Thanksgiving Day

We had a low key day turkey day.  The weather was beautiful so Joe suggested a little trail walking to get Apache some exercise.  It was nice and relaxing and we saw some interesting flora.  Biggest pine cone I’ve ever seen.

Back to the camper for our mini meal.  It all turned out great.  We had a few challenges with the small space and mini appliances but who cares?  I managed to make turkey gravy successfully for the first time ever so I was stoked.  Joe found my new favorite, fresh broccolini, which we made with some local cheese we picked up along the way.

We took our wine outside and watched the sun set on another memory filled day.  Pinch me, folks.  We are so grateful for this opportunity.

Union Square

We literally cannot get enough of this city.  Each neighborhood has it’s own vibe and atmosphere.  Each walking tour is like a trip across America exploring so many wonderful cultures, food, art, and ambience.  We have found everyone to be kind and helpful to boot.

We were rambling around hopping buses and exploring when we happened upon Union Square.  Took obligatory pics on the Cable Car and then wandered over to Chinatown.  While there we found Portsmouth Square. What an interesting site that was.  Filled with hundreds of animated people squirreled away in groups playing some sort of card game and gambling loudly.  I couldn’t help but notice the boundary set by gender, men on one side women on the other.  I may have learned some new cuss words in Chinese but I’m not sure.  It was fascinating just standing there, completely ignored but not in the way either.

The double decker took us back to The Haight.  We love it here, please, can’t the rest of the country just be like San Francisco?

 

The vintage shops were like a trip through our early years.  Joe and I were in grade school in the mid 70’s.  I remember all these colors and patterns and feel what I did during those cozy and safe years.  It just makes me happy, I can’t explain it.  The soulful, soothing music played as memories twirled around us. Sue and Dotty, Joe & I thought and talked a lot about you today.  XO

We found Amoeba Music 🙂   Great experience and the posters made me want to decorate our house completely differently!  We could’ve spent a fortune there but cooler heads prevailed.  That was a close one!

Cheers, now let’s figure out how to get back…..

With a little help from another laid back resident, we found the F Street Car taking us to the Ferry building and back to Marin County.

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Sunday was the big game, Oakland vs. Broncos and it was a must win game in a somewhat lack luster season.  I can’t say I completely understand how much many men “get into” football but I have learned to respect it.  I REALLY hope they win, fingers crossed.

It started off with a good omen, maybe we will win?  The weather wasn’t cooperating so we donned our Raider gear and then set about covering it all up under water proof fabrics–lol.

 

(Caution: don’t shoot me Joe) The Raider Nation was a little aggressive for me.  I was tickled when we first walked in and everyone was tailgating, playing music, drinking and dancing.  Our seats were great and the rain was intermittent and tolerable, again with those mild temperatures!

I was relieved to see some friendly banter between the very few Bronco fans nearby. All that came to an abrupt end when a fight broke out on the field.  The fight lasted a lot longer than what you see on TV and it was right by us so I heard and saw it.  All around us, vile things were screamed.  They LOVED the fight and wanted it to continue and then proceeded to applaud with vigor as the ejected players left.  Now I’m not a prissy, protected princess.  I cuss more regularly than my husband would prefer and I care so little about what others think that I am almost never offended.  But these folks were brutal and completely unsportsmanlike.  I was embarrassed for the lesson shown children nearby.

I finally understand Joe’s rebuke earlier when I asked again out loud if we were sitting in the DogPen.  He quickly, closely,  and quietly reminded me it’s actually called the, “Dawg Pound” and I shouldn’t ever say that again in this stadium.  We were sitting in the Black Hole, these folks mean business.  When the fans acted like angry pit bulls during that fight, I understood the very real danger around us.  I was grateful to be in Raider gear and also glad they stopped serving alcohol at halftime.  Geez, guys….

Ok, now I feel like a whiny girl.  I share that moment because it was real but don’t think I didn’t adapt and get past it.  Joe and I sat there for a few minutes talking quietly as we adjusted.  The football coach in Joe disdained the lack of sportsmanship but also we both understood we had seats where the die hard fans work hard to sit.  We did what we do best, blended as best we could and settled in for the ride. 

Joe’s phone is older than mine so the video quality sux BUT it’s still cool that he caught this live!

The game was great and thanks to us being in the lead the whole game, the vibe relaxed and we all cheered happily.  The Raiders won so my happy husband took me to eat some Italian and back across the Richmond Bridge we went.  Special thanks to my hubs who keeps me safe as I walk blindly, with a voice that carries, into every situation.