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.