Posted October 27, 2021
He looked at the all but clean bone china dish before him. "Yep it was. Fine food. Differ'nt, I'll give ya thet but I enjoyed most all of it." He laughed then, well now, if Speed could see the grub we was polishin' off here, wouldn't he be surprised?" He full imagined the man would be, though he also realized Guyer may well be familiar with seafood from his time in New York.
He sat back, "Be quite a day, but a long 'un, ain't it? Reckon maybe we head on back to the hotel." The waitstaff, meaning there were two,a man and a woman coming with the check, and to see if there was anything else they wanted. "The man presented Barnabas with the check. Pike looked at it, the mountain of seafood for the two of them came to a hefty six dollars. Impressed, with both the food and the service Pike handed the man an Eagle, ($10 gold coin), "Thank you, both of you. The meal was excellent as was the service." The man simply bowed slightly, then helped clear the table.
"Shall we head on back now, walkin'll do us good."
Posted October 28, 2021
"It's been a good day," Emeline confirmed, waiting for him to pull out her chair before standing, and not paying attention to the money, it was none of her business, although she knew it was far more than she'd ever spent on a meal...but this was their anniversary, and the money was there, and she was going to have to adjust to that...maybe relax and have fun with it, without being frivolous.
"In fact," she continued, a bit dreamily as they strolled toward the hotel, "It's been amazing...well, except for selling the rig, I was starting to like sleeping under the stars!"
Well, joking aside, she did have to admit that it had had its pleasures, gazing at the stars with only the sounds of nature around them. Even so, she was looking forward to a soft bed and warm quilt...and Barnabas, of course!
Posted November 5, 2021
The days whisked by, a flurry of new clothes, new experiences, people and places. Foods they had never tasted before, some good, some not so good, but they tried everything that was available in the city of Portland. They even made some friends along the way.
And then it was on to the steamship for the trip to San Francisco. A completely new experience for the both of them. From the excitement of seeing the Pacific Ocean, to the actual boarding and sailing aboard to ship, to a touch of sea sickness for each of them. But through it all they persevered. In fact, despite the spate of queasiness they thoroughly enjoyed the time spent on the "high seas."
And then, San Francisco...
"Big ain't she?" He asked.Good thing I got us a hotel before we left Portland., Hate ta have ta walk these streets lookin' for a place."
Posted November 6, 2021
The first day and a half on the ship, Emeline was questioning her life choices as she hung over the railing a good deal of the time, wondering why her stomach was so unhappy with her. But then things finally settled, and she was fascinated watching the waves and distant shoreline, and was thrilled at the spectacle of the occasional whale that put on a show for the ship.
And when they sailed into San Francisco Bay, she stood on deck, mesmerized by the sights that greeted them, from the wild hills of the Marin Headlands to the north, to the Cliff House at Land's End, and then Fort Point, guarding the bay. As the ship continued around past the docks and warehouses, the city stretched beyond, small, simple houses on the hills, accompanied by cathedrals, magnificent hotels and public buildings.
"It's amazing!" Emeline declared, taking Barnabas' hand and giving it a squeeze. "I can't wait to look around. And I imagine the hotel is going to be top notch!" At least now, they were dressed for the occasion!
(This is a really cool map that you can enlarge and move around. The view is from the east, Oakland side, looking out toward Land's End and the Cliff House. It's amazing how small the city was!)
Posted November 6, 2021
"Top notch? Why where else would I take you, Missus Pike? We'll catch us a cab and before you know it, we'll be at the hotel and then, on the town." He bragged. The ship eased it's way into a berth, the drumming of the engine fell silent and the men on the dock and the men on the ship dealt with securing the ship with ropes.
A gangway was put in place, the other passengers rushing to it, Barnabas stood near the bow looking at the city rising above them. There were cabs lining up, as they seemed to come out of no where. He imagined it was the custom. He could see luggage, trunks, bags and bundles appearing on deck to off load.
"Best we get off before the ways blocked by the luggage." He took her hand. "Welcome ta Frisco, Love! We'll have us a high time of it, gar'nteed!"
They made their way off the ship onto the pier where a cab stood just in front of them. Pike said something to the driver who tipped his hat and gathered up their luggage and loaded it, Barnabas helping with the trunk of mostly women's clothes, and their smaller bags.
They sat looking out their windows at the streets around them, the building, the people, just everything. And suddenly Barnabas nuddged her, "That's our hotel there." The Palace Hotel, pride of San Francisco, and their home during their stay.
Posted November 7, 2021
Emeline couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by everything, the country girl in the big city, but at least Portland had helped prepare her a little for what to expect.
Staying close to Barnabas' side, she looked around, trying to take everything in, and certainly captivated by the array of buildings, carriages, freight wagons, foot traffic...
Even the cabs here were more grand than in Portland, and she had to resist the temptation to go up and pet the beautiful horses that were doing all the work, and it made her resolve that none of her babies would be subjected to such a dull life.
At the hotel, she was again taken by surprise, as she looked up at the grand tower in the front, barely managing to maintain her decorum and not hang out the window to get a better look...there would be a chance for that later, and she didn't want to embarrass her husband! Still, it was magnificent, and she'd never seen a building so tall.
"Oh, Barnabas, I want to go all the way to the top! Do you think we can?"
And then the cab actually entered the building through a massive portico, and into a courtyard that was surrounded by balconies stacked like tiers on a wedding cake and covered by the most beautiful and amazing glass dome Emeline had ever seen...well, she hadn't seen any, so she was convinced this would be the best she ever would see.
"Oh, goodness..."
Posted November 8, 2021
"I don't see why not, since that's where our room is." He said almost quietly, enjoying her reaction to the grandeur of the Palace Hotel, not that the place didn't take him aback, even seeing it once before. The place was massive, and actually perfect for the trip. It would be a time she would remember forever.
The place was in fact, a palace in the opulence of San Francisco, made possible by the same silver and gold that had help win the Civil War. The wealth of several men built the city to it's greatness. Now it was the oyster from which Em could pluck the oyster of a lifetime. Entering the hotel by way of the portico had made her exclaim, "Oh, goodness..."
Ain't it grand Em? Ain't it grand!" He exclaimed. "Not nothin' like this in Montana, no place!" And that was correct. Even with the silver dug out of Virginia City Montana, there was no place quite like San Francisco. And the city has so much to see and do, 'sides the shoppin' cuz you ain't got that trunk half full yet." He ;laughed as the coachman came around to let them out.
Stepping from the cab and holding out a hand for Em. Hotel employees were unloading their luggage as another stepped forward once Em was on the ground and said, "Right this way to check in." Then led them into the hotel proper and the massive registration desk.
"Mister and Missus Barnabas Pike." He said to the desk clerk.
"Of course sir, the Ambassador's Suite is ready for you. Welcome to the Palace, and San Francisco. If you'll take the elevator on the right it will take you to the ninth floor. Your luggage will follow right along. Please, enjoy your stay." He waved to a bell hop who would ensure they got to their room.
"Ready Em?" He asked.
Posted November 8, 2021
"Huh? What?" Emeline shook her head slightly, breaking the near-trance she had been in, trying to look at everything at once, which was impossible. Now, though, she was excited that they were going to get to go up to the top floor and look around -- it hadn't registered yet that he had said their room was up there, not that it was the 'Ambassador Suite'.
"Oh, yes, of course!" She hooked her arm into Barnabas', using him to guide her, since she was concentrating more on gawking than where she was walking. But at the elevator, she suddenly stopped, hesitating.
"Uh...are you sure that's safe?" She'd only heard about elevators, wasn't sure how they worked, or if they could be trusted. Of course, Barnabas wouldn't steer her anywhere that wasn't safe, and there was a man there in a uniform, and it seemed to be his job to operate the contraption, so it must be all right...right?
Posted November 9, 2021
Elevators? Oh sure. Takes some gettin' used ta, but you'll get used to it. Beats marching up an' down them stairs to the ninth floor." Barnabas said. "This here a bit more'n I thought, but like I al'ays say, nothin's too good for my wife!"
The trip so far had been long. The stay in Portland had been both excellent and disappointing. He had trouble with the tickets for the steamship which had delayed them two days, yet those sorts of things were to be expected. Then there was the rain, and that had lasted three days and was threatening again when the boarded the ship for the trip down the coast. Some things one just can not plan for.
The ride up was smooth, and he was grateful for that. The attendant, which Pike was to find out should be called the elevator operator, was a stoic man who said nothing during the 'ride.' The Bell Hop led them from the elevator to their rooms, he opened the doors and ushered them in as their luggage followed close behind.
The boy went to the windows and drew back the curtains to let the light in. Opened the doors to the adjoining rooms, one of which containing a toilet. Another, the closet which would accommodate a great number of clothes. Duly impressed, Pike handed the Bell Hop a quarter eagle, and one to each of the men that brought up the luggage. A total of seven dollars fifty cents.
"Well Em, whaddya think?" He asked once the men left.
Posted November 9, 2021
"It's..." She was at a loss for words, but then Emeline laughed. "Well, it's bigger than the cafe and my apartment put together!" Turning a slow circle, she tried to take it all in, then went through all the rooms before finally stopping at a window, putting her hands against the glass for support.
"It's dizzying," she murmured, not realizing that her nose was pressed against the glass as she gazed intently out at the bay, and the hills beyond. "I think that's our ship down there," she observed, then she looked straight down and gasped, stumbling backward. "Oh...goodness...we're so high!"
She hadn't realized until that moment that she wasn't exactly a fan of heights!