I haven’t lived in SF for over 10 years, but I still recall the Golden Gate Bridge fondly. I lived in the Sunset district, but I could still see the bridge from the top of my street.
I participated in two major events there:
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“Hands across the Golden Gate Bridge”. I don’t remember the date, but it was the day before “Hands across America”. I was in 8th grade, and it was very cool. There was a guy dressed in the Darth Vader costume, who I was told was the actual actor. (Don’t know which one, just not James Earl Jones). I still have a picture of him choking me.
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The other big event was the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate bridge, which I describe in this thread:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=53631
Anyone else at either of those events?
Will you accept Golden Gate Bridge memories from those of us who weren’t at those events also?
A few years ago, my ladyfriend (who is now my wife, BTW) and I were on holiday in San Francisco for a few days. Owing to a mixup at the rental car desk, the small affordable econobox we had booked was unavailable, and we were given a late-model Mustang convertible instead. Of course, we had no complaints about the switch!
Anyway, we were driving north across the Golden Gate Bridge with me at the wheel, when my ladyfriend decided to take some photos. We had the car top down, so she unbuckled her seat belt and sat up on the back of the car. Not the smartest move and one should never do such a thing, but she did get some great photos–including one of me hollering at her to get back in the car. Thankfully, after a few minutes, she did, and was safe again.
Of course now, when we see the Golden Gate Bridge on TV or in a movie, all we can both think of is the time she crossed it on the car, instead of in it.
And we’ve decided that if we find ourselves in San Francisco again, we will rent another convertible. But this time, she must agree to stay in her seat when we drive across the bridge. She’s a very special lady and I sure don’t want to lose her!