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The Cable Car, the only monument in the world mobile

Thursday, May 22, 2008, 10:00


A short trip by bus, via Franklin Street, leads us to cross between Van Ness Avenue and California Street. If you want to "see" yourself, and once again I thank the cameras of Google ™ , follow this link . Look, in the shadows, there is one who is there to stop! But what exactly does it then, you say? Do not ask questions, and climb! And if there is no room inside, it does not matter, however, there are the steps, it's even better for what will follow, trust me.

In the Cable Car during the descent from California Street

course, and you can imagine, I want to talk today a must for tourists visiting San Francisco, a real attraction is the famous Cable Car. You've already seen in a previous article where I did discover the streets of San Francisco .

The descent of California Street is worth seeing. Set aside fifteen minutes during your stay. This is really a minimum, and you will not regret it! These cable trams are true museum pieces. And what Strikingly, once inside, it's the archaic system.

interior of this venerable museum piece that is the Cable Car

Another surprising detail is the smell of burnt wood that emerges primarily under arrest. In fact, if you want, let me explain briefly how it works.

First the idea. We are in 1869, Andrew Smith Hallidie assists, dumbfounded, at a traffic accident. It rained, the cobblestone streets sloping are very slippery. A hitch has just reversed back. The five horses towing the dead, crushed under the heavy load. Hallidie's father, an Englishman, had filed a patent for the manufacture of cables. This gives his son an idea that will first be tested. He has already served himself such cables for the construction of a suspension bridge over the Sacramento River. And he also found another use in towing the cars of ore in an underground mine.

Descent of California Street: left, Chinatown and opposite, a pillar of Bay Bridge

August 2, 1873, he launched his funicular / cable car on Nob Hill Hill, from the junction between Clay Street and Jones Street. And it is conclusive, since the beginning of September, we begin to build this line, so to replace animal power by cables buried under the pavement. Then the lines of Sutter (1877) and California (1878) are put into operation. And it will allow the extension of the city on the hills and the construction of other lines. Thus was born the cable-drawn tram, ie Cable car on rail, in English.

An archaic system, but still works!

technique? An endless cable buried under the street level, a pulley at each end, top and bottom, with a single motor which drives the cable continuously at a constant speed of about 15 kilometers per hour. The vehicles, guided by two rails, grip the cable with a clamp to mount the slopes or are coasting to descend.

The mechanic called rightly gripman , release the cable stops. It operates of course the brakes are actually made of wooden blocks, which wear out very quickly, of course. On this line, arriving at the terminal, he descends from his cockpit, and passes the other end of the car and on the other side of the track with a simple switch and here we go again! On the only other remaining lines, the cars have a cockpit. They are returned by hand, using the turntables! Childish, after all, right?

Yes, Herve, we are all descended. Yet we would have liked to do a second round ...

This system began to be replaced in 1892, when the introduction of electric streetcars, powered by overhead cables. During the earthquake of 1906, most lines of cable cars were destroyed and were replaced by electric trams. then by bus. In 1947, the then mayor is trying to permanently delete this type of transport.

But under the aegis of Friedel Klussmann, then created a committee soon to ask for backup. An overwhelming vote takes place that requires the city to maintain and continue to exploit the Powell line. This woman has succeeded through perseverance, to keep three lines, because they were already part of the historical heritage of the city. The set has been restored and revised in the 1980s. And that is our greatest pleasure!

101 California Street

For the record, every year is organized a contest between gripmans (including a woman, knowing that the job is very physical) to see which does best jingle bell sound Cable car! Folklore when you hold us!

Also note that the Cable car operates daily between 6:30 and 23:30 and that its frequency is about 12 minutes. You should know that in practice, only tourists pass through this means of transport, which is not the fastest nor the cheapest. It is probably for these reasons that only three lines remain. Furthermore it that connects Van Ness Avenue at Market Street, there Powwell / Hyde and Powell / Mason (see detail lines).

Transamerica Pyramid as seen from California Street

Admit that we have done well to make this little journey still impressive in one of the steep streets of San Francisco . I even just forgot to tell you what we've seen another on the way ... and Grace Cathedral Nob Hill , Fairmont Hotel , Chinatown, and to complete all the skyscrapers of the Financial District .

It is half past ten, and we find our bus awaited us a few blocks away. We continue? ______________________________________________________________________________


Want more? You can find more information and many details on the selection of sites, in English, sorry :

• The full article from Wikipedia, French
• San Francisco Cable Car Website
• Cable Car Museum
• The Cable Car

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Michael Jackson the greatest singer of all time died


This sad news brought tears to millions of people around the world, some even claim he was their "2nd god", some even attempt suicide just to tell you how much people "worshiped "King of Pop.

I am a big fan of the man, and I can not hide the fact that the news of his death saddened me deeply ...
I do not even know what to say, in homage to him ...

Mickael Peace to your soul, or as to his brother Jermaine Jackson said, may Allah be with you, Mick, always, you will always remain in our hearts ...

Farewell ...

Search Hairspray Costumes

Painted Ladies Victorian houses of San Franciscan

Thursday, May 22, 2008, early morning


This morning we open our eyes at 7:45. Almost fat morning! And yet, the alarm was scheduled an hour later ... Anyway, we must organize.

Having showered and dressed, we go down lunch. And we're not quite early. We exchange our thoughts on the surprise of the night who has enchanted more than one (e) s. And about last night, as far as I can remember, it seems that everyone slept well. Uh, it was time, right? No trains, no air, no highway or other noise in the vicinity ... Calm! An address to remember, and as a bonus, it's right in downtown.

famous Postcard Row Postcard with the equally famous Painted Ladies , also called Seven Sisters

And today, we must remember to take special care in preparing the bags for the last time: it must properly allocate expenses to go to the record without problem. Once ready, we go into the hall where the meeting place for the start was set at 9.30. The program

This sunny morning, a city tour, because I understand that there are still some interesting places to see before you leave. It's good, the last coming at last. They had extended the tour of San Francisco by night, and it seems that the night was short for them. Yes, yes, I have names, but I said nothing because, after all, this was the last time to enjoy it. Everybody! we go again.

This alignment, 710-722 Steiner Street, survived the fire that ravaged the city following the earthquake of 1906 and the developers who wanted to demolish

You know now, I avoid getting lost en route. Incidentally, this allows you to read regularly come following our adventures, which is not neutral for me, because it encourages me to continue. If you want, you can follow the plan . In fact, it's simple and it's five minutes from here.

must descend Polk Street to the City Hall, Civic Center Plaza located. You can not miss it! Remember : in 1906, the tremor earth had devastated many buildings including the town hall which was rebuilt in 1915 on the model of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It is the largest City Hall in the United States with an area of 46,000 sqm.

monumental and grandiose in design, its pure neoclassical style is called "Fine Arts", like many public buildings in Paris and the United States. Its dome, the fifth largest in the world, also mimics that of the Invalides in Paris. He is twenty meters in diameter and rises to over 90 meters above the ground. During the earthquake of 1989, he shifted more than 10 inches from its base. I assure you, since, work has been undertaken to strengthen it. You never know!

Alamo Square, Victorian houses

Then turn right on McAllister Street and, via Gough Street, you climb Grove Street lead on Alamo Square Park. It already is! Come on, everyone gets to shoot!

What we first notice is that this is one of the views best known in San Francisco, perfectly illustrating the contrast of this city of tradition and modernity. From this hill you can see the Transamerica Pyramid , the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption , the buildings of Financial District, the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. And of course, distant a mile and a half ago, the dome of City Hall is also clearly visible. That for the modern part.

San Francisco, a city of tradition and modernity: the Painted Ladies and, in the background, Cathedral, Transamerica Pyramidles and skyscrapers of the Financial District

More importantly, here there is a row of seven houses in the typical Victorian architecture, built between 1892 and 1896 and nicknamed the Painted Ladies (Painted Ladies) because of their bright colors or pastel for some, as here. They are often seen in the foreground views ( Postcard Row ) and the media touting San Francisco as a backdrop to the movies.

is the case in over 40 films, television series and commercials. The 710 Steiner Street is well Part of the places of shooting policeman The Dead Pool ( Dirty Harry is the latest target ). The TV series Full House is another example. The house furthest to the left, at 722, was built in 1892 by Matthew Kavanaugh. It was almost like his sisters, being demolished in 1976 before being finally (and thankfully) restored. Phew! In 1997, the 712 Steiner Street (the second house on right) was named "Best Painted House in America".

View from Alamo Square, St Mary's Cathedral, bell-shaped, built in 1970 (center)

This house type was developed during the Victorian era, particularly in the United States. The houses are generally built of redwood, which has preserved the fire that followed the earthquake of 1906. They usually have three floors, a tower and a porch.

San Francisco is one of the cities where there are as many Victorian homes. Thus between 1849 and 1915, some 48 000 houses were built, first from the Victorian era (until the death of Queen Victoria in 1901) and subsequently appointed Edwardian. There are now only about ten thousand.

Victorian house on Herman Street

I've outlined above some of the famous painted houses of San Francisco, seen at our various trips in the city. Some have more than 150 years, yet they are still well preserved and all dainty. They are often three or more colors to highlight and enhance the architectural details. The term that designates them was first used in 1978 in the book Painted Ladies - San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians Pomada writers Elizabeth and Michael Larsen (see their website: Painted Ladies ).

During the two world wars, many of these houses had been painted gray, with the excess paint from the navy. In 1963, artist Butch Kardum had the idea to repaint his house in blue and greens. He was first criticized, until the neighbors began to imitate ... Then other artists continued the momentum, and in the 1970s, a movement that appeared colorist continues successfully today.

Others painted houses on Church Street

I speak, I speak, but I do not forget that we have a plane to catch at all time. We can not linger too us. Fortunately, there is still space on memory cards ... Memories ... And now, we can say now that is gone!

We take the bus to go and visit another area. To immediately ...

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last day in San Francisco

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Eleventh day - 55 km: San Francisco CA


Until the last minute for the final morning, very intense, yet [but that s' in complaining?], we will see (and do) the principal of what he absolutely must not miss during a visit to San Francisco. I named in the order of the tenth stage:

• the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, the famous Victorian houses
• the Cable Car, the only monument in the world mobile
  
• Lombard Street, the road winding over the U.S.
  
• the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the seven wonders of the modern world
  
• Twin Peaks with its view over most of San Francisco and its bay.
  

Larger Map and see the route

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Jazz Night for a farewell to San Francisco

Wednesday, May 21, 2008, evening


A bus waiting for us outside the hotel to take us especially to our destination of this evening. In fact it is less than 2 km. For this, we begin by climbing 300 meters on Polk Street, then right onto Ofarrell Street, we descended slowly to the edge of Market Street. And the bus drops us off already in Stockton Street.

Jazz Night Live at the Jazz Bistro

opportunities to dine to the sounds of jazz are many in San Francisco. It takes place including a annual festival since 1982. Hervé chose to show us The Joulins a Live Jazz Bistro located on Ellis Street. To get there, we pass the famous Apple Store at the corner of two streets. IPhone aficionados have nearly ® stop and not with us ... But it was almost closing time. The

Joulins is defined as a restaurant with French and Mediterranean cuisine. You have to start to get used to gently fried steak, right? The meal was very friendly and appreciated by all in a festive atmosphere.

San Francisco and Bay Bridge

10:20 p.m., already. Leaving the restaurant, we discover, parked in the street, a collection of limousines, white and black, and we're eager to photograph them before they start every few minutes later. We thought it already, and some (s) of us were ready (s) to pretend to be up, why not take the opportunity to dream a little?

But we left quietly walk to the corner of Powell Street. Here is one of the plates Barbary Coast Trail a marked path of bronze medallions that can discover, on foot, the main historical sites of the city of San Francisco.

Then we arrive on Ofarrell Street where we meet again with surprise limousines. Surprise is the right word, by the way, because we invite Hervé take place. Sorry, for those who read these lines, and that it will not be truly surprised if it offers this special evening ... That said, please, you do not often get to see a parade of six limousines through the streets of San Francisco, and especially to be a part!

limousines outside the restaurant ...

And so we will first have to go to the Embarcadero for a first photo stop at the foot of the Bay Bridge. Then our drivers travel the first part of the bridge, until Treasure Island, where we make a second stop.

This artificial island was created in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition, by extracting the rubble and materials of the bay, and dug the tunnel through Yerba Buena Island and to which it is connected by an isthmus. It is here that develops a draft green utopia, a city without cars.

San Francisco view from Treasure Island

And there is also wonder, enhanced by - the ultimate surprise - a glass of champagne, tasted delighted with the view of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco illuminated. It's magical and beautifully that it closed last evening. Thank you again to Herve that convinced us to participate.

Then it just before midnight that limousines stop in front of our hotel where we will sleep, eyes still full of twinkling lights ...