By the time we did the cable cars and walked around a little more, we were both feeling pretty tired and Ann's knee was starting to hurt. We headed back to the hotel for a rest and then walked across the street to IHOP for dinner.
We both turned in really early. Man, those beds were so comfortable! Big soft duvets and lovely firm yet soft mattresses. Wish I could have brought those home!
So Tuesday we got up and got a taxi out to the deYoung Museum where the Tut exhibit is. We had VIP passes from our hotel package, which allowed us to go in at any time we wanted. We had breakfast at the cafe there then looked around the shops. We both went a little crazy with our souvenir buying...even before we went into the exhibit.
The exhibit was terrific. We purchased an audio guide that described in more detail information about each piece. The first part of the exhibit was devoted to Tut's royal ancestors. There were many beautiful pieces. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take any photos in the museum, so I don't have any pictures of it to share here. I did buy a book of postcards that had lovely, professional pictures of the majority of the artifacts in the exhibit, so I have that to look at.
There were about 130 pieces on display with about 50 of them being from Tut's tomb. The artistry was amazing on the pieces we saw. It was unbelievable to think that some of the artifacts were over 3,000 years old.
We took our time going through the exhibit and really enjoyed it. There were lots of school groups there, but the museum guards were right on them if they got too rowdy. If it got crowded in the area we were in, we just took a break and used one of the many benches set aside for just that purpose. It was good for Ann's knee to take it slow and rest a lot, too.
After going through the exhibit, we spent a lot of time in the exhibit gift shop and spent more money there than we should have. They had some really great stuff though, and I couldn't help myself.
Outside the DeYoung Museum.
What Cleopatra REALLY looked like.
After we left the exhibit we took a taxi to Gherridelli square and found the cutest little tea shop called "Crown and Crumpet." I treated Ann to a lovely tea luncheon and we really had a good time.
You might notice that I have not yet said anything about letterboxing on this trip. Well, that is because we didn't do any. I know! It's crazy but true. I did try, but all the clues for boxes I found either involved a hike or a car or would take longer than we had. So I didn't get any letterboxes. BUT...
At C&C they had the cutest little gift shop with all kinds of clever tea things and all their price tags seemed to be homemade and stamped with a cool crown. So I asked the saleslady if I could get an image of the stamp. Of course she looked at me like I was nuts, and wanted to know why. After I explained what letterboxing was, she was more than happy to stamp our logbooks. She said the owner of the store was a rubber stamp nut and she couldn't wait to tell her about letterboxing. I have a feeling that there may be a stamp available at Crown and Crumpet soon!
Anyway, I'm counting that as my letterboxing for the trip.
After tea we wandered around the Wharf area some more. We stoped at the Rainforest Cafe and had our picture taken with this guy:
We saw Alcatraz from a distance and took about 7,000 pictures of it.
We strolled around Pier 39 and saw the famous California Sea Lions. Well, there were only a few there as their food source has moved on so there aren't hundreds hanging around any more. Frankly, I think the ones at Newport are better and you can get closer.
There were all these funky trees along the walks. I don't know what kind they are but they look like those Dr. Seuess truffula trees. I bet they look really cool when they get leaves and stuff.
We saw this cool lighthouse thingy.
And finally got all the stupid kids away from climbing all over this statue so I could take a picture of it.
Got to see the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.
After a walking around some more, we caught the bus back to the Amtrak station and hung out there for a while and got on the train to come back home. It was an uneventful return except for I developed a corneal eye ulcer and spent half the trip back with my eyes closed because they were itching and watering so much.
Other than that one little glitch it was a great trip. I'm ready to go back!
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