The current plan is for the First Biennial San Francisco Mark Twain Walk (notice a certain comparability to the Quadrennial Elmira Mark Twain Smoke-Off) to begin this Saturday at 3:00 p.m.  According to Richard Reineccius, our Twain-walking expert, "The Walk will start at Mark Twain Place, a short alley next to the infamous TransAmerica Pyramid building, near the Hyatt. It's where stood The Occidental Hotel, the place where he lived as he became famous for the frog tale and the pilgrimage story, and perhaps where he considered suicide."  

 

By poring over the pertinent Google Map, I've concluded that the TransAmerica Pyramid building is six blocks from the Hyatt:  one block north on Drumm St.; five blocks west on Clay St.  If you get lost, just look up, and you'll probably see the TransAmerica Building.  Then walk around the Transamerica building (I didn't count that in the six blocks) until you see a group of disreputable-looking people that you assume must be Twain-walkers.  (I've noticed that there's no shortage of disreputable-looking people in downtown San Francisco, but I'm assuming you can tell Twain-walkers from the others.)

 

When last consulted on the matter, Richard Reineccius indicated that he plans to be present at the Mark Twain Circle Business Meeting tomorrow (9:30 a.m.; Pacific A) to give further information.  --Jim Leonard