Golden Gate-Golden State

Monday monday monday. Day 7

After a chilly sleep in Redwood National Park wearing all the layers we had- brr, we ventured on another hike for one last frolic amongst the Redwoods. We never did see any bears or mountain lions, but we did lot's of birds and a banana slug.

A few hours into the drive, temperatures spiked to a whopping 36 degrees! We spotted a watering hole with loads of people enjoying a swim and decided we just couldn't resist. We quickly turned off the freeway and changed into our swimsuits and enjoyed a fast refreshing swim. Nothing else of note on the drive except more Redwoods, which soon turned semi-desert landscape, farms, and more hot weather. Boy could we use an A/C right about now!

Roughly 7 hours later an orange beacon of happiness appeared before us...it was the Golden Gate bridge!!! *insert Full House song here" A landmark seen so often of T.V. right before our eyes- we were thrilled beyond explanation. BUT... there was a hitch. Who knew there'd be a toll to get across the Golden Gate bridge?

Us-"How much is the toll?"
Bridge lady-"$6"
Us-"Oh, we are sooo sorry, we only have $2 between us! Oh wait, we have lot's of Canadian coin too- don't suppose you want that?" Bridge lady-"No."
Us-"*crickets* So what do we do?"
Bridge lady-"Where are you from?" (while counting a wad of bills and not making eye contact)
Us-"The Prairies. In Canada."
Bridge lady-"So you're from Canada...?"
Us-"*more crickets*........"
Bridge lady-" *sigh* Go on-there will be no charge today."

A little embarrasing, but not enough to damped our Golden Gate high... That was until the streets.
As we may have mentioned before, the Buick is a bit of a dodgy vehicle. It has been known to stall, and doesn't exactly stop on a dime. In search of Jason's place (Sandie's 2nd cousin), we made ourselves into quite the spectacle as we shouted, laughed, and cried; driving up, and down, and UP, and DOWN the incredibly unsafe and inhumanely steep streets of San Fran.

Following Grandpa's old '85 Truckers Atlas, we finally made it to 290 Green Street, at the top of yet another brutal hill. Jason welcomed us into his roof-top home overlooking the Oakland-Bay Bridge and a stunning view of the city, and took us out for a delicious dinner and wine at Calzone's. Thanks Jason!