Sightseeing In San Francisco

The folks drove to San Francisco to do some sightseeing on Sunday.  Mom said she got a little nervous thinking about earthquakes and me being by myself.  She was concerned about getting back home to me if one happened.  Dad didn't help things by saying "I think this is the bridge they built to replace the damaged one in the 89 earthquake".  He was talking about the Bay Bridge.

The Bay Bridge - you pay a fee to cross.

Driving to the Golden Gate Bridge took a long time.  There was a lot of traffic.  TomTom wanted Dad to go a different way, but Dad doesn't like being told what to do, so he didn't listen.  Dad chose the route through downtown and all the traffic.

 Mom was glad that she thought to bring a jacket along.  It was really windy and cool by the Golden Gate Bridge.  She wasn't all that thrilled about seeing it, but decided it was fun.  The visitor's center was basically just a gift shop.  Mom expected to see a film on the building of the bridge, but there was none.

Golden Gate Bridge

Several signs attempt to stop jumpers.

The folks walked to the first tower.

Alcatraz - the folks are touring it this coming weekend.

 The folks then drove to Fisherman's Wharf.  Dad listened to TomTom this time and they arrived quickly.  Parking in the garage is $9 an hour.  They were able to validate their parking at a restaurant and were able to get $9 taken off, so they just paid $9 since they were there for 2 hours.

Fisherman's Wharf

The residents.

 

The crowd.

Next weekend, the folks are going to tour Alcatraz.  They are going to take a ferry into Fisherman's Wharf this time and hope that works out better.  They will not have to worry about traffic and the high price of parking. 

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Going To Help His Mom BBQ Tonight

Dogs Are Everywhere

Last week, there was a dog show here.  It was right in the park!  We could see the agility course from our rig.  Dogs were everywhere!  Mom said I was overstimulated.  I have to admit that after my walks, I was ready to go inside where it was quiet and no dog smells. 

It was funny because most people assumed I was in the competition.  I think they thought I did agility.  Some people asked, but other people didn't say a word but they sure did check me out.  Mom thought it was funny how they looked me over and whispered to each other.  We noticed that dogs in the show did not mingle. Everyone stayed away from each other.  Mom was fine with that.  No little dogs were running up to me.  Most of the people didn't have flexi-leashed but one lady had three dogs and they were on flexi-leashes. She had no control. 

On Friday, Mom attended the dog show where different breeds compete.  She wanted to see the greyhounds the most.  She also did some shopping, but she didn't buy anything.  She said something about the Jeep and the rental car breaking our budget.

Getting signed up.

The white one in the front is the one that won.

In the ring.

Mom liked this family.  The dogs are a mom, dad and son. The son is the one in the back.  He is bigger than his folks.

On Saturday, Mom spent the whole day watching dogs find rats in the hay and watching agility.

Dog searching for rats.

Agility

Mom really enjoyed the agility.  She said it was funnier than what she has seen on TV.  There was a Golden who stopped on the A-Frame just to look around.  He liked it so much that he climbed up on it again and sat down.  Mom started laughing really loud.  BOL  There were also dogs who decided to make their own course.  It was frustrating for the owners, but it was funny to see.  She spent six hours just watching other dogs.  Crazy, I know.

This rig was parked in front of us.  We thought they had Goldens, but they didn't. They had five dogs, but no Goldens.

We enjoyed the dog show, but it was nice to get the park back to normal. 

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Glad That He Is Retired And Doesn't Have To Compete

We Lost, But There Is Always Next Year

As I am sure most of you have heard, the Cardinals lost to the Cubs. While we are sad that the Cardinals are out of it now, we are happy that the Cubs have a chance at winning the World Series.  Don't blow it, Cubs.  This is your chance!  We would love to see you in the World Series.

We moved to our new location on Sunday.  Since we have a rental car, Mom had to drive it. It couldn't be attached to the motor home like the Jeep can.  The motor home had to carry Buddy.  I rode with Dad in the motor home.  It took us about an hour and a half to make the drive.   Mom had a cold, so she wasn't thrilled about the drive, but she made it.

We are now staying at the fairgrounds.  We are lucky because our site has grass.  It is not lush, but it is not asphalt like most of the other sites. 

Well, it doesn't look like grass here, but there is dirt.  Dad put me to sleep with a massage. I love that guy.

We are located right next to an RV dealership.  We think it may come in handy.  Sunday night, we heard a BOOM, BANG, BOOM.  Our bedroom AC died.  The next morning, Dad walked over to the dealership and asked if they could work on it.  It sounds like it is going to happen and they may even do some other warranty work that we need done.  The guy came over yesterday and looked at everything on our list.  He was supposed to call Dad back, but didn't.  He may be talking with our manufacturer again before scheduling it.  We hope.  It is really hot here.  I am talking mid-90's.  What is up with that?  We are doing fine though with just the two AC units because it cools off to the 50's at night.  It would be nice to get everything fixed while we are here though.

Here is the front of us and see the campers in the background?  That is the dealership.

Here is our site.

Strange tree

There are two large fields outside of the campground. We are allowed to walk around there.  I thought it might be boring, but there are cats.  I am even more excited because they use big wagons to haul the trash dumpsters away.  That makes a lot of noise and I find that very exciting.  I love to watch it.

I am watching a cat here.

We are located right in town and Mom can ride Buddy around.  She was excited yesterday because she wen out without me or Dad with her.  I don't know why she likes to go without me sometimes, but she does.  :-(

There is a big dog show here this weekend.  The campground is sold out.  There are 1,500 dogs at the show.  Some of them are staying in the campground.  A few people have asked if I am in the show.  :::blushing:::  Nope, I am a retired athlete.  Mom is going to check out the dog show.  It starts on Friday.

We haven't decided for sure if we are going to see if we can extend our stay here, but I decided to earn us some brownie points with the staff just in case.  They wanted to pet me, so I let them and then I just laid down on the rug in front of the door.  They all thought that was cute.  Yep, they like me here. 

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Knows How To Be Charming

Cardinals Vs. Cubs

The Cardinals and the Cubs are rivals.  It is a fun rivalry.  It's not like we call them "Pond Scum".  Pond Scum is reserved for the Mets.  BOL!   In the 80's that was a big thing.  I guess the Cards and Cubs are rivals because the teams are only about 4 or 5 hours apart and fans can drive to see their teams play against each other.

The Cards and the Cubs are facing each other in post season play for the very first time ever.  Very exciting!  We wish were in St. Louis, but we will be watching it on TV.  We will always be Cardinal fans as well as St. Louis Blues fans no matter where we are living.

I am ready for the action.  Mom made me a collar and a bandana to show my team spirit.  No one has said a word to me about my Cardinals items. I think because the Giants didn't make the playoffs this year and they are ignoring baseball now.  :::snicker:::

Go Cards!

Do you remember Back To The Future II?  Well, it shows the Cubs winning the World Series in 2015.  It's not like we want that to happen since we are Cards fans, but it would be something if it happened. 

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Remains a Cardinals Fan No Matter Where He Is Parked

Santa Cruz Boardwalk & Wharf

Monday was a busy day.  Dad had to take the Jeep to the hospital and he has to stay for an operation. Jeepy needs a new transmission.  He is supposed to be released on Tuesday, but we hope it is sooner.  We have a rental car until then.

The folks went exploring and found our new campground. We move there on Sunday.  I will have a new place to patrol.

On their way back home, they stopped off at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.  Mom had never heard of it and she didn't have her camera. She did have her phone, but the battery was running low. She was able to get a few pictures.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk opened in 1907.  It is basically an amusement park on the beach.  The carousel has been there since 1911. The roller coaster opened in 1924.

The rides were not running while they were there.  Most of the shops and restaurants were closed, but there were a few that were open.  There were quite a few people exploring the boardwalk even though most things were closed.

Mom could hear the barking of seals and she thought it was coming from the wharf, so they got in the car and headed to the wharf.

They missed their turn, so they drove on to a parking area that had some great views.

There were signs telling people not to climb on the rocks and there was a memorial to someone who had died there, but I guess the people on the rocks didn't think the signs applied to them.

The folks drove back to wharf and sure enough they saw the seals.

Can you see the seals under the wharf?

Mom was scared she would drop her phone leaning over to get the photos.

This guy is marked with numbers for some reason.

There were several restaurants on the wharf, so the folks looked at all the menus and finally chose Firefish Grill.

This was their view.

 Mom ordered the Beef Pasta Saute' and said it was best pasta she has ever had. This is the description from the menu:  Tender top sirloin strips sauteed in garlic butter, capers and fettuccine finished in a cream sherry sauce.

Dad ordered crab cakes and prawns.  He said it was okay.  He just came from Baltimore though and ate their crab cakes, so I don't think it was fair to compare.

Mom enjoyed their last minute trip to the boardwalk. She said it was a lot of fun.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Goes Crazy When The Workers Come By In Their Golf Carts With Wagons Because It Reminds Him Of His Days On The Farm