I'm just Sitting on the dock of the Bay...

Well, after a fabulous sleep in my cosy little cabin, it was time to set off for the hills. As I was leaving Carmel, I took a little detour to the famous 17 Mile Drive (as I haven't been doing enough driving). It was a pretty drive but the early morning fog obscured much of the views and I didn't feel as though it was really worth the $10 I paid to drive around an exclusive estate where extremely wealthy people were hiding in their little castles and there were 'Keep Out' signs every 5 paces as I had only paid for the rights to gaze on with 'envy' at the Country Club and Golf course patrons leisurely whiling their morning away.

I decided to detour into San Jose to see if I could bag a bargain in the way of a jacket as the weather was definitely cooler the more north I headed and I wasn't relishing shivering my way through the Alcatraz night Tour ferry ride.
The traffic was a nightmare, even at 1pm , but success was had in the way of a gorgeous rich red leather coat that is leaving me a little too warm at times.

The consequence of my leisurely morning and trek up the coast saw my arrive in SF right in the middle of Peak Hour Friday afternoon traffic!!! My Alcatraz Tour was leaving at 1830 so the pressure was on to find a car park, check into my hotel and get myself down to Pier 33. Hahaha. That was never gonna happen. The clock was showing after 5pm, I was caught in the middle of a MarioCart Boss Level on Steroids and my GPS kept insisting I turn into Lombard (that crazy crooked street that runs like an Olympic ski ramp). Multi-story parking lot it is then.

Once I had the car parked, I started breathing again and went to pay the $12 fee to park there for the rest of the day. (Until precisely 2255). I counted out $12 and started feeding the pay machine. I got to my last dollar bill and realised that I only had put in $11). What ensued was a mad scramble for that extra $1 bill. But no...could I find one???? Did the machine allow you to cancel and retrieve your already deposited funds??? Would it accept quarters????? That would be a big fat Hell No. So before I knew it, the machine reset to zero and I was back to having to pay the $12 in order to not have to get in my car again in that dreaded peak hour traffic. I paid with my travel debit card.

Ok, small setback, but I still had time to make my tour. Alcatraz was very interesting and creepy, but a very beautiful location. I can only imagine what it would have been like to sit in one of those tiny little cells with glimpses of the gorgeous vista of SF...so near yet so far away. I have been really enjoying my adventures solo, but at this point I was really missing Kylie and was feeling like it would have been much more fun with her sharing all this.

By the time I was back at my car (which Kylie kept me company on the phone during my walk - I have a pre-paid US Sim card that gives me calls to Australian land lines all inclusive) I was pretty tired and admittedly feeling a little bit sad and sorry for myself. At least the traffic was much better at this time of night. I set off to find somewhere to park near my hotel so I could get some sleep and hopefully have a better day tomorrow.

Well, I drove around and around and around...of course my hotel is right on one of the busiest intersections in SF, right in the middle of the night club/restaurant precinct. After about half an hour, I was seriously thinking maybe I would give the whole SF thing a miss and just start driving towards Sacramento. I came across an expanse of curb that looked like a likely place to park and pulled up there. I couldn't see any no parking signs but I decided to ask a lady I could see just across the street just to make sure. I got out of the car and made my way over to her, where she advised me that if I left my car there, the owner of the restaurant I was out front of would most likely have me towed away. I asked her where I could park and she just said I needed to keep driving around until I saw someone leaving and quickly jump in where I could. I ended up saying to her, 'No offence, but I think I'm going to keep going on to Sacramento.'

I headed back over to my car and you would not believe it....THE DOORS HAD AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED with my keys, money, passport, absolutely EVERYTHING inside!!!!!! The car was STM running and the headlights were on, and there was no way I could get inside! Ok, Ange, take a deep breath. The thing is, when I had to change the trip, I had decided that the Mustang just would not be as fun solo so I downgraded and at the car rental place I got my pick and chose a Toyota Corolla -the same car I drive at home! I didn't think the car could lock with the keys still inside.

So, here I am, on the other side of the world, my car in a tow zone with the lights on and still running and no way to call for help. The roadside assistance number included in my rental was on the key chain INSIDE THE CAR.

The lady I had got out to talk to suggested I ask the restaurant manager for help. For lack of options, I did just that. All I can say is that I couldn't have been in a more wonderful place to be stuck. The manager came out and once he knew what had happened, he was looking up the rental car assistance number, calling the company and before I knew it, I was informed that help had been dispatched.

Next I knew, I was being ushered into the restaurant and invited to come in for a glass of wine and something to eat whilst I waited. I was asked to wait in a little partitioned area at the door while they prepared my table, where I spent a few minutes reading all the awards, including their Michelin rating (2). I was escorted to my table and told to sit back, relax and take a look at the menu. I was brought a few wines to try and now know that I love a full-bodied red. I was served a cream of asparagus soup infused with chilli and told to pick anything from the menu. I had already grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Pier so I asked for just a small plate and they brought me out a specially-prepared pasta dish that was to die for. I was absolutely full and my tummy was churning from the drama of the night so I declined dessert. I ended up being seated next to fantastic Englush couple and got chatting with them. They told me they were just on their way back from New Zealand for three weeks and had stopped off in SF for a few nights on the way home. they'd decided to come to this restaurant, Albona, as it is the highest rated restaurant in SF. I had a fantastic time chatting with them. Once the roadside assistance had turned up and done his thing and I had my keys back in my hot little hands, I finished my glass of wine and when I asked them for the bill, they insisted that it was gratis. I cannot tell you how overwhelmed I was. Any suggestions on what I can do/send in appreciation for their assistance and hospitality would be gratefully received. I'm need to find something worthy to show my gratitude.

I left there with a renewed spring in my step and soon found a car park right near my hotel. Even the fact the hotel is nothing more than a downtrodden boarding house, complete with holes in the wall and sticky-taped fire alarm (in the most incredible location) couldn't detract from my warmed heart and full belly.

The sheets were clean and the bed quite comfortable so all is good. This morning was the most incredible breakfast at Mama's (definitely worth the wait) and now I am off to explore this amazing city!