San Francisco

I have had the privilege to visit San Francisco three times in my life. The last time I was there was almost two years ago so when I found out I was going to be spending a quick 24 hours there; I immediately started looking into new exciting things I could experience.

I decided that I would visit Alcatraz Island. It is usually difficult to obtain tickets but I had no issue purchasing tickets online.

My flight from Orlando to JFK went very smoothly and then I was off to Oakland, California. It was a long day but I was grateful the flights were uneventful and after a total of nine hours on the airplane I was landing in California.

I love California. I would probably never live here but I just think it is such a great place to visit. This stems from the fact that it is on the other side of country and being an east coaster for the last 38 years I find the differences in the people that live on the east coast and west coast fascinating.

The first time I made it to California was in 2003. It was after my mother had passed away and I felt like I needed to clear my head and get away. I decided to take a vacation to Phoenix to visit my aunt and uncle and I made plans to finally go to California. I mean EVERYONE has been to California, right? I rented a white pick up truck and dedicated two days of my vacation to my first trip to California.

I woke up at 0400 and drove all alone from Phoenix to San Diego. It was a life changing experience for me. On this road trip I made the decision that I wasn’t going to live like my mother and never travel; I was going to travel and see the world. It was then that I created the plan to visit every state before my 40^th birthday.

Driving through the desert I found it fascinating to go from Phoenix, where it was 112 degrees, to San Diego where it was 72 degrees. California fascinated me the moment I saw the big blue sign welcoming me from the hot stuffy desert of Arizona to the welcoming hot dry desert of California. The views were so overwhelming that I continued to stop to take pictures and if I didn’t put my foot down and decide to skip a few “photo ops” I’d still be making my way to San Diego.

Once I arrived in Oakland I waited outside in the chilly brisk air for my van to arrive and whisk me off to the hotel in San Francisco. Matt and I first visited San Francisco in 2007 when we owned Bear Gear USA and went to our first bear event to sell our new products. The event was at the same hotel I stay for work in San Francisco so every time I walk into the lobby I think of the first time Matt and I came here. It is a very happy memory for me and when I come to San Francisco without him I miss him.

My body was tired from flying for over nine hours but the moment I stepped out of the van and bounced happily into the hotel I got my second wind. That is what San Francisco does to gay men – it puts a bounce in our step – and a swish in our walk. The front desk clerk and I smiled at each other as I made my way to the counter but my smile quickly faded when he gave me the news that I did not have a reservation.

“I am sorry sir but that reservation number is listed for a Mr. Sikes.”

I smiled brightly again not letting this get to me, “Well I am Mr. Shedrick so we have a problem.”

I made a few phone calls and then magically, I don’t know how they do it, the manager walked out and my reservation suddenly appeared on the counter. Shocking how that happens right before I am about to lose my cool and get crazy.

I took the elevator to the 20^th floor and found room 2023. After a quick shower and costume change it was off to the sushi restaurant around the corner for some dinner.  While I inhaled the amazing sushi I debated whether I wanted to go out and have a few drinks. Alcatraz was awaiting me the next day and I didn’t want to feel hung over or sick when I woke up so I forfeited the idea of going out and went back to the room and went to bed.