The last time I was in San Francisco, I was determined to make my way out to spend time on the Golden Gate Bridge. I had driven over the bridge before, and I had seen it from afar, but I had never walked out on it.
This visit to the West Coast was brief, and the last day of the trip showed up suddenly. I was staying with a friend who lived a little ways south (and who was working), so I decided to take the train into the city by myself and figure out how to get over to the bridge, even if it meant walking a few miles to get there. I consulted one of those guide books, which said, in clear language, don’t try to get there on foot or by public transportation; take a cab or rent a bike. But I’ve never been very good at following someone else’s script. Continue reading