Today was one of the most beautiful days I have experienced here in San Francisco. The sun was shining — even in the often cloudy Richmond District, where we live — there was a warm breeze and all of the trees and plants were blooming. The air smelled the way I imagine Heaven smells, if you believe in that sort of thing.

In short, there was no way in hell I was going to set foot in the YMCA to get my workout done today.

Instead I took the loveliest of all walks with my friend Kristi, who is battling through day two of the Can Can Cleanse. For someone who hasn’t eaten a morsel of food in almost 48 hours, she was remarkably good company.

We walked roughly 2.4 miles, according to my Google Maps calculations. Here was our route (one way, since I still can figure out how to map it round-trip):

I wish you all could have taken this walk with us. In lieu of the real thing, I have documented some of what we saw along the way. Join me, won’t you?

People say that Ice Plants are invasive. I think they are beautiful.

The lupins are in bloom. Oh, the lupins!

This view makes me think, “I can’t believe I live here!” every time I step onto Baker Beach.

These little birds spend all day out running the waves and frolicking in the foam. It’s a nice gig if you can get it.

“Go into the light. There is peace and serenity in the light.” (A joke only my sister will get.)

Forget a pedicure. Sand is is nature’s pumice stone.

The path home.