Anniversary Weekend, Day 3

Our last day in San Francisco was actually a little more laid-back then we had originally planned. (My fault, of course. Brock has the energy of a two-year-old and could sight-see for days). The morning was pretty busy, though, because we had to be checked out of our hotel and at the Exploratorium by 10:15 am. We managed to eat breakfast (at the hotel cafe), pack, and get to the Exploratorium just in time for our reservation at the tactile room.

The tactile room was the coolest thing we did all morning. You take off your shoes, hats, and jewelry, and go climbing through a pitch black tunnel. You can't see a thing, and you make your way through by touch. (Not for claustrophobics or people afraid of the dark!) We went through twice and had a great time. The rest of the morning we wandered through the museum playing with gadgets and playing whatever games were offered (highlights: talking with Daisy (the computer with a mind of its own), Making bubbles the size of me, and the smoke-ring maker).

For lunch we went to Mel's Diner (is that right, Brock?) Anyway, it's the place they filmed American Graffiti. We sat outside and got burgers and fries. From there we drove down Lombard Street (One of Brock's wishes for the weekend) and then down to the old military fort under the Golden Gate Bridge. I can never remember names, so if Brock reminds me I'll fill in the name of the fort later.

The fort was very impressive! We saw a demonstration on how to load and fire an old cannon (Brock got to pretend to fire it). Then we wandered up to the very top level and looked out over the bay and the coast. It was the most beautiful day and you could see everything! They had a display of old tools in one of the dormitories that was very interesting. We saw old-style bullets that shattered bones, shaving kits, and any number of old cooking utensils.

At this point I got very tired and we had a few hours until our dinner reservation. We had orginally planned to walk the Golden Gate Bridge, but I was half-asleep on my feet and Brock fell back on plan-B. We headed to China Beach and spent the next few hours lazing about in the sand and waves. We had recently bought a sunshade/half-tent for trips to the beach and we happened to have it with us, though we hadn't thought we'd need it. I got to curl up inside with a book and listen to the waves. Brock played in the water for a while and then we both took naps. Not as adventurous as we had planned to be, but very nice and relaxing.

We changed in the bathrooms at China Beach (because they had showers and changing rooms) and drove to our Dinner reservation-a dinner cruise around the bay! The problem was we forgot that the cruise boarded at 6:30 and thought we had until 6:45. When Brock realized our mistake we had fifteen minutes to get across the city and get on the boat! Traffic wasn't too bad, but it was frustrating enough to drive Brock bonkers with worry that we'd miss our cruise. I think we were pushing the floor of the car with our feet the whole was there. We planned for Brock to drop me off at the pier and ask them to wait for him while he parked. We didn't get there until 6:40, but we lucked out because the cruise had its own, very reasonably priced, parking lot and the cruise didn't actually leave until 7. Whew!

The Cruise was the crowning event of the weekend. Brock had ordered the (non-alcoholic) celebration package, so we had complimentary champagne flutes (to be filled with martinelli's) and lovely chocolate truffles. The menu was wonderful-a four-course meal including appetizer, salad, entre (Brock got Filet Mignon and I had Roast Chicken), and fabulous desserts. We walked on the deck between courses (the meal was served inside), danced (they had a very good, live band), and chatted with the other couples around us, most of them celebrating Mother's Day. With candle-light and a marvelous view of the city lights, it couldn't have been more romantic.

At dinner Brock also gave me my anniversary present (he had already given me a lovely photo album and all of our pictures taken as a couple during our first year, so I was already pretty spoiled). He had found a beautiful, antique locket (gold with a carved cameo on the front) and had put our pictures in it. I love it! It is so ME!

I had given him his present a month or two early-a simple, gold wedding band for every day (he inherited his real one, but I had always wanted him to have him one from me). I also gave him a book called "1000 places to see before you die." It's just what he likes and he can't put it down!

Just before we drove home, Brock drove us up to Coit Tower and we looked out over the city. While we were there, we saw a young man proposing to his girl and we felt that seeing a marriage proposal kind of set the cap on a perfect anniversary weekend. We had a wonderful First Anniversary and spoiled each other shamelessly! We know we can't do it like this every year, but the first is supposed to be something special...and it was!