Point Loma

Wayne at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

We moved into a Sheraton in San Diego proper in order to catch a 6:15am flight.  The hotel and airport are very near Point Loma Peninsula so we drove up to the tip where the Cabrillo National Monument is.  It's a fairly simply park that commemorates the landing of Juan Cabrillo, the first European to explore California.  The views of San Diego Bay and surrounding areas are vast and lovely.  On the west side of the Peninsula is Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.  Here was yet another gorgeous coast with soaring cliffs and brave, brave, brave young people hopping around and hanging off those cliffs.  

Tonight we had the funniest dinner.  There comes a point when waiting for a restaurant dinner to be served that one instinctly thinks, "This is a long wait". Then a little later one says aloud, "This is way too long a wait."  Then one starts shifting in the chair, glaring at the waiter, finally standing.  At that point the waiter comes over and says, "Let me check."  (which he should have noticed and done already without our encouragement).  Turns out the order was never begun.  Then, about 10 minutes later my burger shows up.  The waiter asks, "anything else?"  I say, "Yes! Wayne's order".  The short version is Wayne did finally get his order.  The waiter refused to charge us. (he got his tip).  We were laughing so hard by then.  What else can you do?  Pics of the day at Flickr.

On the Final Day

 

Here's to Our Next Adventure

Fish tacos at Mike Hess Brewery while sitting at a fire pit seemed to be the best way to end our time in Imperial Beach.  It was a most pleasant sit.  We had weird encounters today.  At a stop light the man in the adjacent car began to make crazy faces and wild hand/arm gestures.  He was yelling something I couldn't and didn't want to understand.  He was driving a Prius, maybe jealous of our classy Ford Fiesta?  When we got home, the digital lock wasn't working.  Fortunately, Jasmin was able to remotely open the door after about 15 minutes.  The bathroom never looked better.  Tomorrow we go the San Diego for an overnight.  The plane leaves at 6:15.  Way too early for a couple of septuagenarians.  A couple of pictures at Flickr.

Adios North Beach Trail

 

Tijuana River

We took our last walk along the North Beach Trail.  There seemed to be more sea birds today.  I saw white pelicans for the first time, and watched them catching fish. It's breeding season and the males have nuptial tubercles (orange fin-like growths atop the bill).  These fall off after breeding season, which leads to speculation they are used to attract females.  I also discovered that near the Coronado Islands (pictured on the horizon) is a living reef memorial.  Here cremated remains are used to enhance and build reefs.

Because of the low lying clouds we had a gorgeous sunset.  I couldn't stop taking pictures.  

Sketch of the Day: White Breeding Male Pelican

A Chill in the Air

 

Rudy Duck, Tijuana Estuary

The Rudy Duck was visible today on our walk in the Estuary.  The breeding male has a bright blue bill.  Very cool.  Speaking of which, the climate here has been cooler this entire visit than prior times here. Only one or two days have warranted shorts.  Today was cold enough (50s) that we cancelled going out for dinner.  This, of course, is because we still dine only outside.  Our minds are on winding down here and finalizing plans to get to Mexico City March 7.

Sketch of the Day:  Rudy Duck, Tijuana Estuary

  

Lunch with Lola

 

Wayne, Adam and Lola at Point Loma Seafoods

Look at that fish.  Boy, I wish we had a fish market like that. It's so baffling that we live next door to New Bedford, MA, America's #1 fishing port and don't have decent fish markets.  Any who, we met Lola and Adam at Point Loma Seafoods for lunch.  Talk was about wedding plans, teaching strategies and travel.  We're invited to the October wedding, and will try our best to attend.  Later we headed for a walk on the beautiful Torrey Pines beach.  Photos

Sketch of the Day:  Torrey Pines State Beach

It's All Happening at the Zoo...

 

Wayne in the Aviary, San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is in Bilbao Park but requires a separate entry ticket. It grew out of the abandoned exotic animal exhibitions of the Panama-California Exhibition of 1915, which resulted in the expansive Bilbao Park we know today.  I remember Joan Emery visiting Johnny Carson on the Late Night with animals from the zoo.  Always so funny.  My favorite spot in the zoo were the aviaries. The colors and songs of the birds were mesmerizing.  Photos

Sketch of the Day: American Flamingo, San Diego Zoo

Back in the 'Hood

Imperial Beach

We stuck to the local excitement today. A beach hazard statement warning of surf 4 to 6 feet and a high grip current risk has been issued.  A few hardy surfer dudes ignored this.  I can see the temptation to ride those 6 foot waves.  I ventured out near the waves in an attempt to capture the light filtering through.  All I really got was soaked sneakers.  Waves galore at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Beach Stones

 

The Jewel

 

Surf, La Jolla

La Jolla has one of the most beautiful coast lines I have seen.  It rivals Maine's and New Zealand's.  I especially like the white foam that remains from the waves.  I want to attempt to paint this. The area known as the Children's Pool, has been the site of years' long local disputes over seals.  One group is adamant to protect the seals; another would like the seals gone.  No disputes were present today.  As we've seen in many explored places, La Jolla was packed, packed, packed with people. Even so, there remained a feeling of small town and easy going attitudes.  We ate at George's at the Cove, a return visit from years ago.  Dining was high on a deck with beautiful views of the Pacific.  We looked in a few of the galleries.  Works were very large and subjects fit for the multi-million dollar homes.  Back in Imperial Beach we were gifted with a great, fiery sunset.  Flickr

Sketch of the Day:  Sea Lion, La Jolla

Ukraine On Our Minds

 

Ukrainian Invasion Protest, Bilbao Park

As we entered Bilbao Park today, there were groups of supporters protesting against the war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine.  Meanwhile, in the US, the despicable Trump and his equally despicable minions are praising Putin.  It's so horrible that one little man out of the earth's billions can inflict such misery, death, heartache.  Equally horrible is the US's embrace of white nationalism.

The park was absolutely packed with families, kids on skateboards, old folks like us.  I just love that this venue is a place for such gatherings.  There were many kiosks of hand crafts.  But, our goal was to visit the Natural History Museum, and we did to see a show of plant photos.  Here's to sunny California. 

Sketch of the Day: Pro-Ukrainian Protest, Bilbao Park

Sounds

 

Wayne Walking the Tijuana Estuary

Sounds to which we are unaccustomed are constant here.  The ocean roars continuously with the crashing of the waves.  We believe this is caused by the fist sized stones that come and go along the surf line.  Then there are the ever circling helicopters flying out of the base adjacent to the Estuary.  They are ever vigilantly looking for people coming illegally from Mexico.  They fly over the estuary and the ocean in tangent with osprey, kestrels, and hawks.  Otherwise we hear no neighbors in the condo.  We seem to be the only residents who sit on the deck watching sunsets.   Helicopter at Flickr lol.

Sketch of the Day: American Kestrel

High on a Hill...

...Where Troubles are Few: Presidio Park

Curious about Presidio Park where the first European settlements were established, we came here for our daily walking adventure.  It was so cold and windy that we only stayed long enough to check out the views and drive through the park.  Then it was off to Balboa Park again.  Balboa continues to amaze me.  Every corner, every path, every wild space offers surprises of amazing fauna and architectural structures.  Familiar photos at flickr.

Sketch of the Day:  Wayne at the Presidio 

2/22/22

 

Cloudy, Cold, Captivating

The number and variety of hibiscus plants here make for beautiful sidewalk hedges.  They are high (about 8'), woody and in full bloom.  It remained cold here in the 50's.  But, we bundled up and walked to CVS to inquire about a second Covid booster and a PCR test.  Seems we need to make an online appointment for both.  It poured rain on us as we walked home.  Hibiscus and more at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day in which it becomes evident that water colors are not in my game:  Hibiscus 

Hmmmmm Clouds

 

Crow

I guess even in paradise there are so-so days.  It was cloudy and cool today, not even a sunset to document. We avoided the windy vacant beach and walked the city streets. The only excitement on the walk was my encounter with 2 crows.  They seemed not to care that I was nearby.

Sketch of the Day: Crow

 

Gaslamp Quarter

 

Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is one of the many San Diego neighborhoods and was originally known as New Town because it was developed with the idea of creating a new city center near the harbor.  This effort began in the 1860's and has some beautiful Victorian era buildings. Some 50 gas lamps were installed to light the district, hence giving the district its current nomenclature.  As we were there on a Sunday, the area was bustling with people out for brunch.  There was no evidence of a pandemic with crowds packed into restaurants emitting loud laughing and music.  We found the restaurant we dined in some 10 years ago on some of the best calamari we've had.  It was a bit off the beaten track with wide open walls and demure clientele.  Flickr

Sketch of the Day:  Wayne in the Gaslamp Quarter

Old Town

Old Town, San Diego

Nestled in the heart of San Diego is the Old Town Historic Park. It is the site of the oldest permanent European settlement in California.  (Of course, the native Kumeyaay peoples had already been there for 10,000 years.) The first Spanish mission was built here next to the Spanish fort Presidio.  Today it is a mixture of shopping, restored and historic buildings, and restaurants. We maintained our Covid conventions and did not go into the historic buildings. But it is pleasant to walk around and hear music wafting and kids having fun.  We found a restaurant outside the park with some very good mole dishes and outside dining.  Muy bueno.    Flickr

Sketch of the Day:  Yellow Bells

 

If the Bill Fits

 

Willet (I think)

The long-billed shore birds are so fast, of such similar size and color, and have such similar behaviors that I have trouble telling them apart.  The main distinguishing sign for me is the shape of the bill.  All have long bills for feeding deep into the shore mud.  Some bills curve down, some up, some are straight. I've learned that some of them can dig down to the end of the beak and then open only the end of the bill to catch and eat worms, crabs and more.  On our walk today I found and photographed the whimbrel, willet, and godwit.  See if you can notice any difference at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day:  Whimbrel

Spring's A Comin'

 

California Brown Anole

There are signs of spring all around here.  Snails, beetles, rabbits, lizards are all out and about.  The bushes and grasses are greening up and the flowers budding.  

California ended its indoor mask mandate Feb 16 for vaccinated people. It's recommended to maintain masks indoors when the risk of transmission is high.  We continue to wear masks indoors and to only dine outdoors and notice that the majority of people do the same.  

Sketch of the Day:  California Brown Anole

Bilbao Redux

 

Selfie in the Balboa Park Rose Garden

Returning to Balboa Park we discovered more beauty in the desert and rose gardens.  The desert garden was in its blooming period and just fascinating. It is 2.5 acres and contains more than 1,300 plants from around the world. The rose garden was not yet in bloom. It must be eye and nose candy when it is with some 1,600 bushes.  Tonight we had another awesome sunset.  It and identified areas of Balboa Park can be seen at Flickr.

Sketch o the Day: Dragon Blood Tree

Wherein We See Jack Rabbits

 

Vulture

I have absolutely nothing exciting to report except that we saw 2 Jack Rabbits in the estuary.  They were much too fast for me to photograph, though.  Also a bird of prey was sighted.  A wild guess is it was a Northern Harrier based on its behavior of hovering in flight for minutes. Highlight of the day was a great sunset of which way too many can be seen at Flickr.

Sketch of the Day: Jack Rabbit

Won't You Be Mine

 

Mt. San Miguel across the Tijuana Estuary

It was the coldest and rainiest day yet.  Mt. San Miguel above looks like a giant cloud in the distance.  It is a part of the Leguna mountain range.  One of the neat things about the geography here is the flat coastal beaches on one side and the mountain ranges on the other. 

Our Valentine celebration consisted of driving into Chula Vista for tacos at Taco el Gordo.  This place has been recommended by a few people as having the best Mexican cuisine.  But, we were disappointed.  We also had to wait about 30 minutes in a drive through line which mislead us into thinking they would be the best tacos around.

Today on our estuary walk we some new ducks, the American Wigeon.  A blurry picture is at Flickr. 

Sketch of the Day:  American Wigeon