Bay Bridge and beyond...

 Sister Jane and Melinda expressed an interest in Oakland and "the other bridge" so the Blogmaid was kind enough to drive us all over to Jack London Square where we had an unexpectedly good lunch at the Oakland Grill in the heart of the produce market there. All closed yesterday so the restaurant was almost empty, but surprisingly good food and a nice atmosphere. Then back home to chat with my next door neighbor, Cristina, who had one of my wine glasses that somehow strayed over there on Thanksgiving. Such a great photo of her, thanks to the Blogmaid. And also this last sister pic that I think captures both our bloodlines and our mutual enjoyment and appreciation of each other. Sis and Melinda are safely back in Maryland now. I already miss my sis ~ another really nice time. I am so lucky.

oh, it's so close...

Scott's

Yesterday Husbando and I drove (!) over to Jack London Square in
Oakland. We walked about and were pleased to see so many other
people at the markets and stores. Then lunch at Scott's and a smooth
ride home. That newish Bay Bridge really is so pretty and we had
a sunny day to enjoy.

The Square

my Oakland roots

Ferry terminal at Jack London Square

When I first moved to the Bay Area after college I lived in Oakland and I
have always loved that city. Yesterday after a successful dental visit to
Right Wing Wong I walked from 20th Street down to Jack London Square
hoping to catch the ferry back to SF. Alas I would have had to wait for
two hours, so I walked back to 12th Street for BART. But it was a
beautiful day and I was in a superb mood, so I enjoyed every step on
my walk back into the past. Some things the same, many changes too.
That's how it works, Ms. Stein, accept this and rejoice.

one morning ~ two cities

8:30 am Oakland Civic Center

10:15 - SF downtown

I had a very early (and easy) dental appointment yesterday so I walked
around Oakland before jumping on the PACKED Bart train. Oakland
is truly a pretty downtown and I have always loved any city in the
early morning hours as I observe people going to work, stopping for
coffee, rushing/rushing. Then crazy SF where I had some errands,
but first a latte at my favorite spacious coffee spot on Post Street. I
was home before noon for more tasks and errands, but refreshed from
my city-watching morning.

guess again

London? Paris? Amsterdam?

NYC? Boston?

Nope, this beautiful area is in downtown Oakland, 9th and Broadway to
be exact. It's called "Old Oakland" ~ of course it's all rather new and
impressive. Quite a few restaurants around here too, I'm sure the condos
are pricey, but not as bad as SF. I came upon this yesterday after my
visit to Right Wing Wong, dentist extraordinaire. Alas, a lot of downtown
Oakland still needs work...all those empty store fronts.

we'll always have Oakland

What's this? Blue sky? Cat basking in the sun? Oh, I see, we have
to head East and out of the thick fog every once in awhile in summer.
This shot is right across the street from the Oakland Museum where
we met our friend Ginger today. Since it doesn't open until 11am, we
had some time to sit on the front steps and catch up on our lives.

We had a great time at the newly re-done museum and then enjoyed
a huge lunch at the Joy Luck restaurant down on 8th Street. Too
much food for not much money.

Tomorrow you'll see photos from inside the Oakland Museum.
Should you go? Yes indeedy ~ take BART and get off at the Lake
Merritt Station. Walk less than two blocks and you are there!

there is some there in Oakland

Pardon my flash ~ this is a gorgeous jade pagoda at the Oakland Museum.

A new church (Catholic, I think) on the shore of Lake Merritt.

The Coffee Mill and Bakery on Grand Avenue ~ excellent and necessary.

I think of these old building as old East Coast style and there are a lot of
them in Oakland. One can trip back in time to an age where living on
Lake Merritt was only for the wealthy. Ginger and I had a l-o-n-g and
delightful walk and gab-fest yesterday. The lake looked clean and there
were a lot of runners, walkers, skaters and bikers to accompany us.