I went sailing for the first time in a long while in the bay last Friday. It?s the first time I?ve been on my friend?s (Nick) parent?s boat. The boat was larger than I had imagined, with a full livable area complete with kitchen and toilet below deck. The boat was surprisingly similar to the boat we sailed in the British Virgin Islands several winter breaks ago. Unlike in the picturesque but often windless B.V.I., wind is virtually guaranteed in the S.F. Bay. Indeed, the wind didn?t fail us; bringing us around Yerba Buena Island and through the construction of the east side of the new Bay Bridge. There?s like 10 huge cranes floating next to the soon-to-be old Bay Bridge along with associated drilling equipment. The visibility of the construction is new and wasn?t around when I left S.F. last January. Anyway, sailing was enjoyable.
Today I just finished up a day hike to Mt. Tamalpais. I hadn?t been up there since High School, and the views haven?t changed much (they?re still stunning?at least on a clear day). Today was no exception with awesome views of the Golden Gate, Stinson Beach, and Ocean Beach. Hiking in the Bay Area is pretty different than up in Washington State. For one, I?m not used to seeing so many people on a trail. They had this ?Mountain Play? thing going on at the top of Mt. Tamalpais so there were literally lines of cars and buses winding up the narrow, windy road to the top. Oh?and $5 to cross the Golden Gate Bridge is a RIP-OFF!