When we were back in Seattle, Suzette and Paul of SV Altair suggested that we walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and check out the views of the bay. This sounded like a great idea and so yesterday we drove to the last exit going north on Hwy 101 before the bridge, parked the car and walked across.
It was a clear day and you could see for miles. The air was warm with a slight breeze. On the east side of the bridge is a wide walkway with alcoves along the side to step out of the pathway to look at the view and take photos.
Last week was Fleet Week in San Francisco, similar to Seafair in Seattle, without the hydroplane races. We watched some of the visiting US Navy ships leaving the bay and going under the bridge. Each had an escort in a rigid inflatable zooming around. There were some policemen on bikes, with GGB on their backs, hanging around where the ships would go underneath. We saw some sailboats going out as well.
The Red & White Fleets are tour boats that take the tourists from Fisherman's Wharf, out and under the bridge. We also saw helicopters going out under the bridge and then coming over the bridge and going back. Many folks rent bikes and ride across the bridge. One bike rental allows you to ride across the bridge, into Sausilito and then take a ferry back to the Wharf. I think some of the folks renting the bikes needed a little more practice ride around pedestrians. I didn't see anyone get run over but there were some near missed and one fellow was trying to ride and shoot video at the same time, a recipe for disaster.
The walk across one way is about 1.7 miles. The bridge website has a virtual tour which includes an elevator ride up the top. I looked but I did not see this being offered. Not sure I would like the height.
We learn many different languages from the tourists. I may not have understood the language but from watching a young teenager on a bike suddenly stop in front his father who started to yell and gesture, I could imagine what was being said.
From the bridge we could see downtown San Francisco, including the Transamerican Pyramid, Alcatraz, Treasure Island, the Oakland Bay Bridge with Emeryville and Berkeley beyond as well as Sausilito. Below we saw sea lions, dolphins, sailboats and even a paddleboarder.
Thank you Paul and Suzette for the suggestion. We had a great time and even got some exercise.
Wow! Now you have photos. I guess you have more time to work on such things now. Nice picture of USS Pinckney. I guess if she were heading into heavy seas they would pull the anchor up closer to the bow. Out in this end of the world the Coast guard had to tow a boatload of guys from the Hudson Canyon. Surprisingly, Robbie was not among them.
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