When I go to Godwitt Days in Arcata California, to save $1000 in airfare, I fly into San Francisco and drive the 7.5 hours to Arcata. I would not do it, of course, if it were not such a great drive.

I generally arrive at SFO mid-afternoon, and head up Rt. 101, which, if you know the route, takes you right through downtown SF and across the Golden Gate Bridge. I only go half way the first day, stopping in Ukiah. My GPS, attempting to avoid the worst of the traffic, sent me on a tour of parts of SF that I have not seen before, including the Presidio and the National Cemetery, and put me back on 101 within site of the bridge.

And of course, I had to stop at the vista on the far side of the bridge. I know it is very touristy thing to do, but, honestly, who could not? As usual (in my experience at least) there were low clouds rolling in from the sea…just touching the bridge…and stretching out over the city, but the vista and most of the bay were in sun.

I walked around, looking for angles and frames, trying to keep the real tourists out of my shots.

It was a delightful rest after the tension of driving through the city, and primed me for the rest of the trip north (good thing, since it was stop-and-go traffic to north of Santa Rosa and I did not get to Ukiah until after 7PM).

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation. 1) 24mm equivalent field of view. f4.5 @ 1/1250th @ ISO 125. 2) 24mm equivalent. f4 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 100. 3) 43mm equivalent. f4 @ 1/1250th @ ISO 200. 4) 175mm equivalent. f4.5 @ 1/300th @ ISO 100.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, sharpness, and clarity.