On my last visit to the Bay Area, I recall seeing vehicles that were learning the streets of San Francisco in preparation for the introduction of driverless cars. Five years later, the research is complete and driverless cars are a regularly appearing and convenient car service.
Last night, we took Waymo vehicles in both directions for transportation between home and the very, very fun Cat Club. C gave me the passenger rear seat for a first hand view of the driverless driver seat and screen projecting our route. It’s a novelty of sorts to me, but I can see how Waymo cars have quickly become ubiquitous to locals. I’ve heard stories of the flawless response of a Waymo to an unexpected object in their path, with one person confessing that she’s been known to step in front of a Waymo as a means to assert some measure of control over her environment.
Ah, California. I do love you.
The days are going quickly with delightful blue skies and warm sunshine. Our time in Sonoma, in the Healdsburg area, was wonderful with multiple wineries visited (and often joined!), a shared bottle of wine with the man who owns the Wellfleet house I rent, and his husband, on their Russian River property, a fantastic dinner al fresco at Barndiva, a morning barrel tasting and hours spent gaping at the surrounding beauty.
The pace was intentional in its commitment to moving without haste or stress. Not an hour passed between one of us noting (again) that we’re retired. This life is ours to live.
It’s our new occupation and it’s wonderful.
In addition to our Healdsburg dinner, we’ve had some lovely French pastries, delicious things built upon fantastic breads like sandwiches and avocado toast with garlic-onion jam and a fried egg, and a gluten free brownie from the Ferry Building Farmers market that was incredible.
And wine. Lots of wine.
Speaking of wine, Southwest has a current promotion that invites passengers embarking from certain wine growing regions to bring a case of wine home with no shipping charges.
Can you imagine how much fun I had buying 12 bottles of wine to bring home and then take to the Cape to share with friends?
I’ve checked a few items off my list of intended activities – the walk over the Golden Gate Bridge happened under foggy skies and a consistent wind, yet still managed to have left me with a faintly sun/wind burned face and some great pictures.
Sausalito was as I imagined it – pretty with tons of shopping and views for days.
I hit a yoga class at Love Story studio and received a challenging workout, as well as a sense that my regular practice has left me prepared for a rigorous 75 minute class anywhere. It was a hot, sweaty, great time.
We covered more than 30,000 steps one day between our walk on the wharf and the Ferry Building and our night dancing. We had a dip in a pool and a soak in a hot tub. There’s talk of trying to schedule a couple of hours in a spa for some sauna time and maybe a service, if we’re feeling extra self indulgent.
Yesterday we drove to San Jose to catch a former student’s professional women’s soccer match. I could not have been more thrilled to watch her play and it was a complete bonus when her team, the Bay Football Club won.
Today’s adventure is one I hadn’t considered in advance, a visit to San Francisco’s MOMA for a Matisse exhibit that I’m feeling quite stoked to see. Beyond that, there are no plans beyond enjoying every moment of this first joint retirement celebration.
DelSo 