WHY IS RICE-A-RONI CALLED THE SAN FRANCISCO TREAT?

Evening from the hills of San Francisco.

Last night I slept somewhere in Oakland… I think.. Who knows.  All I know is that I woke up to police sirens at least 3 times.

Before returning my rental car to the San Francisco Airport, I made a pit stop to University of California-Berkeley.  It was time to give away the surf board I bought down in San Diego.  I figured I wouldn't have much trouble doing this on Cal's campus.  I wanted to give it to a child somewhere, but I thought that might not be a good idea.  Waiting at a park and asking a kid if they want a 29yr old man's surfboard… yeah, even Forrest Gump would know that's a bad idea.

Short story shorter, I met a great guy named Isaac who is at Berkeley studying Political Economics and gave him my board.  Isaac just did some worldly travels himself and studied Karate in China, I think.  How cool!  He is from Southern California and loves surfing.  I couldn't think of a better home for it.  I am sure he will put it to much better use than I was able to.  Good luck working on that degree man and have a blast with the board!  Some day for kicks, lets put your karate verse my thai boxing.  That would be rad!

I then made my way to downtown San Fran via train. The apartment on my back got significantly heavier/bulkier as I am now carrying my sleeping bag and tent.  It's all good.  I'm looking forward to the challenge!

I spent all day today walking around San Francisco! No buses, trains, trams, or cable cars.  I wanted to get a feel for this place on foot.  Holy hills!  I kept trying to maneuver my sight seeing so I'd only be walking down hills.   YEAH.. THAT DIDN'T WORK.  Walking the streets here is like an extreme sport.  One false move and you could fall to your death.  There was tons of fog.  It was hot.  It was cold. The ocean was rowdy.  The water was chilly. And there were tons of tourists.  I never knew San Francisco got tourists.  Then again, I don't know much about anything.

I am staying in a hostel just outside Chinatown.  Or it might be in Chinatown.  Either way, I had Subway for lunch and dinner.

Bed for me.  My dogs are barking.  I hope all is well.

Mark/Chops

ENJOY THE BOARD ISAAC!  I'LL TAKE YOU UP ON LUNCH THE NEXT TIME I'M IN THE AREA.  BE GOOD MAN.

DOESN'T DO JUSTICE TO THE MOUNTAIN OF A STREET I JUST CLIMBED.  I DID NOT SEE ANOTHER SOUL ON FOOT ON THIS ONE.  CLIMBING TO GET A VIEW OF THE CITY.

AFTER THE CLIMB, FOG HIDES THE WHOLE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE! LAME.

SO I TURNED AROUND AND SAW THE BAY BRIDGE

THE CURVIEST STREET IN THE WORLD.. WASN'T THAT IMPRESSED.

THIS IS EXACTLY THE IMAGE I HAD IN MY MIND OF WHAT SAN FRAN WOULD LIKE LIKE.  STEEP HILLS, CABLE CAR TRACKS, CHARMING ETC.  THAT'S ALCATRAZ DOWN BELOW!

SUN IS SETTING ON THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

ADAM AND ALEX KHAW OPENED A RESTAURANT!  CONGRATS GUYS!

NOT A CHOCOLATE LOVER BUT THIS PLACE WAS PRETTY SWEET. 

CANADIAN BORDER PATROL WANTED TO SEND ME HERE.  I MIGHT GO ANYWAYS.  3 SQUARES A DAY?

THE FAMOUS PIER 39 SEA LIONS BASKING IN THE SORT OF SUN.  THIS PIER OVERLOOKS GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AND ALCATRAZ.  PRETTY COOL.

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES WAS A BLOG TITLE OF MINE LAST WEEK.  THOUGHT THIS WAS FITTING. WAITING FOR THE BUS WITH MY BOX A CHOCOLATES.