My very good friends Chris and Holly visited from Maine last week. It was a whirlwind couple of days. Neither had been to San Francisco or the West Coast before and I was super anxious to show them around. This 30 year old man was sure to run those two mid-twenty somethings ragged for their 3 and a half day visit to The City.
They arrived on Thursday and once they were settled in their hotel I took them to the Full House house on Broderick Street, we then explored The Haight before hopping on a bus to the Castro. From there we grabbed some beers and sat in Dolores Park, did some dog and people watching before making our way to the Mission for a burrito.
The next day we met early at 8:30 in the heart of Civic Center plaza, we snagged a bus up to Alamo Square, walked to my house on Grove St, got in my car and drove to Ocean Beach, the headed over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin Headlands, back to Golden Gate Park where we had a picnic outside the Conservatory of Flowers, we then saw some Buffalo, and laid down in the tulip garden next to a windmill. From there it was on to Polly Ann's for ice cream where Chris was the only one brave enough to let the giant wheel decide which flavor he would try. We enjoyed dinner and drinks that night at a cute little Italian place up on Nob Hill.
Saturday we met at the ferry depot for Alcatraz! After scoping out the rock and having PB&J's there, we checked out Fisherman's Warf, took a ride on the Cable Cars, visited Northbeach and finally Chinatown. It was a long day that started at about 9:30am and didn't end until close to midnight.
Sunday was the day Chris set aside to propose to Holly. She didn't know a thing about it and after some coy deception the day before I was able to "have Chris to myself" for the morning. As we were having breakfast, grabbing the rental car, and getting out hair hacked (and Chris had a lot of it after 91 days of growth). Candace and Holly enjoyed pedicures. After Candace, who did know about the big surprise, lead Holly to Twin Peaks where Chris and I were waiting for them. The problem here is Chris and I were just getting out of the rental car when the ladies drove by in my vehicle. Chris was nearly busted! Luckily Candace pointed to the amazing view and that captivated Holly's attention long enough for Chris and I to duck behind the wheel well. After a race up the stairs we waited for what seemed like forever at the top of the hill. When the ladies arrived Chris proposed to Holly and soon after she said yes and he recovered the ring that he dropped in the dirt, he slipped the dazzling ring onto her finger. We were then off to a nice lunch at Cliff House before they blew out of town enroute to the Central Valley countryside.
Vacations like these make me want a vacation from my vacation!
