Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

I decided right away that a trip to the new Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park was number one on my list of things to see in San Francisco on this trip. It just
re-opened in 2009 after the 1989 Loma Prietta earthquake made the old structure unstable. What an amazing piece of architecture. It is a platinum level, LEEDS certified green building, that incorporates every green building technology available. It's a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof. I will share many photos of what we saw inside out outside the building starting with the AMAZING rain forest and aquarium.

I have been going to the Academy of Sciences since I was a child and I must say, that I've never experienced such variety of species, and beautiful architectural design in one place. The butterflies and tropical birds and frogs and plant life in the rainforest dome are really something to see. Everything just flies, hops and crawls around you in the same space. Something they would never allow when I was a kid. I will now include a bunch of photos, as they will speak more than my words can.

The glass tunnel for the fish was just fantastic. These were HUGE amazonian fish. Bigger than

a pick-up truck!

They have added huge glass walls to view tropical fish, just like in the aquarium down in Monterey.

The reptiles and frogs are my favorite. So much personality, in a twisted, prehistoric kind of slimy way. Just fascinating! I remember chasing lizards and snakes down the river where I grew up here in California. I now know this is the kind of place I will volunteer to work after I retire.

This is by far the biggest sea bass I have ever seen in my life. Not sure if I will ever eat one again. Imagine these giants being extinct from our oceans! Reminds me of my second grade teacher :o)....and she was my favorite teacher in my life!

The roof of the Academy's new building

uses soil as insulation Architect Renzo Piano achieved this in his design for the Living Roof. Not only does the green rooftop canopy visually connect the building to the park landscape, but it also provides significant gains in heating and cooling efficiency. The six inches of soil substrate on the roof act as natural insulation, and every year will keep approximately 3.6 million gallons of rainwater from becoming stormwater. Surrounding the Living Roof is a large glass canopy with a decorative band of 60,000 photovoltaic cells. These solar panels will generate approximately 213,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year and provide up to 10% of the Academy's electricity need. The use of solar power will prevent the release of 405,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emission into the air. f you have a chance in your lifetime, go see this place.

You wont regret it. More tomorrow............

Sausalito

Our craziest friend on the planet has to be Charles. He is a voice actor for numerous cartoons and most famously for the game series Mario. Going anywhere with him, you will end up bent over in laughter most of the time. He came and

whisked me away from El Cerrito for a stay at his 'Pink House' (yes it really is a

pink house). The house was built in 1879 in Austria for the Frederick Schiller family. Schiller wrote the words to Mozart's 'Ode to Joy'. The house was dismantled and shipped around the horn to Sausalito in the 1890's. It was then brought up the hill piece-by-piece on horseback. Just an amazing bit of history for this old pink house.

Charles is an old AIDS Ride buddy of mine, so we really enjoy taking drives around Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties on many of the roads we used to ride our bikes on. It's so invigorating to smell the sea air and be surrounded by the lush green hills on this side of the bay.

Sausalito is such a wonderful town to walk around in. So many spectacular views of San Francisco from just about anywhere. The boats in the harbor are just fantastic and the fresh sea air intoxicates me. Food! How can I NOT talk about food! The best burgers on the planet come from Hamburgers (yes, that's what it's called) on Bridgeway Blvd., just down the street from Charles house. Every beefy, cheesy bite is like being in heaven. Especially when it's eaten looking at this view of San Francisco in front of you. We haven't skimped on the cooking front either. Our other good friend, and AIDS Ride buddy, Kevin Young has been hanging out with us to enjoy our eating adventures too (see photo below).

Kevin and his partner Wayne joined us for dinner one night and we couldn't resist a silly moment photo. Of course, no visit to Charles house would be complete without someone wearing the lampshade as a hat. I am usually the one to do it. So, here it is! :o) It really is fun to never lose the ability to act like 12 year olds. What fun!

Stay tuned for more later..............

El Cerrito

Jenni's parents dropped us at the Pleasanton BART station the morning of Jan. 8 so we could head to El Cerrito and our friends Tim & Dave. When we arrived on the platform the train schedule sign said there was a 15 minute delay to check the tracks due to another earthquake just 30 minutes ago. Of course, no visit to California would be complete without at least one earthquake! This one was a 4.5. Too bad we didn't feel it as we were in the car when it happened. I LOVE earthquakes. Rowan doesn't!

Dave, Tim & Ted Lisa & Rowan Jenni & Brian

We spent the next 3 days with Tim & Dave watching endless NFL playoff games (just like old times) eating fabulous food whipped up by Tim and catching up with our friends Brian, Ted and Lisa during a lovely dinner party put on by Tim & Dave (See photos). The pork tenderloin was TO DIE for! Brian brought another FABULOUS ice cream dessert from his family's ice cream parlor, Mitchell's Ice Cream, in San Francisco. These are the times we really miss since we moved away from the Bay Area. We are blessed to have such a great group of longtime friends that we still have so much fun with. Rowan went off to Southern California on Jan. 10 to begin some collaboration's with other colleagues for her sabbatical. Jenni's next stop will be Sausalito to see our friend Charles. Stay tuned..................