**Don’t forget my Victorian Giveaway, featuring a gorgeous hardcover of Saundra Mitchell’s THE VESPERTINE. You have until 11:59 p.m. Saturday to enter. Go here to learn more.
Earlier this week Steve attended a conference in San Francisco, and I gladly tagged along. Even with the wind, rain and gloom, I love this city!
On Monday I met Martha Flynn for tea at Samovar in Yerba Buena Gardens. (Martha suggested this place before I got to San Fran. The menu was enticing, but it was her link to their tea porn blog that truly sealed the deal.) Martha ordered the Lapsang Souchong, “Zealously tarry, ancient and smoky. Delicious with milk and sugar” and I selected the Gui Fei Imperial Concubine, an Oolong described as “butterscotch and tree-ripened guava balanced with layers of wild rose, stewed cherries, and vanilla bean.” (It was AMAZING. At least when I wasn’t over-steeping it. Apparently the optimal steeping time is 20 seconds.) You can also see the cherry oat scones with Devonshire cream and preserves on the table.
But we didn’t stop there. In addition to the scones we enjoyed the honeycomb, cheese and fruit platter, the ginger quinoa waffle and the squash dumplings. What a feast! And such good company!
Tuesday morning Steve and I set off on a long walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. (If you know San Fran at all, you know this was a very hilly walk.) The closer we got to the water, the more the wind and rain battered us. Here we are posing in front of a distant blob that I can assure you is Alcatraz.
After that we poked around Pier 39 and gazed upon the sea lions. This group was napping most comfortably.
I admired this fellow’s proud pose. Can anyone explain to me what the posturing is all about? I tried to get a photo of two sea lions posturing side by side, but my iPhone wasn’t up to the task.
Then we walked back toward Chinatown, pausing for a moment to admire the crooked section of Lombard Street.
After restoring ourselves with dim sum, we returned to our hotel room and changed clothes for an afternoon of shopping, of which there is plenty to be had downtown. All in all, a great trip — just wish I was having an easier time readjusting to Central time.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
[Cross-posted from Livejournal]
