The heading on our blog under “Untangling Knotts” says “our adventures through city and backcountry.” We are on day 13 and just today stepped foot in a bonafide city. Ahh, the smoggy air, the masses of people, the transit nightmares. The food options, the plethora of shops, the reliable wifi! Now this feels good!
San Francisco. So beautiful, but so not a good city of you hate uphill hiking. My goodness, the hills!!
We started our adventure off in Chinatown and found a great lunch at Sam Wo. It was packed at the lunch hour, full of locals, yet sold t-shirts to tourists. We shared fried rice, chow mein, and sweet and sour chicken. Everything was delicious! After lunch we stopped by the fortune cookie factory and saw three women hard at work making fortune cookies. The machine they use is incredible. It squirts out batter, spins it through the oven, and then one of the women pick up the cookie while hot and fills it with the fortune as she folds it. They passed out all the ones that weren’t perfect to the people watching.
After lunch and dessert we wondered around, browsing in shops, and walking up and down the huge hills. We all wished we had our hiking poles and hydropacks. Or at least knew of the shortcuts (longcuts?) to avoid the uphills. We hit City Lights, one of our all time favorite bookstores and I was giddy to see Zoe hidden in a corner reading Maya Angelou’s poetry. The book was added to her short souvenir list.
Probably the best part of a stop in a major city, is a stay at a Kimpton. I swear they all pump some magical spray in the lobbies, because I’m always taken to my happy place immediately upon entering. But it might just be the free wine hours at every property, everyday. Yep. I think that might be it.
Another huge highlight of the day was finally having strong enough wifi to video chat with my mom and dad. This was the first time of the trip we’ve been able to do so, and it sure was nice to see them. Although I was incredibly jealous of the martinis my dad was shaking in the background.
We have wrapped up wine hour and are about to head to dinner at a spot that has over 40 beers on tap, all Californian. And it looks like their food is excellent, and quite urban. Exactly what we’ve been craving.
Of course I am seeing this after the fact. But, what did your fortunes say from your cookies? So glad you guys got your favorite hotel, the Kimptons. If I spelled it correctly. San Francisco looks beautiful. That is a hike in itself, I’ll bet.
Have you heard from the authorities if they foumd out who did this to you or any of your property that can be identified?
So glad you had some fun there. Glad you got the book you wanted too. You guys do great with your chopsticks. Not so sure I could do it.
Also what a blessing to be able to video chat with your parents.
Love, Joanie Kenning