1555 Stairs, A View and A Mimosa, Otters and many pairs of hiking pants!

So how did I spend the weekend of 28 to 30 March.

In a weak moment on Thursday evening (at dinner...I had one mojito so there was no excuse), I agreed to participate with the American Lung Association's Climb California on Saturday morning. Well it seemed like a good idea. I have been exercising. I am going on the Milford Trek in less than 2 weeks. It was a moment of weakness.

So Saturday morning I was dressed and out of the house before 730am. I picked up two coffees (mine was decaf) and drove over to pick Ana at her apartment (near Ghirardelli Square - It is all about chocolate) and headed over to the Bank of America building. I had decided to wear my hiking books (I do NOT recommend this to any future hikers). We parked (after the trunk (boot) of the car was searched) and headed up to the plaza to register and meet up with her team from work. I was participating as a friend of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District - a sponsor of the event. 

Then at 915 we lined up for a team photo...after a few minutes of warmup the team headed over to start the climb. About 30 minutes later the hell began!
I am not sure why I thought climbing 1555 stairs would be a good idea. It was awful. After 2 stories I was ready to quit. The first water stop was not until the 11th floor. I stopped to catch my breath, reduce my heart rate and let my face not be quite so red... I then started up again. I told myself that I could quit at the next water stop (the 17th floor). It was only 6 floors. Well once I again I rested. My face was a fantastic shade of red. But I was a third of the way to the top. So I talked myself into the next 6 floors and so it went ...23rd floor (almost halfway)..29th floor (over halfway)...35 floor (almost 2/3rds done)..Why did I think this was a good idea?...41st floor (oohhh ooohhh now I am in the forties...52 must be just round the corner..plus those very fit good looking firemen would be there to help me) After the last water stop I started up those last flights. While I was taking a short breather on the 50th floor a volunteer came down the stairs to find me. Ana was worried I had died somewhere during the climb...Made it up the last two floors. The photo was taken at the top of climb. I looked thrilled don't I ....

The view was fantastic. I could see across the bay to Berkeley. Alcatraz was just there. After rehydrating with some water, we went into the VIP room and sat drinking mimosas looking out over North Beach. It was a fantastic end. And although my face was cherry red, I felt okay.

Later that afternoon, after dropping Dad off at SFO for his flight to New Zealand, Mom, I and Allie (our family dog) headed down to Carmel and my parents' vacation home. The gardens at the home were stunning. (Photos to come..I forgot my camera so I purchased a film camera so it will take me a while to get photos up) 

The next morning, I took Allie for a walk on Main Beach in Carmel... after I found a coffee on Ocean. Allie was able to walk of leash (lead) and frolic (as much as her gimpy arthritic leg allowed). She played with other dogs and chased a stick. Of course she insisted in going in the ocean just before we headed up to the car. After visiting several random people, and choosing her preferred car (convertible lexus) over the Honda CRV, we made it back to the car. Can't say I enjoyed lifting wet dog into the car....
After whipping by the house to drop the dog off (whose spent the whole time in Carmel smiling) and picking up a visitor;s pass, I headed over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I wanted to see the otters. The sea otters were sleeping peacefully. I think Mom may need one for her bathtub..... Every child in Monterey County was at the aquarium, There were children every where.... The otters were awake, swimming and looking darn cute in the "Wild About Otters" exhibit. It was great to see other varieties of otters. I only spent an hour at the Aquarium. It was well worth it.
I then headed over to REI to purchase the last items I needed for the Milford Trek (hike). After 90 minutes of trying on hiking pants - an experience I never want to repeat- I purchased all the odds and ends needed. I then headed over to pick up a salad from the Fishwife Restaurant. I have been going to the Fishwife since my parents bought the house in Carmel. So is it pathetic to order the same dish for over 20 years? Unfortunately the Fishwife in Seaside was closed. On a positive note the Turtle Bay taqueria in downtown was opened. So I picked up burritos for Mom and I.
Over the next 24 hours, Mom and I visited consignment stores, had the car serviced, bought pillows, had lunch at the Wagon Wheel and generally ran around. We stopped at the Coach store in Carmel. I bought a fantastic handbag - cause I needed it and price was 25% of its original. 

Flying on a jet plane...headed to New Zealand

I had a wonderful last night in San Francisco. I met up with a friend and we had manicure/pedicures at Divisadero Nails. I have throughly enjoyed being back in the Us - 2 pedicures and 3 manicures in a month (as well as my eyebrows done). All very reasonably priced.  

So after an hour in the spa chairs having our nails buffed and polished (blue and pink) we walked up to Lion Pub. Not that we knew its name. Mum had said there was an interesting bar up at the corner of Divisadero and Sacramento. She was right. The bar was not very crowded (It was a Tuesday night). The bartender was fantastic and the mojito was good. Soon it was time for food....

So we headed over to Chestnut Street for dinner at Mamacita's. So that was a cold wait at the bus stop then a 2 bus trip as the bus that goes up Disvisadero ends at Fillmore and Jackson so we then caught the 22 over to Chestnut. Luckily there was a bus shelter on Fillmore. We walked down a bustling Chestnut Street (even though it was a Tuesday) to Mamacita's.

The blood orange mojito was fantastic. I am pretty sure that mojitos are my new favorite drink. We had brussels sprouts with cheese and pepitas, queso fundido and fish taos. The food was fantastic. We did have to ask for more carbs (tosatos/torilla chips) for the queso fundido. I certainly have been getting my fair share of Mexican food while I have been in California. This restaurant served beautiful high end Mexican food. The fish tacos were fantastic. The discussion was varied and interesting. It was great to catch up (especially when it did not involve 1555 stairs!)

Made it back to the house (via a taxi). Watched the latest episode of "The Real Housewives of NEw York City" rather than packing. 

This morning I got up early to start getting organised for my six week trip! Mom and I headed over to the JCC for 8am Pilates Fusion class with Neil. I have really enjoyed the pilates mat classes we have taken with Neil. After stretching muscles I am not sure I had, Mom and I grabbed coffee (and a begel for me) at the JCC cafe. We picked up some strawberries at the farmers market and headed back to the house. 

I then spent the 3 hours organising, cleaning and packing. I cleaned out my suitcases and cleaned up Caitlin's room packing most everything into a portable wardrobe I purchased and tweaked (adding wheels and additional support). Did several loads of laundry. I thought I would get away with packing 1 large suitcase and a carryon. I was wrong! I packed 2 suitcases. Not sure what eaxactly I have packed but think I have everything I need for NZ and Australia including gifts. I have a fair number of new books and I bought the Rosetta Stone to start learning French. I will install in NZ. Will keep you updated on how that goes.

Anyway I managed to have a shower and get out the door 20 minutes later than I wanted. Mom drove me to the airport and I checked in to my flight to LAX. I discovered when I sat down at the gate I had tore my left thumb nail half way down. I always seem to destroy mails when I travel. Am I the only one that does this? 

Luckily there is a spa in the SFO terminal. I was able to get my nail repaired and repainted before I had to board my flight. My flight to LA was completely uneventful. The best kind. I am now in the American Airlines First Class lounge. I have to go down and recheck in with Qantas. I will write more from New Zealand... I intend to post about my travel during March....Ciao for now.