Old Retired Guy Blog
Oct 21 - Nov 1, 2006
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South to Yosemite & San Francisco (Page 5/6)
The clouds dissipated by the time that I reached the Coit Tower. I had to wait in a slow line of cars to park in one of the limited spaces at the top of the hill. I'd never been inside the Coit Tower before so, after looking at views of the city from the parking lot, I went inside to view the murals that decorate the lobby. According to the tour books, they are "... considered to be one of California's best examples of depression-era public art. Part of a Public Works of Art Project, they were painted in 1934 by 25 artists. Done in Diego Rivera's social realism style, they are sympathetic portrayals of the daily life of working class Californians during the depression." Apparently, some think the murals look too much like they are praising communism and they were controversial when they were first displayed.
I then headed west to see the Ocean (not really such a big deal since there is a similar ocean in Oregon) and look for a beach near the Golden Gate Bridge. After driving randomly through some nice residential areas I stumbled onto Baker Beach. The grey skies had returned and it was getting cold and starting to drizzle so I only walked around for a short while and then sat in the car a bit before returning to Jim and Gil's place. Jim and Gil invited two friends over for dinner. Mare came over as well and the seven of us had a relaxing meal. Afterwards Jim played some pieces on his new grand piano. Both the piano and Jim's playing sounded great.
South to Yosemite & San Francisco |
I
didn't drive on Lombard Street, supposedly the crookedest street in the country,
but I parked at the top and watched, along with quite a few other tourists, cars
slowly weave their way down the hill. Even though today was the first
overcast day that we've had since we left Portland, the view across the city to
the distant Coit Tower was still very nice.
