From SLC to SF

The quick trip (although it was so far from quick we were entertaining ourselves with American idol singing competitions and fashion shows by the end) from Moab to SLC would only have been entertaining to a human-fly-on-the-wall. By the time we were there and pulled up to the hostel (homeless shelter) that we had booked, we both looked at the place and went sprinting in the opposite direction. So we broke down and stayed in some motel with 3 deadbolts featured in the amenities.

After SLC, came Lake Tahoe. I think I have found my new vacation destination for all times. I had booked some $30/night room prior to arriving that has ended up to be my most favorite accommodations up to this point. The joint catered to all, exactly on the California/Nevada state line and simply across the street from the beautiful and massive Lake Tahoe. Aside from the ridiculous views (lined by all mountains in the background), literally anyone could entertain themselves here (and I won big on the tables). Enough "gambling-on-a-budget" on to San Fran.

I have forever been told that San Fran is the place to be by all I know that have been. I think that I can agree. The rolling streets (aka mountains) are somewhat intimidating when facing them face-on, but the view from afar is brilliant. The hostel was in the heart of North Beach (centrally located in betweeen downtown, Chinatown, fisherman's wharf, and more nude bars than I have ever seen). Carefully avoiding all of the well-lit arenas of barely dressed women, we saw all of the touristy and not-so-touristy hot spots. The "big expensive splurge" was the tour by cruise ship around the bay area getting the low-down on places like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Although that was well worth the money spent, the city also had tons of things to do for free, and the hostel put on various shows and/or free dinners for the good of all. Even just a random walk turned into all kinds of fun and free entertainment. (on the way to Chinatown we passed a crowd of about 50 men and women dressed (or undressed) wearing items such as chaps &NOTHING ELSE or maybe a color around their neck & NOTHING ELSE) Apparently we had stumbled upon a festival full of about 10,000 people celebrating their love for leather. Though I didn't have the guts to traverse the entrance and wander inside, the sites to see along the street were so shocking you just had to stare.

So while I was staring, jaw dropped to the floor, you could clearly get a feel for who was a local to San Fran and who wasn't. The tourists were drenched in their own drool (only in shock while jaws are scraping the ground) while the locals just kept on walking. This only goes to show that anything really goes in this city. Diversity is everywhere. Artists out-number taxi cab drivers. Dreaded and non-dreaded haired folk walk the streets with joint in hand. Friendly faces are around every corner. What isn't to love when everyone is loved?