a 1,000 mi road trip spread over the past 72 hours

9pm 10/29/10

a 1,000 mi road trip spread over the past 72 hours

For reasons not entirely clear, it became clear to me that I had to be in SF for Wednesday’s opening game of this year’s World Series between the SF Giants and the team from Texas.

Now, it is true that the Giants have not WON a world series since coming from NY in 1958. As a 15 year old, at the time, I saw them play in the old Seal Stadium downtown on 16th and Bryant across from the old Hamm’s brewery. And then I ended up living in SF while attending SF State. During that time I saw many Giants gamed in Candlestick Park and happened to be there when Willie McCovey had his 1st major league at bat. A left-handed batter he was large but his bat looked twice the size of what others were using. His swing was like a golf swing. He hit the ball so far over the right field fence it disappeared out of sight.

But as much as I liked the City by the Bay, I had to move on.

By the ‘70s I no longer paid any attention. Even though they made it into the series four times over the years I never really gave them much thought. I saw them on TV this year and I got caught up in the fever. I have never even seen their new stadium with McCovey’s cove. I definitely got hooked as they worked themselves up through the play off.

And the City itself was calling me, too. I have no money but I had to go SF. My friend Don agreed to ride shot gun; a third friend has a home near the and although he wasn’t going to be in town, he said we could stay there. So Tuesday morning we headed north; 500 mi and 12 hours later we’re there. The whole town was in a frenzy. Wednesday was game one.

We couldn’t afford tickets ($400 to stand; $1,800 to have a seat.) But what a scene! We caught the Muni in the 4th and went home to watch the last innings. Unbelievable. But something even stronger was going on. The City seduced me with memories.

I let it take me back; all the way make to the best single year of my entire life. And I have had a life time of blessing: present at the births of all four of my children; loving and supportive parents; siblings; relatives, wonderful friends and an adventured filled life.

That best year ever began in the spring of ’64 and was a story tale through the spring of ’65. The beginning and end points are easy: Spring of ’64 I turned 21 and went all over the City all night. Spring of ’65 I earned by BA from SF State. But it was the time in between that was unbelievably magical. I waited 21 years to fine my life’s love and in the fall of ’64 it happened…love at it’s blooming and all consuming played out in what I believe to be the most romantic city of all. The City of Seven Hills.

Exquisite in its intimacy and subtle in its ambiance. And fun and playfulness: Cable Cars and endless variety of places to explore; and little eaters on every corner and Sour Dough bread; and the fog rolling in to draw you together in a way that you become one.