http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA Travels and Journeys... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:57:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 2006-2010 heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) 1440 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA 144 144 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?feed=podcast Footsteps Travels and Journeys... Travel, outdoors, adventure, Heather, Dugan, stories Heather Dugan Heather Dugan heather@heatherdugan.com no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/02/03/buskers-by-the-wharf/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/02/03/buskers-by-the-wharf/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:12:21 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=3911 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/02/03/buskers-by-the-wharf/feed/ 6 0:01:04 ...The attention span and focus of their audience is minimal, and most passersby are looking for lunch or the next ferry to Alcatraz. Street performers, or buskers, must relish the act of performing enough to ignore being ignored. Exposing a bit o[...] ...The attention span and focus of their audience is minimal, and most passersby are looking for lunch or the next ferry to Alcatraz. Street performers, or buskers, must relish the act of performing enough to ignore being ignored. Exposing a bit of heart in hopes of an answering smile, a bit of applause and hopefully, a dollar bill or two... Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/03/28/urban-hiking/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/03/28/urban-hiking/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:01:33 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=1863 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/03/28/urban-hiking/feed/ 16 0:01:35 The uniformed lady shook her head and informed me that my planned walking route into Chinatown was no good. "It's all hill," she said, not realizing that she'd just confirmed my decision. San Francisco's drastic changes in elevation are no exagger[...] The uniformed lady shook her head and informed me that my planned walking route into Chinatown was no good. "It's all hill," she said, not realizing that she'd just confirmed my decision. San Francisco's drastic changes in elevation are no exaggeration. Cars systematically park with wheels turned in to the curb. Metro buses and trolleys run strategically up and down the steepest slopes. Women do not where high heels without.. Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/04/row-row-smile/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/04/row-row-smile/#comments Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:00:28 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=2153 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/04/row-row-smile/feed/ 13 0:00:34 This scene at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park made me laugh.  I’ve been one of those kids in the boat, silently gritting my teeth in a smile, waiting for each of my siblings to do the same and in unison.  I’ve also [...] This scene at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park made me laugh.  I’ve been one of those kids in the boat, silently gritting my teeth in a smile, waiting for each of my siblings to do the same and in unison.  I’ve also been the parent, aiming for “natural” expressions that disappeared once I peered through the viewfinder. Note the multi-tech approach this group takes: video recorder, digital camera and cell phone.  I’m sure the kids have darling faces, but it was the adults who caught my eye this time. Originally posted September 8, 2009. Find  San Francisco’s best hotel views at Oyster Locals. Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2010/03/01/anchovies-anyone/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2010/03/01/anchovies-anyone/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:31:29 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=3910 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2010/03/01/anchovies-anyone/feed/ 8 0:01:43 Not seeing themselves for the tourist attraction they’ve come to be, the sea lions of Pier 39 simply rolled over, splashed into the Pacific and swam away. At first no one even knew where they went.  One of San Francisco’s landmarks ha[...] Not seeing themselves for the tourist attraction they’ve come to be, the sea lions of Pier 39 simply rolled over, splashed into the Pacific and swam away. At first no one even knew where they went.  One of San Francisco’s landmarks had simply vanished. The protective signs posted around Pier 39 seemed ironic at best.  Staring down at the vacated wooden floats from the surrounding docks would have been akin to peering into a football stadium the morning after a big game.  Some sea lion debris remained -but the sounds and smells, and the star players themselves were notably absent. The mystery was finally solved last month from five hundred miles up the coast.  Apparently, somebody had a hankering for anchovies and almost the whole assemblage had paddled their way up to Oregon for pizza toppings minus the pizza.  Not so different from driving across town for the better burger or doing a wine country tour really -some delicacies are simply worth a little travel time. But, the quiet at deserted Pier 39!  Of 1700 animals, less than two dozen remained -the non-believers and youngsters who apparently couldn’t fathom such a land of plenty just up the coastline and who were content to loll about in their expanded personal space. A few sea lions have now returned.  Sixty three were counted on Monday (February 21) of this week.  A virtual crowd compared to the fifteen to twenty stalwarts that lingered alone through December and January.   What might bring more of the popular San Franciscan citizens back?  Herring would help.  Diminished numbers of the fish are believed to be the cause of the great sea lion exodus.  The hope is that, just as the need for food took them north, it will bring them back to San Francisco Bay again in time for spring. The Radisson Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf is just one of several Fisherman’s Wharf hotels within walking distance of Pier 39. It features a palm-lined pool and an outdoor bar and makes a great home base for waterfront fun. Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/23/the-embarcadero/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/23/the-embarcadero/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:03:03 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=2416 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/23/the-embarcadero/feed/ 9 0:00:46 A palm-lined boulevard stirred by the clanging of cable cars and a steady breeze… “The Embarcadero” is the rather grand moniker of the roadway lining San Francisco’s eastern waterfront.  It begins below the Oakland Bay Bri[...] A palm-lined boulevard stirred by the clanging of cable cars and a steady breeze… “The Embarcadero” is the rather grand moniker of the roadway lining San Francisco’s eastern waterfront.  It begins below the Oakland Bay Bridge, winds past the old Ferry Building, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, finally ending at Pier 45. Along the way, one has views of many San Francisco landmarks including Coit Tower and Alcatraz Island.  The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) can be easily accessed at the Embarcardero Station southeast of the Ferry Building. It’s an easy reference point:  wander west in San Francisco and eventually you’ll land on the Embarcadero.   Further still?  Wear a swimsuit. eastern Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/14/outlined-in-ocean/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/14/outlined-in-ocean/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:39:14 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=2258 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/09/14/outlined-in-ocean/feed/ 13 0:00:29 If you ride the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from Pleasanton, past Oakland, under the Bay and take the Embarcadero exit…  If you then ride an escalator from the oppressive yellow-tinged tunnels up to the bustling streets of San Francisco an[...] If you ride the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from Pleasanton, past Oakland, under the Bay and take the Embarcadero exit…  If you then ride an escalator from the oppressive yellow-tinged tunnels up to the bustling streets of San Francisco and follow the breezes to the water… You might stand on a pier …and surrender momentarily to the the salty fragrance of the sea and the wind’s insistent rearrangement of your hair. Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/20/gocar-go/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/20/gocar-go/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:14:41 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=1958 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/20/gocar-go/feed/ 10 0:01:09 I guess it’s easier than riding a horse.  It parks compactly within the space of a motorcycle and isn’t likely to kick up its rear and send you spinning up, out and then down to the dirt (I’ve inserted a personal memory there). [...] I guess it’s easier than riding a horse.  It parks compactly within the space of a motorcycle and isn’t likely to kick up its rear and send you spinning up, out and then down to the dirt (I’ve inserted a personal memory there). The GoCar actually seems like an entertaining way to do a city tour at your own pace.  With built-in GPS navigation and a number of route options, the bright yellow two-seaters were hard to miss on San Francisco’s streets.  Occasionally one of the “talking cars” would approach from behind and broadcast an interesting data bit relevant to where I was currently walking.  They are new and novel enough to catch the attention of passersby, and the tours proceed as fast or slow as you care to go.  The GoCar’s GPS system routes drivers around the steepest hills where a passenger’s additional weight would make it a no-GoCar. The last time I visited San Francisco we rented audio headsets to tour Alcatraz, a more fluid option than constantly stopping to read through a brochure.  This is the same principle -only you don’t even have to move your feet. *Also available in Miami, Barcelona and Lisbon with rental rates that vary by location. and a number of route options, Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/12/landmark-design-with-a-point/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/12/landmark-design-with-a-point/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:01:09 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/?p=1059 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/12/landmark-design-with-a-point/feed/ 5 0:01:36 The Transamerica building is both a landmark with a view and a landmark that is a view ~from almost any point in the San Francisco area... The Transamerica building is both a landmark with a view and a landmark that is a view ~from almost any point in the San Francisco area... Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:34:43 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/usacanada/asian-island-in-america/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/feed/ 12 0:01:02 Dating back to the 1850′s, Chinatown San Francisco is the oldest such district in North America and the largest outside of Asia. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1848, predating the California gold rush. Where at first the Chinese fa[...] Dating back to the 1850′s, Chinatown San Francisco is the oldest such district in North America and the largest outside of Asia. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1848, predating the California gold rush. Where at first the Chinese faced exclusion in California and the rest of America -their children barred from public schools and their employment and housing opportunities diminished by targeted legislation, they persevered and created a thriving haven of inclusion and cultural celebration. The sights, sounds and aromas of present day Chinatown stir the soul, whether drawn in collectively as a sort of cultural potpourri or observed one lively detail at a time. The Transamerica Pyramid rising a total of 260 meters in the distance is a familiar face of San Francisco. The contrast of “old world” Chinatown with its dangling red lanterns against the futuristic construction was startling. Find a list of the best San Francisco hotels here at Oyster.com . Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:46:01 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/usacanada/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/feed/ 15 0:00:54 Alongside the tourists, wistful melodies meander the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The fluid tones are familiar to me, heard before in movie soundtracks and traditional Chinese music, but the instrument is not. The “erhu[...] Alongside the tourists, wistful melodies meander the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. The fluid tones are familiar to me, heard before in movie soundtracks and traditional Chinese music, but the instrument is not. The “erhu” or two-stringed fiddle has the shape of a crude golf club or croquet mallet, but in the hands of a practiced musician, produces sweet haunting notes that glide like a soft insistent breeze. Played vertically with the sound box resting on the left upper thigh, the instrument has a range of three octaves. The bow hair is permanently inserted between two strings, and tones are produced as the musician slides the bow against the strings at right angles to the upright neck. The gentleman in the photograph played elegantly and kindly paused to show me how the erhu is played. Listen: Traditional Chinese Erhu Music Samples More on California Heather Dugan no no