Week 18: January 27

Technically I haven’t been here a whole week yet, so I feel like I should be excused from making a blog post after only 6 days. But I suppose by that argument I would have to write the post tomorrow, and why put off for tomorrow what I can do today?? (Ha – try telling that to my violin-practicing conscience) 

On the first day I was back, I discovered this under my pillow. 

Maddy and Nick's Christmas present to me

On the second day I was back, I went caching along the Embarcadero and found a pretty little park with a brook running through it. 

On the fourth day I was back, I went to Corona Heights with a group of kids. It was a perfect day and we could see for miles from the top. There’s a children’s museum up there, the Randall, and we found a whole lot of other interesting things along the way. We had to backtrack several times, but it was fun clambering around the rocks. Expeditions are always more fun with more people. 

Found a bra hanging in a tree

That's our school in the distance. Looks like three buildings joined together. The two smaller ones on the left is SFCM, the big white one on the right is the New Conservatory Theatre Centre.

That's the Randall

Our crew: Matt, Lauren, Nick and Maddy

Lauren took this so I could be in it. Geez, what a DORK!!

Found a skeleton branch

HAHA

Matt on top of the rocks

I don't think this is legit.

That guy sitting up top is from Vancouver!

On the sixth day I was back, Maddy and I went to SoMa for a picture multi (you are given a set of photo clues, which you have to follow, and they lead you to the container) and also to buy groceries at Trader Joe’s. I have long been intrigued by this American grocery store, which I had never visited but which seemed to receive rave reviews from everyone I spoke to. They’re much smaller than Safeway and don’t have as wide a selection, but in general the food is local, and healthier, and significantly cheaper, and I think I will start going there more often. 

Balloons on bikes

DROOLING

Whenever I see these tins, I can only think of caches.

On the seventh day I was back, I went on an amazing trip to the Sutro Baths at Land’s End, the literal end of the continent. I walked through Land’s End park, past the Legion of Honour Museum, and south along the coast. Apparently there used to be a railroad there, but the terrain was too treacherous for a train, and there were constant landslides that took out parts of the tracks, so no trains anymore. But I saw (and heard) the signal on Mile Rock, and saw part of a shipwreck just off the shore, and could even see the lighthouse at Point Bonita before the fog rolled in and there was no more ocean.

Sutro Baths used to be a flourishing institution. Built by a former mayor of SF, they boasted seven swimming pools of varying temperatures, a theatre, and several art galleries and historical exhibits. But they burned down in 1966, and now the ruins are all that’s left, solemn and dignified in the streaming mist. I could try to describe them, but the pictures will do a better job than I ever could.

Ocean before the fog

Japanese bullet holes (real)

Ocean with fog

Had to walk through the tunnel to get one of the clues (yes, it's safe). Was terribly excited about this.

Perhaps a foundation wall

Rockfall blocking the end of the tunnel

Very brackish water. Ducks love it here.

The waves are all smashing themselves into foam

Nuns can go exploring too!

The ruins

The coast

All that remains of Sutro's mansion, which he built in Land's End and which fell into disrepair after his death

On the eighth day I was back, I wrote a blog post. You’re welcome.

- Antisocial Violinist