Got up early to catch BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to town. Our trip was so speedy we even got to Pier 39 before the stores opened.
We saw 3 Cruise-A-Homes in the marina there. Excuse me, the south marina. The north marina was taken over by sea lions almost 20 years ago.
We hiked north along the waterfront. Checking out all the boats and the shops. Found that the shopping "meccas" of the Cannery and Ghiradelli Square are no more. Though we could still get some chocolate at Ghiradelli's.
We did have lunch and some Irish Coffee's at the Buena Vista - a must. The USA version Irish Coffee's were perfected here in 1952. They pour about 2,000 a day. We did our part!
Enjoyed hiking out the pier at the National Maritime Park looking at the historic vessels, enjoying the beautiful day, and watching the swimmers(!) (We think the water in the bay was a bit chilly!)
Heading back, we just had to try one of the high-tech automated self-cleaning toilets.
These units have been situated in Seattle with some disparaging comments and a cost of about $700,000/year .
The self-cleaning cylindrical bathrooms include a toilet, wastepaper basket, and sink with a dispenser that dribbles out soap, then air drys your hands. The doors open and close like those on an elevator. Step in and you have 20 minutes to do your job. The floor has been freshly cleaned - even soap suds around the corners. Laurie's experience: Pluses: sweet smelling, enough time to do the job. Negatives: no TP, no soap air dry for the hands.
