http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW Travels and Journeys... Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:27:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 2006-2010 heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) posts 1440 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW 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/blogNEW/2010/03/01/anchovies-anyone/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/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/blogNEW/2010/03/01/anchovies-anyone/feed/ 8 1:43 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 ... 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. San Francisco, Seascapes Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/02/01/buskers-by-the-wharf/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/02/01/buskers-by-the-wharf/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:12:21 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=3911 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/02/01/buskers-by-the-wharf/feed/ 6 1:04 It's got to be love, right? The attention span and focus of their audience is minimal, and most passersby are looking for lunch or the next ... It's got to be love, right? 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...  This is not for the faint of heart or those desiring a steady income. Street performance is encouraged along San Francisco's Wharf waterfront. The Fisherman’s Wharf Pilot Street Performer Program regulates twelve designated performance locations in the public access Port area in recognition of the cultural contribution of such open air shows.  Miming, street dancing, instrumental performances and even operatic arias are but a few of the offerings one might wander past on a trek along the Embarcadero. The eclectic and energetic ambiance fits San Francisco -with her fluctuating temperatures, inclined streets and varied cultural pockets, very well. There are numerous hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf, such as the stylish Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf and the Argonaut Hotel, both within a couple blocks of all the action. San Francisco Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/09/23/the-embarcadero/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/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/blogNEW/2009/09/23/the-embarcadero/feed/ 9 0:46 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 ... 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 San Francisco, Seascapes Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/09/14/outlined-in-ocean/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/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/blogNEW/2009/09/14/outlined-in-ocean/feed/ 13 0:29 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 ... 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. San Francisco, Seascapes, Table for One Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/09/08/row-row-smile/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/09/08/row-row-smile/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:49:28 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=2153 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/09/08/row-row-smile/feed/ 13 0:34 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 ... 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. Find the San Francisco's best hotel views at Oyster Locals. San Francisco, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/20/gocar-go/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/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/blogNEW/2009/08/20/gocar-go/feed/ 10 1:09 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 ... 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, San Francisco Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/16/urban-hiking/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/16/urban-hiking/#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:45:33 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=1863 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/16/urban-hiking/feed/ 16 1:35 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 ... 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.  The Metro buses and trolleys run strategically up and down the steepest slopes.  Women do not where high heels without ready transportation available.  But it's a great walking city and navigating San Francisco is excellent exercise! Chinatown is always worth a wander as is the Embarcadero along the Bay.  After a ferry crossing, Alcatraz is an engrossing ramble rich with eerie histories, and Golden Gate Park holds miles of parkland and gardens. I walked alone this time, meeting people, taking photos, and just breathing it all in.  I enjoyed wandering with vague purposes and grand appreciations and found myself gently nudging some lingering memories from my last visit there with an 11-year old boy who is now, surprisingly, a high school senior. A bike ride to Sausalito and late ferry ride back to the city, a run across the Golden Gate Bridge, an exotic pet store in Chinatown, breakfast crepes on a pier...   We jammed a lot into our time there some seven years ago and even more in the years that followed.  Life stayed "busy" the whole way through. I'm so glad we took the time to hang off the sides of a few cable cars together. Consider the Fairmont Hotel for your overnight stay and enjoy elegant accommodations and memorable dining.  The historic Tonga Room features live music on a floating stage and periodic “rainstorms,” complete with thunder and lightning. Heart-to-Heart, San Francisco, Table for One Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/12/landmark-design-with-a-point/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/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/blogNEW/2009/08/12/landmark-design-with-a-point/feed/ 5 1:36 One of San Francisco's most prominent landmarks, the Transamerica building rises to a majestic point 850 feet above the surrounding streets. While the futuristic building is ... One of San Francisco's most prominent landmarks, the Transamerica building rises to a majestic point 850 feet above the surrounding streets. While the futuristic building is an urban eye-catcher from any angle, the natural beauty of the Pacific impacted its design. In the late 60's the city planning commission nixed a  requested 300 additional feet that might have compromised views of the Bay from Nob Hill. The 212 foot spire was inspired, also, by nature.  The pyramid shape was designed to allow light and air to reach the streets below in the manner of a towering tree in a city park. A prime example of the marriage of design and effective earthquake engineering, its exterior quartz panels are constructed for lateral movement in the event of seismic activity. A 52-foot deep foundation of steel and concrete allowed the building's upper floor to sway nearly a foot and withstand the World Series Quake of 1989. It takes an entire month to wash its 3,768 windows.  Surprisingly only two elevators reach its 48th floor, but then there's only so much room at the top  ~2,025 cozy feet of space to be exact.  The observation deck was closed after 9/11, but four cameras were installed to present a "virtual observation deck" on monitors in the building's lobby 24 hours a day. 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 Hotel Vitale-Embarcadero has views of both The Ferry Building and the waterfront and is within walking distance of San Francisco’s most impressive skyscrapers. California, San Francisco, USA Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:34:43 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/usacanada/asian-island-in-america/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/08/07/asian-island-in-america/feed/ 12 1:02 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 ... 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 . San Francisco Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:46:01 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/usacanada/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2009/07/23/the-music-of-chinatown-san-francisco/feed/ 15 0:54 Alongside the tourists, wistful melodies meander the streets of San Francisco's Chinatown. The fluid tones are familiar to me, heard before in movie ... 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 San Francisco Heather Dugan no no