So after a confusing and hectic few weeks of moving around, after leaving Yosemite early, without a real plan we landed in the Delta Region. It is in the center of the state, east of San Francisco. Miles and miles of rivers and flatter ground. So we stayed for a week in Manteca California and got caught up on laundry, mail, groceries, and got my JoAnn Fabrics fix.
We took a day trip to San Jose and the Mystery House. Build
by the heiress Mrs Winchester of the gun family. 160 rooms with mysterious stairways to no where, doors with brick walls behind and rooms within rooms. She was told that she had to continue to build until she died, to avoid the spirits of all the people killed by her families guns. Beautiful architecture but weird. I think it is a great house to play hide & seek and get lost for days. At least it would keep the kids busy?
We took the motorcycle and had an awesome trip back to the campground via one of the Bay bridges. The land gap between the ocean and San Francisco Bay looks so small on the map but driving we still didn't see the ocean yet. The traffic was crazy on the freeways and not in love with big cities. Never really have been.
In this lovely stopped traffic. Which by the way on a motorcycle stinks. Randy's hand was falling asleep from holding the clutch and moving forward foot by foot. The brown grassy hill sides reminded me of the hills in a landscaped railroad miniature setup. Like someone threw brown burlap over the area. The mowed sign says, "Jesus Saves". Great thing to read as traffic is stopped and people are cutting in front of you!
In Manteca they had a Bass Pro Shop. One of the neatest buildings ever. A replica Redwood tree in the entry that you had to walk through to get into store. Mounts of every animal imaginable, especially those from the area. I loved looking at all the Duck Dynasty items. Even found out they have a board game. Great Christmas ideas!!
Just outside our campground in the Delta region of Isleton is this beautiful meandering river that goes from Sacramento out to the ocean. So this meant lots and lots of bridges and occasionally lots and lots of waiting to get across those bridges that were raised for boats. Went to town for milk one day (5mile trip) and it took us 35 minutes. Hwy 12 in this area is the worst road in all California (per another camper) but we agree. Like a rollercoaster with ruts, and it's on flat land. Someone said it's caused by the earthquakes but we think it's just really bad grating.
Another day trip to San Francisco. Took the motorcycle to the BART train station and road the train into the city. Empty car and a 45 minute ride. On the way back was another story. Hit rush hour at 4pm and we were standing up like sardines the entire 45 minutes. Did I ever tell you about how I really don't like big cities? Decided to walk to all the historical and tourist areas of San Fran.
I love lighthouses and couldn't resist taking a picture. In the background is Alcatraz Island. It looks so close to Pier 39 area but with the waves and distance, I can't imagine the escapees swimming that far. You can get jailbird clothing in the area. We also saw a few of the America's Cup sailboats practicing in the bay. There was a big race Labor Day weekend.
Walking down the docks abit is Fisherman's Wharf. They had a great free museum with historical items from the area for 100 years. Great roadside food stands and shops. WWII submarine and ship are docked in the Wharf and open for tours, not free, but awesome history. There is an entire block of Ghardinelli chocolate factory and shops. They give out free samples, mmmmm.
Right next to Ghardinelli we walked up the hill 6-7 blocks to Lombard Street. Huffin and Puffin. Lombard Street was created in 1850 and is the Crookedest Street in the World. It was a great view down to downtown San Francisco. The street had beautiful flowers and alot of people took on the challenge. We chose to walk down the steps to the bottom. I can't imagine living on this street. 
Busy all the time and their driveways cut sharply off the curves with them being only 8-9 feet long. Then to think they would have to try to back out of their driveway against the tourist traffic everyday. But on the positive side is the beautiful views and great looking buildings with great history.
OK so we made it too the bottom. Huff, Huff and we aren't the only ones taking pictures and checking this street out. We heard so many languages (all good) that it must be known the world wide as a great tourist stop. Luckily, it was all downhill from here. And what's San Francisco without the Golden Gate Bridge. Love the mystic of the fog every day. There are those America's Cup sailboats out in the bay.
Continuing our walk through Little Italy and then through Chinatown. I loved the items hanging from the ceiling and all the items for sale that you don't usually see in Wal Mart. Found out that all the 1000's of Chinese Americans that built the Transcontinental Railway, many of them came to live in San Francisco after the railway was finished. That's how Chinatown began as many were not treated fairly and so they stuck together.
I loved the hanging lanterns and the music playing on the corners. Many items for sale that said Made In China, so it was Soooo fitting. Lots and lots of restaurants but the menus were all in Chinese to way to scared to check any of them out. Besides we were on our walk to try to make it to the train station in time to get
back to Buddy. Lastly, what trip to San Francisco would be
complete without the trolley. They were always so packed so we kept walking. It brought me back to the days of Mr Rogers and the Trolley. If I had a sweater on I would have removed it. We made it safely home on the sardine train and Buddy was happy to see us.
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