I was warmly welcomed by the Fog City Hittys in San Francisco and we
have been enjoying each others company and the beautiful city.
After a few foggy, drippy days (we stayed indoors and played), the
sun emerged and we had beautiful sunny 80 degree weather.

Our first excursion was to see the ocean. I was quite excited to
see the Pacific Ocean so soon after I had seen the Atlantic. Our
ancestor would be breathless to have traveled such a distance in so
short a time. We stopped at the Beach Chalet to admire the murals
and intricate tile work and carved stair supports. The work was
done during the depression by artists paid by the WPA.
Unfortunately, the camera did not work and the murals were too large
to capture in a picture. I am sorry that I cannot share them with
you all but I did enjoy them myself.

A stop at Ocean Beach and The Cliff House was next. As we girls
posed, we were admired by a gentleman from England who stopped to
inquire about us. Hittys are known for making new friends
everywhere.

There was a large crow who came to see what we were doing, but he
was discouraged from coming any nearer. I remember the crow story
from the book and was pleased and relieved when he left.

We stopped at the windmill in the Queen Wilhelmina Garden, but
again pictures were impossible. The windmill is just too large to
see well in a photograph, and the flower beds were empty at this
time of year. In the spring they are full of tulips.

My hostesses were eager for my help in decorating for Halloween. We
enjoyed placing bats, spiders and pumpkins (not real of course)
around a haunted mansion. The girls tried on their Halloween
costumes and I borrowed a costume to join in the fun.

Our outing to Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Chrissy Field and the
Marina was next. Lovely areas to see on a sunny day. There will be
pictures as soon as my hostess can figure out how to post them. She
borrowed a digital camera and is learning how to use it. I ask for
your patience in this matter. The pictures have been taken, now we
just need to get them out of the computer and to you all to enjoy.

Tomorrow I must say goodbye to my new friends and climb back in the
travel box and make my way to Martha. I am sad to leave, yet at the
same time I am excited to visit a new Hitty family and have more
adventures. It is really a wonderful experience to be a traveldoll.

Hitty Pearl S. Buck