It’s a beautiful day by the ocean in La Jolla. Some kayakers have noticed the entrance to a sea cave in the sandstone. Curious eyes spot them from above and watch the unfolding drama.
Please forgive me for this imaginative little story. It’s hot today and perhaps my brain overheated.
The summer heat is why I went down to La Jolla this morning. By the water it was thankfully a few degrees cooler. While I walked along the Pacific Ocean near La Jolla Cove, I watched some kayaks enter the nearby sea cave.
Upon studying my photographs, this short story emerged. For the exciting conclusion, please read the captions, beginning with the above first photo…
The kayakers can’t resist a strong impulse to enter the cave. They turn carefully to peer into the darkness deep within the earth. There seems to be a strange blue light shimmering inside.The mysterious glow lures them into vast blackness and possible danger. As their kayaks start to fade, the weird light intensifies…Drawn forward into the unknown, the courageous kayakers paddle along the dancing beam of light. They are explorers. Life is a great adventure.Beyond darkness lies the magical source of shining blue. They soon vanish–passing from one amazing world into another.
…
Follow this blog if you like to be occasionally surprised! Join me on Facebook or Twitter.
This crazy boat shaped like a donut features a large central barbeque!
I walked about Coronado yesterday and got material for a few blog posts. First, check out this crazy watercraft! I saw it while walking along Glorietta Bay and thought–what the heck is that?!?! It’s a floating barbeque! I’ve seen pictures of jacuzzi boats, but never something inventive resembling this! I wonder what the Coast Guard thinks of the thing. To me, it looks like fun!
The Barbeque Donut can be found at Seaforth boat rental dock in Coronado.
Perhaps you saw my post a little over a year ago about the very cool “Imagine Tent City” public artwork on Coronado. It stands just south of where I took the above pics. Well, I got many more really great photographs and have added them to that old post. You might enjoy checking it out!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Fishermen enjoy a day on San Diego Bay with downtown skyline in background.
I made a discovery last weekend as I searched through hundreds of old pics on my computer. It seems I really like to photograph anything that floats in San Diego Bay! There’s just something very striking about purposeful objects that move across the sparkling water. Here’s a variety of photos…
Ferry approaches Coronado while navigating past other ships and boats.Kayakers paddle under the Coronado Ferry Landing pier.Kayaker checks out the water underneath Joe’s Crab Shack.Paddling away on San Diego Bay. Looks like a fun adventure!Guy in small inflatable with bucket, net and fishing rods hopes to catch something.USS Ardent (MCM-12) mine countermeasures Navy ship cruises along the bay.Huge Dole cargo ship brings in millions of bananas from Central America.Sailboat heads out from Shelter Island Yacht Basin past Scripps research ship Melville.Billowing sail is colorful under San Diego blue sky.Man casts from shore of Shelter Island, hangars on North Island in the background.A bunch of beautiful yachts in a row behind the San Diego Convention Center.Boats docked in large marina between Harbor Island and Spanish Landing.Maritime Museum of San Diego’s Swift Boat, PCF-816, returns from a harbor cruise.The Harbor Island Fuel Dock is always a hub of boating activity.Sailboat leans on the sparkling water of our endlessly fascinating Big Bay.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook. or follow me on Twitter.
Forgive me for telling the following very silly story. I suppose I like this short story because it happens to be true.
As always, please follow the captions…
A beautiful day on Shelter Island and kayakers approach the boat ramp area.A fisherman has arrived on a boat and he’s tossing leftover bait to pelicans and gulls.And look who else is tagging along–it’s Wally the sea lion!Wally is looking for a free meal, himself. A large fish would be very nice!Wally spots some new arrivals coming into the little boat ramp area.It’s the kayakers! Wally greets everyone and quickly looks things over.Some curious, sociable mammals (and a few birds) enjoy a moment together.
The fisherman told me the California sea lion’s name is Wally. He told the kayakers the same thing. So it seems his name must be Wally!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Park ranger removing weeds near State Beach entrance.
The Silver Strand is a narrow strip of land that connects Coronado southward to Imperial Beach. The northern portion is used as a training ground for Navy Seals. Other areas contain housing, marinas and a hotel. Much of it remains in a natural state.
Halfway down the strand, sandwiched between San Diego Bay and the blue Pacific Ocean, you’ll find Silver Strand State Beach, a beautiful state park featuring a great beach, RV parking, a large picnic area, and a boating facility. Apart from the RV area, which is very popular, the place often seems half-deserted. Even during summer weekdays.
I rode my bike through the park on a perfectly sunny spring weekday and I saw half a dozen people.
Closed lifeguard lookout on Silver Strand State Beach.Except for RVs to the north, the beach is almost empty.Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.From one empty side of the strand to the other.
Here I’m passing through a tunnel under the highway from the Pacific side to the bay side.
Dozens of unused picnic tables on a sunny Spring weekday.
There are scores of picnic benches on the bay side and very few ever seem to be used.
One small figure sits at end of picnic table row.Colorful kayaks at Crown Cove Aquatic Center.
The boating center gets a little more activity on weekends. I’ve seen folks out rowing along the water.
Lots of unused boats on the bay side of Silver Strand.San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.Trail leads from Silver Strand bikeway across natural habitat.
You’ll find this natural area in the north part of Silver Strand State Beach, on the east side of the highway.
The wood plank nature trail is in disrepair.
The endangered California least tern nests in clear, sandy areas along the Silver Strand. I wasn’t able to spot any during this visit.
Information sign rusted and unreadable.A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
On Harbor Island, just east of the Hilton, several gates leading down to the marina have metalwork that is really beautiful. Check out these images…
Lively underwater scene on a marina entrance gate.Dolphins decorate a marina gate on Harbor Island.Beautiful approach to one gate at Harbor Island marina.
Many of these small boats are used by people who live on San Diego Bay in sailboats and other vessels moored nearby. Beached at the dinghy landing next to Shelter Island’s boat ramp, many appear weathered and sun-faded…but quite colorful!
Here are a few more pics I took on a later walk…
Sandy-bottomed boats lie scattered near Shelter Island boat ramp.Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.Various rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.
This is probably the coolest fish you’ll ever see. He’s so “ice” cool he’s gotta wear shades!
I glimpsed this funny image by the San Diego Marriott Marina, and thought everyone would enjoy it. Boaters going to and from the marina office are sure to take notice!
Here’s another look at the beautiful San Diego Marriott Marina. Hundreds of boats find safe harbor in this large expanse of water between a grassy park to the west and the silvery Marriott Marquis hotel. You can see boats of every size and description: sailboats, speedboats, small yachts…
Around Christmas, many of these watercraft are decked with strings of colored lights, glowing Santas, and other illuminated decorations, making for a festive scene at night. Dozens of boats participate in the holiday Parade of Lights, cruising merrily around San Diego Bay.
Throughout the year, it’s fun to watch individual boats gliding slowly in and out of the marina. You can also spot rented Jet Skis, people enjoying kayaks, and others standing on paddleboards.
Marriott Marina with nearby Hilton hotel in the background.Man on paddleboard enjoys calm water in the marina.One of several ramps to the San Diego Marriott’s marina.Watercraft for rent at the Marriott Marina.Inflatable Christmas dog decorates boat in the marina.
Cool San Diego Sights! 