Mission Cliffs, Dolores Park, Bi-Rite Creamery

Part of the gym was being re-routed!

Today has been my ideal version of a day off from work. (Well, I did work for 2 hours this morning, but we'll pretend). Mission Cliffs is a fantastic indoor climbing gym. I met up with a coworker, F, and we spent 3 hours maneuvering up the walls. So, I have been here once before, about 10 months ago. It is such a fun way to work muscles you never even knew could ache; and my upper body definitely felt it. I'm going to try to go more often, so F doesn't have to keep re-teaching me the knots to tie in, and in order to climb to the top on the ones that my arms just couldn't handle.

What better way to follow a healthy morning than to enjoy lunch in the sunshine? We bought a few items at Bi-Rite grocery before heading to relax for 3 hours in the sun at Dolores park. If you live in San Francisco and have never been to this park, you are missing one of the best places in the city. People from all walks of life come to picnic and socialize and take advantage of gorgeous days like today.  You'll see more than a few interesting characters, people selling food and otherwise, and those who want to share their musical selection with the entire park. I may or may not have taken a nap.

Refreshed, we stopped at Bi-Rite ice cream. Normally, the line wraps around the corner. Luckily, we only had to wait 10 minutes. Amazing. They have gluten free cones and vegan ice cream, as well as all the dairy, sugary stuff we all love. I forgot the names of my flavors: 1. Involved peanut butter and chocolate 2. Something with cinnamon and snickerdoodle. Go there. Worth it.

Now a quick break/shower before seeing Oz. So excited!!

Crunch

My Friday night may have been slightly healthier than your Friday night.  I joined my friend at her gym for a kickboxing class. I'm definitely one of those people that gets so much more out of a work out when there is an instructor pushing me on - so it seemed like a great idea. Crunch is a gym that I previously categorized with a weight watchers / 40 to 50 year old women getting their work out on with strength in numbers....

Wrong. Total opposite. The gym has bright, lively colors and the class was both effective and fun! The manager was nice and helpful even when I explained I was not interested in a membership at this time. We attended kickboxing with Roberto who I now love and would religiously go to his classes if I was a member. (Maybe it was because he told me I'm a natural, always a motivator! ). Crunch is much smaller and more personalized than my large city feel gym.  And much, much cleaner. Scattered about the walls are fun,  uplifting,  and motivational phrases such as "Objects in mirror are more fabulous than they appear," or something to that effect. It definitely didn't hurt that this particular location looks out over the beautifully lit Bay Bridge. I will definitely take advantage of my 5 day pass.

I am satisfied with my gym (24) for now. Especially when my boyfriend and I enjoy piña coladas in the sauna (shh don't tell! ) and pretend we are on vacation :) I have another 18 months on it and maybe can upgrade to the more personalized feel that is Crunch when all is said and done.

By the way, I'm more than over calling him "my boyfriend," so from now on he is "D." And while I'm at it,  this same friend I've been referring to will be mentioned with frequency,  so let's call her "R."

D & R - forgive me in advanced if I accidentally use your full names :)