In the spring, I had convinced my daughter who lives in San Francisco to be part of the all-volunteer crew that supports the walkers for the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer 3 Day the first weekend in September.  When I started to make travel plans, I decided to start my trip early – on my birthday, August 30^th.

            I flew to San Jose, rented a car and drove to her apartment in the Inner Sunset.  The last time I visited her in SF was in April 2007.  This was a new apartment share for her with more room and a tiny garden in the back.  Even though I had reserved a Ford Escort, they had nothing available when I was there except a Mercury Grand Marquis, or a “cop car” as my daughter called it.  We unloaded my gear and headed upstairs.

             Since we hadn’t been together on my birthday in many years, Lisa had taken great pains to make it a memorable one.  One of her three chef roommates is a pastry chef and she had baked a spectacular cake.  There were gifts galore.  And we had dinner reservations at a great place in Noe Valley.  But for the afternoon, we walked around her neighborhood and beyond.  Down the hill and into Golden Gate Park.

        Our lunch team’s theme for the 3 Day was Breast-stock 2008 – hippie costumes and all.  What better place to find an appropriate outfit than Haight Street?  Poked around in some fun stores, including the great Goodwill, and found a skirt that I may even be able to wear post-hippie get up in an import store .  We took the bus back up the hill (I’m a flatlander, remember?) and got ready for our dinner date with her best gay boyfriend.

      Incanto was wonderful.  Intimate, but not too quiet.  The menu was interesting with something for everyone – even Patrick, who ordered baby squid with ink – quite pretty, but not my taste.

           Back to the house for gifts and cake.  The tres leches cake with strawberries was wonderful.  Everyone at the place shared with us.

 To Be Continued