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Taking it easy Day 2; Tourist visit to Fisherman's Wharf Day 3

The second day we rested in, enjoyed a wonderful brunch and met up with my family, one in particular that I haven't seen in years--my brother-in-law, Ray, from northern California. I can't even remember when was the last year I actually saw him in person. It was good to see him again, and it was the first opportunity that my wife had a chance to meet him.

I was hoping that my brother could have come up for a visit, however, he could not get the time off from work to make the eastern trip to the mainland. Apparently, another team member at his workplace already requested this week off, so he couldn't do so, too! It'll just have to be another time.

It was good to have my sisters and myself in one place again. The dinner was good at Cafe Macaroni Sciue Sciue. At least it had one of my favorite Italian dishes: Linguine with white clam sauce. The greatest experience from the evening was the fact that the family had a chance to get together. It was the first time that my wife had a chance to get to know Ray.

On the third day, it was back to Mama's on Washington Place and a visit to Fisherman's Wharf.  I started to have technical difficulties with my solar charger.  It didn't want to charge my phone as it supposed to do so.  The food was good again.  They had a special breakfast dish: The rain was coming down when we got there.  It was the first time I had some crab cocktail, which I usually don't like eating crab legs that are cold.  And Dungeness Crab wouldn't be my first choice of eating crab.

We walked by Boudin Sourdough where they make different shapes of sourdough bread.  If I loved bread I would have eaten the crab shaped one.  The only thing is I don't think it would taste like it!

The ride back to downtown was fun because I hung onto the San Francisco cable car with one hand, and took some pictures with the other!  I've included it in the picture folder of 2012 SF/Chinese New Year Parade trip.

Hanging onto the SF Cable car and taking a self-portrait ...

The evening was topped off at Scala's Bistro.  It was a very good place to dine. The price of the dining experience was on the higher end.  It was good to meet up with my Hawaii sister's friend who has lived here in the area for many, many years! 
  
One of the other highlights was enjoying two visits to 7-11 for Slurpees, one of them was after dinner walking back to call it a night at our hotel.

Thinks of the many first for first day of 2012 San Francisco trip ...

Experiencing my first TSA patdown, a first delay of a airplane departure for thirty minute delay on the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX tarmac, a ticked off San Francisco taxi driver and riding the San Francisco BART system for the first time.

I ended up leaving the Chattanooga airport and I had my first patdown by the TSA.  Believe me, it's not anything to be pleased about, but it was a real interesting experience, especially since I was the one who created the situation when I forgot to empty all my pockets, and took off my belt when I walked through the machine.

Just about when we were ready to take off from Dallas to head toward San Francisco, CA, one of the pilots came on the overhead saying that there was a mechanical leak that that seemed to be ok, however, they had to run an approved FAA test which would have taken another thirty minute to get the results so that they could say that the plane was fit to make the trip.

When we landed we decided to take a taxi from the airport to Daly City.  We were put in a line of travelers who were waiting for a taxi.  We were put in a mid-size car.  When I told the taxi driver we were headed to Daly City, didn't say anything.  When I asked him if he accepted credit cards, it made him angrier than before.  He was driving on the freeway 80 miles and hour and almost taken turns on the freeway off-ramp on two wheels!

And I experienced for the first time riding the San Francisco BART system.

Picture of me on the side of the Powell St. exit of the BART system.

Anticipating the full Chinese New Year's experience ... San Francisco-style

7 days.  In seven days, my Sunshine and I will be landing in San Francisco, primarily, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, the 2012 Chinese New Year!

It's been seven years since I made a trip to Northern California.  It will be a good experience traveling again and having an opportunity to experience Chinese New Year celebration San Francisco-style.  I wish that I could really remember how it was as an experience in Hawaii.

I am excited about the trip because it'll be the first trip to Northern California for my Sunshine.  I will keep you posted on what happens as soon as I can.