<p>Ropes Courses make me shiver, even if it is 90, I am such a wimp but I will have my layers!</p>
<p>the whole thing is though that a lot of it especially at challenges designed for groups or teams- is that they are designed to have people work together- so they can be scary but also fun and exhilarating.
Strenght is not necessarily a requirement- although I admit the climbing wall does go a lot faster when you have lots of upper body strenght but you can also use your legs and a lot is positioning
but are you back yet- or do you still on your trip?</p>
<p>LOL–husband and I did a ropes course about a gazillion years ago, in our early 30s. I was so excited to have done it after it was all over, but omg some of the things we had to do–and me with a fear of heights, creeping out on a log about 30 feet high off the ground–Afterwards I referred to the ropes course as “aerobic fear” cuz we weren’t doing hard physical exercise but my heart was pounding about a thousand beats a minute. But it’s a great experience…</p>
<p>The fog in San Francisco does make one shiver–partly because no one expects it to be so cold and partly because the wind can be brutal. I don’t think Sebastopol will have fog though.</p>
<p>I leave in a week , the strength part actually is not an issue, I’m a long distance runner but I agree patient, it is the walking narrow planks 30 ft high and diving off for trapeze that are the challenge. We will be doing it with a partner , working on teaming up. It is only 1 day of the week so it will make me a better leader( Supposedly stepping into the unknown, facing fears etc) . Both of my kids could do this without breaking a sweat, lol. They think it is a riot that I will be doing this. I’ll let you know how it goes when I get back!</p>
<p>Arizonamom: by chance I was in Sebastopol yesterdasy but did not sense your presence. Now I now why.</p>
<p>When in Sebastopol you should go over to the four-block stretch of Florence Street, just outside the downtown area. On that street are about a dozen sculptures by a local artist (who lives there) that are by far and away the funniest junk sculptures I can remember seeing.</p>
<p>dadofsam,
Thanks so much for all of the tips. Once we get to Sebastopol we will not have too much time to do anything as our program is intense, goes to 9 or 10 at night but most folks get there a few days early to sight see. We are going to spend 2 days in San Francisco before heading to Sebastapol and I have not been there since my kids were 2 and 3(they are freshman and sophomores now), so I am pretty excited about that as well! Any recommendations there, favorite eateries etc. I remember a faint memory of a beautiful Japanese Gardens and running a race at Golden Gate park. Also heard there is an addidas outlet.I still have yet to do my internet search.</p>
<p>I hear that the new deYoung museum (next to your Japanese Tea Garden) is definitely worth seeing. You might want to google the architectural reviews. </p>
<p>I love the Ferry Building–now full of restaurants and food and wine boutiques, farmers’ market types of places. Especially on a pretty day, that area is enchanting I think. Also SBC Park, within walking distance of the Ferry Building, is fun although of course no games going on.</p>
<p>A perfect Sanfranisco loop (if you have sunny warm day): drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, loop around Sausalito, return the very same way but just before you re-enter US 101, veer off toward Golden Gate Recreation Area, will take you through a tunnel, then a pastural valley and finally up the marine headlands and you will be looking at million$ view of San Fransciso Bay from the other side, looking into the city instead of out from it. There’s couple of old forts there that once you walk up the stairs, you are literally within a stone’s throw of the bridge. A even better plan. Drive into Sausalito as planned, stop at gourmet deli and pack sandwiches,beer or soda, head back like I said, and picnic out at the greens (theres even picnic tables and BBQ) by the fort overlooking SF bay and bridge. LIFE IS GOOD.</p>
<p>DeYoung website:
<a href=“http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/index.asp[/url]”>http://www.thinker.org/deyoung/index.asp</a></p>
<p>Architectural review of museum:
<a href=“http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/arts/design/13deyo.html?ex=1137042000&en=a31945ac77124496&ei=5070[/url]”>http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/arts/design/13deyo.html?ex=1137042000&en=a31945ac77124496&ei=5070</a></p>
<p>Ferry Building website:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/[/url]”>http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/</a></p>
<p>Thanks patient for the sites.looks interesting!</p>
<p>You should watch the slide show on the nytimes link–it looks just gorgeous. I am going for an alumni association evening on the 25th. Now I can’t wait! </p>
<p>SFMoma is another good place, depending on where you are staying; I haven’t been to the relatively new Asian Art Museum, across from City Hall, but their collections have always been wonderful. The Sony Metreon is fun if you want to go to a movie. I like shopping on Union Street. There are two H&M stores in/around Union Square but that is mostly fun with teenage girls. And the waterfront is great for running, walking, eating crab… </p>
<p>I don’t go to the City often enough to know good restaurants, unfortunately, but try zagat online. <a href=“Zagat Stories”>Zagat Stories;
<p>Hard not to have fun!</p>
<p>Have to try <a href=“http://www.chowhound.com%5B/url%5D”>www.chowhound.com</a> for restos - it’s the best.</p>
<p>Picking up on edvest1’s tip. When you drive along the road with the forts (after picking up the picnic lunch), and you get to the top where the best view is, don’t turn around and go back down as most others do, but keep driving in the same direction. The road DOES continue; it becomes a single-lane winding road overlooking the ocean, and eventually winds up at a lagoon. Take the left turn to Rodeo Beach and there you are at the Pacific, with a straight drive eventually back to the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy the beach, but bring warm jackets, we are in NORTHERN California.</p>
<p>I live in Sonoma County, which is a little north of San Francisco, in a little yuppy town called Healdsburg. If you want some more great views or tours or stuff like that in the wine country, theres always our town or Alexander Valley, Napa Valley, and Dry Creek Valley, cool places and good food. Nor-Cal is the best place ever!</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the great ideas. I have another week in Sebastopol in April and then in July before the program is over so I’ll have lots of time to fit all this in! We just got a warning letter to make sure we bring our rain gear!</p>