A quick walk toward our train yielded a table at Chow, a local favorite with a few places around the city. We got a pleasant patio table. Ben ordered a Boston Cooler, which was a ginger ale float with candied almonds. Then I found a farmers market in Sunset, right next to the trolley stop.
We crossed the park to the Academy of Sciences next. We skimmed through, doing the rainforest dome and the aquarium. I sent fish and butterfly texts to Jack (via mom). The baby ostriches were super cute- they darted around just like they do in Joust.
The De Young museum in Golden Gate park. I was very disappointed that the Nureyev costume exhibit wasn't open yet--and the textiles wing was closed to prepare for it! Bummer. But the American paintings were a nice collection. "hey, it's us at night at home." Ben said regarding the spinner painting. :-). The observation tower was also really cool.
Mmm, hot chocolate, chocolate croissant and Ben's un-clammified sourdough bread leftovers. If there was any doubt, you now see that the summer dieting also took a vacation.
In a change from our usual Ghiradelli's visit, we had Bi Rite ice cream after dinner. The lines were long but moved fast. I has mint chip and balsamic strawberry. Ben had white chocolate raspberry and honey lavender. We thought it was quite good. Flavorful and creamy. On a US World and Report survey Bi Rite is #3 and Sweet Action is #7. But I prefer Sweet Action for its flavor variety and ample seating.
We go shopping deep in the city, where we find a unicorn ($4000), I get netted by a booby-trap at the pirate supply store, we pass a man shopping while completely naked, and we sit in a three chair movie theater with a fish tank in place of a screen.
On our way out of the Japantown mall I had to backtrack to the booth selling mochi ice cream. Yes, I was stuffed from snacking all day and our dinner reservations are in just four hours. But I've always wanted to try mochi ice cream! It did not disappoint. I wonder if it's sold anywhere in Denver.
Our first pedi can experience. Our late plane kind of screwed out plan to have bus passes this morning. When Ben pointed out it was already 11 as we left the farmers market, and we weren't able to board a fully packed trolley We decided it was worth it to be biked along the pier. City pass and muni pass in hand now, we are ready to explore.
