July 4th Weekend 2008 - Day 1

This might be one of the best July 4ths I've ever had. R flew into the SF Bay Area the night before and while plans to go to a friend's friends' BBQ fell through, we went into San Francisco and had a gay old time. We drove up to Walnut Creek and took the BART into the city, passing through Chinatown. As I recall, at least one person came out of a door or alley, offering to sell us fireworks.

The views were pretty amazing.

We eventually found ourselves walking up to Coit Tower, but we missed the stairs. We ended up going through some bushes and brambles, up, up, up.

Once there, we went right on up Coit Tower.

We took the stairs down the north side, remarking on the homes, flowers, and the views.

We were then at Fisherman's Wharf, and hungry. We found our way to a restaurant off the beaten path and ate a fabulous meal. I had oysters for the first time and the most amazing scallops I'd ever had. We also had Irish coffee and tiramisu.

When we were done with dinner, R was cold, so she went to United Colors of Benetton and got a coat. Having never purchased clothing from that store, I had no idea what the prices were, but they are apparently high. As soon as we left the store, R demanded to know why I let her buy such an expensive jacket. I shrugged and told her that she was a grown up - or something, I forget. We had very good wine with our dinner.

Later on, the SF fireworks started, just after the fog rolled in. I've never seen more amusing fireworks in my life.

And then began the long trek home. We were at Fisherman's Wharf and began walking back along Embarcadero, all the way to the BART station. At one point, we sat down on a bench and began to sing 'Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay', and just people watched, in general.

It was a very long walk, and facilities needed to be found. There were long negotiations with a hotel doorman, which went no where, so we just got on the BART train to Walnut Creek.

There was something amusing in the photo on the right. I will not point it out.

We got to Walnut Creek, but that was not the end of our journey. I drove up to a gas station and asked an attendant, from my window, if they had a bathroom. The guy was not giving me an answer, and was instead trying to talk to me like I wanted to have a conversation. I then repeated my question - did they have a bathroom that we could use. He said no, and we were off. R, at that point, declared that I am "all business," and I happen to like that description.

Home was too far away, but when I got lost in the Walnut Creek wilderness after driving for a while, it seemed like it might have been a better idea to go there. I turned around and we found a generic sit-down restaurant - let's call it Chilibee's - and facilities were used. I don't even remember what happened after that - obviously, we went back to my place and went to bed - it was such a climactic end to our epic day.