SYC to ST Francis YC - Bridging the Bay

When I was a girl scout leader, we had a ceremony called bridging. It was when a Brownie, graduated to the ranks of the Girl Scouts. Symbolic of this, the scouts would cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Once they did they would receive their new pin - and if I remember correctly a ride back to Marin. This Saturday, I and my friend Goli, bridged the GGB and at the end... Goli got a pin for her first crossing. She said it was always a goal of hers, but in 30 years, she had never attempted it. Well, let me tell you how we got Goli across the bridge.

Goli had mentioned to me that she would love to go for a walk with me some time, and we tentatively scheduled Saturday as the day to go. By the time Friday rolled around, it was obvious, the day for me to attempt my longer walk of the week had to be Saturday. Since she hasn't been walking distances lately, Goli said she would walk from the Sausalito Yacht Club to the end of the city. We made plans to meet at the club.

In the morning I realized I had left the better walking pants at my office, so I ran off to grab them and change. In the process, after getting ready with this odd accoutrement "Glide" I inadvertently left my pedometer behind. Luckily, I already knew what was ahead as far as distance...13.19 miles.

Goli was a little bit late arriving, so I used the time to stretch. I know you have seen people doing this preparing for a run or walk. I am a little self conscience, but today knowing I would have hills and distance in my future, I grabbed the time, put the pride aside and stretched to get ready.

The club is located adjacent to the Sausalito Ferry, so if you know where that is, you know our starting point. The car below is pretty cool, and although it isn't "landscape scenery", it is a point of interest. Two pretty impressive rides sitting outside Gene Hiller. But we weren't going to drive... we walked on.

I love Sausalito. It clings to the hillside, holding privileged views of the Bay. Goli told me back a long while ago she lived in the building you see low on the water, before it was converted to condominiums called Cote D'Azur.

As we walked along we walked the boardwalk behind Vahalla. Vahalla used to be owned b y Sally Stanford. Sally was a notorious Madame and later mayor of Sausalito. People, who were around in the day, say that in this restaurant she used to run, chickens had free range inside. Sally used to say there were two kinds of people in Sausalito, the hill people and the rest of us. (Or something along those lines). The workers in Sausalito used to live in the lower lying areas, and the wealthy up on the hills. The Vahalla Restaurant has been through many name changes and despite the views, and some times good reviews, they didn't last. The sign on the door said coming soon the Vahalla Inn. We'll see what develops!

I looked at Goli and said, "Want to keep gong?" ...and she did!

Our route took us down East, to Fort Baker. Speaking of Fort Baker, and places to stay, the new Cavallo Point is incredible. Our last anniversary Glenn took me to Murray Circle in wonderful restaurant, and I had an incredible meal. (Fine dining not being my husbands choice over a burger and fries, I appeciated the gesture.) Not only are the food and accommodations fantastic, look at the views! Another attraction here is the Children's Discovery Museum.

Look at Goli, her goal is in sight! No need to stop now!

The way to the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Baker is travelling under the bridge. I had seen the bridge from below many times on our boat, this was the first time on foot.

Once on one side of the bridge you take a set of stairs and then cross back under again, so you can be on the pedestrian side. The last thing a biker would want (or I would want) is to share the way over the bridge...no good would come of that!) From the catwalk under the bridge we looked back on the path we took up the hill.

And of course we had to admire the fantastic engineering!

As we started to cross, I snapped this picture of Fort Baker. You can see, on the far side, the Presidio Yacht Club. I had hoped on this day's walk to see Glenn and the guys sailing on their race out to the Lightship buoy offshore. But the fog and the timing wouldn't allow this. As we continued to cross the fog continued to thicken. All of it below us!

I wish I had taken a minute to take a picture of Goli with her pin! It was a great accomplishment because, I believe, she saw that she could do this...So many things in life, we stand on the outside and look in. It's like you're starving and you see a lavish feast behind a glass door.

Sometimes, all it takes is to open the door to get the thing you are craving.

Goli headed back over the bridge while I marched onward.

Part of the reason I chose this walk was to overcome my fear of what day 2 might bring. I saw on the 3 day walk last year day 2 involved leaving from Crissy Field, going over the bridge and down into Mill Valley and then back to Crissy Field. Envisioning that walk, the hills up to and away from the bridge seemed the most daunting. As I headed down into Crissy Field I already felt as if I had eased a lot of that dread.

Crissy Field used to be an military airfield. It sits along the water and is a part of the Presidio (also old military). Over the past several years, the buildings have been transformed into commercial, non-profit and other endeavors. George Lucas has his campus for Industrial Light and Magic here. My old company has their offices there as well. The Field area, and the beach has been lovingly reverted back to a more natural state and if you are a dog lover, it is a great place to walk your dog. There were hundred of people here enjoying a beautiful day.

At one end of the bridge and Crissy Field is Fort Point. This is an old Civil War period building. Can't see it much with the fog, so I took a photo of the photo.

Beach and the
city beyond

Some of the old hanger buildings

Looking back at the bridge

Alcatraz in the background

Little day-tent on the beach

I could see my destination in the background. The St. Francis Yacht Club. I thought that would be the ideal place to stop. How many times has Glenn been spending his Saturday off sailing on races sponsored by this club?! It is the grand daddy of clubs in SF. One of the most renown clubs in the country. Today it was the lunch stop!

Luckily for me... they had a nice public bench right next to the club for me to sit and relax.

Although we belong to a Yacht Club, the St. Francis is one that doesn't reciprocate with club members of other clubs in the 200 mile radius.

The fog clinging to the bridge.

After making myself rest for about 20 mins. I started retracing my steps back to my car.

After climbing steps from Crissy and criss-crossing on some pathways,

the Golden Gate Visitor's Center was in sight.

It seemed to me the fog was higher on the way back. I felt sorry for the many tourists who were desperately trying to snap the perfect Golden Gate Bridge picture. I thought hey, this could be a good way to make some $$$ for my walk! I could charge $5 a photo for charity and take the group pictures on the bridge. Then I realized, there is probably a rule against that!

This is MY bridge picture.

Heading back down the long pathway to Fort Baker, I passed quite a few tired looking souls who had rented bikes in the city thinking it would be cool to ride over to Sausalito. This one woman was at the base of the pathway up and was pushing her bike up the path. I thought, GEEZ didn't you know there is a FERRY?!

There's a lot of history if you look for it. I wondered where this old structure came from.

It looked like a pump was inside.

Leaving Fort Baker - I forgot there would be this one last hill!

Head down.. you can do it...take it slow.

I kept trying to see Hazardous Waste (our boat) - but undoubtedly

she wasn't in this pack off Angel Island.

The town has gotten crowded since I'd been gone. I walked for the most part on the street to give them room! I heard so many accents.

Back at the club, I got into my car and was THRILLED to turn on the AC and

some great tunes and head home for my shower.

Unfortunately with no Pedometer, I could only try and verifiy the distance of my walk with the website! If you look close you can see it... 13.19 miles! Only 7 more and I will be at 20 miles. What a great thing to know the impossible is in sight! The encouragement and support I have recieved has been so fantastic! I am over 1/2 way to my goal on all counts, the $ for the 3 day, the distance I need to walk. I believe I am 100% of the way there in the attitude it will take to achieve this. My birthday is around the corner and wouldn't it just be remarkable to hit $2500 byt 4/30?! If you are thinking of a perfect time to help me reach this goal that could be it.

Then it is on to the rest of the team.

On a personal level, I would love it

if our entire team reached our goal by 8/5.

This is my mother's birthday.

She passed away at the age of 49 - from cancer.