I am sitting in the 830am Vallejo to SF ferry. For anyone unclear, I am not going to work today. The kid was going to SF to Christmas shop and look around. She invited me along. I thought all three of us would go except Emily has real work. I forgot that.
I have only used the Vallejo ferry once prior. Went to a Giants game on the ferry. With parking it cost $32.50 per person. I would say there is no money savings vs driving. Parking and tolls are less than $32.50. No time savings either unless there is an accident. But, and it’s a big but (like J-Lo) there is zero aggravation. And you can enjoy a fine cup of coffee while working or playing on your phone. I’m blogging. Duh. Tough to blog and drive. I speak from experience. So I am gonna give this form of human transport a thumbs up. For now.
I am thinking I should probably call in to work. Maybe let them in on the secret about the ferry and what a nice ride it is. I think they would be pleased to know. Ya, good idea.
I sent Cara a text. Told her how nice the boat ride is. I am sure she would concur.
This morning I tried to get up early, at 6am. But that turned into 615 cause I laid back down. Always a mistake. Amazing how easy it is to sleep when you are supposed to be up.
Marika got up not long after. She took over feeding the animals, I made coffee and brekkies. Forgot to make Emily’s lunch, which happens with a disrupted morning routine. I even forgot what day it was. Crazy. I thought is was Wednesday. It’s taco Tuesday, for those keeping score.
Everyone got out early. Marika and I aimed at 730, hit 745 exit. Emily off by 730. She moved quickly. The 15 minutes in our schedule was the padded portion. So we had to step on it. Two of us so the car got diamond lane. We got to the parking lot at Mare Island Ferry by 820. Ferry leaving in 10. Marika handled parking and I ran ahead to get boat tickets. We were almost last to board, like that matters, but we made the boat, found a nice seat, and relaxed. Remember, no aggravation. We are 30 minutes into our cruise. Time for a potty break and a refill.
Better. Bottle of water. 30 more mins till SF. Fog lifted and it’s now a sunny, cold day. View has improved, which makes the trip that much better.
Ferry landed and everyone rushed off. We sat and were last off. Much easier.
I have not been inside the ferry building in years. Well, today I went in. Seems to have become a public market in the intervening years. All the shops look very nice. We stopped at Blue Bottle coffee for a couple of cups. Finally, excellent coffee. In America. Who thought it possible? Not me. We wandered all the way through the place. Did not shop much but looked. Most stores not open this early. We can shop it on the way out later. Then no carrying of bags all day.
We walked to Union Square, about 25 minutes from the Bay. We were chatting as we walked along and managed to miss our street and had to turn around and backtrack. Not by much, maybe a quarter mile. Once we arrived in the Union Square area we kinda just wandered. Back and forth and around through stores and up and down the floors. Like I said, wandered. I have not been down to SF for Christmas shopping in several years. Union Square seemed kinda drab and dreary. It always seemed more exciting when I was younger.
We Ubered to Ghirardelli Square from Macy’s in Union Square. We were standing out front waiting for our ride, got a call from the driver, he couldn’t find us. And telling him I was right in front of Macy’s in Union Square did not help him. I think he is a moron or a recent arrival from foreign shores. Outcome was the same either way.
Well, the idiot finally arrived. He spoke little English so probably a recent arrival. He sure as hell doesn’t know the city. Took an incredibly strange route to Ghirardelli as well. I don’t really care, price is same no matter the route.
No matter, we arrived. Safe and sound. Marika has been jonesing to go to Ghirardelli for the longest time. I have been there many, many times. As a child, I went there every time we came to SF. The shopping was awesome, and the food very good. Well, times change. Like Union Square, Ghirardelli seems a shadow of its former self. The second floor has lots of retail space yet no tenants. There were only 3 places to eat, we chose a nice cafe, a couple stores and the two Ghirardelli chocolate stores. That’s it. The place is nice, don’t get me wrong, but it just doesn’t have anything to offer. One more thing from my childhood destroyed by time. I am not sure what Marika thought of it. We enjoyed our charcuterie lunch but the shopping disappointed. She seems to be enjoying the day as I am. She does not have 50 years of comparisons like I do.
We did go into all the stores, and looked at everything. We gave them their due. And we left.
We then took a course through the City, just going store to store as we went. Search and destroy if you will. Marika led the way. I noticed that wacky sox are big this year based on the number of stores carrying them. And I noticed more stores had barkers out front to bring people in. Sort of an analog version of SEO.
During this walkabout we decided to catch an Uber to the Ferry Building where our day in SF started. We did not shop the market on the way in, but will on the way out.
Our Uber driver was a peach. Good conversation, good driver, knew his way through the city. Not a recent arrival but was from another country. Nice drive. I tipped well.
The market in the Ferry Building is really a nice place. Each particular stall or store selling things different from the last. Even when similar, two candy stores there for instance, they were still very different. I did not get much, just some house made dried chorizo at the meat market, but I really enjoyed the walk through. It smells great too. That part is free. When we thoroughly finished, we checked the time, 325. Boat leaves at 330. They were shutting the gates when we arrived but graciously allowed us to board. The boat was packed. I would say we got the last two seats together. Crazy.
Our trip was so smooth and easy I did not even notice we pulled away from the dock. Or maybe I am not observant. The day is still beautiful and sunny and warm. And the boat is awesome. I did not order a cocktail. There is a bar in back. Probably a mistake to have one. Maybe I will make one tonight. That’s not a mistake. Drinking one is.
We made quick work of the drive. Not going home directly but headed that way. We did a little more shopping on the way because we were not as satisfied as we wanted to be with SF shopping.
We stopped in Fairfield just to see what was around. Not much. Again, nearer to Vacaville. No. Then to Dixon because it’s taco Tuesday and that’s where our favorite carniceria is. We bought three plates, we do include Emily. And soon off to home. We are waiting right now. They make food slow.
Straight home to Vacaville. No stops for shops. We done.
Got home and Emily was doing school stuff which later I ended up helping with. Yes, I’m a saint. For now, we ate dinner. Costillas de Puerco and Chile verde. Delish. Always the best night of the week.
My evening was filled with wrapping of the gifts I picked up in SF today. Nothing too exciting but a number of nice things for Emily. I want to make sure she has something to open.
Not much else this evening. Just some bad TV. I didn’t watch. Wrapping took my time. I was in bed by 915.