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Feeling Hot Hot Hot!
Forgive me for the title but the weather has been the many topic of conversation during my time in California. When I first arrived everyone was saying to me how cool it had been with temperatures inland only getting to mid - late 20's and San Francisco being between 15C - 20C. However with my arrival to my cousin Tricia's things seemed to change!
As it was the weekend we met up with her sister & family and went for a walk around Muir woods (named after John Muir who did a lot to get Yosemite recognised as a protected park). Here we got to see some more Sequoias although not quite as big as in Yosemite. The walk started off quite cloudy but by the time we'd finished it was warming up nicely. We then went into Sausalito (on the other side of the bay) and after lunch got to have a wander round and to everyone's amazement there were brilliant views of the city as there was no fog. Unfortunately we had timed the boats slightly wrong so ended up driving into the city - I didn't mind as we went over the Golden Gate Bridge.
The plan was then to get a Cable Car over to China Town but there was a huge queue so we ended up returning to my favourite place in San Francisco's from 14 years ago - Ghiradelli's. I got the smallest ice cream (mint choc chic for those wondering) possible that was HUGE! It was however the most delicious one so far! After we were on such a sugar rush we decided to drive over to China town and wandered around looking at all the souvenirs on sale, before driving home for more food.
The next day we were inland but the mercury had started to increase compared to what they've had so far this Summer. Tricia & Sherman had organised a BBQ so I could get to meet more of the family and although it was only a small gathering it was great to meet so many new people. After about an hour in the sun though I started to play chase the shade and was so glad when we all came in about 6pm to sit in the air con!!!
By Monday it had got even hotter and after Tricia had taken the kids to a introductory meeting at school we went out into Walnut Creek so I could get a few bits for the next part of my adventure. It was soooooo hot out in the sun although when we had lunch we sat in the shade and it was fine. Tricia then took me over to meet up with Joan & Doug who I was staying with for the final part of my trip. Thanks Tricia, Sherman, Gavin & Grace for having me as well as Laura, Brian & Family for coming down to meet me!
Well come Tuesday records were forecast to be broken in the city (and they were!) with it forecasted to be up to 32C in San Francisco and about 39C where Doug & Joan live! I went back into the city to meet up with my cousin Jessi where we had got to see Pier 39 & the Sea Lions, Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building but it was too hot to do much. We then went to lunch with her sister Gina at the Cheesecake Factory and sat outside on the 8th Floor which meant great views although it was too hot as there was limited shade and we had to get new cutlery as the old ones were too hot from being in the sun! I think overall it was the hottest temperature recorded in SF on Aug 23 and the highest temperature recorded there since the 80's
Unfortunately the hot weather meant the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) was on a go slow so it took forever to get home. Now I can understand good old BR having this problem as it doesn't get that hot very often but the area where the go slow was operating was nearer Doug & Joan's where it regularly gets into the 90's so I don't quite get it. All I will say is that it's good to know it's not just the Brits that can't cope in the heat!!!
As I write this now I'm now on the train down to LA to fly to South America. All I can say is North America has been amazing - I have had a wonderful 5 weeks (it feels a lot longer as I've done so much!), meet some brilliant new friends, reconnected with some old ones but the one thing that has amazed me has the been the generosity of my family. From East to West you guys have all been great and I look forward to seeing you in England where I hope I can repay some of the kindness that has been shown to me someday.
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