San Franciso

Arrived in San Francisco on Saturday, after what seemed like an extraordinarily long flight, but was merely a reality check on the width between coasts. After checking in at le Meridien, into a room with a beautiful view of the bay, we walked around the Embarcadero. GH liked the restored Ferry Building, as I thought he would. At night we took the Muni to Castro, had dinner at a small Mexican joint and danced at Badlands.

The next day, we returned to Castro to shop. I picked up a corduroy jacket that I really liked. SF was colder than we thought, and the jacket came in handy. GH also bought a fitting jacket from one of nicer Castro shops. We did more shopping in Union Square. I am not a shopaholic, but it's nice to get a couple of good-looking things.

On Monday we picked up the car from Enterprise, and drove over the Golden Gate Bridge into wine country. We are staying at Rancho Caymus, a 26-suite inn built in the style of a Spanish hacienda. It is owned by the Komes family, which also owns the Flora Springs Vineyards and Winery. We enjoyed a free wine-tasting at their new tasting place called The Room. We also visited Turnbull Winery, formerly owned by an architect whom GH met a long time ago. The Turnbull cabernet was complex and balanced. In the evening we walked about St. Helena's, and had a lovely dinner at Cindy's Back Kitchen. GH had a very fresh tomato and cheese salad while I had a crisy and juicy duck.

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