San Francisco
Sara's History Association convention was in San Francisco in January of 2002.  It gave us our first
chance to take the train.

The Southwest Chief goes from Topeka (actually starts in Chicago) to Los Angelese.  From there we
took the Coast Starlight up to San Francisco.  This is a great ride....for several hours in runs very close
to the Pacific Ocean.  There's an afternoon wine tasting in the Parlor Car.

We had a brief layover in Los Angeles before catching the Starlight, and my friend, actress Diane
McBain came down to the station to meet and visit with us.  What an honor and joy that was.

My high school friend Joyce and husband Marc lived at that time in a suburb of San Francisco, and they
treated us to a day in and around Monterrey and Carmel.

Here are Sara and I sitting on some chilly rocks (it was January) so if we appear to be grimacing
slightly, that's the reason.  Epic views of Monterrey Bay.  A priceless photo to me.
 

One of the great experiences of my life was our visit to Pebble Beach golf course.
Below is a shot taken in front of the famous 17th green.  Some players teeing off
on the equally famous 18th are in the upper right.

When we travel we always end up looking at fish if there's an aquarium nearby.  San Francisco has one of the finest in the Steinhart Aquarium.   It is one of the best in the country and was great fun.  Across the street in Golden Gate Park is a beautiful Japanese Tea Garden that is a nice place for a leisurely stroll.

We stayed at the beautiful Westin St. Francis on Powell St.  Union Square is across the street, the cable
cars run by the front door, and it is a wonderful spot.  It has been our experience that Westin's always have huge bathrooms, and we found this to be no exception.  We recommend this hotel highly.

We spent an afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art.  Can't say it was an epic adventure, but we warmed up some when we finally got to the Klee and Kandinsky type of stuff.  It's a nice place, by all means.  But if your taste runs to impressionism, or whatever, it might not be your cup of tea.