City Scape: Polk St. Aquatic Park, Hyde St. Pier

     The Mayor visited Baghdad by the Bay as San Francisco used to be called for the annual  politico's lunch at Capurro's restaurant on Fisherman'sWharf.  Over 150 guests enjoyed the event, complete with tributes, videos, salutations, and insiders humor.
     That cold wind kept tourists bundled up, as the Mayor walked across Aquatic Park, past the Maritime Museum, the Bocce Ball Courts, and the bay -facing step seats of the park.  A loner swimmer, no doubt a member of the Dolphin Club nearby, stroked his way across the lagoon, following some health regimen that remains elusive to most humans.  Water temps must be in the low 50's, actually almost 20 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature.  But, undeterred, the man swam on and on, dipping his head and arms, oblivious to his environment.

Polk St
      My friend, Tom, and I stopped on Polk for an espresso at Peets, near Vallejo St.  It was busy, and the outside tables held a few stalwart locals.  Most were inside: warmer.  We checked out the Russian Hill Bookstore across the street.  What a find: a well run, well stocked independent.  We talked to the owner, a pleasant woman in her 50's who offered to buy my book.  And she paid in cash. Nice.
Polk St, at this section, is trying to maintain its hold on the position of North Beach fringe/Van Ness Ave. alternative.  Judging by the new restaurants, old bookstore mix; it seems to be working.

Ahh, the City