"Inside the Hi Dive"
I left my heart in San Francisco the day I got my drivers license and hit the highway in my canary yellow, 1974 Dodge Colt named Tweety.
I drove there from my then little country town, Modesto, as often as I could. I drive there from the same town, now grow'd up into the epitomy of urban sprawl, as often as I can.
The book which I am so diligently writing takes place in San Francisco and the Central Valley (shhhh.... I am breaking my "don't talk about the project" rule.) I had some other business in the city and decided to tack on a "research"/"anniversary" trip with my husband... not that I need the excuse but excuses do make one feel better, especially when you are spending money.
Our first recreational stop of the day was the Hi Dive Bar situated right next to Pier 28 and practically under the Bay Bridge. I have passed this bar every, single time I drive down the Embarcadaro and have always wanted to have a Bloody Mary here. I finally got my wish. A Bloody Mary with a side of lobster bisque that was abundant with huge chunks of lobster! Jeff was lucky to get 2 bites. I hogged it all up!
This will be an every, single time stop from now on. It was everything I could hope for in a "dive" bar on the Bay.
Of course, I have to also have my oysters!!!!!! So we walked to the Ferry Building and partook of these perfect food specimens.
"Waiting for Me Oysters!"
We also had to try what has been touted as "the world's perfect cup of coffee". I must say, Blue Bottle Coffee did make the smoothest cup of joe I have ever tasted!
We wandered back to the car taking in the clear air, and the near empty streets. If you want to see San Francisco, go in January. The weather is perfect and the tourists are GONE!
We checked into our hotel, the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. Our room overlooked Nob Hill, the Fairmont Hotel, Grace Cathedral, the Illuminati hang out - The Pacific Union Club, and the entire city.
I had to get inside the Cathedral during sunset.
The Cathedral was glorious... but I found a few things odd. First, the door panel artwork, replicas of Lorenzo Ghiberti's 15th century masterpiece depicted various scenes from the Bible that struck me as strange.
Note the angel passing through a portal doorway on the right. And the heavenly host in the sky looking like a UFO.
Again with the UFO's.... hovering all around the Great Pyramid.... (up close they are angels).
God giving Moses the 10 Commandments.... from a UFO!
Really now??... very interesting.
Even more interesting is that the Cathedral sits across the street from the Masonic Lodge, and the highly elite Pacific Union Club. Jeff tried to get in but we were very denied.
"View from Room 1226"
We went back to the hotel, then went to the Top of the Mark to enjoy martinis and the city lights!
The next day we were up early for more traipsing. We went out to wander amoung the urban ruins of the Sutro Baths.
Before
Today
My main goal in all this was looking for my main characters' homes. Exploring their neighborhoods, getting a feel for their lives in the city. The Presidio is amazing. I have driven through it many times and I went to a wine tasting at the Officer's Club once, but I have never walked through the neighborhoods. If you are ever in SF, be sure to do this sometime.
Before heading over to my sister's for dinner, we made a quick stop at the Mountain View Cemetery in Piedmont. I need to go back and take the tour. I have a thing for cemetaries. Is that weird? The architecture of the elaborate mausoleams, the age showing on the angels faces, the peace of the gardens and the fountains. I especially like to read about the departed on their headstones. I feel their stories, touch their history and make it my own. Must be the storyteller in me.
It is time for me to mosey into my office and write my next chapter.
While comtemplating my book walking along the Embarcado, the sidewalk told me it was my destiny.
And when a sidewalk tells you so, it must be true!
Namaste,
C H E Z
What an amazing trip!!! We got sooooo much done in just an overnighter. Best part of the trip was the company. Shannan, you are an amazing and talented woman. I am blessed to be part of your life. I Love you, Your Puppy.
Posted by: Sinclr6 | January 07, 2011 at 11:37 AM