Walk #1

First set of stairways on our adventure!!

Starting out our FIRST set - with the book!!

I've recently learned about the Lyon Street stairway in San Francisco. I've incorporated them into my weekly runs and really enjoy the beautiful gardens, spectacular views and the challenge they bring! After talking to a neighbor, she told me of a book titled, 'Stairway Walks in San Francisco' by Adah Bakalinsky. I got really excited!! There are 27 suggested walks that have stairways, views and beautiful gardens all over the city!! OK. A new goal: Complete the 27 walks!

So today, we planned on trying one out. In the book it is Walk #15 - Marienbad in San Francisco - Forest Hill. I saw these stairs when Gabby and I had a job in Forest Hill neighborhood. They intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about them. This weekend is Valentine's Day Weekend so what better than a little hike and picnic with my Valentine? We packed a lunch and drove over to our starting point.

We were NOT disappointed! The VIEWS!! See the Golden Gate Bridge?

Lots of stairs!

Little did I know that this was going to be a learning experience in our relationship too! Well, I've known that we are 'Directionally Challenged'. We discovered this while on our vacation back East last summer. So, with my iPhone in one hand, reading glasses in another, lunch on my back, and the book in my other hand, we headed out. The book is awesome because it tells a little history about significant homes and monumental areas of the neighborhood so bringing the book is a must. Perhaps we'll photocopy the pages needed for Walk #2. Yea, we got lost a few times, I'd have to double check on the maps but we were able to find our way. We were able to talk about how this is going to HELP us, teach us to take risks on NEW TERRITORY, learn how to handle it and overcome. I hadn't thought of it before the walk but it was CLEAR during the first 5 minutes. This is going to be good for us.

It was an absolutely beautiful day. We went on our normal 4.5 mile run before doing this walk and we didn't have a problem. I told Dick yesterday that when we do this walk, we are not going for speed or accuracy. It will be a 'walk in the park' with no expectations, just to enjoy the views and smell the roses and learn more about our beautiful city! He agreed.

LOVE ARCHES!! The garden was beautiful too!

On my iPhone, I have the Run Keeper app. Last night I created the route, saved it, then used the route to help track the walk. I think, if you click on THIS LINK, you'll be able to view the route. Pretty cool eh? See the elevation changes? All of the GRAY balls are when we stopped to enjoy the view, take pictures or eat lunch.

As you can see, the walk took 52 minutes. When we paused, I would pause the application too. So this was totally walking time, including the 'extra' little mileage! hahaha....The book says to plan for 2 - 2.5 hours for each of their walks.

Before the LAST descent, we sat down underneath this tree and enjoyed our turkey sandwiches.

Our final steps

The happy stairway walkers

Looking UP the last stairway.

It was a GREAT way to learn about another neighborhood. It is a VERY peaceful area, without any hustle or bustle. We felt as if we were in a small community in Santa Cruz and Monterey with the trees and winding roads. As for our patience in 'Navigating Skills', we decided next time:

1. Dick will carry the book and read the history.

2. Barbara will work the iPhone with the map.

3. Barbara will bring a camera and not use the iPhone camera - just had to keep pausing the runkeeper app to take a pic. I think I can take a pic IN Runkeeper, have to look into that.

I hope to go on 2 walks a month - at least. It'll be fun writing and uploading pics about each walk too!

Thankfully, we ended the walk still being best buddies! ;-)