My sister will be the first to agree that we were not the closest growing up. Sometimes as we sit back now and talk about our childhoods, it almost seems we grew up in two different worlds. However, as we have aged, we truly have become close and I love the relationship I now have with my sister. When I was back in Montana this summer, we came up with this novel plan of a little get away and to take in a baseball game. After checking schedules, and dates available, it was settled. San Francisco was the destination.
We both flew in of a Thursday evening, and after meeting up at the airport in Oakland, we took on the Bay Area Rapid Transit System to find our ways into Downtown San Francisco and our Hotel. Well this is where Extra #1 occurred. We had decided to share a room. Well there was a mix-up and that room had just one bed. There were no extra rooms available at the hotel we were at or in the area, so a little nest I made on the floor for 3 days...
After we got settled, we decided we needed to grab something to eat, so we headed down to this recommended steakhouse. As we checked it out, the little Irish Pub Bar sounded like a much better option. I am so glad we did. After eating, we were sitting there having a beer when in comes this group all dressed in U.S.A. athlete outfits. I mean wrestling singlets, Boxing Trunks, Swim speedo's, and Gymnast gear.
After a few minutes and of course my sister's outgoing personality we learned that these were the San Diego Padre Rookies and as part of their "Initiation" they were out on the town. Seems when they got back to their lockers, their suits were gone and these outfits were in their place. We had a blast talking and laughing with several of them for a good part of the evening.. For the highlight story of that night tho you better ask my sister.
Friday morning we got up early and had a plan of sites we wanted to see. As we headed to Powell St. to catch the Cable Car Trolley, we realized we weren't gonna get on one of these anytime soon. Shawna and I decided our best plan was to start hiking it up over the hill and hopefully catch one a little less full along the way. No such luck, but it was a great way to see a great part of the city as we made it up and down the streets of SF on our way to Fisherman's wharf.
As we started along the waterfront, our first stop was the U.S.S. Pampanito and U.S.S. Jeremiah. Aboard Jeremiah we had a great viewpoint as the Space Shuttle Endeavor circled the bay area giving everyone a glimpse.. WOW a piece of history witnessed. As we continued along the waterfront we took a cruise of the harbor getting to see up close both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. Good call Cody! We took a trip through the wax museum, Pier 39 shops, including seeing Jeff Barnes from the Oakland Raiders signing autographs, and the Aquarium along the way as we ventured closer and closer to AT&T Park for the Giants game.
And what a Giants game to attend! We saw them honor both past and the most current 2012 Olympians including Swimmer Nathan Adrian and Women's Water Polo Gold Winning Scorer Carli Lloyd. Along with that, we also witnessed Buster Posey winning the Willie Mac award. The Giants won the game, and the following night they clinched post season. What a night to witness.
I gotta say, I don't think any trip to San Francisco should be complete without going onshore at the "Rock" I was amazed as I walked about the island and through the cell block listening to the audio tour from both former inmates and guards as they told the stories of Alcatraz. But our unexpected surprises didn't end there. Aboard our cruise boat taking us over to the island were a bunch of folks all dressed the same in basketball warmup gear. As it turns out, they were part of the 1 on 1 "King of the Rock" basketball tourney that would be played there that evening. Within the crew filming was a fellow Montanan who was missing Bobcat Homecoming along with me...
As we finally got back to the mainland, we ventured back to the hotel, cleaned up a bit before venturing down the block to try some different cuisine.. On the menu was Moroccan, Belly Dancers included!
It truly was a great couple days. Sharing my first taste of San Fran with my sister will be a memory I will always hold close. It was such a fun little trip, and I can't wait for the next Sibling Adventure!!
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