First annual Earth Day on the Bay in San Diego.

Our big blue marble Earth dangles in the sky on San Diego's Embarcadero for an Earth Day event.
Our big blue marble Earth dangles in the sky on San Diego’s Embarcadero for an Earth Day event.

Last weekend Earth Day was observed at the jam-packed EarthFair in Balboa Park. This weekend, the first annual Earth Day on the Bay took place. The event was centered around the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and concentrated on maintaining a healthy coast and ocean. Admission to all the awesome museum ships was free, and being a cheapskate, I decided to walk down to the Embarcadero and enjoy myself!

Earth Day on the Bay featured free admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and many environmental organizations with exhibits.
Earth Day on the Bay featured free admission to the Maritime Museum of San Diego plus many organizations with environment-themed exhibits.
The historic 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, the museum's hub, is also featuring nature photography by Ansel Adams and others.
The historic 1898 steam ferryboat Berkeley, the museum’s hub, is also featuring nature photography by Ansel Adams and others.
The TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition ship is visiting San Diego at the moment.
The TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition ship is visiting San Diego at the moment.

As I walked across the deck of the Berkeley, enjoying views of our beautiful big San Diego Bay, I happened to notice an unusual boat docked among the museum’s ships. The hull included the United Nations Environment Programme logo. Apparently, people participating in the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition are visiting San Diego for a couple days.  They gave a talk yesterday at the museum about their mission. According to their website, it is to inspire children in classrooms and share examples of nature’s beauty, and foster innovations for a green planet. They believe that great human goals and progress can be achieved in balance with nature.

TOPtoTOP, docked by other museum ships, is equipped with many solar panels. It's sailing around the globe using only human and natural power sources.
TOPtoTOP, docked among other museum ships, is equipped with many solar panels. It’s sailing around the globe using only human and natural power sources.
The various Earth Day exhibitors on the waterfront included the Port of San Diego, with a report on their conservation and other green projects.
The various Earth Day exhibitors on the waterfront included the Port of San Diego, with a report on critical conservation and other green projects.
The first annual Earth Day on the Bay attracted a modest crowd, but it's a good start!
The first annual Earth Day on the Bay attracted a modest crowd, but it’s a good start!
This big inflatable whale allowed humans to grasp the scale of the marine mammal.
This big inflatable whale allowed humans to grasp the scale of the marine mammal.
I enjoyed a unique harbor tour on a Maritime Museum boat, which I'll blog about shortly!
I enjoyed a harbor tour on a very unique Maritime Museum boat, which I’ll blog about shortly!

I got two cool blog posts coming up! I had a couple of fun adventures today! Plus I still have lots of photos from my extensive Saturday walk around Liberty Station. I’d better get busy!

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San Diego museum honors Little League Champs!

From the South Bay to the World Series, a very special exhibit at the New Americans Museum.
From the South Bay to the World Series, a very special exhibit at the New Americans Museum.

It’s been over five years already? Time flies!

I can still remember the excitement throughout San Diego as a bunch of local kids stole our hearts and battled their way to become Little League World Series Champions in 2009!

During my visit to the New Americans Museum today, I checked out a special exhibit which relives and commemorates the historic victory. The Park View team, based in Chula Vista, California (in San Diego’s South Bay not far from the Mexican border), scored a dramatic, storybook 6-3 come-from-behind victory over Chinese Taipei.

Super cool!

San Diegans rooted for our local kids as they battled the world's best baseball teams.
San Diegans rooted for our local kids as they battled the world’s best baseball teams.
Photo shows President Obama honoring the 2009 Little League World Series champs.
Photo shows President Obama honoring the 2009 Little League World Series champs.
Memorabilia on display in San Diego museum recalls the historic victory of young Park View baseball players.
Memorabilia on display in San Diego museum recalls the historic victory of young Park View baseball players.
Park View Little League 2009 coach Ric Ramirez talks with visitors at cool New Americans Museum exhibit.
Park View Little League 2009 coach Ric Ramirez talks with visitors at New Americans Museum exhibit.
Awesome kids from San Diego's Chula Vista community win the Little League World Series in Williamsport in 2009!
Kids from San Diego’s proud Chula Vista community won the 2009 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

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Museum celebrates diversity in American baseball.

The New Americans Museum at NTC Liberty Station opens an important exhibit. Becoming All-American Diversity, Inclusion, and Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball.
The New Americans Museum at NTC Liberty Station opens an important exhibit titled Becoming All-American: Diversity, Inclusion, and Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball.

Today I experienced something undeniably cool. The New Americans Museum, located at NTC Liberty Station, held Becoming All-American Family Day. The fun event celebrated the opening of the museum’s new exhibit, Becoming All-American: Diversity, Inclusion & Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball.

In keeping with the small museum’s American immigration and diversity theme, this inspiring exhibit showcases Major League Baseball players who broke through racial barriers during the long history of the quintessentially American sport.

If you live in San Diego and you’re a fan of history or baseball, make sure to check it out! You might also visit the many other interesting museums nearby! Liberty Station, the redeveloped site of the old Naval Training Center, is brimming with flowers, sunshine, fountains, shops, culture and history.

Becoming All-American: Diversity, Inclusion, and Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball runs April 24 to July 5.

The New Americans Museum is located at the beautifully redeveloped old Naval Training Center in Point Loma.
The New Americans Museum is located at the beautifully redeveloped old Naval Training Center in Point Loma.
Becoming All-American Family Day was held to celebrate a fascinating new exhibit.
Becoming All-American Family Day was held to celebrate a fascinating new exhibit.
Cool displays in a unique immigrant-themed museum showcase diverse players through the history of professional American baseball.
Cool displays in a unique immigrant-themed museum showcase diverse players through the history of professional American baseball.
Colorful painting of Gene Locklear, Native American of Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. He played for several teams, including the San Diego Padres.
Colorful painting of Gene Locklear, Native American of Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. He played for several teams, including the San Diego Padres.
A quote from Gene Locklear. Education, that's the only way it's going to change...
A quote from Gene Locklear. “Education, that’s the only way it’s going to change…”
Black, white...and shades of gray. In American society, Jews, Irish, Latinos and Asians were sometimes considered white...and sometimes not.
Black, white…and shades of gray. In American society, Jews, Irish, Latinos and Asians were sometimes considered white…and sometimes not.
Museum display honors the legacy of Roberto Clemente with his quote. My greatest satisfaction comes from helping to erase the old opinion about Latin Americans and blacks.
Museum display honors the legacy of Roberto Clemente with his quote. “My greatest satisfaction comes from helping to erase the old opinion about Latin Americans and Blacks.”
Timeline on wall shows notable baseball players through history, eventually shattering racial stereotypes and barriers.
Timeline on wall shows notable baseball players through history, eventually shattering racial stereotypes and barriers.
Harry Kingman in 1914, the only Major League player to have been born in China.
Harry Kingman in 1914, the only Major League player to have been born in China.
Putting on a baseball uniform was like wearing the American flag. Japanese baseball player and manager Kenichi Zenimura, placed in internment camp during WWII, organized a league.
Putting on a baseball uniform was like wearing the American flag. Japanese baseball player and manager Kenichi Zenimura, placed in internment camp during WWII, organized a league.
Museum visitor reads display about Ted Williams, American baseball legend who grew up in San Diego. He had Welsh, Irish, Mexican, Basque, Russian and Native American roots!
Museum visitor reads display about Ted Williams, American baseball legend who grew up in San Diego. He had Welsh, Irish, Mexican, Basque, Russian and Native American roots!
Padres baseball mascot the Swinging Friar plays with kids at the batting inflatable outside during the museum event.
Padres baseball mascot the Swinging Friar plays with kids at the batting inflatable outside during the museum’s family event.
The wisdom of courageous hero Jackie Robinson. A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.
The wisdom of courageous hero Jackie Robinson. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

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A few pics of the elegant John D. Spreckels Building.

Looking up through the elegant building entrance at the lobby's ceiling.
Looking up through the elegant building entrance at the lobby’s ceiling.

The John D. Spreckels Building (not to be confused with the Spreckels Theater Building also located on Broadway) is a cool sight that is definitely worth a few photographs. When it was completed in 1924, the stately 14-story building was the tallest in San Diego. Today, according to an article I read, there are plans to convert it into apartments.

Built by sugar heir, entrepreneur and philanthropist John D. Spreckels, the historic building is one of only a few old high-rises that grace San Diego. The building isn’t terribly distinctive or flashy, but it certainly is monumental. Simple lines give it a feeling of grandeur and permanence. The small entrance, to my eye, is uncommonly elegant.

Front of the John D. Spreckels Building as seen from across Broadway.
Front of the John D. Spreckels Building as seen from across Broadway.
Pointing my camera upward for a cool photo.
Pointing my camera upward for a cool photo.
Beautiful ornamental artwork at the door of 625 Broadway in San Diego.
Beautiful ornamental artwork at the door of 625 Broadway in San Diego.
Elegant old clock mounted on corner of the John D. Spreckels Building.
Elegant old clock mounted on corner of the John D. Spreckels Building.
This classy historic high-rise adds unique flavor to a shiny modern city.
This classy historic high-rise adds unique flavor to a shiny modern city.

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San Diego River trees recover from microburst.

The roots are almost completely torn out of the ground, but the stubborn tree in spring has green leaves!
The roots were almost completely torn out of the ground, but the stubborn tree in spring has green leaves!

Perhaps you read my blog post about the violent microburst that tore through San Diego’s Mission Valley on September 16, 2014. Along with photos of the aftermath, I described the tornado-like winds of the freak weather phenomenon.

A microburst is a localized downdraft of wind that can occur under unstable weather conditions. Several areas around San Diego were struck by a microburst that day, and the resulting damage was stunning. Small airplanes at an airport were tossed through the air.  Along the banks of the San Diego River, hundreds of trees were torn to shreds and uprooted.

This morning, 7 months later, I walked along the river path where I had scrambled over thickly fallen trees right after the natural disaster.

Many of the uprooted trees were removed by crews with chainsaws in the days that followed the microburst. But some were not. Check out a few pics from my walk this spring morning! Like the famous quote from the movie Jurassic Park, life finds a way!

One of hundreds of trees that were uprooted during the super violent microburst last September.
One of hundreds of trees that were uprooted during the super violent microburst last September.  Amazingly, this one still flourishes!
This fallen tree is now growing horizontally like a hedge along a Mission Valley sidewalk!
This fallen tree is now growing horizontally like a hedge along a Mission Valley sidewalk!
Sign beside the San Diego River Trail. Why fallen trees are okay! There are important benefits to the soil, flora and fauna.
Sign beside the San Diego River Trail. Why fallen trees are okay! There are important benefits to the soil, flora and fauna.

The sign reads:

When a tree falls most people want to remove it from where it has fallen. However, sometimes it is best if we urge people not to be too quick to tidy up. It is often very beneficial to leave the tree, mound of soil, rocks and roots lifted by the tree if they aren’t in the way or dangerous.

The soil eventually will settle as the wood rots, and these tree-root soil mounds are the real “windfall” for some plants and animals. Consider these examples: The bare soil on the mound is home for several mosses that prefer a drier spot free of competition. The space under the lifted roots makes a good place for an animal to dig a breeding den. Wet soil left behind can make a temporary pool for amphibians.

Green shoots look unusual on violently torn tree trunk. I believe this is a Fremont Cottonwood.
Green shoots look unusual on this violently torn tree trunk. I believe this is a Fremont Cottonwood.
Life springs from a broken stump after a devastating natural disaster.
Life springs forth from a broken stump months after a devastating natural disaster.

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Glean Queens of San Diego need your help!

Got extra fruit. Got time. Help fight hunger and have a load of fun, too!
Got extra fruit? Got time? Help fight hunger and have a load of fun, too!

Do you love to be out in the San Diego sunshine, among friendly people and fragrant fruit trees? Do you hate to see delicious, nutritious fruit just lying there on the ground, beginning to rot? Do you, perhaps, own fruit trees in your backyard and struggle to give the abundant harvest away? Would you like to help some hungry people?

If you’re looking for a fun opportunity to volunteer and make a positive change in the lives of San Diegans, read on! Some fantastic ladies whom I met at EarthFair need your help! They’re the Glean Queens!

These three ladies are making the world a better place. Join them!
These three ladies are making the world a better place. Join them!

The Glean Queens have undertaken a very important project. It’s called CropSwap. The perfectly named CropSwap (part of their organization ProduceGood) solves a huge problem. The problem of tragically wasted food–locally grown fruit, to be exact.

Sunny Southern California is thick with citrus and other fruit trees. Many residents have them on their property. Many of the established trees provide more fruit than a family can possibly use. Why should the excess become useless garbage?

Help save nutritious oranges, lemons, limes, avocados, tangerines...you name it!
Help save valuable, nutritious oranges, lemons, limes, avocados, tangerines…you name it!

According to the USDA, a whopping 40% of crops go to waste. And here’s another shocking statistic: 20% of San Diegans have difficulty getting enough food to eat.

CropSwap coordinates fruit tree owners and volunteer pickers, and arranges the collection of excess fruit that would otherwise be wasted. The fruit is then delivered to San Diego food banks. An excellent (and common sense) idea!

So all you fruit tree owners and future volunteer pickers in and around San Diego! Click here to visit the ProduceGood website and learn how you can personally help, in a very tangible and rewarding way, to fight hunger!

You can easily make a positive difference in San Diego!
You can easily make a positive difference in San Diego!

Spread the word!

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Art, smiles and activism at 2015 EarthFair!

EarthFair was held in San Diego's Balboa Park to celebrate Earth Day.
EarthFair was held in San Diego’s Balboa Park to celebrate Earth Day.

Late this morning I took a walk through this year’s EarthFair. You might have seen my blog last year, when I posted photographs from the gigantic event. Every year EarthFair attracts tens of thousands of enthusiastic San Diegans to Balboa Park to celebrate Earth Day. It’s billed as the largest free annual environmental fair in the world, and that sounds true to me! It’s huge!

Many of the over 300 exhibitors throughout Balboa Park can be seen at the event every year, and last year I featured many in photos. So I figured this year I’d focus slightly more on close up images. Super colorful art on signs, shirts, gifts and canvases provided many opportunities for my camera. I also saw a lot of smiles!

Cool graphic on EarthFair shirt. Balboa Park attracted a huge crowd as usual!
Cool graphic on official EarthFair shirt. The annual Balboa Park event attracted a huge crowd as usual!
One many signs with environmental messages... love the Earth. Plant a tree.
One of many handmade signs with environmental messages… love the Earth. Plant a tree.
Bright sunflowers on table of urban farming advocates.
Bright sunflowers on table of urban farming advocates.
Super smile advertising the Cacaofest, celebrating the cultures behind the chocolate! I'm there!
Super smile promoting the Cacaofest, which celebrates the cultures behind the chocolate! I’m there!
Solar-powered rotating globe held in a human hand.
Solar-powered rotating globe held in a sculpted human hand.
Creating art out of perfectly good food saved from dumpsters. I blogged about these guys last year!
Creating art out of perfectly good food saved from dumpsters. I blogged about these guys last year!

Donate Don’t Dump is a project undertaken by Rob Greenfield. Check out my blog from last year, if you’d like!

A powerful smile from the artist behind Nuts and Beans are Powerful Proteins!
A powerful smile from the artist behind Nuts and Beans are Powerful Proteins!
Protecting animals was one major theme at EarthFair.
Protecting animals was one major theme at EarthFair.
This guy is Dr. Wilderness. He had a family magic show. Great outfit!
This cool guy is Dr. Wilderness. He had a family magic show. Great outfit!
This smiling Dad and daughter musical duo was raising money to help build school gardens.
This cheerful Dad and daughter musical duo was raising money to help build school gardens.
A flower and smile, and I learned how copper gives slimy snails an electrical shock!
A flower and a smile.  I learned how copper gives slimy snails an electrical shock!
A happy blue whale out of water.
A happy blue whale out of water.
Lots of tie-dye could be seen throughout Balboa Park.
Lots of tie-dye could be seen throughout Balboa Park.
Many crafts, clothes and goods for sale featured lush color and spiritual imagery from Eastern religious traditions.
Many crafts, clothes and goods for sale featured lush color and spiritual imagery from Eastern religious traditions.
A super cool painting of Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, created by artist Michael Rosenblatt.
A super cool painting of Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, created by artist Michael Rosenblatt.

Is this painting of local baseball legend Tony Gwynn awesome, or what? It has a Facebook page!

Lots of hand-crafted musical instruments were for sale.
Lots of hand-crafted musical instruments were for sale.
Some guys carry flags in preparation for a small Earth Day parade through Balboa Park.
Some guys carry flags in preparation for a small Earth Day parade through Balboa Park.
Sam Garcia, Jr. works at a canvas. Several talented artists were at work for all to see.
Sam Garcia, Jr. paints a canvas. Several talented artists were at work for all to see.
Creative kids (or adults) could color these huge panels however they pleased!
Creative kids (or adults) could color these huge panels however they pleased!
Large panels on display featured fantastic artwork, many images with a 1960s feel.
Large panels on display featured fantastic artwork, many images with a 1960s feel.
This human skull really caught my attention!
This human skull really caught my attention!
Beautiful wild animals in an exotic nature scene.
Beautiful wild animals in an exotic nature scene.
What's your sign. This panel showed activist signs photographed during 25 years of EarthFair.
What’s your sign? This panel showed activist signs photographed during the 25 years of EarthFair.
This very nice Quaker lady advocates vegetarianism.
This very nice Quaker lady advocates vegetarianism.
Kids' art shown at The Project Lennon table. The organization promotes peace and positive outlets for urban youth.
Kids’ art shown at The Project Lennon table. This organization promotes peace and positive outlets for urban youth.
Local vegan and vegetarian groups had different booths and some humorous signs.
Various vegan and vegetarian groups had different booths and some humorous signs.
I wonder what the animal rights folks would think of this. Animals used to fight poverty.
I wonder what the animal rights folks would think of this? Animals used to fight poverty and hunger!
Which one of these is the real animal. That happy parrot on top.
Which one of these is the real animal? That happy parrot on top!
Sign states that every year 30,000 species go extinct.
Sign states that every year 30,000 species go extinct.
I saw lots of banners with peace signs and rainbow colors.
I saw lots of banners with peace signs and rainbow colors.
This butterfly was flitting about in the San Diego spring breeze.
This butterfly was flitting about in the San Diego spring breeze.
Food was also a major topic, and appeared in unusual works of art.
Food was also a major topic, and appeared in unusual works of art.
This totem pole was made of recycled materials!
This totem pole was made of recycled materials!
A table in the kids activity area promoted imagination and creativity.
A table in the kids activity area promoted imagination and creativity.
Harry Eubanks of Rivers Eden paints cool art on old bits of wooden fencing.
Harry Eubanks of Rivers Eden paints cool art on old bits of wooden fencing.
Fun art from recycled everyday items in the Repair and Reuse tent.
Fun art from recycled everyday items in the Repair and Reuse tent.
The art of peace by Da Vinci, Warhol, Picasso and other famous artists.
The art of peace by Da Vinci, Warhol, Picasso, Van Gogh and other famous artists.
Arts and crafts were for sale in a large area of grass near Park Boulevard.
Arts and crafts were for sale in a large vendor area on the grass near Park Boulevard.
Lion dances would take place later in the day!
Lion dances would take place later in the day!
Volunteer today! Plant a butterfly garden in Balboa Park!
Volunteer today! Plant a butterfly garden in Balboa Park!  Do it!
Art was encouraged everywhere I turned. I enjoyed taking a walk through the 2015 EarthFair!
Art was encouraged everywhere I turned. I enjoyed taking a walk through the 2015 EarthFair!

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Spinning yarns (and twine) in old San Diego.

Yarns dyed many different colors out on display in San Diego's Old Town.
Yarns dyed many different colors out on display in San Diego’s Old Town.

One more quick post from today’s stroll through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. After going on the free walking tour, which I do every few years to jiggle my memory, I observed that a couple of unique exhibits were out on public display. One concerned yarn, the other twine. A “string” of coincidence too good not to blog about!

During the tour, our knowledgeable guide explained how red dye in the olden days was derived from a particular insect–the cochineal. The cochineal is a beetle that can be found on prickly pears, a cactus which grows abundantly in arid San Diego. While we watched, the guide plucked one from a prickly pear next to the Casa de Estudillo, then crushed it. His fingers turned bright purple from the beetle juice! (He explained the British Red Coats dyed their uniforms with cochineal, but Purple Coats didn’t sound quite so fierce.)

Tour guide about ready to make some red dye.
Tour guide ready to produce some reddish dye.

After the tour ended, two volunteers inside the Casa de Estudillo were demonstrating how yarn used to be made. To dye the fibers, both cochineal and indigo dye were commonly used. A spinning wheel served to demonstrate the hard work required to live comfortably before our more modern conveniences.

La Casa de Estudillo, an elegant house built in the early 1800s by a wealthy Californio who owned several large ranchos in Southern California.
La Casa de Estudillo, an elegant adobe house built in 1827 by a wealthy Californio family that owned several large ranchos in Southern California.
Volunteers in costume told me a little about San Diego's complex, fascinating history.
Volunteers in costume with baskets of color.  They told me some yarns concerning San Diego’s complex, fascinating history.
State Park volunteers describe life in early San Diego, when spinning wheels were common household objects.
State Park volunteers describe life in early San Diego, when spinning wheels were common household objects.

Out in one corner of Old Town’s big central plaza, some friendly Mormons were demonstrating the making of twine. Like the native prickly pear, yucca plants have always been plentiful in San Diego’s desert-like environment. The tough fibers in the leaves, once extracted, are dried and then twisted using a simple mechanism to create primitive but very practical twine or rope.

Making twine used to involve twisting dried fibers from native yucca plants.
Making twine involved twisting fibers found in native yucca plants.
Mormon guy smiles as he exhibits rope-making in Old Town. The Mormon Battalion was one of many diverse participants in San Diego's early history.
Mormon guy smiles as he exhibits rope-making in Old Town. The Mormon Battalion was one of many diverse participants in San Diego’s early history.

Someday I’ll probably blog about the amazing, hour-long Old Town walking tour. I need some more photos and many more notes before I undertake that, however!

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Meet Don and Dulce, Old Town’s donkeys.

I took another walk today…

Walking through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park we see a sign near Seeley Stable Museum. Let's go see the donkeys!
Walking through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park we see a sign beside Seeley Stable Museum. Let’s go see the donkeys!
Is this one of the donkeys. Nope. Visitors and kids from local schools can sit on this wooden critter, because touching the live donkeys is not allowed.
Is this one of the donkeys? Nope. Visitors and kids from local schools can ride this docile wooden critter, because touching the live donkeys is not allowed.
Look! We found some horned cattle corralled in a corner! Nope. Wrong again.
Look! We found some horned cattle corralled in a corner! Nope. Wrong again.
California State Park rangers ahead! I think something cool is up this way!
California State Park Rangers ahead! I think something cool is up this way!
It's 30 year old donkey Don. This guy can be grumpy, I'm told. I saw some evidence of that!
It’s 30 year old donkey Don. This guy can be grumpy, I’m told. I saw some evidence of that!
Over here we meet 28 year old Dulce, which in Spanish means sweet, or candy. She (I think it's a she--I didn't ask) is the friendlier donkey.
Over here we meet 28 year old Dulce, which in Spanish means sweet, or candy. She (I think it’s a she–I didn’t ask) is the friendlier donkey.
But the rangers here seem the friendliest of all!
But the rangers here seem the friendliest of all!

Visiting school kids, with the help of Don and Dulce, can learn what life was like (particularly for a donkey) in the very early days of San Diego.

Four things I learned during my brief visit:

Donkeys were a preferred draft and pack animal because of their spine, which pound for pound is much stronger than a horse. A donkey can pull half its weight.

Donkeys are closely related to the zebra.

Don and Dulce are rescue animals.

Old Town has fun surprises around every corner!

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Perfection contained in a long, leisurely walk.

Walking on the beach north of the Imperial Beach pier.
Walking on the beach north of the Imperial Beach pier.

Nothing feels more perfect than a long walk. A long, easy walk to anywhere.

No matter which path feet follow, which direction your head turns, to walk is to feel refreshingly alive.

With every step, the world’s infinite complexity is revealed page by page. When eyes are open and the mind is keen, the strides are through endless wonder.

That first step. That deep, expansive breath of new air. The stretching out of limbs. A touch of warmth or chill on your face. Eyes lifted to the horizon, expectant.

Joy mounting with every stride as senses register a million familiar proofs of the world’s essential beauty.

The smells from near and far.  Mown grass, the salty ocean, rain-wet asphalt, piney hills, a jasmine bush on a corner, sun-baked dirt, perfume from a cafe.

Kaleidoscope visions through which you simply, happily flow. The infinite detail of reflected light, dazzling your eyes. Patterns of leaves. Patterns of shadow. Patterns of neighbors and bustle and streets. The patterns of humanity.

And every gradation of daylight. Every blue and every green that nature supplies. A complete riot of color on painted things. Rainbows on buildings, signs, cars, jackets, socks. The whole spectrum of color, if only you see it. A trillion, trillion buzzing atoms encompass you, if only you see them. The awesome visual geometry of angles, form and depth. It’s all before and around you.

The smallest object encountered during a thoughtful walk is a self-contained universe. Even a lone bit of windblown trash is beautiful, in perhaps a thousand different ways. With a microscope you couldn’t unravel its potent mysteries. Who made it? How was it made? Where did it come from, and where’s it headed? For a moment the walker shares the world closely with surprising and mysterious companions: a bird, a grasshopper, a motorist, another walker. We all travel alone but together, encountering our own unique wonders, creating through sheer muscle and chance our historic voyages of discovery.

I want to go exploring today. I suppose I’ll just start out my door.

Got to put on my shoes… Bye!

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