I am invited to work at the 2012
MPICT Conference hosted by
City College of San Francisco. Many of my colleagues are there and we always have a good time together. The rows and rows of Victorian buildings built just after the
1906 Earthquake and fire, which
devastated the city, make San Francisco a great time capsule.
After the conference Peter joins me for an extra night in the city. We have a marvelous dinner at
Amber Indian restaurant just off Mission and then walk around Union Square.
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High end stores
surround Union Square |
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| Holiday ice skating rink |
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Palm trees w twinkle
lights for your heart in SF |
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The next day we head out for the Natural History Museum in Golden Gate Park.
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Segway tour of Golden
Looks like fun - maybe next time |
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Peter @ entrance
Natural History Museum |
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| and inside the mail lobby |
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We immediately go all the way to the top of the building to see the famous roof which is hilly and covered with soil and native plants. Unfortunately, they don't have special roof tours on Saturdays. Darn.
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| Roof has all kinds of collectors, skylights, and instruments on it |
Once back inside we decide to check out the tropical forest bio-sphere. You enter through a double door vestibule that seals in the heat and humidity. Whew - it's hot and sticky in there, just like a real jungle.
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| A long spiral ramp leads up through the different zones |
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You can see fish swimming in the water
and people walking below |
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At the lower levels, we see fish and bottom dwellers. Many of the creatures are similar to others in Hawaii and California, but oh so much bigger.
After awhile, the ramp leads to the tops of the trees
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| Ramp at tree tops |
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| Round skylights |
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where there are all kinds of butterflies flitting about.
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| BIG butterflies |
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| smaller ones landing on tree tops |
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| and even on the top of cameras. |
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The butterflies are so friendly, as soon as we step off the elevator down and out of the bio-sphere, a friendly butterfly catcher is there to capture in hitchikers.
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| Butterfly catcher ready to fetch escapees |
From there you enter a tunnel through the bottom of the lake at the bottom of the bio-sphere and then to even more aquariums.
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| Peter and a friend sitting in water tunnel |
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| I could watch these jellies all day |
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| Beautiful angel fish |
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Many families come to visit and there's lots of things for kids to do.
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| A tide pool touch tank |
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| Brunch time in the main tank as a diver feeds the fishies |
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After winding our way through the aquarium, we end up in another lobby with a large pool, home to a white alligator. These are extremely rare as they simply can't survive in the wild. This one has found a cushy place in the aquarium exhibit.
After spending a few hours in the museum, we head home along the ocean and stop for a late lunch in Half Moon Bay.
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| Sunny sparkling January day |
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| Lunch at a Japanese restaurant |
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I point out Jeff Clarke riding a 2 story monster wave
@ nearby Maverick's |
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We are treated to another lovely sunset at home.
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| Whoa - did I capture a UFO with my camera? |
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