Well, what a strange day. It's gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Going down to breakfast at the West St Francis is always an experience. It's so nice. For a comparatively small sum one can have a marvellous breakfast; from full English to Continental or both at the same time.
As we were tucking in we noticed that the waitress was the same as one we had when we came back in Easter in 2006. My partner asked her if she was here then and it was her! We chatted for a few moments explaining that we came to the St Francis at the end of our travels. She was so taken with the fact that we had been back several times that she gave us breakfast on the house. Well, we we were stunned and, in typically English fashion, we protested but it seems that she had the facility to do this. In the mean time a young couple from the South were chatting and we overheard that they were going out on bikes to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was too irresistible and my partner spoke to her. We ended up chatting about 'doing the bridge' and gave them some of the tips that we picked up yesterday. I talked with the young man and it turned out that he wanted to set up an internet business and when he knew that I taught ICT he asked for advice and I gave him the usual information that I usually teach but in a very shortened form! We chatted on for quite a while. One of the high points of this holiday is that it's been really good talking with real Americans and hearing their opinions as opposed to it being filtered through politicians or the media. We were really buoyed up by the free breakfast and talking with the young couple.
Our plan was to head out to Golden Gate Park and explore it a little. We found it quite hard to get a 71 bus out there. We did a little shopping before hand going to the Wells Fargo museum. They had a little exhibit on Wells Fargo on the Silver Screen. It was very interesting. One of the scenes was from the television series 'Tales from Wells Fargo' and one of the actors was a very young Jack Nicoloson.
We got out to the park and spend a very pleasant hour or so out there. One of the new features was a new cafe which served excellent coffee and sandwiches. Although it was a bit blowy the weather was fine. There are some lovely parts to the garden. It was rather like a large garden back home in a stately home. It was very well done. The science museum is still under construction and I suppose that we'll have to pay another visit to see it finished.
Instead of going back the way we came we went out on to Fulton and took a number 2 back to Union Square. It was a fantastic ride. We passed Alamo Square where 'the painted ladies' live. We ended up back on Union Square. We split for a while to do various bits of shopping.
I had to be back at the room by 18:50 so that we could do our on-line booking. I was up in the room by 6:15 waiting, The login was only allowed 24 hours before the flight. The time came and went and although I could log in I was unable to check in on line as promised. I was annoyed as it had worked so well when we had come out.
After repeatedly trying to check in we went off for our supper. So much for BA's improvements.
It seems that this will be the last entry in the USA. We have had a really good time and it's been one of the best holidays we've had. For nearly three weeks we've travelled about this country and meet some wonderful people; ordinary people who have made us feel at home and welcome. The worst hotel was the Quality Inn in Denver, which has not yet replied to my e-mail. It would be hard to point to one that was the best; the driving has been excellent as the drivers have been restrained and polite – none of whom would know that I am a British driver; The scenery has been stunning and I can't think of anything that has disappointed us.
The next entry will be back in the UK so it's farewell from me and I'll report on the journey home.
