A false Spring

When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.

Earnest Hemingway - The Moveable Feast - 1964. A false Spring, pp. 49-1.

Shelter Island - one more quick look

Happy Wednesday from San Diego and don't forget that Day Light Savings Time is this Sunday.

Many years ago I discovered the trail around the West side of the bay that separates Point Loma from Shelter Island. On one of my first walks on this little trail I noticed this sail boat in the bay. I wanted to be them. Aren't sail boats the essence of freedom? Look at all those masts in the air. All but this one are snuggled into a slip; but not this one. The people on this boat are free, sailing the West coast up to Alaska, through the Panama Canal, up the East coast into Hudson Bay, over to New Newfoundland and on and on.

Yet, here they are in San Diego. My Home. Are you a sailor? Will this be you someday or will you RetireInSanDiego? Once here will you stay here or will San Diego be just another port of call? Time will tell. Keep tuning in and we'll explore this magnificent city together. Good night and pleasant dreams from San Diego.

What do you like best about retirement, or the Idea of Retirement?

After reading his post, please send me your thoughts. The comment box is at the bottom of this post. I am sincerely interested in your thoughts about retirement.

What do you like best about retirement, or the Idea of Retirement? Reading, writing, spending time with family, playing with the grandchildren, gardening, walking, hiking, running, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golfing, exploring new places, going on road trips, living the RV lifestyle, finding new restaurants, learning to play guitar or piano or the bagpipes or a new language, volunteering at the theater, getting involved with the local theatre group and trying your “hand” at acting, or volunteering at the local park or homeless shelter or just sitting on the couch channel surfing and eating Bon-Bons?

By the way, I’m not recommending channel surfing and eating Bon-Bons; however, I am intensely interested in you. Since you are reading this blog it says one, if not several things, about you. Either you are retired or you are thinking about retirement. No? Okay, but retirement is probably somewhere in the equation.  You may also be thinking of retiring in San Diego, although not necessarily.

If you live in the United States are your interests in retirement different than someone who lives in, Germany, for example? If you live in Mexico, do you look forward to doing something different in retirement than our neighbors in Canada, the Ukraine, Poland, France, Israel, South Korea or the Netherlands? Please share your thoughts with me and I will share your thoughts, not using names of course, with all of my readers.

I’m excited to read about your thoughts and ideas. The comment box is just below. Thank you!

Presidio Park

Junipero Serra Museum 

This trellis covered walk overlooks
an expansive groomed lawn in the park

Presidio Park is a historic park in San Diego. It is the site where San Diego was founded in 1769. In 1773 the mission (see San Diego Mission blog posted 2/17/16) moved a few miles upriver while the fort remained on Presidio Hill. The Junípero Serra Museum, built in Presidio Park in 1925, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. The grounds of the park are sweeping with beautiful vistas of rolling hills and palm trees. There is plenty of space for picnics and there are many groomed trails ready to help you explore the park. Historic markers, statues and ruins are everywhere prepared to share with you the stories of San Diego’s infancy. I have never had a problem finding parking in Presidio Park and Old Town is a short half mile walk South if you prefer to grab a bite to eat there. When you RetireInSanDiego Presidio Park is a must see.

This is a typical vista in Presidio Park

May Grey (or "Gray" if you prefer)

May Grey. Actually, May Grey and June Gloom go hand-in-hand. If you are a San Diegan you know what I’m talking about. If you aren’t a San Diegan and you think you just might RetireInSanDiego, please read on. Both terms refer to a phenomenon that occurs every year here in San Diego. A marine layer, fog, develops off the coast and migrates inland a short distance - every day!  This phenomenon occurs in the months of May and June. I live four miles from the ocean and I watch this marine layer drift inland in the morning and slowly burn off (with any luck at all) as the day progresses.

One would think that since this phenomenon is called “May Grey” and “June Gloom” the marine layer would cooperate and beginning May 1st our beautiful clear blue sky would disappear, being replaced with the ominous marine layer and then about June 30th bid us San Diegans farewell and we’d have clear blue sky’s again. It’s not quite that simple. For example, this year May Grey started in January. Yes. No kidding. In years past June Gloom has stayed around through much of July and sometimes even into the month of August.

Fortunately, the marine layer is typically just fog and clouds yielding only a little drizzle. It rarely rains as a result of this marine layer. Also, if you are in San Diego for the mild climate, not necessarily to see the ocean every day or live near the ocean, May Grey and June Gloom may not be an issue at all for you. As I mentioned, I live about four miles from the ocean and that’s about where the marine layer ends it’s migration much of the time.

If you are a San Diegan, do you have anything to add? If you aren’t a San Diegan, do you have any questions regarding May Grey or June Gloom? If you think that this might be a deal breaker for you it’s worth doing a little research yourself. I would be happy to help. Leave a comment or send me an email. I will respond.

Old Town San Diego

Old Town is a beloved attraction for many people, tourists and residents alike. I know that I read somewhere once that more people visit Old Town than any other attraction in San Diego. I found that “fact” difficult to believe. After all, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are just up the street and let’s not forget about SeaWorld. I know, SeaWorld has not had the most flattering press these past few years, maybe longer; nevertheless, the parking lots are never empty except maybe long after closing. On the other hand, you don’t need an expensive ticket to get into Old Town either and there are many museums to visit free of charge. Restaurants are plentiful as are souvenir shops.


From the flagpole in Washington Square, the Colorado House, the Mason Street School, Casa Estudillo with the large courtyard and large adobe style oven, Seeley Stable and let's not forget the jail, one could spend several days exploring this unique treasure and not scratched the surface. There always seems to be something going on. Performers are regularly scheduled and frequently you will find plein air artists, with their easels positioned just so, set up all around the park. Take a peek, talk to the artist, ask a question or two. They will feel appreciated and it doesn’t cost anything.

Christian House

The Old Town Jail

Robinson Roze

 

 

Nearby are a collection of homes referred to as Heritage Park Victorian Village. Most of these buildings were built between 1887 and 1893. They have been beautifully restored and maintained. Two of the homes serve as bed and breakfasts and the Temple Beth Israel, San Diego’s first synagogue, hosts weddings, receptions and bar mitzvahs. The McConaughy House, built in 1887, is now the Coral Tea House, serving guests yearning for tea and crumpets.

Parking near Old Town can be horrendous, especially on weekends. If you don’t need to park near the “front door,” do yourself a favor and park behind Caltrans. The parking lot behind Caltrans is been graciously opened up for tourists and locals alike to park free of charge. Turn West on Sunset Street and you will see the sign. The catch is that free parking is only available after 5 pm on weekday and on weekends. If that happens to be when you are visiting Old Town, take advantage of this gift. It’s only a few blocks away and there is plenty of parking. A security guard even keeps an eye on things for you. There is also a trolley station at the SW corner of Old Town and and many places to catch the trolley around San Diego.






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La Jolla Cove

 La Jolla Cove is in the heart of La Jolla, the Jewell of this exclusive community. The cove is bordered by La Jolla Point to the West and Goldfish Point to the East. Directly below these two artists are La Jolla Caves. If you do an image search for La Caves you will find hundreds of images. The Caves are accessed through a tunnel that was dug in 1902 - 1903. I have not personally been in the caves but I hear that they are interesting.

I, personally, enjoy the walk North of the caves. I find it peaceful, relaxing and serene.

              

!
Hundreds of pelicans make their homes on the sandstone cliffs above The Cove, side-by-side with cormorants. The beaches and caves at the waters edge are frequently filled with seals and sea lions. I'm told that the waters to the north of The Cove at certain times of the year are filled with Leopard Shark. They use this area to raise their young. The person that told me about this happened to be swimming between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores one day and at just the right, or wrong, moment depending on how you look at it, he looked down to see the ocean floor covered with these beautiful Leopard Shark. Here is a link to a Huffington Post, HuffPost Travel, article that provides a more in-depth look at these shark. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/swimming-with-sharks-la-jolla_n_3562523.html


As you may have noticed, I love the abundance of flowers in 
San Diego. The first year that I lived here I noticed that there is something blooming here all year round. In fact, Strelitzia, commonly called Bird of Paradise, are at their best from late Fall to Spring in San Diego. The narrow leaf species can be found quite literally everywhere around San Diego. My neighbor has a pot of these on her deck. The Giant species, and I do mean GIANT, grow up to 30 feet tall. The first time I saw one of these it was hard to imagine that this gigantic plant was a bird-of-paradise. I've never actually measured one but he blooms are upward of 12 inches in length.


Even the Statice flower, Limonium, grows here like beautiful weeds. Walking near the ocean used to be my focus; the thing I had to do every time I went for a walk. But now I almost prefer the park or those neighborhoods like La Jolla in which to go walking for all of the beautiful landscape and flowers that grow in San Diego year round. 

Have I convinced you yet to RetireInSanDiego?      No? 

Well, stay tuned. 

San Diego Mission

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, the first of the twenty-one great California Missions, marks the birthplace of Christianity in the west coast of the United States and is only one of four Basilicas in California. The Mission was founded in 1769 at the Presidio near Old Town and moved to it’s current location (10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA) in August 1774.

To say that life was difficult for the founders of San Diego as well as the local American Indians would be an understatement. “From 1769 to 1774, only 116 Indians had been baptized. Father Jayme and the other Franciscan Missionaries had great rapport with the Kumeyaay, baptizing 315 Indians during the summer of 1775. Unfortunately, two of the mission or Diegueno Indians became dissatisfied with the regulations and conditions established by the Spanish authorities, and they incited hundreds of Indians in remote villages to riot. According to Father Francisco Palou's report of the incidence, eight hundred American Indians stormed onto the grounds about midnight on November 4, 1775. They pillaged the mission, burned it to the ground and massacred a blacksmith, a carpenter (mortally wounded), and Father Jayme, who became California's first Catholic Martyr. He is buried next to the altar in the present church. Survivors of the night long attack were one corporal and three Leather Jacket soldiers, one blacksmith, two children who were the son and nephew of the Presidio commandant, and Associate Pastor Father Vicente Fuster.”

There are five bells in the bell tower at the Mission. The lower left bell is the only surviving original bell. The lower right bell was made from the other original bells and is rung twice a day at noon and 6pm and before every mass on Sunday.

To read more about the California Mission Trail, check out El Camino Real de California: A Hiker's Guide to the California Mission Trail: Mission San Diego to Mission Santa Barbara

Shelter Island

Shelter Island is located near the entrance to San Diego Bay. I’m starting my walk this morning at the corner of Anchorage and Talbot. It’s near the entrance to Shelter Island when approaching from Point Loma. I first discovered the beginning part of this walk a couple years after moving to San Diego in 2002. It is a bit, one block, off the beaten path so you can easily walk past the trailhead without noticing this amazing trail. Some weekdays I’ve walked this path and haven’t seen a soul; other times, like today, a Sunday, Valentine's Day, there are quite a few folks out enjoying the sun and this leisurely walk. Weatherbug says it’s 65 degrees out but it feels much warmer.

Not only are there many boaters out today, the paddle boarders are out too. In swimsuits. That is to say, without a wetsuit. Amazing! but then again, that’s why I’m here and you’re reading this blog and probably considering making San Diego your home. Nearing the trailhead a young man drops off a young lady at the shore line. Several boats are tied up to buoys in the bay. It’s a little cheaper than the slips but you do have to shuttle back and forth to shore when you want or need anything. This is a common dropping off spot.

Walking back to the trailhead I continue my walk around the North side of the bay; around several marinas and restaurants. Artists occupy Shoreline Park showing off their talent and lots of folks are out walking, jogging and just hanging out, enjoying the sun and great weather.

Are you a boater? If you are brave enough to cruise down the coast to San Diego and don’t want to pay the high price of a moorage slip, you could always tie up to a buoy. The buoys on the San Diego Bay side of Shelter Island take a fair amount of abuse from the boats coming and going from San Diego but, as I mentioned, there are a few spots on the shore side of the Island that you might be lucky enough to get.

At the Southwest end of Shelter Island a pair of Osprey are nesting. I can see a head popping up out of the nest but I can’t tell if it’s a baby, or parent sitting on eggs. I walked the Island a couple weeks ago and someone I met mentioned that there were eggs in the nest. Apparently they, the parents, haven’t been successful in actually hatching the little ones in the past. I will be back to see if I can spot the youngsters in the next several weeks. Hopefully they will survive this year.

Time to get back to the car and take care of a few chores. I hope you’ve enjoyed this mornings walk. Happy Valentine's Day.

PS: Let me know if there is a specific place, event or San Diego topic you would like to hear about. I take requests.

San Diego Sunsets

Good evening from San Diego. 

This beautiful sunset Wednesday evening was breathtaking, as are all the sunsets in San Diego. If you go searching the internet for "days of sun in San Diego" you will find many different answers because, well, there are many different answers. For example, if you live in Pacific Beach (PB) or La Jolla you may have significantly fewer days of sun than if you live East of San Diego a few mile, say in Santee or La Mesa. That's because of the phenomenon lovingly referred to as May Grey and June Gloom, which sometimes starts in March and lasts well into July. I'm not a meteorologist but the layman's explanation is that, early in the spring the deserts East of San Diego start to heat up. As they do, the rising heat from the desert pulls the cool marine layer into San Diego. If you happen to be close to the ocean, as I mentioned, sometimes from early March to August you could be in a fog while just a few miles inland it's sun all around. 

Moving to San Diego was the best thing I ever did for myself. RetireInSanDiego? You betcha. The number of beautiful sunsets, whether 146 or 263 days a year, or more, will be debated for some time to come. I tend to be a glass half full kind of guy. Even on those overcast days the sun will peak through the clouds at sunset turning the sky into a crimson fiery glow from the horizon as far East as you can see. When you finally decide to join us, you will see and enjoy this first hand for yourself. See you then.

By the way, that thing that looks like a pole around the middle left of the pic is Sea World.

Balboa Park

Today’s journey begins near the Hillcrest Farmers Market. They aren’t quite set up yet so, since Balboa Park is just a short walk south, off we go. Approaching The Park from the north, we first walk past the San Diego Zoo. I found The Zoo inspiring when I first arrived in San Diego in 2002 and I still do. I purchased an annual pass every year for the first decade I lived here. There is always something new going on at The Zoo. I haven’t volunteered at The Zoo - yet, but who knows.

Walking south on the east side of The Zoo is the Miniature (small gauge) Railroad. Every night after all the big and little kids have gone home, the rail cars are parked in their barn for safe keeping. Continuing south we walk through Spanish Village which is the home of over 200 artists. One of my features of Spanish Village are the colorful tiles that carpet the large courtyard which is surrounded by artists studios. When you’re there, buy something! When you do, you're support local artists and their art.

Just to the south of Spanish Village is a huge Ficus Macrophylla that was planted in 1915, prior to the Panama-California International Exposition.

It’s over 100 years old and stands over 80 feet. Many folks find this a great photo opp, including me. Even though it is only February 7th, Spring seems to have sprung in San Diego. White blossomed trees line many of the walks and roads around the park and zoo, all in full bloom. 

If you turn south on Village Place, or rather continue on the walk south from Village Place, you will walk through Zoro Garden. For some reason this is a spot that is overlooked by most. If the frenetic pace of life in the Park becomes a little overwhelming, this is a great spot to take a breather and enjoy the flowers and hummingbirds. Continue walking south and turn right at the end of the building. Continue walking west and you will see a beautiful vista across the Japanese garden. Continue and you will walk through the garden behind the Prado Restaurant. Another favorite, quiet spot to get a break from the crowds, when it’s available. This garden is used frequently for weddings and other events.

Exit the garden to the west. You will be walking into the south end of the Plaza de Panama. Watch out for the colorful dragon which guards the Mingei International Museum. Turn left and walk south toward the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The Pavilion was constructed in 1914, opened in 1915 and still books events year round.

Are your feet getting sore and tired? Watch for the green trams. They run from Plaza de Panama down to the Air and Space Museum then over to the Old Navy Hospital, now the San Diego Parks Administration building. 


Personally, I think the magnificent grounds on the east side of the Old Hospital are spectacular. There are several fountains and beautiful domed structures that are unique and have been preserved in excellent condition. This is another area that, for some unknown reason, people ignore. I’ve been in the beautiful grounds behind the hospital several times and rarely see anyone.

Well, it’s time to head back to the Hillcrest Farmers Market because I’m getting hungry. Rather than going back through the park, I’m going to walk up Park Blvd. through the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and Desert Garden.

After a delicious pulled pork sandwich at the farmers market, its time to head for home.

Why don’t you RetireInSanDiego? Maybe I’ll convince you in time to take a closer look. By the way, I wrote most of this blog at a picnic table near the old Navy Hospital. Enjoy the following pics.