Today I had one important agenda item: a meeting at the San Francisco Decorator Showhouse.
Have you also been reading about it – salivating even – inside of every decor magazine you crack open?
I have been counting down the days till I would be back in SF. Today is the day.
But…
It wasn’t going to be easy.
Do you see that red outlined route above, from the east to the west side of the city?
That’s the legendary Bay to Breakers race, celebrating it’s centennial today. 100 years.
I was driving in from Pebble Beach, south or below the red line, and the showhouse is north or above the red line, near Lombard Street.
I exited the 101, and was immediately smack dab in the middle of a major traffic jam.
No matter where I turned, I couldn’t get out of the traffic. Streets were blocked, streets were closed, and cars were gridlocked.
And suddenly I realized that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was in full costume.
It boasts 55,000 “runners”, all in full costume.
I didn’t see one single runner.
But I saw thousands of cocktail-ers.
This “race” has quite the reputation, I learned by calling Beth back at the shop, and asking her to help me sort out what was happening around me.
I saw costumes that were off the charts. Crazy. I was amazed at the thought and creativity.
Besides not being able to get out of the traffic jams, there was NO PARKING in the entire city.
Everywhere I looked was a sea of people.
So I finally fought my way to as remote a locale as I could find…Golden Gate Park. I created a space. I hopped out, and began to plan my hike, across the city, to the showhouse.
I didn’t even have time to grab a cocktail en route. I had miles to cover – and major San Francisco hills to climb.
Luckily, thanks to Beth helping me navigate online back in Chicago, I made it to the Showhouse before closing time.
Look for all that design, decor, and gorgeousness next post.
