It looks like you had a blast. Thanks for posting the pics, toedtoes.

Hey everybody!!

It's been a great weekend here in SF but it's about to end. :-( It's around 8pm Cali time and I will be leaving for the airport in about 2 hours for my red-eye flight to IAH, then on to AUS. I'm relaxing in the hotel lobby after my last fun day in SF.

Saturday I spent a beautiful day with Paula and Faina. And I learned how to prounounce Faina's name correctly!! (It's not as simple as I thought) :-D We visited Golden Gate Park, including the Japanese Gardens and the observation deck of the museum. It was such a joy to get to know these lovely ladies. Later that evening I saw Beach Blanket Babylon which was a hilarious musical comedy. (Paula, I did see your daughter's friend in the show)

On Kodi's recommendation I took the movie tour and it's a blast if you are a movie buff. Loved it, thanks Kodi. I was planning to walk across the GG bridge today but it didn't happen as the bridge was shrouded in fog all day. When I went to Fisherman's Wharf this morning to pick up the movie tour I looked across the bay and there was no GG bridge. That was around 10:30, then about 2 hours later the movie tour took us to the base of the GG bridge. Even from there the GG bridge was completely invisible through the thick fog. I joked with the tour guide that he was lying and the GG bridge isn't really there. I was sad not to see it, but I got over it because the views of the GG bridge were gorgeous on Friday when we took the Fodorite bay cruise. After the movie tour I visited Coit Tower, and once again no GG bridge. Later in the evening I did a cheesy tourist thing and went to Pier 39. I wanted to see the seals and I bought a few last minute souveniers. The Maltese Falcon (largest yacht in the world) was docked at Pier 35 so it was pretty cool to see that. Nobody knows how much that yacht cost, but some estimates are as high as $750 mil. By looking at it, I just can't see paying more than $500 mil, but that's JMO. /:) Sorry, I digress, back to the subject. Another reason I went to Fisherman's Wharf is that I wanted one last look at the bay. Once again no GG bridge but the bay was still gorgeous, even blanketed in fog.

So despite the abscence of the GG bridge it was a lovely day in SF. But the best part of this trip was spending time with Fodorites. As LoveItaly said, the Fodorites are not strangers I met on the internet, you all are real friends. :-) To each and every one of you who attended the GTG, it was such a thrill to meet you. From the moment I met you all I knew I was among friends. I'm so glad you all could make it, and for those who didn't, I hope to catch you next time. And an extra thanks to Kal for the battery-operated flower you bought me at the pub. That's my favorite SF souvenier. :-))

Hugs all around. >:D<

I am SO sorry I missed this event--PM--great little report on the weekend. FYI--the Maltese Falcon cost $129 mil--when we were out sailing a couple of weeks ago--we were there when she unfurled her sails (like a butterfly) and sailed in front of the GG Bridge. Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travlmaven/2976429229/

Hi P_M, have a safe trip home.

Does anybody else have more photos??? The ones toedtoes posted are great, but there must be some more, right? P_M??? Faina???

HELLO dear P_M, your two days sound wonderful and I am so glad you got to the Japanese Tea Garden.

It was wonderful being with you Friday! I had no idea it was so foggy in SF..we had a crystal clear day here in Vacaville. But fog in SF..not unusual. Wishing you an ontime flight home (unlike dear Patrick and Lee's flight). Take care dear one.

TralMaven, what a beautiful photo!

Only $129 mil for the Maltese Falcon? OK, that's a bargain. :-D

It was actually quite clear in the city, it was only the bay that was foggy. It was a lot cooler too, I finally got to wear the jacket I bought for this trip.

I miss you guys already, but I'll be back.

Posting once more, just to create the 500th post to this thread. :-)

Hi P_M nice to finally see you and our other fodorites, My one and only trip to California, I did see the Japaneese garden and my purpose that trip, Big Sur.

LoveItaly--remember, when we get the heat--the Bay gets the fog! I always laugh when I fly home from my annual summertime trip to NC and the tourists are on the plane in tank tops and shorts--I give them the name of "the fleece guy" in Chinatown. Sounds like it was a great gathering! Safe Travels PM!

>>an extra thanks to Kal for the battery-operated flower you bought me at the pub. That's my favorite SF souvenier>>

Now nice. That was no flower - it was the "yellow rose of Texas".

Stu Dudley

Of course, Stu. And thank you for the glass of wine. I'm so glad I had the chance to visit with you and Kal at the pub, what a fun time. :-)

Hi TralMaven, I don't know if you remember or not or if you ever read Herb Cain but no doubt you did. But anyway he had a friend who was in the ladies restroom in the Boston Airport. Next to his friend were a couple of attractive women. One of them said to the other one "did you pack a swimsuit?" and the other woman said "oh I found the cutest bikini that will be perfect for North Beach".

Hugs P_M, I miss you too! Hurry back!

And we forgot to mention didn't we..the Bushman got us. Hate that fellow LOL..but he is a Fisherman's Wharf institution.

Ahahaha, the Bushman got you!!!! Ahahahahaha!!!! That guy scared the crap out of me one day. :))

thereyet

LOL thereyet, yep that is how I felt. I was happily walking along with all the gals and...

And of course we didn't tip him as he wanted us to do...I hate the Bushman! :-<

Several years ago, some poster who needed a cane to walk, was surprised by bushman. She fell to the ground, and then wacked bushman with her cane. Her husband wanted to go after bushman, but she restrained him.

Stu Dudley

Hello Stu, I don't think I read about the poster's experience but the thought has often gone through my head that someone could have a medical problem (heart attack, fall etc.) due to the Bushman. I really don't think he is funny.

Just poppin' in to wave hello to:

Abranz
Cat(Mrs)
Framboise
Giovanna and Mr Gio
Kal Kahuna
LindaL
LoveItaly
Ncounty
Patrick and Lee
Paula
P_M
Ronda and Dan
Shanghainese
Stu Dudley
Surfergirl
ThereYet
ToedToes

It was great to see everybody, some for the first time. Those GTGs are getting better and better.

Don't know about y'all, for me the highlight of this GTG was to see Kal's photo on the restaurant's wall. :))

Katie, thank you for the goodies!

I'll come back with more, for now only about the photos: I have an old manual camera with film. Which I have to take to develop.

OK, now that I'm finished talking, you all can "gang up on me" about my camera, you have my permission :) I will still love y'all ;)

What happened to Ciao and Leone?

They were the only "definites" who didn't make it?



Until I saw Toedtoes' pictures, I didn't realize how much Kal looked like that picture of "him" on the wall! Quite amazing.

“So my friends, was it all you thought and hoped it would be?”

Tom, it was all we expected and so much more! After somebody here posted a negative review we were somewhat hesitant what to expect. The food was excellent, the service was very friendly, and they were very patient with our rowdy group. We had 3 tables in the corner, like our own territory for mingling and toasting. The food was made to our orders spice-wise. It was also served home style when everybody could try everything off the plates in the middle of a table.

Maybe one negative was that there was no fabric cloth/napkins, but who really cares! And the price was right, $18 for dinner tips included at our table, the one with Kal was more expensive at $20 per person ;)

“Kal and Faina were in rare form.” – no, Giovanna, it was our usual form :)) We always behave like that. So far nobody complained. Well, nobody but Kal ;)

“Tech fellows at Fodor's by the name of Adam. We ga“ should I even ask what that means? And how many drinks… ah, never mind :)

Thank you, LindaL, for the drive home!

“I tried making the breakfast this a.m. but kinda forgot where it was!” – you must have really bad memory, pal, as you had my cell number recorded on yours. And no cell jokes please! You only allowed to thank me for not sending you a wake-up call :)

Now I’m down to Toed’s picture link on the thread, lemme see them first, then I’ll have some comments to post I feel :))

Great pictures, ToedToes! Guess which one is my favorite :))

"Several years ago, some poster who needed a cane to walk, was surprised by bushman. She fell to the ground, and then wacked bushman with her cane. Her husband wanted to go after bushman, but she restrained him." - I know what some of you are thinking but IT WAS NOT ME!!!! :))

I love Bushman, he's as part of San Francisco as the bridge and sourdough bread (even in the form of lobster!)

Now, that I have nothing more to offer till the photos are developed, I need to post the low-downs of Saturday :) as for photos, if they come out right, they will be on a CD, so I'll post a link to WorldIsRound.