seal rock

Paul was not surprised when the seals (sea lions) left Seal Rock when the 1989 earthquake happened nor was he shocked when they retuuned to the bay. As per Grandma (as told by Paul to me) the seals left in 1906 leaving Seal Rock vancant. They did return two or three years later just as they did in 1989. However in 1989 with the build-up of Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and the influx of tourists the seals came into the bay and to P39. Food was much easier to get since people were now feeding them at P39. Seal Rock is still mostly absent of seals.

Granpa's gasoline sticker

This may have been posted already but here it is.
During WWII, gasoline (and most everything else) was rationed. For gasoline there were A , B, and C stickers.One was for the general populatoin and was for 4 gallons per week. One was for businesses that needed more for deliveries, etc. One was for unlimited gasoline for people whose activities during the war was essential. In this last type was
grandpa who was needed at the USO. Since he worked very late and therefore slept-in late, Uncle Joe would wake-up Paul early in the morning and have him syphon the gas out of grandpa's car into Joe's. Sometimes more than once per day and then Joe would refill Grandpa's gas tank. Paul could never stand the smell of gasoline for the rest of his life.