I Scream, You Scream

Walk #46

Today was quite the day of physical activity. 10 mile run, hour and a half of yoga and walk #46. Luckily, all of it was worth it!

I started after yoga, so naturally I was at the Sports Basement. There were a few more streets to weave to check of the whole section between So Van Ness and Potrero, so I decided to check those off. Also, with a little creative planning, I could make my way to Humphry Slocombe, which is exactly what I did. Cross Shotwell, Folsom and Treat streets between 14th and 24th of the map.

Deserving a treat after all this exercise, I got in the crazy line for ice cream. This is one popular ice cream shop! It was about a 15 minute wait and when it was finally my turn, it looked like they might be out of Open Hand FlufferNutter!! As the Fluffer Nutter, made from none other than Project Open Hand's own peanut butter, was the purpose for the ENTIRE EXCURSION I started to panic. I'm super glad it's popular but this is the second time I've tried to get it and I was starting to panic. Luckily, my sad face helped a new carton appear. It was an excellent combination of sweet and salty and neither the peanut butter nor the marshmallow fluff was over powering. It was a very mild flavor but really yummy!

After enjoying my two scoops, I began the long trek home. By this point I was feeling all of the days activities and was about to quit and hp on a bus. But as street stamp errors began to appear I decided to keep on course. And I'm pretty glad I did.

First, there was this:

Then things started to get turned around:

and again:
Now, many people have tried to argue that the reason for the street stamp errors is the potential street stampers might not speak English as their first language. Which is a valid hypothesis. However, I think the backwards letters/numbers help prove my hypothesis of street stampers not taking much pride in their work and just not paying attention. Or they're amusing themselves which I think is awesome.

Along the way, there were many other sights to see. A plea from a home owner which I can totally sympathize with, as our porch was also once used as a urinal.

And I was in the Mission, so of course there were some colorful murals. My favorite thing about this one is the man pushing the ice cream cart because twice while I was in line at HS he came by. I almost gave up on the Fluffernutter for an ice cream sandwich, but I stayed true. Next time, this guy totally gets my business.

And finally, a tribute to the hills of San Francisco. This is partly to show you the awesome bruin themed home,

and partly to show you the poor woman struggling to push her stroller up Castro.

And this was just awesome. The sign says "Abrupt Grade Change" as the street just drops off. Lots of squealing brakes here.

Total mileage: 8.16

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

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