Day 16

Day sixteen,  July 24,  2011

We did not have anything planned this morning so we were FINALLY able to sleep in!  I made sure to treasure every moment spent in the hotel because I knew that the following evening would be spent on a campground in a tent.  I took a nice, long, hot shower, dried my hair, organized my luggage and then Steph and I caught up on GH.  Our first mission this morning was to find the famous street that was the home of one of our favorite TV families ever - the Tanner residence! We needed to find the house that became famous for it's appearance on the opening credits of Full House.  Steph was able to find out the name of the street that it was located on - Broderick Street.  We were only on this road for a couple of seconds when we spotted the famous front door.  We had the exact address (1709) but did not need it, how can anyone not recognize this historic landmark? After posing for a few pictures we wanted to grab a bite to eat before the Giants game.

I had found a restaurant in one of the tourist guides that looked good.  We ventured down to the piers again and stumbled upon it - Beach Street Grill.  If anyone ever visits San Fran this is a must!  Yes, it was only breakfast but it was some of the best breakfast we have ever had.  Rob ordered the Crabs Benedict and Steph and I split the fresh blueberry pancakes and an omelet filled with bacon, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, and sour cream.  To top it all off they also supplied us with fresh, homemade strawberry preservative.  Delicious!

With stomachs full we made a quick stop at a souvenir shop and then headed to the AT&T Ballpark.  The stadium is literally right on the bay.  We sat in the bleachers out in center field several rows up.  We admired the stadium from our seats and watched the first 5 innings, then we decided it was time for a drink, garlic fries, and to explore the beautiful stadium.  First we headed back to the outfield to get a better view of the bay.  Rob and I got in line for margaritas while Steph went to snap some photos.  Next thing I knew, a nice black man approached me in line and began to engage in conversation.  It soon became apparent that this man was not interested in me but instead in Rob (catch my drift?).  Anyway, he saw my Yankee shirt and asked me where I was from.  He made a discussed facial expression when said NJ and said that he was sorry to hear that.  I then asked him where his Giants attire was and he responded by saying "I'm an attorney, I don't wear that s*it". I was a little taken back but hey the next thing he asked me was what I was drinking, so I figured it would be in my best interest to keep this conversation going.  It was not long until he also turned to Rob to find out what he was drinking as well.  By this time we were approaching the beginning of the  line quickly so I tried to get Steph's attention to see if he would buy us a whole round of drinks.  During the wait on line, I found out that he was dressed in his Sunday best because he actually came directly from church.  He explained that he was told in church that he would be going to this baseball game.  He did not seem too happy to be here but seemed to be trying to make the best of it - on the liquor line. Sure enough Steph did make it back in time and this lovely man bought us a whole round of drinks.  Now at this point I'm thinking, great now we are going to have to entertain him and make nice, but was I ever wrong.  He handed us our drinks, took his change and told us to enjoy San Fran.  Sweet, I'm really beginning to love this city even more!  

We made our way around the outfield to where the "splash zone" was located.  In this area of the bay people rent kayaks and other boats and spend the afternoon here in the hopes that a ball will leave the stadium and travel into the bay.  Along the right field wall there is a splash zone count...so far 57 balls were hit into the bay.  We continued around the stadium and found the famous garlic fries.  We circled the whole stadium taking everything in.  We ended the tour by going underneath the bleachers where there were more viewing places and concession stands.  Of course we could not leave before trying the famous fry bread topped with Nutella and whipped cream!  The weather was perfect for a baseball game, stadium was gorgeous, food was delicious, and crowd was rocking what more could we have asked for?  And then came the perfect ending to this game, the Giants were up only 2 to 1 going into the 9th so we were lucky enough to see the one and only Brian Wilson enter and close out this game!

Sadly our next stop was Oakland airport.  This time we made sure to leave in plenty of time so that Steph would not have any problems catching her flight.  We crossed the Bay Bridge which gave us a tremendous view of Alcatrez, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay.  We passed the Oakland Raiders and Oakland A's stadiums on the way.  Steph arrived to the airport with plenty of time to spare, we said our goodbyes and Rob and I headed back to the piers.

These piers are what caused me to fall in love with San Fran. As Rob explained it best, "there is just so much going on here and I love it all". We began at the one end and made our way all the way to the opposite side.  Along the way we saw a variety of entertainment - singers, dance, clowns, balloon animal makers, and then even one man dressed up as a dog.  We walked in and out of just about every shop and decided to cross the street where we saw a huge groups of people all with cameras in hand.  We arrived just in time, a group of boys were about to have a dance off.  It would be a dance off between the young ones and the more experienced boys.  It was so intense, we saw dance moves I didn't think were possible.  Break dances that looked like they hurt too much to ever want to do again and even some gymnast moves that blew us away.  The older boys definitely got my vote, but I do have the entire show on video so you can be the judge.

We continued down the pier where we found our next act - a magician/ comedian.  He also gave an award winning performance, too bad his voluntary assistant from the audience, Derek, was so dull.  When the magician asked for audience participation, Derek quickly pointed to his friend who was standing in front of him.  Unfortunately for Derek, and for all of us watching, the magician choose Derek.  Rather than just being a good sport and listening to the rules of the trick, Derek, probably in an embarrassed reaction, tried to be a jokester himself, but failed miserably.  Anyway, he finally got the rules down and the magician was able to continue with his final trick.  He stood up on a see-saw that he had constructed and juggled 5 knives...it was rather impressive but his jokes and strip tease were even funnier. We continued walking and shopping until we turned a corner to Pier 39. We began to hear weird animal noises when we realized that out on the floating docks were tons of sea lions. They were going in and out of the water and making lots of noise.  

From here we figured it was about time for dinner.  We ate at the Wipeout Bar and Grill.  The biggest adventure that we encountered here was the bathroom situation.  Rob decided to venture back first and when it was my turn he wished me luck and said that all he could tell me was that is was back in the red and white tent.  As I approached the tent all I saw was a row of sinks with both men and women standing at them.  I was a little hesitant but made my way in anyway.  After walking all the way in, I realized that each stall was separate and meant for both men and women and the huge trough  used as a sink was meant for sharing.  When I got back to the table, Rob informed me that during his experience to the bathroom when he walked into the tent the only people he saw at the sink were women so he quickly turned around and existed the area.  He approached someone who worked there and again asked where the restrooms were.  After being assured that he was in the right place he walked in and tried again!  Once again we choose a great place, great food, great atmosphere, and excellent drinks.

Out final destination for tonight was going to be an ice cream parlor called Bi-Rite Creamery.  We came across the name of this restaurant in a book that Rob had picked up before we left NJ and included famous restaurants to eat at across the country.  This shop received rave reviews and when we drove past it the night before the line was out the door and down the block.  Again we knew it must be good and we had to stop there.  We pulled up, again the line down the block, and hopped onto it.  Once again we were not disappointed.  This was by far the best ice cream either if us has ever eaten.

We headed back to the room to make sure all of our belongings were together because tomorrow we will be camping for the first time.  Wish us, by that I mean ME luck! Peace, love, and happiness, the Nomads!