Heading down to Frisco bay...

If someone asks you, 'Would you like to take a road trip to San Francisco?' there is only one answer. 26 hours in the car over 3 days (32 if you count tours and visits) is but a small price to pay for the opportunity to spend the weekend drinking wine and hanging out in Cali. Even if Tony does have to stay at home.

Every fantasy I ever had about California was indluged. I'm going to have to go back again to check it wasn't a trick. So here we go...

Mike likes to get an early start, leaving 3am. This was good for me too, but sadly I have no pictures until nearly through Oregon! Fortunately the Portland Starbucks opened at 5.30am in time for us to grab a java. The mullet hunt was also on. This is a view of the Oregon countryside somewhere near I5. I can't be more specific because I've forgotten already!

This was just over the border to California where we had to declare that we had 3 apples and a banana. They let us keep them.

It was so unbelievably hot inland in California I wished there wasn't a wind. Why don't old people die there?

No road trip is complete without a little dysentry. Fortunately Churn Creek provided some excellent Mexican food.

We're thinking about patenting this idea and selling it to a Mr S.

Most of the road through California looked like this. It was lined with corn, olives, tomatoes and rice. 250 miles straght of nothing but that.

As we approached San Francisco the traffic leaving the city was looking considerable. I think this guy was driving in and riding out.

Here we go...

And BOOM - Alcatraz.

San Francisco has a fascinating weather system. These fogs collect and hang over the coast. I can't remember details right now but look it up, it really is interesting.

This picture shows the two continental plates that meet at the San Andreas fault which lies directly beneath this lake which serves the city with drinking water. You can see the two different colour vegetation on the plates.

I was being taken on a tour of the area by Katrin, Brent's wife. She's lived in the area for ages and knows lots about all the things I'm interested in. She was sooooooooooo nice. This is a Christmas tree farm in the Half Moon Bay area. They also have pumpkin festivals.

So then we got round the corner and the fog set in. This is the pier near Mavericks surf spot. It was something of a pilgrimage.

So I had to go to the surf shop and buy a Tshirt!

Then we drove into the city and around. Katrin told me how she was made to practice hill starts here before she was allowed out. Looks like a sensible plan to me!

This is the only street in the city that is twisted. It was meant to provide a solution to the steep streets. It didn't. Now it's a pleasure ride for tourists on the weekend! Glad I don't live there.

Then we headed off to the whole reason for the trip - Mike to bottle and collect his wine. He is part of a collective with some other bikey people and friends who do the whole process and share the booty. Much food, wine and laughs were had at the lunch afterwards. Mike had said we were going to leave straight after, having arrived only 10 hours earlier after 13 hours in the car.

Thankfully he changed his mind and we were able to stay another night. Katrin and Brent took us to a house on the coast that is made entirely out of drift and found wood.

It was spooky because it was almost exactly like the fantasy dream houses I used to draw as a child!

We took a walk on the beach and there was a sardine run on. Seals follow sardine. It was spectacular watching them all jump and feed and play less than 400m from us.

More wine, food and great company was had. And we went home tired, but very very happy.

n.b. only 2 mullets over 26 hours. Not good pickings. South West Washington was the only successful area. Must refocus efforts.