On Sunday January 11, 2015 we started out tour schedule with the annual President’s Brunch. This is also our first business meeting of the year and the time we pass the gavel and the power that goes with it from the old outgoing president to the new energetic incoming President. It is a time for renewal and the changing of the guard.

We met in the parking area in front of the Presidio Main Post near the flagpole for a running board breakfast. Walter and Scott set up our breakfast which included all types of pastry, juice coffee and much more.

We had arranged for Peter Todd, a guide who works with the Walking Tours of San Francisco, to take our group on a one hour guided tour of the buildings and the east side of the Parade Ground and some of the surrounding area. The walk took us past Pershing Hall (now a hotel) and down Officers Row and then into a water shed area once called lovers lane due to the long held theory that the water here improved fertility. It was fertile enough to grow a lot of trees that are now being cleared to restore the area to the way it looked in the 1850’s. Following the 1906 earthquake this area was covered with cabins and tents that served as temporary housing. Several of the small one room cabins have been restored and are on display near the Parade Grounds.

Following our walking tour we met for lunch at the Presidio Social Club near the Lombard Gate. After lunch there was a short speech acknowledging our tour guide and thanking everyone for coming. The new energetic guy failed to show. So, the gavel and the power will remain in the hands of the current president for at least one more year. Happy New Year!