Cue Tony Bennett

[stgulik]

Our San Francisco day trip was so much fun!

My midwest relatives got to check a few things off their vacation to do lists. They saw the ocean--in fact, the teenage girls were fairly boisterous at their first sight. They took loads of selfies in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, and later had their first taste of sauteed calamari, fresh off the pier.

Also, we saw a whale underneath the bridge! It was my first real live whale, so that's a thing that got checked off my own list.

Ushering them around reminded me of my first time there. That's why I really like taking relatives on tours: for the nostalgia factor. Also, I love them and want them to be happy, of course.

Comments

[toblass.livejournal.com]

HA! They were lucky to even be able to see the bridge.

Yep, Our summer is in full swing and fog is a glorious thing, folks.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I know! It was like this most of the day. I remember reading that the warmer it is inland, the foggier it is in SF.

[kribu.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome foggy bridge shot. :D

And seeing a whale - how cool is that?! Wow.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

We were puzzled at first, then stoked.

[helenarickman.livejournal.com]

That sounds amazing! Especially the whale part. You were at the right place at the right time.

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

We really were. Whales come into the bay all the time, I hear. We saw this long black shape emerge from the water, followed by a giant spout of water.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

What a great post! There is no better way to get that thrill of seeing something afresh than to take someone else along who is seeing it for the first time. And calamari! I remember when I was young, I wrinkled my nose at the thought of eating squid. Once I got into the restaurant business, however, I tried it. Oh, my god... yum! We have a restaurant we go to that has spoiled us for calamari anywhere else; they are the touchstone. It is sauteed with a coating that has just enough seasoning, with green olives and capers, served with a garlic aioli instead of the ubiquitous marinara sauce. Heaven!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were in the restaurant business! The whole family tried various fishy dishes, with mixed results, but the calamari was a true hit.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

A beautiful photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm so glad you're having a fun week with relatives! You deserve to have a lot of fun. ♥

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

Aww! Thanks, sweetie. We love taking friends on SF tours. :-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

So.... is that where we'll be going when we visit? :)

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

If you like! Norcal is your oyster.

[logospilgrim.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite episodes of The Layover (Anthony Bourdain) is the San Francisco one... So glad you all had such a great time!