San Francisco, CA

I arrived in San Francisco on February 12, 2011, all worldly possessions in tow, greeted by Gordon’s smiling, somewhat terrified face, and the reality that I was now homeless and unemployed.  Within minutes of landing I was outfitted with my very own Specialized Hybrid bike - a gift from my mom and G, and the beginning of many new adventures.

Day one I woke up at east coast 9 AM, to a beautiful 60 degree February day in Potrero.  I was already approaching sensory overload but how could I pass up a bike ride around my new city - and AROUND we went.  We started off in Mission Bay, around the Ballpark, up the Embarcadero toward Fisherman’s Wharf.  Up North Point to Marina Ave., then Lincoln to the Bridge.  Riding over the Golden Gate was exhilarating and slightly terrifying, cars and other bikers flying by, while I re-remembered how to ride at all, but a quintessential SF experience, and my first of many.  Arriving at the far side of the bridge, overlooking the bay and city, we thought the perfect place to stop for a snack and think about not being in Boston anymore.

The snacks on these trips have secretly become what I look forward to most.  For G, it's all about the ride, which was apparent on this first trip when he pulled out some peanut butter, a whole carrot and a chili pepper, probably grown in his garden.  Since then, I've taken over packing our lunches for these trips and often find myself day dreaming about possible treats that are packed with energy, transportable, and delicious.  G doesn't quite understand eating for pleasure, but seeing how happy it makes me, he plays along.

After our snack we came back over the bridge, down the west side of the Presidio, and through the park.  I learned about the Wiggle, and rode past a packed-for-no-apparent-reason Dolores Park, Bi-Rite Creamery and on into Potrero.   Already I had gotten everything I wanted out of my cross country move: an adventure, and someone to have it with.  The rest is just icing on the Energy Compost Breakfast muffin.