A Heart Not Necessarily Left Though Certainly Lent

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit I've never been to the Bay Area. Until now. San Francisco is one of this country's great cities. I connected with friends I haven't seen in decades, friends who acted as personal tour guides as we caught up on each others' lives. Great food, great coffee, decent beer. Dined at friends' homes in Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond Point, as well as restaurants in Chinatown and several places in the city. In my four days there, I walked a tad over 25 miles. I'm not ashamed to say I enjoyed being a tourist and doing touristy things for a few days. For example, I learned the original name of San Francisco was Yerba Buena, which translates to 'Mint' or, more literally, Good Herb. Did not know that! Of course, with the legalization of marijuana in California, that whole 'Good Herb' thing takes on a whole new twist. Next visit, I can get deeper. Here's a few snaps. [As always, click pic to embiggen slide show.]

A rising sun limns the canyonlands en route.

The skeletal remains of a buried giant?

Mono Lake from the sky. A different perspective.

Buster Posey, Canine Operating Officer, greets me in my hotel room. SF Giants catcher from ATL.

Sunset drinks at Land's End. Camera Obscura. Vertigo setting.

Fern, Moss, Redwoods: Muir Woods.

Tram through Fishermans Wharf.

They're scarier than the look. Mechanical brakes, steep hills. Be prepared!

Arch frames ship. Prime selfie spot.

Num num num.

It is what it says it is.

Yes. This is what I've been trying to tell you.

And more of this, please!

Botanical Gardens, Golden Gate Park.

A sacred site.

Note the birds, man.

Note the graffiti from the 1969 Indian takeover.

Inside.

Down on the Bay.

Berkeley by Night.