'Flower Power' revisited

Today was predicted to be hot and the forecasters had it spot on! In fact, temperatures soared to ninety-degrees plus! It was therefore one for conserving energy and being our last full day here, we decided to take the ferry to the city. From the Ferry Terminal, we walked up Market Street, swinging right at Gearey and into Union Square, where the big-dig project (to establish and underground metro transport link system) continues unabated! I fear I wont' see the finished article!! Anyway, we sought refuge from the heat in the Cheesecake Factory, Floor 7, Macy's. Result? ...... the club sandwich, views, and cool drinks were spot on, but the roof top heat and a table too hot to touch were less than ideal.

Needless to say, we were soon out of there and heading for a no. 7 bus, to take us back in time to Haights Ashbury, a cornerstone of the 60's Hippy movement. The bus journey was hot and interesting. I guess its the same the world over, buses tend to be used by the more unfortunate in society. But it was reassuring to witness the respect given by all passengers for the more unfortunate amongst us, freely volunteering seats to let those who needed them most, sit down. (Please take note in the UK!) As for Haights Ashbury, its changed! Sure, the house of Gerry Garcia's Grateful Dead remains (unmarked and uncelebrated!) and Sunny Sunchild's Red Victorian Hotel is there, but they are ghosts of something that existed several decades ago. In fact, the area is now little more than a tacky tourist magnet.

But hey, I guess you just have to stretch your imagination, sometimes. As the temperature continued to scale new heights we decided to catch a return bus to Market Street and the Ferry Terminal, for a mid-afternoon sail back to Larkspur. Once back in the hotel and after cooling down a tad, we made our way to the Pacific Fish eatery for a final round of Fish and Chips (and Racer 5 IPA!). And finally,  today's musical nostalgia ..... not Gerry Garcia, but the one and only Jimmi Hendrix and Purple Haze!