Two weeks in the USA a pilgrimage and a visit to Google

[Denali]

....and served......

I hate this war and all the damage it has done, my heartfelt condolences.

 

[amaroo]

This was the "pilgrimage" part of our journey- to pay respect to the son of a friend who died here in January (yes - not a good year for my friends) and also to thank some of the people here.

Very moving.

We were in the States when they were searching for him.....very sad.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Very moving.

We were in the States when they were searching for him.....very sad.

Yes such a waste ......there is a new organisation called Soldier On which might make a difference for others in the future.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Pouring rain when we drove out of Saranac - took the long way out driving through many little hamlets and lake after lake - so beautiful. Unfortunately Mr FM wouldn't take any photos as he said they would be useless due to the rain. We drove for about an hour on the interstate with almost zero visibility it was raining so hard. Stayed overnight at a Country Comfort at some random town and drove into Gettysburg the net day. We had lunch and dinner at pubs on Lincoln Square.

Absolutely beautiful square with flowers in the middle and surrounded by historic buildings. Only problem is the main highway goes through there and ambience is totally ruined by interstate trucks trying to get around. Bypass? Pedestrian Mall?

I had booked at the Gettysburg Lodges - I hadn't liked any of the motels, so went with it instead. Beautiful cottages on a large property with a river and nice views. Negative was having to drive into town all the time, but it was only 10 to 15 minutes so not too bad for the peace.

Photos (having trouble with internet so will add more later)

Covered Bridge just outside Gettysburg

Canon on Confederate Avenue

 

[Flying mermaid]

We took advice offered here and hired a guide for a tour of the battlefield - we opted for a 3 hour tour and I think that was good - 2 hours would have been a bit rushed. As an added bonus our guide drove the car so Mr FM could sit in the front with him and relax and talk battles and generals and weapons. I found it quit interesting although quite sad. Any war is terrible but a civil war adds an extra tragic dimension. You can't book a guide in advance and there are a limited number so it is a bit of luck. Huge number of monuments and canons around.

Afterwards we went around David Wills House on Lincoln Square. It is where Lincoln slept and finished his Gettysburg address - has been set up as museum for the address and also Civil rights changes that eventually came.

We also saw a film and the Cyclotron - a circular painting of the Gettysburg battle - done in the 1890s and has effects - canons going off etc - quite fascinating.

Photos (all bait out of order)

Engineer who identified Little round top as a strategic spot
cyclotron
Philadelphia monument
Spoon Bread
Cyclotron with effects

 

[Flying mermaid]

We drove from Gettysburg to DCA (Ronald Regan International airport). left plenty of time fortunately as getting closer to Washington the traffic literally came to a dead halt. As far as we could see a consequence of too many cars merging from the entrances. It was after 9 so we hoped to miss the peak but it was pretty busy. Eventually another lane was added and we returned to a normal speed.

We flew DCA-DFW-SFO. All our domestic flights have been in F with American Airlines. They have been quite good. Both times we flew into DFW we were very late but our bags made it both times. I watched the baggage transfers out of my window this time and it seemed very organised. All computerised and little cars dashing all over transferring bags. The planes are nice and new - makes a change from QFs clapped out planes. The PR on board said AA was adding a new plane each week and it looked it. FAs - OK and pleasant but I think QF is much better - on the whole I find Qantas staff more engaged and professional. Food - on shorter flights just warm nuts and a hot cookie and drinks. Just love the warm nuts (although I am sure all that salt is very bad). meals were very pleasant salads with salmon or roast beef - there were hot options as well but we didn't select. quantities much bigger on AA, but I think QFs quality is better.

On arrival at SFO we then had to conquer the Bart's ticket machine - had a nice chat with a couple from Hawaii who were also struggling with the ticket machine. The secret is to work out your cost and then use buttons to add and subtract $ and cents from the starting amount to get the correct amount. seemed a bit unnecessarily complicated but we beat it in the end. Walked from Powell st station to the Taj near Union Square. We have stayed at the Taj a few times and I just love it. A boutique hotel and an oasis of calm in a busy city. rooms are a little on the small side by US standards so worth getting a larger room.

We had an early start the next day and ours clocks were now 3 hours out, so just crashed and went to sleep.

 

[parsonstrish]

Lovely photos, thank you for sharing.

 

[jastel]

They give you a plastic bag raincoat like the other attractions.
Both me and my camera were pretty wet after a days exploring Niagra...but we both survived.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Master FM had suggested we get the Caltrain to Mountain View. You can get the Bart to Millbrae and then swap to Caltrain or walk to the terminus in San Francisco - about 1/2 hour from Union Square. We elected to walk as we had been sitting in planes all the previous day.

It was cold and cloudy/smoggy in San Francisco but warm and sunny in Mountain View - what a difference an hours train trip makes.

Google is spread over a huge area - all low rise buildings and lots of greenery - felt very Uni. Anyone can walk around the Campus and take photos of statues and decorations, but in order to go inside you have to be a registered visitor with pass and a Google person has to accompany you.

Lots of people walking around or riding the brightly coloured Google bikes. There are also the same bright coloured chairs around so people can sit outside. It was a bit chaotic the day we were there as they were moving 6,000 staff around so many moving vans. We walked around for about an hour seeing various buildings and then went to Kitchen Sink the newest restaurant. There are many different places and they change the menu so no boredom factor. They also have vans that move around with fast food options. Master FM said quite often where he gets on the Google bus to go home, there is ice cream being handed out. Everything is free of course.

Now I must move to the indelicate subject of toilets. I used the rest room before lunch and even the toilets are high tech. Heated seats and the toilets are basically a cross between a toilet and a bidet. Many buttons controlling jets going in different directions and strengths. I did end up playing for awhile but no photos - that seemed a step too far....

We had a nice lunch - portions are small but you can have as many different things as you like, so can tailor quantities to your appetite, without waste. Master FM is quite proud at not putting on weight. In addition to the formal breakfast/lunch/dinner restaurants, each building also has a food area with breakfast cereals, fruit, yoghurt, snack foods and drinks.

Master FM seems very happy and proud of the company. After lunch we used Uber to get back to the station (so much better than a taxi) and Master FM went back to work - later he would get a Google Bus to San Francisco and join us at the Taj.

Photos

Operating systems are named after sweet things and a statue created for each new one.

Google sign - put up for the movie and they liked it so they kept it.

Lunch

A restaurant (I think there are around 19)

Car for taking Street views for Google Maps.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Just a quick finish to this - we wanted to go to Fisherman's wharf with Master FM and I insisted on the Cable car - We walked from the Taj down towards the terminus and I suggested we wait at the stop off Union Square as I had noticed this was a quicker option last time we did it. However no-one would listen to me - Master FM was in a "I live in San Francisco so I know best". We walked down to the terminus and waited there in the queue for 2 hours - I figured it didn't matter, as we were there to spend time with Master FM so a queue was as good a place as any. Of course when we boarded the Cable Car, they left a fair bit of space and then picked up people from the next couple of stops where the queues were tiny. I was gracious in victory and wouldn't have said "I told you so" more than 5 times.

At Fisherman's Wharf we went to visit the seals, walked around Pier 39 and then went to Boudin's for my favourite Crab and Corn Chowder in a bread bowl.

We used Uber to get back home (such a good service) and then went to the Imax that night to see Guardians of the Galaxy.

Photos

Seals
Around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

 

[Flying mermaid]

Very sad on the Sunday to say goodbye to Master FM, however it was sweetened by the fact that our points upgrades to First had come through. I do really like First on the A380 and Stephen and Jayson did a wonderful job. A couple of glasses of the Sir Winston bubbly, a nice meal and I slept like a baby

Photos

Our room at the Taj and the foyer area.

Back home now battling jet lag and starting to pack for the next trip. That will be difficult - with 15kg of checked luggage each and Mr FM using most of his allowance on camera gear it will be a challenge!

 

[serfty]

Thank you for a lovely trip report - I basically saved it up and read it in one hit.

I really enjoyed it.

15kg each? The trick is to take 7kg each out and max luggage allowance back!

 

[rioter]

Master FM had suggested we get the Caltrain to Mountain View. You can get the Bart to Millbrae and then swap to Caltrain or walk to the terminus in San Francisco - about 1/2 hour from Union Square. We elected to walk as we had been sitting in planes all the previous day.

It was cold and cloudy/smoggy in San Francisco but warm and sunny in Mountain View - what a difference an hours train trip makes.

Google is spread over a huge area - all low rise buildings and lots of greenery - felt very Uni. Anyone can walk around the Campus and take photos of statues and decorations, but in order to go inside you have to be a registered visitor with pass and a Google person has to accompany you.

Lots of people walking around or riding the brightly coloured Google bikes. There are also the same bright coloured chairs around so people can sit outside. It was a bit chaotic the day we were there as they were moving 6,000 staff around so many moving vans. We walked around for about an hour seeing various buildings and then went to Kitchen Sink the newest restaurant. There are many different places and they change the menu so no boredom factor. They also have vans that move around with fast food options. Master FM said quite often where he gets on the Google bus to go home, there is ice cream being handed out. Everything is free of course.

Now I must move to the indelicate subject of toilets. I used the rest room before lunch and even the toilets are high tech. Heated seats and the toilets are basically a cross between a toilet and a bidet. Many buttons controlling jets going in different directions and strengths. I did end up playing for awhile but no photos - that seemed a step too far....

We had a nice lunch - portions are small but you can have as many different things as you like, so can tailor quantities to your appetite, without waste. Master FM is quite proud at not putting on weight. In addition to the formal breakfast/lunch/dinner restaurants, each building also has a food area with breakfast cereals, fruit, yoghurt, snack foods and drinks.

Master FM seems very happy and proud of the company. After lunch we used Uber to get back to the station (so much better than a taxi) and Master FM went back to work - later he would get a Google Bus to San Francisco and join us at the Taj.

Photos

Operating systems are named after sweet things and a statue created for each new one.

Google sign - put up for the movie and they liked it so they kept it.

Lunch

A restaurant (I think there are around 19)

Car for taking Street views for Google Maps.

Did you see the t-rex? If you get a chance to visit the campus again track it down. Pretty impressive.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Did you see the t-rex? If you get a chance to visit the campus again track it down. Pretty impressive.

Yes we did - it had flamingos hanging off it which was a bit strange - Master FM didn't know why!

 

[rioter]

Yes we did - it had flamingos hanging off it which was a bit strange - Master FM didn't know why!

There has always been a couple around him. They appear to have multiplied of late.

 

[Flying mermaid]

There has always been a couple around him. They appear to have multiplied of late.

yes there quite a number

 

[Denali]

Another SF hotel to look into, too many to decide from - thank you!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Another SF hotel to look into, too many to decide from - thank you!

It is hard isn't it - so many nice hotels! We like the Taj because while close to Union Square it is nice and quiet - very much a boutique hotel rather than big and flash. Staff are always very friendly.