My first stop in the US mainland was actually Las Vegas (where I spent 2 nights). However I didn’t take any pictures there as there wasn’t much new to report since I was last there. I stayed at Bally’s (very cheap and pretty run down these days) and went to see “Vegas – The Show!” at the Saxe Theatre in Planet Hollywood. Its the only “old style” Vegas show running at the moment.

On 28th April I flew out to San Francisco. The first thing to note is that San Francisco airport has a Yoga room! What next?

I flew in late on Friday night in order to make the Crissy Field Parkrun under the Golden Gate Bridge on the Saturday morning. There was a good turnout of British tourists – two more arrived after this photo was taken.

It is a flat, out and back course with great views of the bridge. I hadn’t run since the Perth Parkrun 2 months ago but managed a reasonable time just a bit slower than last time.

Thanks to Joel Rizzo (who has run all the Crissy Field Parkruns since it started and is now worried about going on holiday in case he misses one) for the encouragement and coffee afterwards.

After the run, I walked along the coast, past the Marina and through Fort Mason Park, to pick up the cable car at the end of Hyde Street. It was a lovely day and there were more great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Alcatraz looked almost close enough to swim over.

You also get good views of the city from the quay at the Maritime National History Park.

It is now $7 for a one way ticket on the cable car (I am sure it was about $2 last time I used it)

I took it into Union Square.

And attempted to take pictures while standing on the side.

I didn’t remember this from my last visit but there are also old electric trams running in the city as well.

The following day I set off north taking the scenic route and following Route 1 along the coast.

I was heading to Elk to meet up with Dionne, a friend from New York. She had suggested I come out to see the house she was just moving out of. I eventually found it after following a rough track about a mile off the main road into the forrest. It was worth the drive out there.

Dionne is also taking a sabbatical from work and has been staying out here with friends who run a pot farm (now fully legal in California).  The crop had been grown at the back of the house but they were moving out to a bigger location.

I helped her friend and her with the final part of their move up to Mendocino. Unfortunately, the new house wasn’t quite so picturesque.

But is was geared up for much higher levels of production.

We had breakfast in Mendocino the following morning.

Mendocino is a pretty little town on the coast about 150 miles north of San Francisco.

After breakfast I headed north to “The Avenue of the Giants” to see the giant redwood trees.

Next I stopped in Eureka to see the Carson Mansion.

The house was built by William Carson who made his money in the logging trade. He moved into the house in 1883. It is considered one of the grandest Victorian homes in the USA. Unfortunately, it has been a private club since 1950 and is not open to the public.

I made it to Crescent City – the most northerly City on the Coast of California – by the end of the day. The next day was another beautiful day and I got some more good views before crossing the state line into Oregon.