Fear the Crab

Tuesday, 9/21: Today’s tour of San Francisco included a visit to the Golden Gate Park and the California Academy of Sciences. This expansive museum was another recommendation from our friends, and we were certainly interested in the replica rain forest, aquarium, planetarium, and other exhibits. We took the I-280 to avoid the weekday traffic on the US-101, and made really good time.

The rain forest exhibit is a large 4-story glass dome. Butterflies and birds roam freely throughout the canopy, and we all had to exercise extra caution lest we step on something or carry a hitchhiker out of the place. The enclosure guaranteed an accurate portrayal of the temperature and humidity found in places like Costa Rica, Borneo, or the Amazon.

Reptiles, amphibians, and other insects were kept behind glass. There was even a small section dedicated to bats. At the bottom of the exhibit was the “flooded forest” section that also led to the Steinhart Aquarium, featuring an albino American alligator.

The Morrison planetarium had a feature on stars, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg. I think I was the only one who stayed awake the whole time. I know somebody behind me was snoring. I admit the darkened room was relaxing, and combined with calm music and a view of a starry night sky I can see why folk would fall asleep.

We finished the rest of the museum with a tour of the “living roof” and other natural and science exhibits.

After the Academy of Sciences, we journeyed across the Golden Gate Bridge to the small town of Sausalito. My mother-in-law had fond memories of pizza there, so we hunted for the same hole-in-the-wall eatery. Unfortunately it was closed; it seems the owner shuts down for the day “whenever he feels like it,” leading me to believe he only remains open so long as he has ingredients. I can’t confirm that, though.

Instead, we found another pizza place while cruising the main road. Maile and I got prosciutto, artichoke, and mushroom on one half, and garlic and cheese on the other. It was a “medium” thin crust with a 16″ diameter, and surprisingly it was very filling. So filling, that I actually passed on sampling a tasty-looking burger joint later in the town, and I do love me a good hamburger.

Sausalito had another Christmas holiday store, and on a whim we decided to get another ornament. Something that represented San Francisco and would remind us of the trip, plus this day would be our last full day in the city.

It’s a shame that the day wasn’t completely full of happy and joy. We discovered via text message that our shipment of garlic-themed spices and condiments from 3 days ago arrived with some damage. Apparently one of the “Dude Dust” containers split open and spiced everything in one of the boxes. Thankfully the damage was minimal, and props to my cousin-in-law for cleaning up the goods that survived.

Nonetheless, I’m sure it was an “interesting” delivery for the mail carrier.