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On Saturday, Jeff and I did some native plant habitat restoration at Inspiration Point in the Presidio with about twenty folks from my company. Our primary activity was clearing out dead grasses from a hillside that was home to an endangered plant…the Presidio Clarkia…which has a delicate pink flower…sometimes. This time of year, the plant is brown and dry (pictured above).

About halfway through the morning, we moved to a different work area to dig up an invasive weed called Sheep Barrel, which has tiny, bright red leaves. Unfortunately, while we were digging in the dry soil, my dear colleague Susan happened upon a yellowjacket nest 🙁 The way those nasty yellowjackets swarmed around her reminded me of all those summers growing up when Cliff and I would inevitably run over a nest with the lawn mower. Susan took a couple of stings for the team, but kept in good spirits.

We finished the work project with wonderful sanwiches from Freddies…many thanks to ailing Anders for organizing the day. Later in the afternoon, Jeff and I worked in our own garden…including extracting our own infestation of Sheep Barrel, which had taken over a pot. As the light dropped, the afternoon colors caught my camera’s eye.

Oh and this morning, I did a quick spin through Bayshore. I liked these lonely corners.

Look…I promise…I tried to edit this set down 🙂 But I just love the variety of these shots. Day 9 was all in Florence, but we walked all over Florence. Enjoy.

The Tuscan sun shined brightly this morning, when we ventured out after breakfast. Began our day at the 14th-century Basilica of San Lorenzo. Although lacking a finished facade, the church’s interior is bright and full of famous treasures commissioned by the ruling Medicis. Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo contributed. Also visited the quiet adjoining cloister.

The nearby streets were lined with the leather and garment stands leading to the Central Market. Il Mercato Centrale is full of food stands of all types: meats, seafood, cheeses, pastas, and produce. The “mystery meats” tested our fortitude…huge folded piles of tripe, stacked cow hooves, and pale pig snouts. Yum!

The image of the snouts faded and we grabbed lunch at Trattoria Anita. Spaghetti ragu, tagliatelle with porchini mushroom, and a creamy asparagus-topped chicken.

Dessert across the Ponte Vecchio at our (current) favorite gelateria…Santa Trinita. Visited the Chisea di Santa Maria del Carmine, with its famous Branacci Chapel. This frescoed chapel contains the iconic scene of Adam and Eve being cast from the Garden of Eden.

As the afternoon grew late, we headed through one of the old City walls, headed up a long, STEEP set of stairs, and arrived at the Chisea di San Miniato al Monte. A large beautiful church with almost no interior lighting…leaving the interior details to be revealed slowly as eyes adjust to the darkness. An emerging scene of lovely frescoes, a painted beam ceiling, and gold-clad altars. At 5:30, the local monks begin to chant, filling the halls with a magical, soothing sound that surrounds you. Early evening views of city below. Returned with a short walk through a hillside rose garden full of amore. A peaceful stroll along the Arno.

Returned to Coquinarius for dinner. Fantastic Chianti and bruchetta to start. Two wonderful first courses: cheese and pear ravioli, gorgonzola and bacon gnocchi. Two hearty salads as our entrees. The only downside to dinner was watching the last two pieces of dreamy cheesecake go to another table while we sat and sat waiting for our waitress 🙁 We had revenge gelato from nearby Grano, famous for its artisan flavors…very good, but we enjoyed Santa Trinita better.

Too tired to go our, we strolled the city. Discovered a dual-guitar concerto echoing through the Piazza della Signora.

I had a very pleasant trip to Seattle this week, with only the minor irritant of getting rained on Tuesday night. But the rain in Seattle is refreshing…it carries the intoxicating smell of evergreen trees.

As loyal readers know, food is always a central theme of my work trips, and this visit to Seattle was no exception. From a scrumptious Ham and Gruyere Feuillette at Belle Epicurean for breakfast, to a just-right steak sandwich for lunch, capped off with an amazing flank steak and bread pudding from Majorie in Belltown. Oh yes, and on Thursday morning, I treated for donuts from Top Pot!!

For my hotel window of the week, I present my lovely view from the Seattle Westin. I arrived early from the airport, so I got an “available room”, which was on a low low floor. Still, its no biggie…I like the variety…and it adds to the “suffering” theme my hotel series seems to be perpetuating. Oh, who needs a view of the Sound anyway?

And of course, once again, my flight home was plagued with delays. A little over two hours this time. I got a nice apology email from United and 5000 forgive-us miles. I like it when they kiss up. 🙂

Walking to my gate in Seattle, I passed a couple deep in conversation. I only caught a snippet: “…well after we did our FIRST round of Jager shots…” I bet the story gets good from there!

On a foggy Saturday in San Francisco, memories of a sunny Friday in Florence warmed my soul. Text is from Day 8.

Awoke to a brilliant sunny day. Met a charming British couple over breakfast…the husband a stone mason in London with a unique appreciation for the amazing stonework in Florence.

To get ahead of the surge of midday tourists, began our day with a climb to the top of the Duomo’s signature dome…the very first Renaissance dome. Scaled 463 steps to the summit of Brunelleschi’s masterpiece. Winding staircase straight up the walls of the Duomo, then along the inside rim of the dome past amazing stained glass windows and fantastic frescoes, and finally up narrow, slanting staircases until you’re actually walking on top of the interior walls. Popped up (finally) through a floor panel. Met by cool breezes in the face and sweeping panoramas of Florence and the surrounding hills. Passed crowds on the way down…we chose the right time.

Simple pizza for lunch, then off to walk the gardens south of the Arno. Our first visit to the Giardino Bardini…with numerous flower gardens, winding hillside walkways, and high views of the river and the historic center beyond. A simple 17th-century villa sat perched at the top. The Duomo was warmly lit in the distance.

Our entrance ticket allowed us to continue into the adjoining Boboli Gardens…the famous gardens behind the grand Pitti Palace. Entered the Bobili after a quick tour of Forte Belvedere, an imposing fortification on the hilltop. The fort’s ramparts and “ratholes” reminded of our trip to Germany…we know Keegan would have enjoyed this part.

Wound our way through the Boboli Gardens…tree lined paths leading to garden rooms with flowers or statues or fountains. At the rose garden at the top of the Boboli, we drank water from one of several continuous drinking fountains…this one saved us from dehydration on our last visit, a.k.a., the death march. Watched a heron fish for its dinner. Returned to the Pitti Palace to visit two galleries: the Galleria del Costume (our first visit to these ornate state apartments) and the Galleria d’Arte Moderna.

Dinner after a shower and much-needed respite. In the mood for pasta, so we returned to Baldovino. Fresh caprese and warm focaccia rabie. Two fine pasta dishes: spaghetti alla carbonara and gnocci with asparagus and bacon. Friday night drinks nearby. In one bar, watched the final 15 minutes of an American Idol type show but with Italian opera hopefuls. The Friday night crowds were out in force, and bars were full by 11. Pleasant temps outside; very warm inside…curiously, saw three people with heavy scarves…inside!! Cool Italian beers kept us refreshed.