It is warm out here in California as I catch up with family across the state.
While I am away MiL has gone to stay with another capable member of her family in another city. So everyone is taking a short break from caregiving.
Hopefully that is successful because it is important for her minders to get breaks.
So I flew into San Francisco, I have never gone further than the airport but this time I met up with a young friend and she showed me around her city. San Francisco is beautiful and reminded me a lot of Melbourne. We walked for miles and the combination of walking, fresh warm air and great company brought me to a really calm and happy place. My friend is blessed with the knowledge of loving her job and her city.
I especially loved lying under a tree in the park! Not surprising really.
We drank coffee while waiting for the ferry. Much to my delight I found a barista who knew immediately what a real macchiato was – even though it was not on his board – and did not insult me by asking if I wanted flavouring.
I like San Francisco.
To love where one is, at any given time enables such shareable joy. So my friend and I mooched about with ease.
I also noted how many books – real books with paper pages – were being read by people around me. That is something I don’t see a lot of. But I didn’t have time to explore the book shops – maybe next time.
We caught the ferry out to Oakland.
We had a lovely Thai dinner on the waterfront with Our John’s brother and his wife and their dog, who are early to bed people so I was free to roam the waterfront into the night. Watching the boats and the water and the waning moon. There were very few people out. Every place I passed had a security person hovering so I had some nice chats with fellow night owls before going back my hotel to sleep with the doors wide open to the balcony and the sea breeze and the gentle slop of water and ring of the halyards.
Then this.
In the morning I checked out early and I walked again. Dragging little blue bag behind me. Thinking about things and watching Oakland wake up. I like this area. It is the sea I think. Though the sea here in the Bay Area does not smell as fishy and briney as the sea at home in New Zealand. It has less mineral in its scent. Lots of marine diesel in the calm air though. Actually the predominant scent on the breezes in both these cities (San Francisco and Oakland) was the tacky sweet smell of marijuana with just a hint of wildfire. A lot of it. The dope that is. A sedation for the masses. Out of it, sleepy and biddable.
Later I caught a noisy train to Fresno.
Good morning.
I am now in Visalia with my son and his children for a few days.
CC! CC! Watch me!! Watch me!!
I will be back in Illinois by Wednesday.
Have a lovely day.
Take care and Talk soon
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
27 responses to “San Francisco to Oakland to the Central Valley.”
It looks like you are having a great time!
Having a good time is my favorite thing!
If you get back to SF at any time you need to check out the historic City Lights bookstore. Google the backstory, but I think you might feel at home there.
Oh yes! That sounds wonderful. I will be back!
I was also going to mention the City Lights bookstore. San Francisco is one of my favorites. My mother was born and raised there, lived there until she married my father and moved north. So I spent a lot of my childhood in that wonderful city and also in Oakland where my aunt lived. I need to get back there! It’s been too long. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pics and commentary.
Thank you for the recommendation! I will find it next time I cruise through!
I also loved San Francisco the only and only time I was there. There is a certain vibe there. Enjoy the rest of your time with your family.
It is pretty relaxed here. Just kidding stuff!
I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in our beautiful part of the world during the lovely, warm October weather. Rain soon, I hope.
It is SO warm. I am really enjoying it.
Hi CC. WordPress is playing up again today. I’ve tried to respond to your post three times without success. So I’m reverting to respond to the email. I love San Francisco and have visited several times. But Oakland? I have never visited. A family story told often is when my late husband asked if I’d like to live in Auckland I responded Yes because then I could see my sister in Los Angeles. Hoots of laughter as he said Auckland New Zealand not Oakland California. Take some time for yourself, while you’re away Because, as soon as you get back to the farm, life will be hectic again. Cheers, Judith
Judith Baxter E: Judith@judithbaxter.net.nz T (64) 021 797400
How deeply annoying. I don’t have my computer with me so I am not sure what the problem is/. Let me go and see if maybe your message went to spam.
Delighted that you are having a deserved break. It all sounds like heaven. Would love to be smelling all that dope on the air. Enjoy your family and safe travels.
We are having a lovely relaxing time so far!
i was born and raised in SF CA. I DO MISS THE WHARFS And beaches also. tc
Yes! The sea makes everything better.
while there try the sour dough french bread. nothing like it anywhere.
My first sourdough starter was from San Francisco!
i used to go to fishermens wharf to buy it. i do sourdough starter also. but our dry air is not the same as SF, so the taste isnt quite right. just like NY pizza. no matter where you are, its not the same. lol i also went to Oakland high school. small world isnt it>?
Gosh! Very small world!
Love those leopard print boots 😄
On the couch!!
I can feel the relaxation emanating from this post. You deserve it! And how delicious to fall asleep to the sound of the sea. That sounds like a dream!
Enjoy your time with your family 🙂
It was a dream. And I had wonderful dreams too.
Our Oakland condo is only one block from the waterfront at Jack London, only four blocks to the ferry terminal. We know and love that area with the cries of the sea gulls. Thank you for not pointing out the faults of Oakland, although there are many. It’s a wonderful combination with the rural life we enjoy up on the coast.
I was so close to you. My brother in law has an apartment just across from the train station. Wow! We can have coffee one day!
Our condo is right next door to the station, in the Bond. So close! Yes, coffee would be wonderful.