bicentennial camping

Halloween can be a bit crazy in San Francisco, and after a year of wedding planning, celebrating, and costuming, we were ready for a little break.  Our friend, Julia, proposed a camping trip in lieu of Halloween debauchery.  I immediately jumped on board.  Ryan, our camping guru, started the planning.   Tahoe was going to be too cold for camping this time of year, so we decided to stay local.  The Marin Headlands have some great, and FREE, campsites.  Plus, as an added bonus, you can ditch the car and hike, bike, or transit over.  

Ryan had been wanting to check out the Bicentennial Campground in the Headlands, so a week before our trip, we booked all three camp sites.  Technically groups are not allowed at Bicentennial, and should head to Haypress instead.  As it turns out, you should probably play by the rules, we got reprimanded by the rangers for trying to cheat the system.  

Post work on Friday, we packed up and headed out.  Using Transit and Trails to plan our trip, we took MUNI to Civic Center, then Golden Gate Transit to the Golden Gate Bridge.  We arrived at the bridge just before sunset and started hiking. 

Leaving the city

Waiting for MUNI

View of the city from the bridge

After getting across, you must walk through the scary tunnel under the bridge to reach the trailhead.  Walk through the parking lot, and you will find a clearly labeled trail sign.

The trail we took hugged the road and offered incredible views of the Bay, the city, and the bridge almost the entire way.  Since we got a late start, much of our trip was in the dark, which led to the most epic photo of the Golden Gate bridge that I have ever taken.

All in all, our hike took two hours and topped out at 6.1 miles.  Not a bad way to end the work week.

After pitching our tent, we settled into some Papalote burritos and a competitive game of Moose Farkle with our friend Liz, who biked up for the night.  

The morning was brutally foggy. The fog horns wailed as we ate our luke warm oatmeal.  I was thankful for my layers and winter hat.  Post breakfast, we did a short walk to the ocean while we waited for our friends, Andy and Julia to arrive.  The beach, which was completely socked in, was just a 10 minute walk from our campsite.  

Bicentennial Campground

Thank goodness for brightly colored layers.  Bicentennial picnic area.

After our friends arrived, we lazily hiked around the Headlands, stopping frequently to take in the scenery, chat, and have snacks.  The fog retreated enough for the air to warm up, and sunscreen to become necessary.  

On Sunday, before heading back into the city, we hiked out to the Point Bonita Lighthouse.  Unfortunately, we arrived at 11:00, and the lighthouse didn't open until 12:30.  A visit to the lighthouse will just be an excuse for a repeat trip.

Post lighthouse hike, it was time to head home.  The return trip was easy peasy.  We just walked the one mile to the visitor's center and hopped on the 76 MUNI bus, which took us to Powell and Post, where we transferred to the MUNI K line.  Door-to-door, the trip was just under one hour.  Not too shabby.

Know before you go:

• Bring your rainfly to keep dry on the foggy nights.
• There is a port-o-potty at the site, but no running water.  Make sure to pack in enough water for your trip.  The Marin Headlands Visitor's Center is about a mile down the road and offers potable water.
• The rangers check the sites every morning, so having reservations and permits are crucial.
• The raccoons are aggressive.  Watch your food carefully and use the food storage containers.  
• Bicentennial also has a picnic site for day use.  If you don't want to camp, this is a great option.  The site provides a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge, port-o-potties, and grills.  

Cost: 

Transit fare: $6.00 there, $2.00 back (per person)

Camping: Free

Total: $8.00/person + food

fall flavors

This week, fall came to the Bay Area.  I am thrilled to be wearing boots, jackets, and scarves once again.  Along with cooler temperatures and cozier fashion, comes flavorful foods.  Motivated by the weather, I decided to whip up a fall inspired meal.  

Ryan's favorite cool weather meal is vegetarian chili with cornbread, and I've had a hankering for apple crisp ever since my father-in-law mentioned the crisp he made with his backyard apple harvest.  So, to the market I went.  

The best part of fall cooking are the smells.  Wine and onions, amazing.  Apples and cinnamon, delicious.  

It's possible that I went a bit overboard for a Tuesday dinner, but I just couldn't resist.  Now, off to the kitchen for leftovers.


Vegetarian Chili:

2 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tomatillos, husked and chopped
1 jalapeno, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 fresh cilantro, minced
1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp white wine
4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 can black beans
1 cup frozen corn
1 bag soy meat crumbles
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 small can tomato paste

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat.  Sauté the onion, garlic, tomatillos, jalapeno, red bell pepper, cilantro, chili powder, and cumin.  After 2 minutes, add the white wine.  Stir often and until vegetables are soft, about 7 minutes.

Add the vinegar and stir until it's almost evaporated.  Add vegetable stock.

Add tomatoes and tomato paste and simmer over medium heat until sauce thickens.

Stir in the beans, corn, and soy crumbles.  Simmer about 20 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

(This is an enhanced recipe from The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook)

morning

Although I get up early, I love my morning routine.  There really isn't a better time to be at the Ferry Building than early on a weekday morning.  Usually bustling with activity, in the morning it's just me, a few employees, and the amazing aromas wafting from Acme Bread Company.  In fact, I do a walk through of the building every morning, just to fill my nostrils with the heavenly scent of baking carbs.

With no crowds, there are plenty of places to sit and read while I wait for the boat.  On occasion, I even treat myself to a latte.

Smells of baking bread, an empty ferry building, a good book, and an occasional cup of coffee, not a bad way to start the day.

(Photo via Acme Baking Company)

street scores

Lately, Ryan and I have been quite lucky in the realm of street scores. 

Let me explain.  In San Francisco, and I'm sure all cities, people just throw their unwanted items on to the street, thus becoming someone else's problem.  More often than not, these items disappear quickly.  

Although I may be part of the problem, as I drag my ancient printer and broken down bookshelf to the street corner, I am also part of the solution.  

There are many levels of discarded treasures on the sidewalk.  Since garbage is usually the norm when it comes to free stuff, finding a gem is a true score.

Ryan is responsible for two of our major scores.  He has dragged home many an item that I have sent straight back to the street, but every once and awhile, something gets to stay.  Recently, he brought home a mirror.  It looks like one of those mirrors that used to be a window, it's not in great condition, but that just adds to the charm.  The mirror was accompanied by a game of Jenga and a black rolling suitcase.  All from the couple up the street.  Not a bad haul.  

One of these days I'll finally get around to hanging the mirror above our kitchen table.

Before we met, he had another major score: a great vintage cabinet, which is now home to our TV.  To make it feel more like ours, I switched out all the knobs with some Anthropologie hardware.  

I keep toying with the idea of a new paint job, but can't quite decide what color.  I kind of dig the dresser update on Cape 27.  

Cape 27

And last, but certainly not least, the most epic street score of all time:  the globe.

During my summer vacation, I was headed out to grab a morning coffee.  As soon as I opened our front door, there it was.  Sitting right on our stoop, a globe.  In disbelief that someone would part with such a precious item, I looked up and down the street for the rightful owner.  When no one presented themselves, I scooped up the globe, took it upstairs, and quickly started the disinfecting process.  I rearranged our mantel and placed the globe in the place of honor.  

Then the true test, does the globe still illuminate?  

Why yes, yes it does.  Not sure if I'll ever top that street score, but I definitely have my eyes peeled.