California Here I Come!
San Diego--Day 1
My first day in San Diego, I sat outside in the breeze and try to forgive my forbearers on the Gifford and the Andrews sides for stopping in Tennessee and Wisconsin (respectively) and not forging further west to this very South and West spot.
I have never been in SD before. Thanks to my employers who gave me the opportunity to teach a class and provided the time to take two additional days to see the sights.
Just getting here was an adventure. My original flight was scheduled to leave on Wednesday at 9:30 from Indianapolis and transfer through Chicago was cancelled (snow in Chicago and mechanical problems with the plane). Eventually I was reticketed (2 hours standing in line) through Detroit which finally allowed me to leave Indy at 3:30. Got into San Diego at 9:30 pm the three hour time difference gave me some of my day back. Just in time for a walk on the beach (by starlight) and a beer.
DAY 2
The class on Thursday went well. Great people. In the evening, I was able to make a quick trip to Old Town San Diego and the Old Town State Park. Great Mexican food including the Margaritas. Took a lot of pictures of the blooming flowers. Many more farther ahead than Indianapolis. There are a lot of shops here—with an underlying smell of sassafrass. Makes we yearn for a Root Beer.
Old Town is a recreation of the original settlement of San Diego. Some of the buildings are pretty old and an attempt at authenticity has been attempted. Here in Indy you don’t see many (or any) urban State Parks. At any rate it is a pleasant walk.
Flowing Dusty Miller with yellow blooms, Geraniums, California Poppy, Bird of Paradise and Impatience blooming in the folds of a Palm Tree.
DAY 3
Last night was very windy the sound of the wind was strong. It was chilly as I walked through the Old Town section of SD. There is a mix of the hacienda style adobe buildings with tile roofs and wood clapboard frame homes (still very attractive). The flowers growing here arelovely.
Today I check out of the Hilton Resort where the company training session was held and move to something cheaper. Still I want to take advantage of the morning here. I had a good breakfast, an invigorating walk along the water, and a half hour lounging by the pool before the noon checkout time. I saw something on my walk that I’ve never seen before, a dog stroller. A woman with two chihauhas had them in a special stroller with a small screened platform on which the dogs ride. She wanted a good walk and her two little dogs just couldn’t keep up.
Bought a two day ticket on the SD tour trolly. A ride around the city, nine stops and you can get out at each for as long as you like. I got out at the marina for a walk on the waterfront and saw cruise ships, sailing vessels and tour boats; I got out at the gas lamp district for a view of some of historic buildings; and I got out on Coronado Island for the smell of the surf…and money. Beautiful weather, the clean smell of the ocean and the aroma of the many flowers. Learned some things too—Petco stadium, the home of the Padres, holds over 42,000 people; the convention center is unbelievable, it is the third largest on the west coast and the 21st largest in the country. The front is curved glass and steel to imitate the rolling waves of the Pacific.
DAY 4
Will spend this day at the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. The zoo is not a flat walk. It seems to be built in a valley. It was a beautiful day to see a hippopotamus swim and two pandas chew on bamboo. There were three giant aviaries to walk through.
Hippos Do Swim!
Botanical Garden--Like a big bird cage for plants.
A Sample of Balboa Park Architecture
My first day in San Diego, I sat outside in the breeze and try to forgive my forbearers on the Gifford and the Andrews sides for stopping in Tennessee and Wisconsin (respectively) and not forging further west to this very South and West spot.
I have never been in SD before. Thanks to my employers who gave me the opportunity to teach a class and provided the time to take two additional days to see the sights.
Just getting here was an adventure. My original flight was scheduled to leave on Wednesday at 9:30 from Indianapolis and transfer through Chicago was cancelled (snow in Chicago and mechanical problems with the plane). Eventually I was reticketed (2 hours standing in line) through Detroit which finally allowed me to leave Indy at 3:30. Got into San Diego at 9:30 pm the three hour time difference gave me some of my day back. Just in time for a walk on the beach (by starlight) and a beer.
DAY 2
The class on Thursday went well. Great people. In the evening, I was able to make a quick trip to Old Town San Diego and the Old Town State Park. Great Mexican food including the Margaritas. Took a lot of pictures of the blooming flowers. Many more farther ahead than Indianapolis. There are a lot of shops here—with an underlying smell of sassafrass. Makes we yearn for a Root Beer.
Old Town is a recreation of the original settlement of San Diego. Some of the buildings are pretty old and an attempt at authenticity has been attempted. Here in Indy you don’t see many (or any) urban State Parks. At any rate it is a pleasant walk.
Flowing Dusty Miller with yellow blooms, Geraniums, California Poppy, Bird of Paradise and Impatience blooming in the folds of a Palm Tree.
DAY 3
Last night was very windy the sound of the wind was strong. It was chilly as I walked through the Old Town section of SD. There is a mix of the hacienda style adobe buildings with tile roofs and wood clapboard frame homes (still very attractive). The flowers growing here arelovely.
Today I check out of the Hilton Resort where the company training session was held and move to something cheaper. Still I want to take advantage of the morning here. I had a good breakfast, an invigorating walk along the water, and a half hour lounging by the pool before the noon checkout time. I saw something on my walk that I’ve never seen before, a dog stroller. A woman with two chihauhas had them in a special stroller with a small screened platform on which the dogs ride. She wanted a good walk and her two little dogs just couldn’t keep up.
Bought a two day ticket on the SD tour trolly. A ride around the city, nine stops and you can get out at each for as long as you like. I got out at the marina for a walk on the waterfront and saw cruise ships, sailing vessels and tour boats; I got out at the gas lamp district for a view of some of historic buildings; and I got out on Coronado Island for the smell of the surf…and money. Beautiful weather, the clean smell of the ocean and the aroma of the many flowers. Learned some things too—Petco stadium, the home of the Padres, holds over 42,000 people; the convention center is unbelievable, it is the third largest on the west coast and the 21st largest in the country. The front is curved glass and steel to imitate the rolling waves of the Pacific.
DAY 4
Will spend this day at the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. The zoo is not a flat walk. It seems to be built in a valley. It was a beautiful day to see a hippopotamus swim and two pandas chew on bamboo. There were three giant aviaries to walk through.
Welcome to the Zoo!
Hippos Do Swim!
Mr. Panda Enjoying Lunch
I gather that the original topography of San Diego is scrub and low bushes. The city owes much of its present beauty to the first female graduate of the U of California who wanted to start a nursery (trees) but had no land. The city agreed to give her the land (or let her use it) as long as she planted 100 trees a year and donated 100 trees a year to the city.
Balboa Park is home to many museums and the Botanical Gardens. The two hours I spent were not enought to see everything. I want to come back and spend the day.
Botanical Garden--Like a big bird cage for plants.
A Sample of Balboa Park Architecture
DAY 5 HOME AGAIN
Up at 4:15. My flight is at 6:20. It almost leaves on time and I'm 4 hours in the air. Layover in Chicago and a 30 minute delay gets me home at 6:30 pm--about 11 hours travel time. But I made it and would do it again...after a rest.
posted by Jody at 6:47 AM
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