Cruisin'...

Gorgeous day! Off I went to go strolling around Seaport Village early this afternoon. People everywhere. Music at both ends. Restaurants busy. At the Pier Cafe end, people were walking around enjoying little ice cream cones from Ben and Jerry's. They were giving them away free. I did manage to keep from going into the Fudge Factory. Now there's a miracle. Kids of all ages riding the carousel. No music though cause it would have interferred with the Mexican band just outside.

So strolled on down the boardwalk. Big nuclear aircraft carrier docked at North Island across the bay, as was an oiler. Sailboats, small yachts, water taxis, jet skiers, and across the water, the SEALs skimming along in their craft. Saw no little motorboats nor row boats, nor kayaks. One huge pale tan cargo ship heading out to sea. Everybody got out of the way for that one. Helicopters (military) making runs either to or from North Island, and every now and then the major roar of the jets as passenger planes took off from Lindbergh Field. Can't see 'em, but can sure hear 'em.

Painters, caricature artists, tatoo people, fortune tellers, T-shirt sellers...all scattered around on the grass next to the main boardwalk, midway through Seaport. Walked out on North Embarcadero island, all the way to its grassy lawn end. First passed people just lying around on the grass, then the kite fliers, then the trucks being unloaded. Big party out there this eve. No doubt for the International Trademark Assn. People have come, I'm informed, from 136 countries to attend, and they're meeting at the Conv Ctr. Between meetings, they flood Seaport and the Gaslamp Qtr and take tours around the city...and party every night.

Anyway, definitely a party on North Embarcadero. From what I could see it looks as though they're gonna have casino-type gambling with an Egyptian theme. Egyptian statues from pyramid days all over the place. Big ones. White-clothed tables with stacks of chips, various gambling games here and there. Bars being set up. Buffet tables. Think they'll start meetings a bit late in the morning.

So back down the sidewalk with the Marriott Marina on my right. Full of all kinds and sizes of yachts...and the big Hornblower party yacht at the end of one of the docks. People on the top deck taking pics of the party/casino set-up. That Hornblower yacht is so big there's no way to turn around in the marina. They'll have to back out to get back in the harbor. I notice that the stage on the tip of South Embarcadero is up for Summer Pops. Lots of entertainers, lots of music. Can take a blanket and sit on the end of North Embarcadero and hear the whole thing. Can't see them, but can hear everything...and no crowds.

Came to the main boardwalk and hung a right toward the Yacht Club patio at the Marriott Hotel. On the way, a tour shuttle passes and I hear the driver/guide say, "Over there, on the other side of the harbor, four point five acres of aircraft carrier." Never explained that's the size of the flight deck and didn't slow down enough for people aboard to have a look at it. Detoured off the boardwalk to interior of Seaport Village to stroll past the band playing in the gazebo. The gazebo sits in a large circle. Tables and chair ring the outside. Band is gettin' on with it, playing rock 'n roll. The circle around the gazebo is jammed with dancers. They're havin' a hell of a good time. Big audience watching and listening.

I pass the Hyatt Hotel's harborside patio. Lots of folks dining, talking...and then the bar, with its outside patio. More folks up there. And continue to the Yacht Club patio. One of my favorite places. Climb a short flight of stairs to the lower half of the patio, and a couple more steps up to the upper half. Take a small table for two. Lucky find. Both patio levels are full of folks. Waitress brings coffee. I light up a smoke and stretch my legs out. Ahhh... Life is good.

Night shift is not on yet, and I know not one of the day shift, so I watch them work. See how good they are. Things are going very smoothly. They're busy but doing fine. Hostess passes by, and says, "I'm getting tired. Long day." We smile at each other, and I ask if Juan still rules the bar inside, nights. She laughs. "As always," she says, "but he doesn't work weekends anymore." Which I knew. He hasn't for a long, long time.

After about 45 minutes, I head back, detouring to the gazebo again. This time they're playing "Good Golly, Miss Molly" for all they're worth and the dancers are just having a great time. Just about when I hit the main boardwalk, they begin "Unchained Melody" to let the folks cool down a bit. Easy stroll back to the other end of Seaport where the people are still eating ice cream cones and applauding the Mexican band, and on out to my car in the parking lot.

Smooth drive down Pacific Highway, past the airport and Old Town, past Perry's Restaurant, the Highway Patrol, over the river, onto Mission Bay Drive, past the Hilton Hotel, up the hill, and on home. Absolutely relaxed, soul satisfied. A very good day....
Wrap.