power station

I toured the old Potrero power station -- the one with the enormous natural gas turbine that sits right on the water, about a quarter mile off of Illinois St. A private developer is proposing to convert the old plant into a hotel and build housing and retail around it. And contribute a strip of the coastline to the Blue Greenway, of course.

It was fascinating. I've already forgotten most of the historical and architectural details we were given, probably because I was so taken by the industrial aesthetics and, of course, the view. But I do remember hearing that this patch of land was once quite densely packed with industrial buildings and infrastructure. There was a sugar factory (Spreckels) in the late 19c. -- the building (or one of the buildings?) is now leased by DHL. I think I remember something about a barrel-making facility, but I can't remember the when or the where of it. Apparently, the water in this part of the bay is unusually deep right offshore, which is good for shipping purposes.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the experience. I don't know if these developers are overly optimistic but they plan to have the site built up in five or six years.

Today I met Nola at PPIC and we bought tickets for India -- $1,600 each. We plan to get trip insurance, just in case something keeps one or both of us from going. But we've taken a big first step -- today was our third round of deliberation about cities of arrival and departure, airlines, and (of course) flight times and fares.

After we finally made our decision -- Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, with extra legroom seats -- we went to Chinatown for a late lunch. Now it's sometime after 7pm and I'm semi-hungry, but I don't feel like making anything. Crackers with cheese and sliced tomatoes, perhaps?