Union Square, not very far from our hotel, gives the area it's identifier.
One of those pesky and famous San Francisco cablecar trams. We will ride them tomorrow (Wednesday), and will give a full report in a future issue.
Wierd building in San Francisco. It has items of furniture attached to its exterior facades. It is derelict and boarded up.
The view over the Bay this morning. Note the famous San Francisco fog. It was still ther - along with smoke from the huge bushfires still burning - when we returned in the afternoon (see below).
This is the view from Sosilito, down by the shore of the bay, northside of the bridge.
This is where we wanted to have breakfast at Sosilito, but the place was closed.
When we arrived at our breakfast stop, so did the paramedics! We were wondering if it was something someone ate, but it was a CVA. The paramedics (firies) were very effective and efficient. They had one of the best guerneys that I have ever seen.
This is the interior of the cafe. Run by three hispanic blokes very effectively. The food is good too.
The exterior of the "Lighthouse" cafe.
The Zenith CH701 that I went flying in and flew (bewdy!!!!)
Same.
Interior shot of the panel.
Seats.
Belting in for the ride.
Belted in and ready to go!
Taxying out.
More taxying.
Take off! Doug was flying, not me, at this stage.
Landing - mine - and passable. I was going a bit quick for it to be classified as "good".
Taxying back in.
Preparing to dismount.
Dismounting. You can't see the "welded on" grin. We flew all over the place and it was fabulous!
Our hire car for the day - a Mustang convertible - was a touch of class, sorta. They are a very average car in my opinion.
More of the same. We are thinking of changing Maureens name to "Sally". She likes Mustangs.
On the way back in the arvo, the Golden Gate bridge. Note the fog and smog from the fires.
Alcatraz from the lookout point
Ditto.
The bay in fog - I think.
From the rear of the tram looking forward. The driver or engineman works hard - physically - on the large levers for applying traction on the cable and the brakes. The brakeman at the rear applies brakes to control the tram on downhill sections.
Down at the Fishermans Wharf area. It's full of life, vibrant, friendly, wonderful slice of San Francisco. A "must see" if you come here. Better yet, stay on this side of the hill - lots to see and do - and eat. The seafood chowder is world famous and delicious.
More of the Fishermans Wharf area.
The port of San Francisco is a big and busy place. Lots of big ships pass close to the Fishermans Wharf every day.
Maureen and two bronze dolphins at the wharf.
Pier 31 is just full of all sorts of shops and eateries - and a big merry-go-round.
The Merry-go-round at pier 31
Horses and stuff.
From the wharf, the Golden Gate bridge
Alcatraz from the wharf
Moi at the back end of pier 31
Some say I should never have escaped from that island in the background..................
One of the various and interesting trams in this city.
We waited for a cablecar for about 30minutes just up the hill from the wharf. The hills are steeper than they look here.
Looking up the hill from the tramstop.
M on the brakemans platform on the rear of the tram. She was having an absolute ball. She laughed till she cried at the antics of Jose, the brakeman.
The entry to the Navy Pier from the bus stop after our arrival. The Chicago public transport system is fantastic.
The interior of the Navy Pier (just inside the door). We didn't know what to expect, but it was full of people having fun.
A free stage show for the kids inside the pier.
Ditto from above. The kids seemed to love it.
Maureen at the Navy Pier, Chicago, standing under a fountain of water jets which were passing right over the top of her.
JB likewise
The very large ferris wheel at the Navy Pier.
A view of the central city of Chicago from the ferris wheel.
A view of the Navy Pier from one of the gondolas of the ferris wheel.
Another city view.
A merry-go-round on the pier from the ferris wheel.
A Chicago Fire Department pumper (red boat) and the water supply authority service boat (blue) opposite the Navy Pier.
Speed boats docked at the Navy Pier, ready for paying customers to take along the waterfront at high speed. We didn't go.
Statues on the dockside.
A sailing ship departing the harbour with paying passengers. For David and Deb, the lighthouse may be of interest.
A stained glass museam on the pier had some fantastic stained glass windows and glass artwork.
More stained glass.
A rock band performing a free gig on the dockside. Just as well it was free.
That pesky sailing ship coming back - and the lighthouse again.
The city skyline again, from the back of the Navy Pier this time.
Chicago has free "trollys" - buses that drive three fixed routes around the city. Yes, they are absolutely free and visit some of the most interesting parts of the city. You also get to meet some characters on these "trolleys" too.
A cityscape view from the trolley. Pity about the windscreen wiper.
This is a view of the stainless steel (huge) sculpture in Millenium Park. Impressive, isn't it?
This is the Boeing Dreamlifter - a 747 on steroids! It is used to transport large bulky freight (obviously) and is one of only five in the world. It's huge!!!
This photo and the next are for David C. The latest Shelby Mustang was on display at Airventure, as Ford is a major sponsor of the event. No sign of the great man himself - Carol Shelby - but his car is impressive.
For David, the grill emblem on the Shelby Mustang.
A US Air Force Trainer, very similar to our RAAF Pilatus PC 9's.
This is the rather swish entry to the flight line at Airventure.
Another Mustang, this one was supercharged and hotted up to produce about 700 horsepower! The interior was about the same as the car we hired, almost stock standard. I wouldn't want to pay the fuel bill if you use the available horses.
This is a Quest Kodiak turbine powered aircraft that you can buy as a kit. I only include it as the ultimate kit built aircraft and one that would set you back about $250,000 (with a used engine). Anyone care to place an order?
I can just see Oliver in this aircraft! The kids at Airventure (yes, there were thousands of ankle-biters) just love them and race to get in and pedal like crazy. Does Oliver want one?
Look, I have to put the story straight. I flew the CH701 at Cloverdale, California on the way to Oshkosh and loved it. So did M. Then we get to Oshkosh and she saw (and sat in) the CH750. She decided, there and then, that I MUST build a CH750. Who am I to argue? It has a lot more room for moi and M. Very nice!
The panel of the 750. Note the knee clearance under the panel.
Moi at home in the cabin of the 750.
A wider view of the 750
This is the cabin of the 701. Definately smaller and less baggage area.
Now, that's what I call a baggage area!
The seats are seperate structures in the 750, rather than part of the bulkhead in the 701.
A view of the rudder pedals, toe brakes and rear of the firewall in the 750. Untidy wiring, don't you think?
The skylight in the 750. Provides a nice view in a turn.
Another view of the 750 panel.
