Leaving San Francisco

Last day in San Francisco. Awoke to the most beautiful sunrise over the bay - the photos just don't do it justice. Had a wonderful time. Aside from the givens - Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars, Lombard Street, Ghiradelli Square, here are my favorites of the trip so far:

1) Visiting City Lights Bookstore and taking Alan's picture in front of the shop, just like we did more than 30 years ago on our first trip to San Francisco. Two English majors, fresh out of college, we couldn't come to San Francisco and not visit the place where the poets, like Ferlinghetti and Ginsburg, got started. Brought back great memories.

2) Dim sum lunch at a restaurant in Chinatown. Tried hot and sour soup for the first time - delicious. Not good enough to use the chopsticks - the waitress didn't ask, she just brought us the forks.

3) Richard Avedon photo exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Amazing photographs of famous people - one touching part of the exhibit were side-by-side photos of Rose Kennedy and Edward Kennedy - and not-so-famous people. His photos of people in the west were powerful and moving. My favorite was the only photograph not of someone's face. It was an amazing photo of Rudolph Nureyev's foot.

4) Sunset and sunrise over the bay. An exquisite way to begin and end the day.

5) The weird bow and arrow sculpture along the water near our hotel. Quite a landmark - helped us not to get too lost!

6) Just being with Alan - driving up and down these incredible hills, walking, talking, Peet's coffee overlooking the water, Wii bowling, travel Scrabble in the lobby last night before the cruise. just spending time together.

7) And, of course, Boudin Bakery, our new landmark.

Didn't try sushi - maybe next time. Off to Sonoma later today after Sausilito and Muir Woods.