Cabrillo National Monument on the right and a helicopter on the left
some ‘silver’ sand
the glowing sun and a ship on the left
looking south – IB Pier
looking north – Coronado
Station Two – No Lifeguard on Duty
sunset among the trees
a pink flower in the sand
…for those moments when your love is an ocean away
Hotel Del on the left (red roof)
We, Betty and I, had Torrey Pines planned for the afternoon, but changed our minds and headed to the trails of the national park. It was a warm day with a cool breeze and we felt like we had the place to ourselves. We headed up to the lighthouse for the interior and exterior view – the home inside and the city across the bay on the outside. The skies were the clearest I’ve seen them. Betty was surprised to be able to see San Diego, Coronado, Silver Strand, Imperial Beach and Tijuana.
light (house) open to visitors
We visited the lighthouse kitchen garden that is growing vegetables that would have been available in 1873 – when the family relied on it for swiss chard, potatoes, artichokes, onions, tomatoes, and more; otherwise it was a ten-mile buggy ride to Old Town that would take all day. They also relied on manure and a cistern to help keep things growing in clay soil with limited water.
working lighthouse (the old one was blocked by fog)
We followed a trail out to the overlook – a great place for whale watching when it’s the season. Betty put some quarters into the scope in hopes of getting a better view, but was disappointed when all she got was a split second peek before the lens was dark again. I take a few more pictures of the city from this angle before we finally head to the limestone replica of Juan Cabrillo weighing in at 14,000 pounds and standing at 14 feet. Thanks to Presidents Wilson, Coolidge, Eisenhower, and Ford for helping preserve this tip of land with such history and expansive views.
Cabrillo Monument
We head down what looks like a road, but leads to a dirt trail (on the bay side) in hopes of getting closer to the water and the seal that we can hear. We see planes overhead, a sub with its entourage, squirrels and birds, budding pine cones, and the searchlight shelter that housed a 60-inch-diameter light used to illuminate ships in the harbor during the World Wars – and it’s unique that it was stored above ground and mounted on a track for easy positioning.
a submarine
We see lots today, but feel we’ve only seen a piece of this tip of the peninsula. There is definitely plenty to come back for. On the ocean side there is another trail reached after driving down a different road that takes you along the ocean past cliffs, tide pools, and wildflowers full of hummingbirds. There are plenty of wooden posts with rope along the trail and logs on the trail to keep you from stomping on plants and animal homes.
a peek at San Diego
pretty flower in downtown San Diego
trolley advertising for wastenowater.org
man reading at bus stop with an orange in his hand – healthy, smart, and eco conscious!
the sign says it all
fire truck turned into pizza oven – smart and tasty!
happy couple at Padres block party
ticket line for the Padres opening game
security on break
downtown from a distance
a shopper at Fashion Valley Mall
SALE on select items only – this one type of shoe
spreads and breads at the local farmer’s market
view of San Diego from the Coronado Bay bridge
flowers at the park
a goose leaning at the lake
purple plant near parking lot
flowers for the fallen
A day off work is a good day to go to the beach. I don’t work, but Betty does and we made plans to spend the day at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. The sky was overcast, but that’s normal morning weather for San Diego. Betty lives about a mile from the park so we set out on foot. The trail on the cliffs is about a mile and a half of dirt path worn down by runners, tourists, and artists. There are plenty of warning signs about the possibility of death if you get too close to the edge (though they might be worded differently).
relevant for cars, bikes, wheelchairs, shopping carts, and tanks!
Another sign warns of wheeled traffic – meaning 4,000 pounds of car that will be crossing your path from the road to the parking lot. What the sign doesn’t tell you is that on the other side is Bird Shit Rock (not sure on the official name) and that when approaching you are closer to looking like the boulder in the ocean by the new birds practicing their aim. It seems that the birds want their digested leftovers to get a good view of the cliffs, so if you like living dangerously I suggest you pass carefully and continue your walk as we did.
a painting lady
Good thing we didn’t become poop art as it makes talking to others easier. There are a few wide-brimmed hats and easels poking over the bushes as we make our way down the curvy terrain. Under those hats are students, with their teacher, enjoying retirement and the outdoors by painting with different mediums from their point of view – each one offering a different perspective of the cliffs by a slightly varied angle. I want to take one home with me (the painting, not the nice lady), but their day has just begun. I shall return to buy one.
Betty in the painted tree
We are in search of a rope that helps beachgoers up and down the steep side. We try a few other alternatives, but I don’t feel like rock burning my bum quite yet. Many people hear of Sunset Cliffs, but few can really find the beauty like the locals (that like to keep it hidden). Parts of the trail look flat, but upon approach we notice a bit of color that draws us in. We make our way into the trench and have found a tree cove with painted rocks, branches, and leaves. There are other signs of this area being a clubhouse with random items hanging from string. We take some pictures and climb out of one trench into the next.
at the bottom of the 100 steps
Eventually we turn around and take the 100 steps to the bottom. We will find the rope, but it will be on our way home. There is an overwhelming amount of textures, features, and creatures thriving amongst the rocks and sand. We only get a peek because of the low tide. The only rules down here are: Do not hurt the animals (of any size) and return them to the pool from which you took them (applies to crabs or snails). We meander about checking out the little crevices teaming with life and full of color.
lines of life and color
Some of the rocks do have painted names on them, but others are natural rainbows of color – hence the name Sunset Cliffs – maybe rainbow was already taken. The wind and waves have done a great job carving this place leaving sharp edges and slippery surfaces to traverse. I am in love with the artistic and historic essence of the place. On our return we see ocean gazers, book readers, dog walkers, and a man in a trench coat with a camera.
rainbow rock
Back into town and there is still plenty to capture my attention – architecture, landscaping, sidewalk art, old cars, and murals. Ocean Beach carries a vibe – the closest to Key West on the west coast for me. We were going to have lunch at the OB Noodle House – not hungry enough for the Pho-20 Challenge and to be added to the Pho King champion hall of fame, but it’s always a good time for a bowl! So instead we headed to the OB Smoothie Bar for the acai bowl and a bagel (we split both) and then… well, we enjoyed the rest of our day.
view from the bikeway
Betty got off work early today and invited me to ride the Bayshore Bikeway with her up to the Coronado Brewing Company (CBC for the locals). She got to my house after 1 pm and we left around 2 pm – after a half-lunch, pulling her bike from her trunk, and her changing out of her uniform. It was a bit windy (ok, a lot for newbies), but I have gotten used to it. We rode into the wind and enjoyed the yellow flowers, loud birds, and fast squirrels. With little competing traffic we took up both lanes because it’s easier to hear each other during conversation, but made sure to get out of the speed-cyclers way.
We made it to the Farmer’s Market located near the Ferry Landing in 50 minutes . If we had known about it we would have brought a bag and filled up on fresh goodies. We almost bought some strawberries to munch on, but continued our ride. We passed kayakers, runners, and families on the beach. We ordered some dehydrating water and the guacamole/salsa with chips appetizer. The salsa was sweet and delicious, but we were expecting chunky with tomatoes. The couple that sat down after us ordered the same thing – so it must be good.
Betty having fun with my camera – me too!
It was so good that we sat there for 2 hours. The guys behind us ordered the hummus with pita bread and it looked tasty. They must have seen it in my eyes or overheard me within our two-feet proximity that one of the guys brought a small plate over so that we could try one each. It came with a jalapeno and red pepper – too spicy for Betty, but something I wouldn’t mind ordering if we go back.
We rode down Orange Ave on our return. It was fun to ride in-between the cars like the motorcycles do – that is, until those cars started moving. While we were at the CBC we saw cars backed up in traffic the whole time. We thought it was after work rush hour, but noticed a sign that said Spring Break – one of the big construction signs that light up – for those of us locals that didn’t know. We were glad we were on our bikes and made it back to my house by 6 pm after a 20 mile round-trip bike ride it was time for showers (at home).
