New Adventures

After eight years living in Clairemont / Bay Ho life is moving us on to new adventures. Our affordable Condo with a million dollar view is up for grabs. Take a look at the listing; tell your friends; stop by for a look. It won't last long. 
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/92117/type-condo-townhome-row-home-co-op

Jacaranda

This is a Jacaranda Tree. The word Jacaranda brings up images in my mind of Star Wars (Chewbacca, Jabba or Watto). If you're not familiar with this beautiful tree that blooms in late spring, do yourself a favor and do an image search of this tree. There are great pics online. Here's a link to the Jacaranda Tree if you care to take a look now but please come back to finish this article.

This is a pic of just one of many Jacaranda Trees in my neighborhood

The first time I saw a Jacaranda Tree was on Maui, Hawaii. I was on my way back down from watching the sunrise at the top of Mount Haleakala and there it was. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I would have guessed that someone was pulling my leg, photoshopping some sink flower arrangement into a countryside pic. It was breathtaking then and I still feel the same way about them now. 

It was in the mid-70's when I saw my first blooming Jacaranda Tree. The next time would be about 30 years later in San Diego. I don't know how these beautiful trees hid themselves out of my view all these years but they did. "Jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central America, South America, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Bahamas. It has been planted widely in Asia, especially in Nepal. It is also quite common in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia. It has been introduced to most tropical and subtropical regions. The genus name is also used as the common name." 

Here are more pics from Pinterest of the Jacaranda Tree. 

The Jacaranda Tree blooms in late Spring in San Diego but you will be amazed, the first Winter you spend in San Diego, at just how many flowers brighten the landscape in and around San Diego in the Winter. When I first moved here people would tell me just how different San Diego was than areas just North of here and I found it difficult to believe, but it's true. The climate in San Diego is unique. 

I was in San Diego for a couple years before I saw my first Jacaranda Tree. I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying attention or perhaps I just didn't drive through those neighborhood where they donned their beautiful blooms. Never-the-less, I did eventually find them or they found me and every year that I am in San Diego is a new adventure, where I find new sights to satisfy my visual senses. You will too, when you RetireInSanDiego.

Visit Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery this Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, May 30th, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery will be visited by loved ones from around the world. Fort Rosecrans is located on Memorial Drive, Point Loma, San Diego. You drive through the Cemetery on the way to Cabrillo National Monument.

During WWII my Father served in the Philippines, my Mother served as a nurse in Washington State and Aunt Sylvia worked in a mailroom here in San Diego. Sylvia was one of many responsible for distribution of mail to the Pacific Fleet. She is 96 now and lives in Idaho. Dementia is a challenge at her age and she doesn't talk much anymore about her days in San Diego, but I remember hearing her reminisce about those days. Back when my age was in the single digits I recall her telling me how important and sensitive the mail was and that no one knew where the sailors were, on which ship, because it was a matter or national security. It all seemed very scary to me even though WWII had been over with for more than a decade. 

 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website provides a wealth of information about Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and those interned there from 1846 to today. I'm including a link here for your convenience. http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftrosecrans.asp

Road Trip

For those of you who follow this blog, you have noticed that there is a slight gap in the posts this past week. The reason? A well deserved road trip to the Grand Canyon, Bryce National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

When you RetireInSanDiego you don't stay here devoid of all outside adventures. Of Course not! There are so many spectacular, wondrous places to see in this great, vast country of ours. It's just that, living in the greatest climate on earth (no exaggeration here) you get to choose when to go on those memorable road trips. San Diego will be here when you get back. I have been to all the above mentioned National Parks in years past and most of the time it has been when, well, when everyone else was there; generally during the summer months. But personally, the fringe times are better for me. They are less crowded times and in many ways there are more options.

First stop, the Grand Canyon: It was beautiful and there were not nearly the crowds you run into during the summer months. Okay, it did snow one morning but it didn't stick and the white accents were beautiful.

The Grand Canyon from near Hermit's Rest

It always takes me a while to get out of Grand Canyon N. P. because there is so much to see. I want to stop at every turn-out and hike as many trials as I can. The Grand Canyon Watchtower at Desert View, is always good for an hour or three. The views are spectacular as is the Watchtower. There have been many improvements over the years. If you haven't been there, put it on your list of places to see and while away a few hours.

The Grand Canyon Watchtower at Desert View, the East Entrance

Next stop Bryce N. P. I've never been to Bryce this time of year. If I was in a hiking mood I would have been disappointed because it was pretty muddy, but on this particular road trip, Bryce was a beautiful  place to enjoy part of a day before continuing on toward Yellowstone.

Bryce Canyon from Inspiration Point

And then of course, Yellowstone. I vow to spend a prolonged period of time in Yellowstone in the next couple of years. I have to. Reading about it only whets my appetite to learn more and a few short days never gets me past taking pics of the geysers, elk and bison.

This is the Lion Geyser. By complete accident we also saw the Beehive Geyser erupt. It was truly spectacular.  

We learned from a young lady who waited on us at the Old Faithful Inn one morning for breakfast, and who worked the previous winter season at the Snow Lodge near the Inn, that they open the Inn, deep in the winter months, for a special showing of the 1980's movie "The Shining" for all the staff to see who decided to brave the winter season at Yellowstone.

Old Faithful Inn

No matter how fabulous the place, time away is important and San Diego is no exception. We had a great time, albeit too short, but we will be back. Perhaps your next road trip will be to this corner of the world, when you decide to RetireInSanDiego. See you then.

Save the Kiss

We're continuing south along the Embarcadero past the Cruise Ship port and ferry terminal and past the Midway. (We will come back to the Midway when we have a little more time).

Next, look to your right. The first time I saw the "Save the Kiss" statue I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This pic is one that I took several years ago and I would guess that you couldn't find this park so "people free" these days. "Save the Kiss" is a waterfront statue of the iconic photo taken of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square as they celebrated the end of World War II in 1945. I know that you are familiar with the pic. There's also a book titled "The Kissing Sailor" about the people in the pic.

Save the Kiss

The statue stands 25 feet high and is visited by 10's of thousands of people each year from all over the world.  This is just one more place to put on your list of things to see when you RetireInSanDiego.

Art Glows in Buena Vista Underpass

"A dark and intimidating underpass on Buena Vista Avenue in Lemon Grove has been transformed with a large-scale mural. The project is one of the latest results of the San Diego Museum of Art's provocative Open Spaces program, which seeks to place public art in underserved neighborhoods. Funded by a $530,000 grant from the James Irvine Foundation, Open Spaces kicked off in Lincoln Park in 2013 and has since traveled to Logan Heights, Lemon Grove and National City." SDCityBeat.

One of Lauren's flowers is to the immediate left of the two people on the sidewalk. The mural is on both sides of the underpass with a combined length of over 200 feet. 

Lauren sat in on some of the first meetings with the City of Lemon Grove to discuss the mural and the possibility that she might be able to participate as one of the artists. After 6 to 9 months of silence, the call came in, "Lauren, your panels are ready to be picked up." I remember that day all too well. She thought the artists for the mural had long since been selected and she was passed over. After the shock had worn off we jumped in the car and headed for Bread & Salt Bakery and Art Gallery in San Diego to pick up her panels. Lauren, and I, were so excited we couldn't get there fast enough.

Lauren is a fantastic artist. She has painted and displayed her art all over the world but I don't believe she has ever painted anything larger than a 4 foot or 5 foot canvas. This, well, it is daunting. The 4 foot by 4 foot panels when assembled created a flower 16 feet wide by up to 20 feet high. It truly is amazing.

The afternoon of the day that we picked up the panels our condo, and I do mean the entire condo, was transformed into an artist's studio. Looking at the picture on the right reminds me of just how profoundly our living space had been transformed. Canvas panels were taped up on several walls and paint was everywhere. It was an experience I was honored to be a part of and I'm so proud of Lauren for her fearlessness in taking on such a monumental and overwhelming project. 

Miguel Angel Godoy created the original mock up of the mural and a small cadre of artists transferred the outlines of the flowers onto a canvas-like material which, once the painting on the panels was completed, the panels were installed on the walls of the underpass. Miguel's inspiration and determination was formidable.

I am only mentioning a few of the names of the all the people involved in this project. Irma Esquivias worked with the San Diego Museum of Art, about a dozen artists painted the flowers and even Miguel's father was on site for a substantial period helping out wherever help was needed.

Do you find this story inspiring? Do you wish that you could be a part of something like this? You can. Projects like this are planned and executed all over the country every day. And who knows, maybe  the planning for another mural will be in the works, one that you can be a part of, when you RetireInSanDiego. 

Emma and Tita

Greetings,

This is an unusual post for me but one that I felt was necessary. The family of my good friend and work mate recently suffered a tragedy. As long as I've known Sergio I have heard of his daughter and granddaughter. Hearing Sergio speak of his family, how close they are and how much he obviously loved these two was inspiring to me. When our office would go out for a birthday lunch and enjoy the camaraderie of food and drink away from the office we would undoubtedly raise our glasses to Sergio's granddaughter. It was all in good fun and cheer and it was real.

Early one morning a couple of weeks ago the phone rang with a tragic message. Sergio's daughter and granddaughter were in a fatal accident. Both were killed. My heart sank and I'm still in pain for my friend. I can't begin to imagine what her husband and son must be going through; how profoundly their lives have surely changed.

The link below is to a gofundme. If you feel so inclined to help with a few dollars, your gift will be appreciated. Please share this post so that more people may be given the opportunity to help. These kind of things always happen to someone else, another family. It's always been a black and white headline in the newspaper and while I read the words they really don't mean much except to send the message that some people somewhere are hurting. This tragedy has touched my life, so I must write about it and do what I can to help.

Thank you sharing these few moments with me. For Emma and Tita, Sergio and his family.

Mission Trails: The Visitors Center & Old Mission Dam

This is what you see from the Mission Trails Visitors Center north observation deck. South Fortuna Peak is the peak left of center, Kwaay Paay Peak is in the center and Cowles Mountain is on the far right. The picture below is a panoramic view of somewhat less than or about 180 degrees so it covers a lot of territory.

Mission Gorge is just right of South Fortuna Peak. The San Diego River runs through the gorge, Mission Gorge, and shares it's life giving water with the native flora and fauna that make their homes here, as they have done for centuries. The day that I was there people were enjoying the sights and sounds of the cool San Diego River water; I even saw a couple of fishermen.

The Old Mission Dam was the first major irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States. The stone and cement dam is 220 ft long, 13 ft wide at its base and 12 ft high. Water was released for a sawmill and irrigation at the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, 5 miles away. It is now part of Mission Trails Regional Park, the largest municipal park in California. Old Mission Dam is also a registered state historic landmark.

The round trip walk from the visitors center to Old Mission Dam and back is about 3 3/4 miles. There isn't much elevation gain and loss so it isn't a strenuous walk. That said, when it is warm out, take water with you and drink it. I can't tell you how many times I have gone for a walk at Mission Trails and have seen people walking without any water. Carrying a water bottle is a hassle. I always bring my hydration pack with me so my hands are free for taking pictures. By using a hydration pack I can easily carry a snack too. Dehydration is serious and happens all too quickly; be prepared. There is at least one pit-stop along the way if you need it and one at the Dam as well.

The Mission Trails Visitors Center is the trailhead for several hikes at Mission Trails. Heading West you will access the trail to North and South Fortuna Peaks; go strait up the gorge and can access Kwaay Paay Peak and trails around the back side of North Fortuna. If climbing is more to your liking Kwaay Paay Peak usually has several climbers testing their skill and wits on the West face.

The small rotunda on the far left of the visitors center in the picture above is a research library. The day I was there bees decided to check out the digs, but I'm sure by the time you visit they will have moved on. Before we stray too far from the visitors center, check out the events calendar. I have enjoyed many performances in their theater, the quality of which keeps me coming back for more. Quite by accident one Sunday afternoon I walked into the visitors center just as the San Diego Harp Society was beginning an event. Three young ladies played several pieces on their Harps for a standing room only crowd. It was amazing. Just one more place to explore when you RetireInSanDiego.

Happy Wednesday

Balboa Park is truly a unique place. You and I have walked through many a park and gardens and I will admit that the Golden Gate Botanical Gardens are breathtaking. Hmmmm, as I'm writing this and getting ready to compare one garden to another, I'm thinking, maybe I shouldn't do that. There are so many beautiful places throughout this great country of ours and there are outstandingly beautiful places in most, if not all, of them. I love the gardens in Balboa Park and I'm sure you will too when you decide to RetireInSanDiego. Thank you for allowing me to think and write at the same time. Please enjoy a few pics of mine that I'm hoping will brighten your Wednesday.

Have a fabulous day. :-)

Pelicans

Now, you may not share my feelings about pelicans and I have to admit, I had a long talk with myself before posting about them for fear of scaring some of you off but, well, I really like pelicans. Before moving to San Diego I can't say for sure that I ever saw one, much less twenty of them in a row gliding up there in the sky so effortlessly, one not more than a few feet behind the next, all going someplace. I use to joke with people and say, that "they are headed to a party in Pacific Beach" and as much a I'm quite sure that isn't true, I challenge you to disprove it.

The best pelican watching area, in my opinion, is between La Jolla Cove and Bird Rock. A huge flock of pelicans make their homes in La Jolla on the cliffs above the cove just East of Point La Jolla. I have seen quite literally hundreds of them there from time-to-time. Cormorants seem to get along nicely with pelicans so you will see quite a few cormorants there as well. But if you want to see them in flight, go south, anywhere from Nicholson Point to Windansea beach.

The beach is easily accessed from just about anywhere. Find a place to park on Scripps Lane or Ravina Street and head west. When get to the Pacific Ocean, go left. It is only about a mile from Nicholson Point to Windansea. There seem to always be a few pelicans skimming across the edge of a wave. The pics above are all of pelicans gliding just above the palm trees, but I have seen as many riding the airflow off the crest of a wave. If you decide to walk the surface streets back, you won't be disappointed. The neighborhood is beautiful and you will get glimpses of the ocean every now and then. There are also many paths that will take you back to beach if you should decide to end your career as a street walker. (I know, that was bad. I couldn't help myself.)

Brown pelicans like this one are the smallest of the eight species of pelicans weighing in at 6 to 12 pounds. If you enjoy watching these wonderful birds as much as I do, you will want to make sure to spend a day or two on the beach in La Jolla when you RetireInSanDiego.

In parting, I do believe a limerick by Dixon Lanier Merritt is in order.

A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I'm damned if I see how the helican!

Happy Saturday from San Diego

Cabrillo National Monument

The Cabrillo National Monument, or Point Loma National Park as it is referred to by many, is one of those places that you can visit over and over again and never see it all. Not because it is such a huge park but because the beauty of this park is constantly changing.

On the left of the picture above is downtown San Diego with Coronado in the foreground; beyond Zuniga Shoal is San Diego Bay and on the right side of this panoramic pic is Mexico. The road that you see in the foreground leads to a trail that takes you down to the water where you can get closer look at Zuniga Shoal and the hundreds of boats coming and going from San Diego every day.

On this clear day in April the Coronado Islands revealed themselves beyond the new Point Loma Lighthouse. More functional than the old one on the hill, the charm of old lighthouse can't be matched. Standing at the ocean overlook up on the hill, the islands look like you can reach out and touch them. They are actually in Mexican, not US, waters and are frequently obscured by a marine layer.

I have to admit the old Point Loma Lighthouse is what draws me to Cabrillo. It's light shines for tourists now but when built in 1854 provided a sense of security for all mariners near these San Diego waters. The lighthouse keepers were isolated. Today, it's really nothing to drive out Point Loma to the Cabrillo, But back in the day, when the lighthouse was built, it was a full day's journey to get there and another day to get back to San Diego. In 1854 San Diego was the area that we now call Old Town.  You can read about the history of the old lighthouse on Wikipedia, or better yet, visit the Cabrillo National Monument yourself when you RetireInSanDiego. I will share more information about the Cabrillo in future blogs but you need to see it for yourself, stand in the old lighthouse and look out into the Pacific with your own eyes, to get the true sense of it. I'm sure that you will be transported in time back to the days when San Diego was born just like me. How exciting it must have been to part of it.

Happy Wednesday from San Diego.

North Fortuna Summit

Yay!!!   I summited!!! 

Well, it was exciting. Yes, the summit is only 1,291 feet but it was a great hike on a beautiful Spring day. There were lots of birds singing to me all the way to the top and it's still early enough in the year that the wild flowers where out in abundance. In just a few more days all the flowers will be gone.

I was shocked to see how many wild flowers were still in bloom

Yours truly

North Fortuna Summit

180 degree panoramic view, South to West, from North Fortuna Summit

It's probably time for a little more information. Even though this walk/hike starts at about 600 feet for an elevation gain of only about 691 feet, it is 6.4 miles round trip to the summit. Cowles Mt. is only 3 miles. You must carry water and a bite to eat and take a break at the summit to snap a few pictures. My point is, even though this hike may look easier than Cowles Mt. due to such a small elevation gain, don't under estimate the difficulty. Never-the-less, you must try it. Winter is the best time or on a cool spring day when the flowers and birds are out. This is just another reason to RetireInSanDiego. 

"Act" up

Come on, don't be shy. We'll keep this between you and me; for now. You know that you have always wanted to be on stage. You have been an actor all your life, remember; in front of parents and family at the summer picnic when you were a kid; at the company holiday party after you had a few to get loosened up; and don't forget all those times playing Pictionary; and whether you actually wrote it into your bucket list or not, you know it's there. So what are you waiting for? To RetireInSanDiego, that's what.

I'll never forget that fateful day walking around Clairemont Family Days, an annual event in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego. Jean and Catherine nonchalantly mentioned as Lauren and I walked by that we looked like we were born actors and as luck would have it, the following week were auditions for a play, written and produced by "Clairemont Act One." After enduring a brief history of the theatre group, Lauren and I made our get-away from these obviously "touched" ladies.

Later that evening we reviewed the day and the conversation we had with Jean and Catherine. Were we doing anything next Wednesday evening? It might be a hoot to drop by, sit in the back and watch the actors audition for the various parts.

This is a picture taken at an audition but not the audition I described below. 

We showed up at the community hall where the auditions were to be held, walked over to the room where several people were sitting behind a row of tables and still more sitting in chairs further back. I quite innocently asked "is this where auditions were being held?" Another woman that I had not seen before said, "Yes! You have a part." Lauren and I looked at each other and weren't sure if we should run or follow through with our plans to "watch" the auditions. Later I would learn that Paula was the lady that called out to us. Paula and Sally wrote the play "Clued In" which both Lauren and I performed in several weeks later. Our first on stage performance.

Lauren and I are in the 2nd row on the left. Jean is in the 2nd row right. Catherine is front, left.

The lovely, talented people that we have met over the years in Clairemont Act One have turned into family. Lauren and I have been involved with several plays; as performers, technical, makeup, working back stage, Lauren as a co-director and house managers, greeters of theater goers at the door while selling tickets. We even sang a few songs at a fund raiser one January a few years ago. I won't lie, opening night just before our first performance I was so nervous I was physically ill. But I love it and can't wait for the next performance, which, by the way is in just a couple weeks. Check it out at: http://clairemontactone.org/. You'll be glad you did.

Stretch yourself. Get out of your comfort zone. Try acting. You know you want to and when you do, I hope to see you when you RetireInSanDiego and make your stage debut.

Please share this post with all your friends and neighbors in San Diego. We are always looking for ways to expand our audience. Are you not in can San Diego, yet? Come down for a visit and catch a performance. There is a seat waiting just for you.

Cowles Mountain

If you want a nice quite walk away from the bustle of the city, don't go to Cowles Mt. I have yet to hike Cowles Mt. when there wasn't a steady stream of walkers, hikers and runners making their way to the top of this mountain.

This pic is looking East out to Santee. It just happened that the marine layer has drifted in this morning.

Now, your experience with hiking is probably much different than mine and people from all over the world view this blog so depending on other "mountains" that you have hiked or climbed, Cowles may leave you disappointed. Cowles Mt. is the highest, closest mountain to San Diego and without climbing stairs, provides it's hikers with the best scenic workout in San Diego. Best of all, you don't have to go far to get there. Its elevation is only 1,593 feet and you start at 656 feet above sea level. So if you are even in just better than poor shape, you can probably make this 3 mile round trip hike with no problem.

This pic is looking South. Those mountains you see are actually in Mexico.

If you find the full moon rising as fascinating I do, you may want to try the full moon hike. Start your hike 30 to 60 minutes before dark so that you can get to the top before the moon rises and enjoy the view. I have made this hike several times and would highly recommend it to everyone. The hike back down is almost more spectacular than watching the moon rise. Why? Because all those folks up at the top have to come back down - in the dark. Almost everyone up there is carrying a flashlight to help keep them on the tail on the way back down. As you descend, don't forget to pause and look behind you from time-to-time. A ribbon of lights mark the trail from the top to trailhead. It's truly an amazing sight. It's these fascinating  peregrinations that make one want to RetireInSanDiego. Why not you?

Looking North, over the antenas, you can barely make out Mt. Palomar. Another fabulous hiking destination.

"ART" in Imperial Beach

ART. Many of us like to think we are artists; those of us that attempt to be artists are rarely commercially successful; and almost all of us that actually get our hands dirty doing it reap rewards that stick with us the rest of our lives. Our refrigerators are covered with the art of our children and grandchildren. Our scrapbooks are filled with these treasured gifts that inspire us, make us smile and bring back to mind irreplaceable memories in our hearts and minds that we would not trade for all the gold in Fort Knox. The spontaneous joy, laughter and tears we enjoy just knowing how profoundly we have touched other peoples lives, I find, difficult to describe. ART.

Looking West

To be among the few that actually get to share art publicly, for the world to see and enjoy, is something of a bucket list item for me. I have made my attempts over the years to be an artist but nothing has really stuck. When I stumbled on this "ART" monument in Imperial Beach California, just south of San Diego, it intrigued me. An art monument celebrating "ART." Cleaver, mesmerizing, quiet and loud. I would love to know how many people walk past this monument without ever realizing it exists. I'm sure that many people look at these squiggly poles and wonder what they are all about. They are about you; they are about ART.  Enjoy!

Looking NorthEast

Looking North

Looking Southwest

Quince Street Footbridge

Do you enjoy walking bridges as much as I do? Then you will want to add the Quince Street Footbridge, aka Maple Canyon Bridge, to your list of walks in San Diego. Located just two long blocks South of Spruce Street, you can quite easily add the Quince Street Footbridge to your walk the same day you visit the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. Walk South on 1st Avenue two blocks, turn East and in about two blocks you will see this historic trestle. Once crossing the bridge, continue past the far end until you reach Balboa Park.

The Quince Street Footbridge is located on Quince Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues and crosses over Maple Canyon. According to the California Historical Resources Inventory Database this wood trestle bridge engineered by George A. d’Heuecourt and built by Addison M. Young in 1905 is 206 feet long, 6 feet wide and is 60 feet above the canyon floor at it’s highest point. Designated an Historic Landmark October 28th, 1987 this rare, beautifully preserved trestle reminds us of the days when walking was an important, no, necessary part of daily life in San Diego. You can almost hear the conversations of people as they walk the bridge in the morning on their way to work. How thankful they must have been once the bridge was completed, saving each pedestrian several walking miles each week as they walked back and forth to work and home.

                                                                                                                                                                             

Little Italy to the Embarcadero

I intensely dislike paying to park my car; but I love Little Italy, the Embarcadero and other places in downtown San Diego. So the way I deal with it is to park near where I want to go downtown and walk. This way I get some exercise and pay nothing to park my car.

There is a parking lot near the Little Italy Farmers Market where you can park free for two hours. If you are just going to the Farmers Market, that is enough time to get the job done; however, if you intend to do a little exploring before or after visiting the market, two hours won’t be enough time. The solution is easy: park in the Bankers Hill area just above Little Italy. Most the time you can easily find a place to park, for free on the street and walk down the hill to the Farmers Market. Today I’m continuing on past The Market to the Embarcadero.

The City of San Diego installed a fabulous park a couple years ago. You can’t have a park without grassy lawns, restrooms and play equipment for the little ones.  Done!

But San Diego didn’t stop there. They installed spray water fountains which are fun to watch and satisfying to run through on hot days to keep yourself cool. Today, the fountain was getting some regular maintenance and it wasn’t that warm out so I’m sure no one missed getting wet. In another month or two it will be a different story. 

                       

To the West, across North Harbor Drive, is the Maritime Museum of San Diego. It is fascinating not just to tour but to explore all the old ships, submarines, a ferry and the magnificent Star of India. I have been on the Star many times and I never tire of exploring her decks, reading about her travels and imagining what it must have been like to crew this 212 foot ship. She was launched just 5 days before Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at the Ramsey Shipyard, Isle of Man, in November 1863. A can hardly resist sharing all the facts and trivia about the Star but alas, I don’t want to bore you. That said, if you find the maritime life interesting, visit the Star and the other eleven vessels maintained by the museum when you are in San Diego. If you truly are an “Old Salt” at heart you might even want to volunteer to keep The Star ship shape. I have seen mariners up on the masts hoisting sails and climbing to the crows nest. It’s a bit high for my taste but what a grand experience.

I could spend a day, a week or perhaps more exploring this area of the Embarcadero but I must continue on with my day and get a few chores checked off my list. Next weekend I’m continuing down the Embarcadero to USS Midway Museum. See you then. Aaron