We started the day early last Saturday to spend the morning in Muir Woods Park and then to enjoy the afternoon in Napa Valley. Since it was a rare sunny day in San Francisco, we were expecting an extremely clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge. But when we arrived there, we saw thick fog around. When I looked up, however, I noticed something fun. The fog reached just right under the surface of the bridge. The view from both South afar and the North vista point was unique. As always, parking at Muir Woods was terrible. It was the first time for my family to be there, even though I have indulged myself in this "Oxygen Bar" quite a few times with relatives or friends. So I dropped them off, told them to go without me, and drove farward until finding a spot at the roadside almost a mile away. Instead of entering the park after parked the car and walked back, I sat on a bench in front of the gate and read a book. While I was reading and waiting for my family, I met and had a nice little conversation with a tourist, a very nice lady, who works at my son's school. We left Muir Woods for Napa at 12:10. Along highway 12, I saw for the first time such dense and massive vineyards. Almost every hill was covered with rows and rows of grape vines. It was 1:20 when we arrived downtown Napa. As I had planned, we walked to Fish Story for lunch. The environment there was very good, but food so so except for its signature Fish Story Tower. We had an enjoyable conversation with the waiter, who looked like an Italian descendant but was actually hispanic. When he was acknowledged that we are from China, he said that I must have lived here for many years, for my English is very good and fluent. (Oh, both parts are true for sure! :-) ) He also claimed that it was a shame that the Americans can speak only one language. It was already 3:15 when we finished lunch. We then went on to the Oxbow Market for dessert as the gentleman recommended. Ice cream at Three Twins was far less delicious than what we had at Cool Moon Ice Cream cross street from Jamison Square in Portland. Oxbow Market is too small comparing to Quicy Market in Boston. I heard there is a similar one in San Francisco but I've never been there. I heard the annual Golden Gate Bridge airshow was held that weekend, so I took a detour home to avoid the worst traffic. A college classmate of mine once was stuck on highway 101 and a one hour trip became 5 just to drive from SF to another classmate's house which is not far from ours. We shopped grocery on the way, and got home by 7. I called it a day after sorting all the bags and putting them to the fridge. 1. Looking to the East Bay from North Vista Point across Golden Gate Bridge 2. Fog under the Bridge (the lady I talked to suggested that we should submit this one) 3. Hills Covered With Grape Vines (source: Internet) 4. In Autumn As We Saw (photo source: Internet) 5. Fish Story Restaurant (front) (source: Internet) 6. Fish Story Restaurant (riverside patio where we sat) (source: Internet) 7. Fish Story Tower 8. Oxbow Market 9. Inside Oxbow Market 10. Napa River (source: Internet) |