surprise! it's a secret island

Last week was my birthday, and to celebrate Ryan planned a surprise date. We hopped on our bikes and headed to, of all places, Fisherman's Wharf. I was convinced that he was taking me to Ripley's Believe It or Not. I would not have been disappointed. But, he had other plans. We queued up at a little pier next to the sea lions, boarded a small vessel, and made the 2 minute journey to Forbes Island. An island that after nearly a decade living in the city, somehow managed to evade my awareness.

Originally a bachelor pad in Sausalito, Forbes Island now houses the coziest restaurant I've ever set foot in. The kitsch factor is high. There is a lighthouse to climb, pirates to admire, and sailor paraphernalia is scattered throughout. The restaurant itself is slightly submerged in the Bay. Fish periodically swim past the cloudy windows, as you sway with the waves.

The wait staff were friendly, and even treated us to dessert and two bonus glasses of wine. We ended up closing down the restaurant and took the boat back with the staff.

Don't let the notion of Fisherman's Wharf scare you away. Apparently they feed mostly locals, and I can see why. It's a weird, quirky place with delicious food.

 Ryan definitely wins the prize for most unexpected and surprising date night.

(Photo via Forbes Island Facebook Page)

emigrant wilderness

For Memorial Day weekend, Ryan and I headed out of town to do a bit of camping. To try something new, we went east to Emigrant Wilderness in Stanislaus National Forest. Even though we managed to leave town early, we were still running late. Maybe it was because of our stop to check out the Bass Pro Shop. That place is more intense than Disney Land.

Post horsing around at the Pro Shop, we continued on our merry way. We were planning on hiking into Relief Reservoir. The trail begins at Kennedy Meadows, where there are car camping spots, little cabins, horses, a restaurant, and a bodega. Our hike in was about 7 miles, and we left Kennedy Meadows around 5:30. Since it stays light so late, we were fine on time. The hike to the reservoir is strenuous. The trail relentlessly winds up steep and rugged terrain. Our map had a misprint, which left us momentarily lost and confused, but we sorted out directionality after just a 1/2 mile misstep. FYI, you go over two footbridges, not just one.

We hiked to the south end of the reservoir, then left trail to find a camping spot. In order to be near the water, it is necessary to leave the trail, but it's easy enough to find again. We found a great spot, near the creek and with a view of the water. The best part about Emigrant Wilderness is that you can have a campfire. There is plenty of wood to collect in the nearby forest. 

After a chilly night, we awoke to a blazing hot morning. We gathered the necessary items for a day hike and set off to explore the area. Since it was hot, we were drinking water like fish, but there are plenty of creeks as you go, so finding water was a breeze. We just needed to treat it.

We continued south on the trail for another 4 miles. We caught views of the surrounding snowy mountains, a few waterfalls, and the reservoir. The trail continues uphill, so it was another day of strenuous hiking. 

After two big hiking days, we devoured our dinners and then indulged in some hot chocolate with bourbon. Not a bad campfire treat.

On Monday morning, the reservoir was glassy and still. We took in the sights before we packed up and said good-bye.

With sequoias, campfires, and proximity to San Francisco, the Emigrant Wilderness has a lot going for it. Just make sure to bring the deet.