Day Nine:

Last day, much better photos. After reviewing the results from day eight, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with myself. Mostly for the quality of the images after processing, but I think a lot of the issues came from the sadness that the trip was almost over and not performing as a result. Also, out of all the days, eight contained the least amount of shots, so getting to day nine makes me content once again.

I remember going out with the constant thought of day ten, back at work in Virginia. The only way I was able to combat this was to concentrate on the camera in my right hand. So out we went, early to Half Moon Bay and then back into city to search out a few geeky TV locations, one which you can see below. The other was the MythBusters workshop, but sadly I have no pictures of that because well, it is just a simple warehouse with some cars in front. Not quite photo worthy. But the park from the Full House intro?! Perfect Mr. Skelly Dracools photo opp! This will be a crucial shot from his future book, Mr. Skelly Dracools Rules The World, mark my words. But like I said, the day started with some incredible high tide action in Half Moon Bay.

Going tide pooling we found starfish, sea anemones, and more lovely lovely seals. The overcast day made for some pristine even light situations and the constant fog, drama at every turn. And before we leave Half Moon, I want to point the 100% delicious Chez Shea restaurant. We ate there twice and couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

From Half Moon, there was lots of stopping along the coast for photos photo photos! Tons of surfers, surf culture and people just hanging out on the beach, quite zen. Then the question of whether or not to head back into San Francisco. I had been debating it the entire morning, worried about running to more overwhelming homeless factions which bummed me out to no end the previous two days. But after thinking, hey, I have no idea when we will be back here because it is on the complete opposite side of the country, we ventured in. Totally glad we did because we ended up driving to see the TV locations previously discussed (highlight) and then found a great breakfast/brunch place called Ella’s in Laurel Heights. I ended up having mascarpone pancakes that were fairly out of control. From there it was time to kick it back out of the city for more driving up and down the coast, killing time before the inevitable.

I think the next time we go back to San Francisco, it will be better. We will do more research and it won’t sit at the tail end of a vacation sent from heaven. Coming back to the east was a downer, but at least now I know that I want to live somewhere on the west coast in my feature. It is stunning, refreshing, far more environmentally conscious that most parts of the country, and the food is perfection. So what I am saying is that you would not have to pull my leg to get me to live there. Next time, San Diego? Portland? Seattle? Vancouver? We still have a free whale cruise to partake in, so that is reason enough for the flight out. But until then, it is Saratoga Springs, NY in just two days! We leave at 3PM on Friday and spend Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning in one of the more relaxingly natural towns in the North East. I will be focusing on tons of photos as The Saratoga Race Track and documenting some of my favorite spots to buy records, eat, and hangout. And did I mention that it is about to be my favorite time of year? AUTUMN! Happy almost Labor Day Weekend internet! Now, the last of the California photos…