Trip Report day one 9/7

Arrived at SFO on time even though we were delayed from taking off in Denver for an hour due to SF%26#39;s ';weather';. Don%26#39;t know how that was possible. Flight crew never even referred to it as a fog delay. Picked up rental car, a nice Buick. Husband had his eye on another make but it was not to be. If we would have arrived a few minutes later our choices would have been further limited.

Headed straight to San Jose to check out Winchester Mystery House. Had a little trouble with our Yahoo print out directions but found a local to get us back on track. By this time it was nice and warm and sunny. House was beautiful and strange all at the same time. Took the Mansion and Behind the scene tours. I was impressed with the tour guides as both made the tour interesting and fun and they didn%26#39;t even have tip jars. The grounds were nice as well, with very pretty and well maintained flowers.

After the tour, headed the short trip to Santana Row to eat dinner. Made the mistake of picking Pasta Pomodoro. My bad since I knew it wasn%26#39;t regarded that highly but then I had stumbled on the chronicles review, which had given it the thumbs up, so I decided why not. Was that Chicken Alfredo? They need to get a new recipe.

Walked around the area for a short time after dinner and enjoyed the ambiance. It was a nice stroll.

Using Yahoos directions headed to our hotel on Lombard. Had a little mishap when Husband was supposed to take the Civic Center exit to Van Ness and the hwy split to 2 lanes on the right which was 7th St. I believe. We saw signs mentioning Bay Bridge but this area (Bryant) looked deserted and I was afraid if we kept going forward where would we end up, so in panic mode, somehow we were forced over the Bay Bridge. For some stupid reason I had visions of 1989 in my head.

Got off one of the first exits in Oakland and tried to get our bearings, (oh did I mention it was very dark). A nice pedestrian that looked a little scary turns out to be so helpful when she asks us to roll down the window and we oblige, and she gives us perfect directions back over the bridge. I curse myself for having preconceived notions as we make our way to the Embarcadero exit and we finally after finding out Van Ness does not turn into the Wharf, took Hyde and found Van Ness and then Lombard. After finding out, even though I requested 3 months previously, that I will not be getting a balcony third floor room I give it up and we bed down for the night.

Trip Report day one 9/7

I%26#39;ll bet you were so tired, you didn%26#39;t even know what floor you were on by the time you got into bet.

Awful time you had, getting lost and going over the Bay Bridge. I really dislike online mapping because the directions really aren%26#39;t that clear. I never go anywhere without extensive maps, and only use Yahoo or other map services to help devise a route, from which I can improvise or depart. If I ever have any questions about a highway junction or exit, I can look at a real map.

Trip Report day one 9/7

BTB, we had so many maps along to cross referance but since it was dark and it was unfamiliar territory, we lost it. I warned my husband that signs said ';right lanes 7th street';, but the traffic was heavy and I guess we didn%26#39;t realize the road would split. Wow, your freeways can be scary!

Enjoyed reading each of the three days%26#39; reports. Thanks for the posts.

I agree, the freeways are scarey. Everyone changing lanes with no turn signals, jumping infront of you on the far left lane and then crossing over 4 lanes to the right and then taking an exit. I see this EVERYTIME we take the freeway. Forget speed limits, everyone goes the speed they feel like that day, they call it ';moving with the traffic flow';. Enough about that, looking forward to the next trip report.