised at how far we came, and where we walked thru.

Lesson at church was really good based on Jesus being "The Just One", and a play on words that we needed "just one" savior.  Neat idea, big booming preacher that was not ideal to sleep thru.  :).

The church building was 1 block away from the "Painted Ladies", so we visited there next and saw some amazing views.  And for the way home, we decided walking was OUT of the picture, so we began the first of many Uber rides around the city.  Back at our hotel I had a meeting that afternoon, then that evening we went walking (Yes, but verified the way was OK first with the concierge) to Chinatown.  The recommended restaurant "The Stinking Rose" was for dinner, where everything on the menu was made with garlic.  Very good meal.  Übered back to a Walgreens near our hotel, and asked Magan if she wanted to walk thru the subway to get under the road back to our hotel...Magan would not go down there for the rest of the trip.  Haha...she had enough of that down there...with people lying all over the ground everywhere, it was a little like The walking dead.