Day Two, Making the Most of the Rain

Today we awoke to a view overlooking the Monterey Bay, only to find it shrouded by clouds. Nevertheless, we trekked out into the soggy mess with spirits high, determined to make the best of things. Most of the morning was spent at the world class Monterey Bay Aquarium (amazing!). Following the aquarium, we left for a long drive, further up the coast, to the city of San Francisco. While slowly making our way through the tangled mess of wet, traffic-filled freeways, I had the chance to observe the crowded hillsides of Northern California. It was an amazing site--an almost endless sea of A-framed attics, perfectly nestled almost inches from each other. Excitement rising...

Our evening was perfect. Killing time before dinner with wonderful Arianna, who you'll meet tomorrow, we ventured into the downtown area to grab coffee at the fabulous Blue Bottle Coffee Co (seen below). Traffic, in the rain, on a Friday evening, in downtown San Fran was probably one of the craziest, life threatening, experiences I've ever had. Seriously, I've never seen anything like it. People everywhere. Vibrant city lights permeating out into the cool, crisp atmosphere. There was an energy about the city that enraptured me. It was so unlike LA, I can't explain it. All I know is that I fell into it's rhythm immediately-absolutely taken. I snapped away through the steamy, watery, car windows. It never even crossed my mind to escape the confines of the car. I love the depth and the energy that my position created. And honestly, the images couldn't be more perfect. And I must thank my travel buddy, wonderful Nicole, who fought through the madness, multiple maps in hand, screaming and lane hopping like a pro; you were incredibly brave! :)

Blue Bottle Coffee Co.