San Francisco

We rolled into San Fran pretty early in the morning ready to go tour the de Young museum. Weather was foggy and 55ºF, just perfect! (for me anyway). The exterior of the museum is comprised of what appears to be copper panels which have a gaussian application of holes and protruding shapes that make up a seemingly random pattern. The collection is quite varied with an emphasis on modern and contemporary arts. We saw many new acquisitions, as the museum seems to be very intent on displaying newer work. There seems to be less art from the 18th and early 19th century than anywhere else we have been.

The de Young is an awesome place, where it seems every detail has been worked out regarding funcionality. The design is very clean and sparse, but beautiful.
The main entrance is a broad walkway leading into a courtyard with a commissioned piece from Andy Goldsworthy. The piece actually starts out at the curb on the street and ends up at the main entrance doors. The work draws on San Francisco's location on a faultline prone to earthquakes. The crack in the walkway leads you in to the rest of the sculpture, very apropos for the bay area.
Link to artwork and images of the de Young
Later on we made our way to Vesuvio's, Jack Kerouac's old hangout. The bar is in North Beach, an area originally known as Little Italy. The neighborhood is now mainly restaurants and strip clubs. We made a bicycle ride over to Fishermans Wharf to check out the self cleaning toilets. Andrew wanted to stay in there for the duration of the cleaning cycle but it refused to run with him in there....

San Fran, muey bueno! Water, steep hills, great food and self cleaning toilets, what more could you ask for? Eating lunch in Vesuvio's and then a ride around the city. Much fun. The hill climb on Hyde street was a great an challenge. I had to stop a few times but made it. We were then off to ride the Golden Gate Bridge. Not as challenging but very nice to have the sea breeze in your face. I kept thinking about if you were to fall off how long it would take until you would hit the water. I realize that yes you would most likely die but could you say your abc's on the way down? Don't know.


MOVIE CLIPS:

Leaving San Fran

Bike ride

On the Golden Gate

THE GOODS:

de Young

Vesuvio's

Self cleaning restroom

Andy Goldsworthy