San Fran

I can't remember the last year I did not go to a Giants game. Last year, I made in the second to last game of the year. This year, I made it a bit earlier and to a game with high stakes. I work with Kristin Ketchell, who's a Jersey native and as big of a Phillies fan as I am a Giants fan.

Section 311. Row 9. Seats 12-8.

The crew: Nick, Kristin, Me, Sarah. Two Phillies fans, one Giants, and one Cubs fan/underdog-rooter.

The best part of the Giants experience? $9 beers.

Beautiful day in the Cove for boats, kayaks, and the like.

Before we walked in the stadium, we saw some promo guy throwing free shirts out. Kristin says to me, "Why don't you go try to grab one?" I walk over, box out someone with my backpack, and catch a shirt. All within 30 seconds.

I saw the mainstay of AT&T Park, John Crespo. He's the ticket-taker in the second to leftmost station at the front gate. And he's a great family friend. Every time I go to a game, I see him. It's one of the best parts of the day.

For everyone but me, it was the first trip to San Francisco, the first trip to AT&T park, and Nick's first baseball game ever.

Later in the day, we drove to Pier 39, saw Alcatraz, sea lions, Ghirardelli Square, and Fisherman's Wharf.

Even later in the day, we did more sightseeing: Coit Tower, Union Square, the Ferry Building, and the Painted Ladies. But we went to more important places like Mrs. Doubtfire's house and the Full House house.

((More pictures are still to come. Check on Friday. Hopefully.))


On the drive back to Medford we made the obligatory stop at the northern-most In-n-Out in Redding.