5.1 miles in Bernal Heights

Earlier this month, I walked down Cortland Avenue with my family and loved the neighborhood.  I really looked forward to going back to see the rest of the area. Yesterday was the day.

In the lower right hand corner of the map, you will see the 101/280 interchange.  This is what it looks like from the Bernal Heights neighborhood.  It's quite a view.  But really not as loud as one would think.  Truthfully, this neighborhood as a whole is incredibly quiet.

The area is called 'Heights' for a reason.

The houses are a real mix of loved and foresaken.  This one is very loved...especially by me. LOVE the paint job!

I'm also fond of this paint job.  I am a sucker for this color combo.

Someone sure likes the color white...

This house likes the idea of plants growing on it...

...It must be sooo jealous of this place.

Winner of the most forelorn house award.  :(

This one is the frontrunner in the creepy dungeon door category.

Whoa.  Think happy thoughts.  Think happy thoughts.

Here's a happy thought: a beautiful flower pushing through an overgrown sidewalk.

As I was coming down Putnam Street, I recognized these apartments and super pumped because you know where these are?...

Next to the Alemany Farmer's Market!

Sadly, I arrived after closing time so my favorite dried fruit stand was already packed up for the day.  Seriously, this farmer's market has the greatest dried fruit stand EVER.  Go try the dried white peaches sometime.  Mindblowing.

Getting to Bernal Heights Blvd. which loops the park was a challenge with a capital CH.  The climb up from Bocana Street was steep.  But as I got up there, I noticed this black dog and wanted to see what he was up to...

So glad I decided to climb up the hill because the view was a-mazing.  And so was Glicka, the black dog.  Yiddish lesson of the day:  Glicka means lucky.

Looking north from the top of the Bernal Heights Park, I got excited to see all those flat straight streets of the Mission.  Ooohhhh Aaaahhh. No steep hills to battle!  I can't wait to get down there and walk them.  I also can't wait to go back up to the top of the hill to take pics of the skyline on a clearer day.

I'll leave you with this barrel of monkeys.  Have a great day.