13 July: San Francisco
We had intentionally left today free to find out where we are, so we donned warm clothes and good shoes and sallied forth to find this #7 bus that takes us to the CBD. One trip around the block and we came back for coats and scarves. Soooo cold!! Three scheduled bus times came and went but a bus did not. The one that did turn up was packed but we look so old people let us sit in the disabled seats. 45 minutes later we arrived at the end of the line for $1. Change to F tram our driver advised. We did that and arrived at Pier 39. How extraordinary !!!!! By then it was1.00pm and breakfast had worn off. And there was Hard Rock Cafe!!!!! Yes please. One Clam Chowder and one Pulled Pork bun washed down with a restorative coffee allowed us to explore the famed centre with all the razzle dazzle, and the seals which have made this particular Pier their home. Flocks of pelicans circled for fish and all styles of  boats carried  great hordes of tourists to and around Alcatrez Island. I had been warned to book weeks ago so we are able to go through that tomorrow .  Others just have to stand and look from afar.
Another fascinating discovery was the Mechanical Museum with its extensive collection of machines that entertained at every fun fair for a dime or a nickle in a bygone era.
By that stage the lure of shopping proved irresistible for one of us. Google maps showed a route along Powell Street to Market Street but of course it did not show the incline . 41 mins it gave to walk it. That's OK. We can do a 41 minute walk. We were fascinated by the frequent trams that passed us by with people hanging off the sides. How strange Why would they do that? it was not until our destination in Market St was in sight that the penny dropped. Of course. These were the famed SF cable cars that people flock to from all over the world to ride. And we had walked the whole route!!!! We'll remedy that another day.
The good news was that we did discover the Nordstrom Rack outlet store that daughter-in-law Vicki had recommended. Peter sank thankfully onto a shoe stool and I discovered bargains!!!
Very easily we found our #7 bus home for another dollar and were very happy to tuck up into our little cottage by the beach in the fog.