A beautiful hidden mural in Encinitas!

This amazing mural is a bit hidden in Encinitas. I happened to glimpse it while walking past 687 South Coast Highway.

You can find the colorful artwork near the entrance of Dudek inside the Pacific Station mixed-use development.

The mural was painted by a great local artist, Skye Walker!

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Beautiful views of beach and ocean from Swami’s Park.

Another perfect sunny day in Encinitas. The beautiful views from Swami’s Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Swami’s Surf Beach brought out my camera.

It was the middle of the day mid-week in late summer. I didn’t see too many surfers out at the world-famous point break.

Look at the gorgeous blue and green colors of the water!

No, I didn’t walk down to the beach this time.

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Murals on two Encinitas shipping containers.

These two shipping containers in Encinitas were painted years ago. For a long time, visitors to Charlie’s Electric Bikes could observe them in the parking lot, behind a bunch of bicycles. That eBike business no longer exists–the building is now home to Charlie’s Electric Studio. The two old containers remain.

The artwork was painted by Encinitas artist Kevin Anderson. Yes, you’ve possibly seen his work all around coastal San Diego North County. Find many of his very beautiful murals by clicking here.

During my recent walk in downtown Encinitas, I crossed the Charlie’s Electric Studio parking lot from South Coast Highway 101 to take these photographs.

You can see how the art has faded over the years, especially on the second shipping container I photographed, which was the first to be painted.

This next shipping container was the first to be painted. It’s the most faded:

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A spectacular Catrina in Old Town San Diego!

Día de Muertos is coming up at the start of November. Many in San Diego are getting ready.

Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has already set up their many different, very colorful Catrinas. But one in particular is pretty spectacular!

This large Catrina has been erected at the Fiesta de Reyes stage. I saw her today during a walk around Old Town.

She seems to stand in an arbor made of marigolds, with giant red roses on either side…

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Bill of Rights tall ship would love your love!

The beautiful Bill of Rights tall ship, based in the Chula Vista Marina, would love to have some of your love!

I visited the historic ship today for the first time since I sailed on her during America’s Schooner Cup.

The good news: Bill of Rights remains based in Chula Vista, thanks to the advocacy of many. The schooner will continue to train Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts and serve as an educational platform. Hooray!

However, I could see how the wooden ship still needs help with its redecking. I also learned the ship is due for its periodic haul out for hull inspection and maintenance. Of course, all of this takes money.

Interested in lending a hand?

Click this webpage to learn various ways you can keep this unique and important tall ship going strong!

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New playground for new Harbor Park in Chula Vista!

Look what I spied today! A big new playground is being installed between the Chula Vista Marina and the new Gaylord Pacific Resort.

The playground will occupy a small space in the new Harbor Park, which will expand on present-day Chula Vista Bayside Park.

Kids are gonna love it!

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A late summer walk in Sweetwater Park.

It was the perfect day for a nature walk in Sweetwater Park beside San Diego Bay.

The beautiful, spacious park on Chula Vista’s bayfront opened just last year. I noticed today that the native vegetation has filled out a bit more.

A weekday hike is perfect if you want to feel and observe nature. I saw many late summer blooms, and birds in the distance.

Some photos as I strolled along several trails…

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Supernatural yōkai exhibit in Balboa Park!

Red Namahage, by artist Alex Wu.

Yōkai are supernatural beings and spirits from Japanese folklore, and they’ve gathered in San Diego’s Balboa Park!

Yōkai: Stories and Imagination is a community art exhibit now showing at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum.

Artists were invited to submit their interpretation of Japanese yokai for this exhibition. These original works can be viewed in both the Upper Garden Gallery and the Lower Garden’s Inamori Pavilion.

Yōkai include shapeshifters, ghosts, demons, and tricksters. They can be mischievous, helpful, or malevolent, often appearing as animal-like figures, possessed objects, or humanoids. They embody the mysterious and uncanny aspects of nature and human emotions.

Check out a few examples that I photographed.

I’ve always enjoyed this type of artwork. It can be wild, weird, fierce and unsettling. Mysterious forces in our world are often portrayed in human or animal form–familiar figures that we emotionally understand.

It would be interesting to compare yokai to deities and characters from the mythologies of other cultures.

The Spider’s Thread, by artist Joshua Benz.
Oiwa, by artist Tomi Tate.
Hōnengame, by artist Hunter/Moon Hunter Tattoo.
You Can’t Escape Gashadokuro, by artist Chris Rogers.

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Beautiful heron at Japanese Friendship Garden!

Was it a good omen?

A Great Blue Heron was visiting Balboa Park’s amazing Japanese Friendship Garden today.

The graceful bird stood patiently on a rock in the Lower Garden, above silvery water filled with colorful koi, the subject of countless photographs.

As I departed, I asked a friendly person who works at the garden if the heron might be a good omen.

“It’s eating our fish!” he replied.

But hunting so beautifully…

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Pigs, duck and hamburger at old Navy base!

At old Naval Training Center San Diego, you might not expect to see pigs, a duck and a hamburger placed on a fountain. Well, that’s what you’ll find at Liberty Station in Point Loma!

The old Navy base is now home to many artist studios and tons of public art. I found this rather unusual public art while walking around the other day!

The fountain is titled Fuente Fantasma. It was created last year by Ensenada artist Beliz Iristay.

According to a nearby sign, the fantastic fountain showcases the complex layering of the region that is Tijuana and San Diego with the juxtaposition of the traditional border craft industry in rich layering along with an architectural element, the fountain, a fitting symbol for San Diego’s Spanish heritage.

Well, that may be, but I simply like the fun, whimsical quality of the thing!

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