Like many a brave explorer of Irish heritage, we raised a glass of whiskey the day before setting out into the vast Western wilderness. A shot of Jameson’s, dollop of whipped cream and splash of hot coffee erased the chill after my short swim in San Francisco Bay on Sunday. My brother Mike bought us lunch at the Buena Vista. The fog lifted long enough for a good visit with our Uncle Brendan in The City and a clear view of Alcatraz.

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