This was taken at the beach below the Eagle’s Point Labyrinth, about three miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a brief – but strenuous and quite vertical – hike away from the Legion of Honor. This isn’t the kind of beach you visit to relax. Be sure to bring a good pair of shoes and even better balance; falling off the cliffs here is deadly. Also, come early; I only had about half an hour before the rising tides came close to sweeping me out to sea! Larger version can be viewed here.
Hey, wait a minute! That’s not the Golden Gate Bridge! It’s the wrong color, it’s too small, and it’s on the wrong side of Coit Tower. What devilry is this? Yeah, this awesome little replica is on display at the Exploratorium.
This week’s photo challenge is all about reward. For me, nothing is more rewarding than taking a journey and finding something amazing at the end. Yesterday, I walked about 11 miles all around San Francisco starting at Market Street and finishing at Crissy Field. While I didn’t know where I’d end up, I enjoyed the sunset near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Hey, folks. Today’s Daily Prompt is all about birthday parties. Specifically, how you celebrate yours. Some people like to have huge, extensive spectacles involving hundreds of people. Others like to go out drinking, or having a barbecue. Others like to travel, or at least do something out of the ordinary. As for how I celebrate mine…
I don’t. No, seriously.
I’ve never been the type to enjoy huge parties. There’s just too many people, noise, and chaos to handle. I never know what to say, and trying to be on for hours is exhausting. I’m the type to slowly back away from the crowds, find a quiet place, and start reading. Other tired party-goers (or their kids) will inevitably drift towards me, chat for a bit, and head back into the fray. I’ll just sit back, sip on a beverage, and wait for the next person to approach me. Or not. It doesn’t matter either way. The problem with this strategy is that it only works when I’m a guest at someone else’s party; I can’t do the aloof thing if I’m hosting. I don’t drink, so barhopping it out. Also, I don’t have a good track record when it comes to throwing parties; no-shows, last-minute cancels, and forgotten dates were common. I’ve never had many friends, and people usually have their own stuff going on. After years of disappointments, I just gave up. I’d usually just end up with some ice cream and a movie, and call it a night.
I’ve done better activities over the past few birthdays, though. I visited the California Academy of Sciences one year, then crossed the Golden Gate Bridge on foot the next. I hiked all around San Francisco last year, stopping by Coit Tower, Lombard Street, and the Exploratorium along the way. Not sure what I’m doing this year, though. A trip to Rome is still in the works, but it depends on how things play out with the job hunt and everything else. If things go well, I’ll be celebrating on a train going through the European countryside. That’s what I’d call a happy birthday!
Took this while waiting in line for my first – and only – cable car ride. Ghirardelli Square is just out of frame on the left, and the Golden Gate Bride looms in the distance. Aquatic Park may not be a popular attraction as Pier 39, but it’s much more serene.
Most people see the Golden Gate Bridge as a tourist attraction. I see it as a gigantic wonder of the modern world looming in the background of almost every day of my week. I love exploring San Francisco whenever I can, and this bridge serves as a good point of reference if I’m in that part of the city. If you’ve got the time and the weather’s good, try walking – not driving – across it. It’s great exercise, and it’s pretty cheap if you know what public transit to take. Much more satisfying experience all around. This particular experience was captured in late October 2012, at Vista Point on the Marin-end of the bridge.
Polymathically 