The Dock of the Bay

Robb and I celebrated his birthday by taking the ferry into San Francisco and going to the Aquarium of the Bay. This was low-key fun, although maybe a bit more than we each could handle. I woke up feeling weirdly nauseous, which I notice that I do more often since my bout with hepatitis. And Robb just isn't up for a lot of walking. Still, it was a lovely day.




Somehow, I'd never ridden any of the San Francisco Ferries, so the trip into San Francisco was a fun little adventure. Cruising through the Port of Oakland is fascinating, because it is very much a working port.




The Aquarium of the Bay looks very modest when compared to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but it was exactly enough for us. The underwater tunnels are incredible, but we both found them a little dizzying. Something about the combination of the visual distortion of the walls of the tunnel and the water, the vibration from the moving walkways, and the hysterically sobbing children made both of us a bit light-headed.

Robb was on his feet most of the afternoon, which was difficult. When we drive, Robb always has the option of laying down in the car. Laying flat on one's back clearly isn't possible in the middle of Touristville.

I have to celebrate how much Robb has improved in the time since he broke his back. At one time, the thought of going out in such huge, chaotic crowds would have been inconceivable.




Photographing through the thick plexi walls of the aquarium was challenging, however some of the larger fish obligingly hung out right next to the glass.




What a face!




This is a view of the underside of a sea star.




And this is the tip of a different sea star's leg.

Despite some challenges, it was truly a stellar day!