Monday, September 20, 2010

See ya later alley-gator

Walk #22

Being super lazy yesterday, and going out of town for a week tomorrow, I wanted to get in a substantial walk after work today. I decided to bust out the alleys of the T-Loin, finish out California street, and eliminate the Laurel Heights neighborhood.

Before I began, I noticed this was happening at the corner of Ellis and Polk.
It also happened, last week at Eddy and Polk. When I first saw it last week, I dismissed it in the morning but in the afternoon the street was freshly stamped and I thought how amazing it would be to MEET the street stamper himself! But today when I saw this, I PANICKED! What if the new street stamper is working to eliminate all of the mispellings and errors?!?! I need to find them all before this new street stamper strikes again!

Between Van Ness and Larkin, the alleys went like this: Willow, Ellis, Olive, O'Farrell, Myrtle, Geary, Cedar, Post, Hemlock, Sutter, Fern, Bush, Austin, and Pine. It was a LOT of zigzagging. It was a lot of avoiding folks sleeping on the street (including in front of the Great American Music Hall where 15 girls were lined up to see the one and only Hanson. Mmm bop ladies. Mmm bop.) It was a lot of giving space to peoples' "homes" and it was lot of zigzagging (yes, again!) At the end I stopped into a Starbucks which was inside a WellsFargo. Banking and tea, what a lovely combo.

Out on California street, I made a side trip down Orben Pl (or Middle depending on which end you read the street sign). I made it all the way to Spruce where I began to basketweave the Laurel Heights/Hill neighborhood. In my mind, this neighborhood is between California and Geary, Arguello and Masonic/Presidio.

Where I began was mostly flat but eventually I ran into the hill section of Laurel Hill. I also had to cut through a playground and a few alleys. Very different from the alleys of the TL. All of the streets here are very wide. Most of the homes have front lawns. And I passed a dozen folks pushing strollers. Again the dichotomy of my walks never ceases to amaze me.

At the edge of Euclid and Masonic I found the ole' bus barn. Oh Muni....


In the interest of full disclosure, I stopped at a Starbucks again. But you mustn't judge! Sometimes you just need a reliable restroom.






At the corner of Euclid and Comm Ave (as my the little piece of my heart that belongs to Massachusetts wants to say) I found this:
Dr. Mr. Streetstamping Man,
First CommonweAlth. Second, I know you're using the 'W' for the 'M'. I got my eyes on you . . . .


And finally as I wound my way home (by way of the pizza place) I saw this guy for the 3rd time. The first time was around 3:30 near the alleys of Larkin St, and I didn't think anything of it. Then I passed him on Masonic and Geary contemplating if it was the same guys. And finally on Haight Street towards home, I saw them collecting more cardboard boxes.
His truck was half empty when I first saw him. Quite the haul after winding their way (stalking me) through the city. Hooray recycling.

Total Mileage: 11.61

Friday, September 17, 2010

Come On Get Happy!

Walk #21.1 and 21.2 (must be allowed to drink and walk now)

So I've been changing my route to and from work just a little bit at a time. Things usually don't get too exciting but yesterday, walking home along Grove, I felt the need to move in here. With a window like that, how could you not get happy? Or want to sing all day with your family. I love me some David Cassidy! (And secretly, I love Danny Bonaduce.)

Today, I walked home along Turk which was pretty uneventful until I got close to USF where there was a lot of hustle and bustle now that the semester is in full swing. Then much to my excitement I found a treasure on TamalpAis Terrace.


What is up with the 'i' /'1' phenomenon? It's turning up everywhere!! Is it too hard to carry around the 'i' stamper and the '1' stamper? Or is the 'i' lost in the truck and you're too lazy to look for it and figure no one will notice? I'm more and more surprised the 'E' / '3' situation doesn't show up more. Also, street stampin' man, don't think I didn't notice you missed the third 'A'. I've got my eyes on you . . .
(p.s. mini shout out to Jessamyn on this one!)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Take me out to the ball game . . .

Walk #20

After happy hour(s) at Toad Hall, I decided to take advantage of today's dynamic deal and get myself a cheap ticket to what looks to be my last Giants game of the season. *tear*


The walking options were plentiful but I decided to keep it as simple as possible. I walked all the way down 18th street from Castro to the Bay, then
up 3rd to AT&T. Super straight forward and it proved to be a genius plan. First, there was no line at Bi-Rite, I repeat NO LINE AT BI-RITE! On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon! Crazy. I of course got myself some white chocolate blackberry. Yummy looking, huh?


Then I got to cross two freeways! The first by pedestrian footbridge, which seriously terrified me, the second
a traffic ramp, which was not nearly as scary.

Funnily, there is something about me that is intrinsically a Peninsula girl , it was so awkward that 101 was west of 280. I kept thinking the map was lying to me. Guess I'm not quite a city girl yet.


101 280


Luckily, this walk was all about my favorite city workers: the Street Cement Stampers!

First, at 18th and SancheZ . . . .



Then, I thought I was walking on 18th street. Am I really 10 blocks off track and didn't realize it?

Is 'Florida' a little like 'Toys R Us'? Backwards letters are fun for kids of all ages! And it least it got this stuck in my head, which always makes me happy. Boots with the fur . . .


Sadly, I was late to the game, it's almost like I was a Dodger fan - yucka. But the view was nice coming to the park from the south.


Total Mileage: 3.77

Monday, September 13, 2010

Finding Fun in the Monotony

Walk # 20

San Francisco is not all glamourous or ghetto. Turns out there are many average streets along the way. But fun really can be found around every corner.

For example, after a yummy lunch with Jessamyn I headed south on 3rd St. I didn't worry about any cross streets but did hit up all dead-end streets. Clementine, St. Francis, Perry and Kaplan where I found a secret motorcycle parking lot.

After making my way to the ball park, I tried to walk parallel to the Embarcadero. As San Franciscans may know, not an easy task. Embarcadero isn't exactly straight, while most of the streets around it are. So I tried to wiggle my way as much as possible - to the end of Townsend and back to go up Collin P. Kelly, over to Brannan till it ends, then back to Delancy and so on. It didn't work well for too long. I tried to hit up all the awkward scragglybits of streets but missed a few so back I'll go. It was a little depressing over
there and this sad site didn't help.
20 newspaper stands with 2 newspapers -2 free ad books - 16 empty stands!! Poor sad print journalism (she says as she blogs).

I eventually gave up on the wiggle and took a straight shot up Beale which
became Davis across Market. Is there any street that retains it's name when it crosses Market? Only more walking will tell . . . .

On Green Street I found California Historical Landmark #941. What ever
could have happened on detached, 3.5 block section of Green Street over by the Embarcadero you ask? The birth of TV, that's what! This is the lab where Philo Farnsworth invented the first TV in 1927! Apparently, he was called the genius of Green Street (yes, I was/am thinking of Katie every time I saw/typed it). See, proof that walking is educational. And all good things come from SF. (We invented ice cream, right?)


So maybe not all good things originate in SF, that doesn't mean that we don't have Harry Potter's Pier. Lightening bolt and all! 66 days . . .


Done wiggling, I turned right onto Bay which I followed for about 2 miles. The beauty of this decision was not only crossing Jones street [Are my college roommates stalking me throughout the city today or what? I guess it'll be more interesting when I end up at the corner of Jones and Green, but still. If I come across a Brereton street things will officially get weird, though I feel like there's a higher possibility of me finding a Park St :) It's the same right?] but that Bay is probably the lowest grade crossing the city westward. Lucky me!

As the end drew near, I had some time so I decided to cross off a 3-square block radius within Bay, Fillmore, Laguna and Marina. Holy Cannoli, it turned out to be over two miles on it's own! I even had a nice plan for minimizing the blocks that had to be repeated (only 4 sides) and yet, two miles! Crazy! But done and done! And while my feet may have hated me at North Point and Webster I FINALLY found this wee error. Really, you couldn't solve that 'N' 'O' situation any better? I guess no. Bahahahaha!

Anyway, ended on Beach Street for some much needed couch time. Dinner and a movie with the fabulous Monday night movie crew = good times!


Total mileage: 9.16 miles

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A big ol' loop

Walk #19

Today was literally the only day I had available to see the Impressionist Exhibit, Paris: City of Light, at the Legion of Honor. So I left home heading north. The journey there was pretty simple, Cole, Hayes, Stanyan - where I made a detour down a cul de sac where a really sweet golden retriever wanted to join me. Sadly, I had to leave him behind. Stanyan turns into Jordan. One left turn and the the next two miles were spent on California. Luckily, there were a couple of open houses - I could own my own home in SF for a mere $1.9 mil!- and then look:
Fall showed up! Alright, fine. It's weak sauce BUT we do have seasons. They're just subtle . . .
A long trek down California, a turn on 32nd, a few more cul-de-sacs, onto Clement, through the golf course and ta da: The Legion of Honor.

The exhibit wasn't necessarily my favorite but there were three or four pieces I loved so it was still worth the trek. I decided to shake the old Urban Spoon App on the iphone which lead me to the Garden House Cafe. Thank goodness it was close because I was starving. New walking rule: snacks and water required! Not only was I starving but it was also a bit chilly so I needed to sit down and warm up.
Mmmm soup! And sandwich and hot coco. The folks here were really friendly and the food was scrumptious. Highly recommend.

I tried to logically plan my return route. I decided that if I walked the outer
rim of the Richmond, I can later come back and basket weave the streets. So I walked Clement (which turned into Seal Rock). Coming up to the VA hospital there was a cute monument to the veterans.


I went down and back on Alta Mar, then 48th as far south as I could. There was an awesome view of the Dutch Windmill but the fog didn't lend itself to awesome photography opportunities.


At the end of 48th I followed Sutro Heights to 46th to Balboa. More cul-de-sacs though this one had stairs to go up, and different stairs to go down.

From Balboa I turned down La Playa. I know I said I was aiming for the outer rim of the Richmond, but I know eventually my run club will take me back out to the Great Highway, so I opted for the street a block in.

I went all the way down to Fulton (so I could completely check La Playa off the map) and circled back around onto Cabrillo. Which, like California, I followed for 3 miles.


Cabrillo was great. Some houses had fabulous, matching stained glass windows,
a port-o-potty had a warning,
and a pre-school creatively used old buckets for gardening.

When Cabrillo ran out, I continued onto McAllister which had this colorful home.


To end it out I went up and down Parsons, Parker to Fulton, Cole, Hayes and Clayton. Whew! And the final view of the day perfectly sums up the weather.

Sutro tower is there. I SWEAR!
Total Mileage: 10.84

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Walking to Eat!


Walk #18

It was a beautiful day in San Francisco but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to get my 'recreational' walk on. So I settled for yet another functional walk.
Today's function: Delicious food!

The best part of today's walk: Eva joined me! At one point she apologized for taking pictures and looking like a tourist. Haha, I take pictures all the time! Being a tourist in your home city is the best.

We started along Haight St to Buena Vista E where I had to apologize for the steep grade. But what goes up, must come down, and here we are on the steps down from Buena Vista E to Waller.

From Waller it was back UP Alpine Terrace, where we ran into one of my kitchen volunteers who lives up there! She is actually preparing a walking adventure for
herself, she's doing the 3-day breast cancer walk in Washington. Sadly, she wasn't able to join us, but
we wished her happy trials. But before we did she told us this house we were admiring belongs to one, Jim Hormel of SPAM fame. Mr. Hormel also happens to be a major donor to Project Open Hand! We didn't invite ourselves over for tea, though we should have.

Down 14th to Castro to 16th past the house with the most potted plants I've
ever seen down to the worst pedestrian intersection at Market, to Ike's Place. With eviction impending for my favorite tiny little sandwich shop, I felt like I had to get in there again sooner rather than later. I had a hard time deciding between the Ex-Boyfriend or the Al Bundy but ultimately went with the Tony Soprano - yum!

Sanchez to 18th to Guerrero
to 16th to Potrero to
Brannan and 8th for:

Now, the one thing I know for sure about the SF Underground Market, is that it is not very underground. Everyone and their mother was there on Saturday night. To be fair, I do know one more thing for sure. I heart Guiness Chocolate Ice Cream with Sea Salt.
Brannan to 10th to Market to Haight (with a detour for free wine and beer at a retail store where Eva's friend was) home.
Total mileage: 6.35

Friday, September 10, 2010

TGIF


Walk #17
It's been months and months since I have had a weekend without any plans. For the first time in forever I will not be setting an alarm tomorrow morning. I have a totally clear agenda and I could not be happier. I am hoping that it will lead to a weekend of Recreational Walks. Walking for the fun of it versus the Functional/Destinational walks which I normally do.

Today, however was a mini combo of both, though more functional than anything else. I had to make a return at Costco (where, naturally, I stayed for a late lunch of free samples), wanted to pick up some pizza dough fixin's, hit Walgreens and head home. (My to-do list is super exciting, right? Just think, I spared you from sharing yesterdays walk which was a straight shot on Haight Street to get my dry cleaning. Huh, guess I didn't spare you after all.) Polk to 9th with a detour down Jessie street in honor of my awesome cousin, to Harrison.

After all the free sampling, I opted for a longer way home and went all the way
around Costco, back to Harrison, down an alley named Norfolk (like in my 'hood
back home) to Folsom. Found this group of primates hanging around, not sure what they were up
to.

Then found this mural on a building called "The Ultimate Cookie" I bet I know exactly what they were up to, except they were closed so no snickerdoodles for me. Sad.

Stopped at Rainbow Grocery, a far cooler Cooperative
than Arizmendi, then made my way to S Van Ness, Market and Duboce.



Moving right along (ha ha, because I just returned the Muppet Movie at Costco, turns out I already own it!) Duboce was a ton of fun. There's a bicycle only/Hilary walking section of Duboce behind Safeway. The cool part is, the awesome mural with the Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, and of course, Muni.
There were a ton of folks waiting to hop on the N-Judah and I wanted to invite all of
them to join me as I walked up the hill and passed the dog park. (I, of course, did beat the N to the next stop).

I regretted this choice of route when I reached the intersection at Castro and found myself another staircase which had to be carved into the sidewalk because the street is to steep. But I figured if the man with his toddler son and their pooch could do it, so could I. So up I went.








The end result was pretty awesome.
















From Duboce & Buena Vista E toward downtown From Buena Vista E toward the GG Bridge


Total Mileage: 4.24

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

From Poverty to Posh

Walk #16

Today's walk was the first in the series to really demonstrate the social stratification of SF. I basically walked down the same street, Eddy, for 2 miles. Staring in the Tenderloin, I encountered a several individuals strung out on drugs and two folks asked me for spare change. When I headed west, across Van Ness, I came across an Urban Share Community Garden Project at Eddy and Gough.
This is way more exciting to me then the one on Hayes where the freeway off ramp used to be. Last year, Eddy used to walk be my standard route and this used to be a vacant lot. Now look at it! They've produced over 1,000 lbs of produce! I gotta volunteer there.

As I continued on, I made an awkward loop at the end of Buchanan (a!) and Willow and found a group of folks pressure washing plates and cooking utensils in front of a dirt encrusted SUV with an airstream attached. Apparently they had a great time at Burning Man, but were extremely excited to get home to shower. :)

I passed through subsidized housing and crossed the "Divisadero divide", as it shall hence be known, into tree lined streets and overly expensive homes. What a difference a block makes, indeed.




I wish this photo conveyed how much up there was to the end of Eddy. At least it's a good visualization of today's walk. Sometimes the hills of San Francisco aren't all bad.



Total Mileage: 2.62

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Some people mourn the Wicked . . .

Just the standard walk down Page to Market, nothing new was discoverated, but it was for the last time.

Thank goodness?

Not really, I'm a little devastrated and I'll miss our times in Oz.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Is there anything more American than Costco?

Walk #15

I'm going to go with no. Everything comes in outrageous sizes, it's one-stop shopping, there are free samples. Basically, I only venture there for toilet paper. Who can't use bulk amounts of TP?
It was a straight shot down Polk (turning into 10th). I took a detour down Sheridan where I found this mural.
Then I took a cab home, because no one could carry all that TP up Hayes Street (though I'm thinking of B2B costumes as I type ...)
Total mileage: 1.04

Took a late afternoon stroll to the de Young for the Birth of Impressionism (finally!)

and a "Red-Heads in the Mist" walk home. Ahh, summer in San Francisco.


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Donna Martin Graduates!!

Walk #14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4

Happy 9.02.10 Day!

The playlist for today's walk includes Color Me Badd, Amy Grant, Ace of Base, Lisa Loeb, and The Heights. Ah, the 90's.

In honor of this historic day, I decided to make not one, but two roundtrips between home and work. Good times.

To work, I started out in the traditional way, including:
The second most photographed homes in America. I just never get tired of this view. Whatever did happen to predictability? Anyway, on from the show of my childhood back to the show of my tweens...

At the Painted Ladies, I turned down Steiner to follow Grove all the way into
work. As this is turning into a totally TV related post, these posters made me
pretty excited for the new seasons to start. My name is Hildoug, and I'm
a Gleek.


I'm also a geek for this:
I know this is a little bit of a stretch, but come on! We can all agree that the letter "I" in Octavia is totally a number "1"

Don't believe me? Well I walked back home along Ivy (which is basically an ally) and it proved that Octavia can indeed
be spelled correctly with an "I"

It also proved that Octavians like to keep things colorful.

After a brief stint at home, I took Page all the way to Market to get to the theater and Hayes back home.
Total Mileage: 9.21 (AWESOME!)


I leave you with the greatest moment in television history: