Plans for the Second San Francisco Gathering

And where exactly in front of the Ferry Bldg will you be? North, South, East, West?

You can't go any further on Market Street by car. The Ferry Building will be between the end of Market and the water.

My cap:

Merry Andrew and Seaglass will be there.

Beautiful... looking forward to tomorrow

Mame,

Are you in SF now? Is this your first time in the City? If so, once you've had a look around, would love to hear your impressions of it.

When I visited Vancouver in the '80's, I thought the two cities had a lot in common. Both have probably chanced drastically since then, but would love to hear your impressions when comparing the two.

Wish I could afford the drive and sightseeing, and had the physical ability to hang out with you folks. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Hi Buttrflynet - I arrive tomorrow morning. No, I have been there a few times, and yes, I thought it was a lot like Vancouver. The hills, Chinatown, the ocean, the fish smell, the outdoor eateries, the markets (we have Granville Island, which is probably a lot like the Ferry Building), the great restaurants... we even have a streetcar of sorts! And weren't both burned to the ground by a fire in the late 1880's?

I was there last year for a conference in November, and the time before that was back in the late 80s-early,early 90s in December, and before that it was around 1987 in the summer... so I was there for two winters and now it'll be two summers.

I did get to Santa Rosa, Carmel, Sausalito, and various other points.

Did you like Vancouver? That was a while ago that you were here and it's changed a great deal since then. We apparently have 30,000 new drivers every single year! Nothing looks the same, the traffic is a nightmare (nothing like Ventura Highway, though!), and it's a pain to navigate. I booked my ticket so early so I could avoid all the usual headaches of driving in the City. I never go there anymore (I'm in West Vancouver, which is a good distance from the downtown core). However, according to international cities, we're still kinda hicks-ville

I'd love to know what you thought of Vancouver. I'll update you on my impressions when I get back!

And thanks, osso... I'm sure I'll get there safely.

I understand, Butrflynet.

Had dinner tonight with friends I met at the first SF meet, a few years ago - Diane, Bernie, and Lola. And Wednesday, for a short time, with Dys and Diane, Bernie & Lola, and BBB, whom I met here in Abq. The getting together is good, in my experience, sometimes as a meet, and sometimes as friends, like with us this week.

Most of us can't make it to any/most meetings, and I can well envision some future meetings from hell. (Now there's an idea.) But when they're good, they're a delight.

Didn't know that Vancouver had a pile of ashes in its history too. The similar era of rebirth must explain why they have so much in common architecturally. San Francisco probably swiped a lot of inspiration from Vancouver's designers in the rebuilding process after the 1906 quake and fires.

The trip to Vancouver was part of a 10-day speed thru that took my mom and I and her friend from San Francisco through Idaho to Yellowstone Park, and then up north to Canada driving West to BC where we went to Victoria and then drove down the Coast Hwy 1 most of the way back to San Francisco.

What I saw of Vancouver reminded me a lot of San Francisco, the architecture, public transportation, business districts, etc. I remember it being especially reminiscent of Market Street in San Francisco with wide avenues and sidewalks and lots of wrought iron work street lights with glass shades, lined by tall buildings with varying shades of granite facades and lots of trees.

Victoria reminded me a lot of the Monterey area, one of my favorite regions in California. Isn't Carmel beautiful? Were you in the area during the monarch butterfly migration by any chance?

It is a trip I would love to make again at a much more leisurely pace.

11 am at the Ferry Building? Looks like it will be a gorgeous day tomorrow!

Oh wait Saturday???

Another meeting I can't make, so I'm just gonna enjoy it through your eyes, as always.

Have a great time, you guys :-D

Is this where we are meeting Sunday???

Yacht Club St Francis:
700 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123, US

Yes, we're meeting at the Yacht Club with Francis, but from what I'm
told, he's no saint.

CJ, I think you have that confused with saint-hood. Francis is really a nice guy, so you can put your armour away before you come.

Today was a full day with Merry Andrew, S glass and Mame. We started from the Ferry Building, walked over the to Hyatt to show them the lobby, had lunch at Sinbad (the same restaurant as the first San Francisco gathering) overlooking the Bay Bridge, then walked along the Embarcadero towards Pier 33, but decided instead to take the car. We went towards the Wharf, then drove across Golden Gate Bridge for a short stop at the observation point on the other side, spent about 20 minutes there, then went to Sausalito for a short walk and some shopping. We headed back to SF, and took the crookedest road in the world on Lombard Street, then went to J-Town for some Japanese dinner. Andy drove me back to the parking garage at the Embarcadero, and was home by 9:15PM. For an old man, I hung in there pretty good!

We're getting together with the whole gang tomorrow for lunch at the Marina. Going to bed, so till tomorrow, goodnite.

CI,

Think you beat us home. We dropped off Mame at her B&B and headed back to our place when Merry Andrew got rear ended by a young lady on her cell phone. Tomorrow he has to file a report at Avis and pick up another car. After all its a full moon.

We shouldn't be late. We'll pick Mame up and hopefully be there by 11. We'll cell phone CI if there is a problem.

Other than that small incident it was a wonderful day.

One more teaser post for tonight before I take a shower and hit the sack.

Pelican Island????

Don't worry, Roxxxanne will keep him in check! LOL

---Nicole

Pelican Island in Biscayne Bay???

Here's a scene from inside the Sinbad looking out to the Bay Bridge from our table..


Inside the Sinbad.


The two lovely ladies (Sglass and Mame) enjoying lunch at the Sinbad.


Today will be the whole group pictures - and a "report" on our activities.
I'm off to SF in about one hour.

Biscayne Bay sounds like one of those places that has a pink pelican in every front yard and two crawdads in every pot.

See you at the yatch club.