June 06 Chap and Riet drop in

Paddy had been staying with us for a bit, when Chap and Riet both came over for a holiday. We went to Vegas, then on through Arizona, and finally to Mexico again. Chap was then on his way to Sth America.

After some wandering around the streets of San Francisco, and lunch at little Italy, we wandered up to Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

Chap spotted a cop car. SF cop cars look like toys or at least the cameras should be rolling. He wanted a photo, so I told him to spread em on the boot. We didn't notice, but the cop who uses this car was right next to us. Normally you would expect some abuse, but he says it's unlocked, and why don't we can get a shot sitting in the car? Chaps even put his cop cap on, and mugging it up for the camera to much laughter. Don't try this in other places as you'd get arrested.

Day one, night two of our guests tour, and the base ball popped up in conversation. A great idea, so we get tickets for tonight.

Barry Bonds hits a home run, Abercrombie from the Marlins gets called a bum in song, and despite the $7 beers, we still get a glow on. Sitting in the bleachers is huge fun. Larry the local yank explains the rules to us. By the end of the night, Riet is in love with him.

Day 2, and were onto our first world famous landmark. All the fuss is worth it, and the Golden Gate looks fantastic.

The others go to Alcatraz that afternoon (which they loved), while me and Marie go to meet the local priest, who is so grand that he cracks a bottle of wine with us to welcome us to the area, and after some contemplative conversation, were stumbling down the steps of the rectory.

While waiting around for ages as per usual for a hire car, we got a new dude, who got ripped up not once, but twice by his adviser. Apparently you do the pickups first, the drop offs second.

But he gets high marks from us; we got another free upgrade with a brand new Subaru Outback (16 miles on the clock). I put it down to the charming bum we met on the way on Market St, SF.

He asked for a dollar, and I only have 20, and I'm on the phone so stupidly I give it to him. Survival rule number one in the US, ALWAYS carry some change. He says he'll "get change from Starbucks". He's on a walking stick, so I figure he can't get far, and I can see him the whole time.

You knew it, getting change from 20 means you get $5. He's bought three trendy pick me up juices, a coffee, and is on his way to ordering a couple of cakes. At least I know he's going to eat it, and not use the cash for beer. Is SF Mecca for these people damn it? Well the investment paid off immediately, for some reason we find a car for $30/day less than the original quote, and we get a free upgrade.

Oh my god its day 1 of the road trip, here's where the rubber hits it! Paddy found Janet Jackson Rythm Nation in the garbage bin, so we set off and we've got a new soundtrack. You know, after listening to it a couple of times, its not too bad.

Day 1 is a drive to Vegas. The highlight of this day is crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The low light is 6 hours of Interstate 5.