August 10, San Francisco

Today, Maureen and I went to church at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Foster City, where she directs a choir during the academic year.  Very hospitable congregation, and the assistant rector, from a Phillipine family, gave the sermon.  Lizz and Brian Klammer, who had gone with us for dinner at Half Moon Bay a few days ago, were also there.  Afterwards we went to the fellowship hall, and I was able to meet a greet several members of the congregation.  After that, Lizz, Brian, Maureen and I had lunch at Corner Bakery.  I had a salad trio of fresh fruit, chicken salad, and an avocado filled with corn and salsa.  By then the weather was clearing beautifully, and Lizz and Brian were off to search for a new couch and end tables for their new apartment.  Maureen and I were off to downtown SF for a very special purpose.  We parked close to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.  Arguably the most crowd-pleasing entertainers are the barking sea lions there.  They congregate on the floating docks just west of the pier.  There were more there prior to 2009, when the pinnipeds staged a mysterious mass exodus, only to return in smaller numbers.  As it was, we saw between 200-250 congregated over about 12 floating docks--sleeping, fighting, protecting their harems, rolling around, scratching their backs on the docks, and playing games with each other.  It was all fascinating to watch, and we must have stayed about 2 hours, taking picture after picture as we inched closer and closer to them until they were nearly dead-straight in front of us.  What an amazing scene!  After that, Maureen and I drove home and had a dinner of leftovers--chicken soup with lemongrass, tomato and avocado salad, the rest of the vegetarian bryani and vegetable korma, as well as steamed broccoli.  For dessert, we will have some strawberry frozen yogurt.  The evening is mild, and the sun is golden as we sit here writing today's blog and answering emails.  What a good visit it has been, and what a fine summer!  I will be sad to say goodbye to it for another nine months, but all the memories of these past three trips of the summer of 2014 will remain locked in my mind and heart, where I will savor its memory!  Tomorrow I leave for Dallas from San Jose.  Goodbye--one more entry tomorrow.