Finally back from a hectic (but great) summer. I was fortunate enough to get to San Francisco twice this summer, my own personal Summer of Love. First trip was with my sweetheart, planned with the idea that it would be our only burst of excitement during what started out to be an unusually quiet summer. Then came a 6am call from my sister in Paris, homesick and ready to book a flight with the kids, arriving right after we returned from SF. Aannnd, she wanted to do a roadtrip to San Francisco as well. When you've been pining for something and the universe answers in boatloads, one doesn't question. One simply says "Yes"!
So first stop for this camera was the Palace of Fine Arts, designed by Bernard Maybeck for the 1915 World's Fair (also known as the Panama-Pacific International Exposition) held in San Francisco between February and December of that year. The Exposition was said to be in celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal but was also considered San Francisco's way of celebrating their successful comeback from the 1906 earthquake. The Fair itself was held along the Marina, taking up 635 acres.
Inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, the allegorical figures (created by sculptor Ulric Ellerhusen) represent "Contemplation, Wonderment and Meditation".
Walking through the Haight District while waiting for a friend, I found my own wonderment and meditation.
San Francisco nearly always delivers for this traveler and rarely disappoints. Stay tuned for a visit to George Lucas' "Lucasfilms".