We left El Portal with mixed feelings this morning, sad to be coming to our last destination, but excited to see San Francisco. This was my favourite city when I was here last so I was really looking forward to returning. We were both sad that today would be our last day with Sandy.
Jo started off the driving. We had to return into the national park to go out the other gate, or add 50 miles into our journey. The pass you buy is for seven days so was easy enough to go in and out again. And the road we exited on we got to see the Tuolumne Grove of National Sequoias (really huge pine trees with cones about a foot long!) part of the Stanislaus national Forrest. During our exit we rose up to 6192ft elevation, ears popping, on twisting, winding narrow roads. It was absolutely stunning, if a little terrifying!
Before we returned Sandy, we needed to spruce her up a little as we still had the massacred wasps clinging onto the grill so stopped in a little town called Groveland. The meter was fed with quarters and it was like a race to rinse, soap, scrub, rinse all in the required time limit!! Was actually a really good arm work out!! And although not perfect, we ran out of quarters so she would have to do! We filled up with our last round of 'gas' and the challenge was to reach San Francisco with three quarters of a tank!
The sat Nav was taking us to City sightseeing, near pier 40 and we entered San Fran over the Oakland Bay bridge which is a newer version since I was here last, the old bridge is still being dismantled! We had to pay a toll of $6 to get over, not bad in over 4,000 miles of driving to only pay one toll. Coming into San Fran was like a dream, Jo was really excited, and it was like seeing an old friend for me. We scooted around the bay, past Piers 1- 33 before cutting in to get the right road. A quarter fed into the meter and Jo popped in to pick up our tour tickets. I then planned a route back to the car rental place on O'Farrell Street. We had to go up a street called Jones Street, which when you looked at it, looked impossible to drive up! I googled it later and apparently is a 37 degree elevation!! It was ok going up! Just about!! But when we got to the top, what goes up, must come down!! I am not joking when I say that as we came over the edge, we could not see the road below us! It was like being held at the top of Oblivion (the rollercoaster) and waiting to drop! The car behind me nearly tipped me over the edge as I braked! Only one thing for it... Close your eyes and hope for the best!!! I can honestly say I haven't been that scared driving ever!!!
It was a sad emotional goodbye, and no extra charges from Alamo which was great, then we had to contend with all our bags and getting to our hotel. Taxi or walk... We decided to walk... An apprehensive walk as when we came onto O'Farrell St, a guy robbed someone on the opposite side of the road! Felt a bit vulnerable with all our bags, but Jo missed it all as she was faffing with her bags... So onwards to the hotel. It was only a 15 minute walk in the end and into the safety of the Chancellor Hotel, celebrating 100 years this year, on Powell Street. Powell street is one of the main streets for the Trollies, so you can hear the cable running up and down. It's right on the edge of Union Square, and in the middle of the shopping district! We spent a little time relaxing then decided to head down to Westfield to Abercrombie as I'd discovered a hole in my jumper and wanted to see if they would exchange it... They did, happy days! For dinner we decided to walk into China town, a take away from the Snow Garden restaurant on Grant. And a slow walk back to eat in the room... It really is exhausting eating out for a whole month!! There was a good film on TV, glass of wine, good food and we were ready to recharge for our exploring tomorrow!

Day: 25
Miles: 4212.2 ... Total miles!!
Plates: 46

Missing - New Hampshire, West Virginia, Rhode Island & Washington DC