Summary, as promised

 I spent 5 days exploring San Francisco. It is a big, international, hectic city. I'm surprised--after living in Chicago for nearly 40 years--how overwhelmed I felt. Of course, my friend had to work and helped me out with a ride to and from the hospital, but touring the city was not going to be something we could do together. 

Tuesday, I sourced a bike box and after she clocked out of her remote social media job, we went to the Castro and explored the Mission District. I bought a book as I had finished the one I brought in the park waiting to camp, which never happened. I was happy enough just to eat and build up energy.

Wednesday, I set out on my own to explore the city. I took a bus to Fisherman's Wharf, then walked up a hill to the Norwegian Fisherman's Church (excellent views!) and nice chat with ladies there, who offered me coffee and a waffle. Then on to the crookedest and steepest street in SF (there might be others, but this one is touted). I stumbled into a tour of the Haas-Lilienthal House. A true Victorian that survived the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires. Amazingly, EVERYTHING there was period and once owned by the family. You got a real sense of the grandeur and wealth of these families, who considered themselves as merely upper middle class. So many had made their money in the importing/exporting business down at the harbor. There were warehouses in what is now the financial district. Apparently, the Steins, as in Gertrude Stein, was also from San Francisco.

I ended my long walk at Golden Gate Park and the various gardens and the SF Fine Arts Museum. The bus ride home was almost an hour. The weather by the museum had turned cold and overcast. I was learning in SF to always bring a jacket. I wore a fleece almost every day. There are several micro climates between neighborhoods--depending upon is by the bay, waterfront, on a hill, or down hill.

Thursday we picked up the bike box and drove after my friend finished work to Chinatown, one of the largest in big-city America, and also stumbled upon City Light Books. There was also a bakery stop. I then picked up mementos for my family.

Friday I packed the bike, super easy and judiciously weighed it. Taking out and leaving in select items to be checked. I took the bus to the SFMOMA, where on the bus ride I witnessed 2 guys fighting. It started out as a kind of dance and evolved into punching. I was confused because no one bothered to care. I'm not sure how it resolved. I think they sat down and got off at their stops. 

The museum had a special exhibit on Matisse--not sure how modern he is considered. But, I guess, he shocked the art world in 1905 at the Salon d'Automne. As I mentioned the Steins were from SF and collectors and were in Paris and bought The Lady with a Hat, modeled on Henri Matisse's wife. Possibly a hat she designed. Anyway, the critics were aghast at the colors, non-representational perspective. But it seems many at the time were doing the same thing. He got a leg up because of the rich folk in Paris at the time investing in this kind of thing, betting it would be worth something in the future. They were right.