Day 25: The Presidio to Fisherman's Wharf

Day 25:  The Presidio to Fisherman's Wharf

May 24th, 2017

13.22 miles in 6 hours 41 minutes

The Wave Organ

I took a lot of detours hiking from the Presidio to Fisherman's Wharf along the north coast of San Francisco.  I hiked all the way out to the Wave Organ beyond the San Francisco Yacht Club.  There is at least one pipe in the Wave Organ still powered by sounds of the surf. 

Working Wave Organ pipe

Then I walked up Webster thru Moscone Park to Union St. where I had a coffee and breakfast burrito and The Coffee Roastery.  I was reliving moments meeting with entrepreneurial artistic friends here, making plans for the future that didn't quite work out.  Though there still exists free software from that collaboration, and a few people have copies of the zines we produced.

Coffee Roastery at Union and Fillmore

I made a quick stop at 1999 Green St., where we first lived in California.  I walked around the back way where the garbage chute is, and rekindled memories of what it felt like to move into the heart of the city, garbage pickup 3 times a week.

1999 Green Street

The next detour was around the central pier of Fort Mason.  Walking there I passed the tree I used to sit under and meditate across from Marina Safeway.  At the suggestion of my oldest son I sat on the dock of the bay and wasted some time not thinking.

Tree of Meditation

View from end of Fort Mason Pier

Then I hiked to the end of the Aquatic Park pier that is slowly falling apart.  This park is the home of the Dolphin Rowers club and the South End Rowers club.  50 years ago a guy decided to draw on these two clubs to start a running club, the Dolphin South End Runners  Club.  This club initiated the Double Dipsea, and still put on a 5K or 10K most every Sunday, all of them located in some amazing stretch of San Francisco shoreline or park.

Boat pulled up to offload fish

For the first time I really explored the fisherman side of Fisherman's Wharf, finding the place where loads of fish are still taken from boats and sold.  But that didn't stop me from enjoying sea lions, and pretzels, and caramel corn at Pier 39.

Fishing boat at Fisherman's Wharf

Sea Lions at Pier 39

To wrap up the day I rented an all-electric Scoot and drove it back to the Palace of Fine Arts.  It was exciting to be cruising down Bay and Beach in the middle of the lane at 30 mph.  It's a fascinating addition to transportation options in the city, and seems to have an edge over bike rental, in that the scooter is to heavy to pick up and walk away with, so it can be parked on almost any city street.  They own the 5 feet of curve between two driveways that are all over San Francisco.

Day 25:  The Presidio to Fisherman's Wharf

    Starting Balance                                       68.37

• Uber earnings to Presidio                             (30.59)
• Coffee Roasters Decaf and Breakfast Burrito             9.70
• Pretzel at Pier 39                                      4.50
• Scoot Rental from Fisherman's W. to Palace of Fine Arts 3.20
• Scoot Credit for new Rider                             (3.20)         
• Uber earnings from Presidio                           (10.45)

    Ending Balance                                         42.53

Kombucha of the Day -- Lemonade with Margarita Mix

Voice Notes:

I had a timidness when it came to brackish water sports.

Funny I told my wife's 89 earthquake story to two different passengers this morning and here I am walking through the Marina today.

Taking a detour to see 1999 Green St. is kind of like walking around some original slough in the marina.

I wanted to live the Silicon Valley dream when meditating under the eucalyptus tree across from the marina Safeway back in the late 80s.