From now until the RWA National Conference ends August 3, I plan to post daily about events here in San Francisco. If the mood strikes, please take a minute or two to comment. To other writers attending, please share a link to your own blog posts about RWA National.

I had mentioned to my son that we wanted to walk along the Pacific.On Saturday the four of us drove to Santa Cruz.An hour and a half drive down Highway 280 took us along the San Andreas fault line, a pretty drive through winding mountain roads.

We arrived at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk around 10 am. The ocean called and our feet sunk into the soft sand.We dipped our toes into the frigid water.Waves rolled in and we breathed in the gentle salt air.Not many people actually swim in the Pacific; it’s too cold.But as the day progressed, the beach filled and some brave souls waded in. (Photo by Urso Chappell.)

We took a long walk out on the pier to visit shops and the sea lions.The large animals rest on the supports beneath the pier and their barking echoed through the air.We left the pier and the Boardwalk and drove into downtown Santa Cruz for lunch at the Saturn Café, a delightfully funky vegetarian restaurant, then visited a few shops before driving back to San Francisco.

We made it to the City in time to change into warmer clothing then race for the trolley.It took us down Market Street to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39.There we boarded a catamaran for our sunset cruise of the San Francisco Bay.

The Captain took us out into Bay, around Alcatraz Island, then on toward the Golden Gate Bridge.Despite the cold, our jackets, cups of hot chocolate, and the sheer exhilaration of the cruise kept us feeling warm.

If you are attending this year’s RWA Conference, try to work in a Bay Cruise on the Adventure Cat. Truly memorable. You will need to make advance reservations at their site.

Hot soup in sourdough bread bowls at Boudin’s and a stroll through Pier 39’s shops wound up our day.

Weather remains in the 60’s and sunny. Here’s the updated ten-day forecast.

Oh, just received a link from Blogging National. In it, Jude lists other posts discussing RWA’s Conference. Looks like LOTS of helpful info for conference attendees!

Please check back here tomorrow.