Tag: coins

Hunt for hidden treasures in a La Mesa park!

Collier Park in La Mesa contains hidden treasures!

Those who explore the city park might come across 18 coin-like plaques that feature images of local plants and animals.

If you would enjoy a fun outdoor treasure hunt, head over to La Mesa’s historic Collier Park, walk along its easy nature trail and begin your search.

Make the treasure hunt a game! Challenge your family or friends. Who can find the most?

Explore the park to find the hidden treasures of different plants and animals! Find all 18 emblems below!

Sage, Poppy, Skunk, Frog, Hummingbird, Snake, Squirrel, Beetle, Hawk, Sycamore Leaf, Raccoon, Butterfly, Rabbit, Spider, Ladybug, Dandelion, Oak Leaf, Sparrow

By strolling around Collier Park, you can also discover a bit of history.

As the city of La Mesa’s first park, Collier Park has long served as a community gathering space.

Kumeyaay – The Kumeyaay Tribe of Indigenous peoples have a rich history in the area, harnessing nature’s local resources. The natural spring in the park once served as a seasonal stopping place for the local Kumeyaay.

David C. Collier – Colonel David Charles (D.C.) Collier, a pioneer community developer in La Mesa and throughout San Diego County, was responsible for donating the land to the community for what would become the City’s first public park after incorporation in 1912.

In the next photograph, you can spot La Mesa’s historical Spring House. Curious? I blogged about it here.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

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Wolves ov Odin reenact lives of Danish Vikings!

A lawn program at Balboa Park’s International Cottages today celebrated Norse history and culture. The House of Norway provided food and entertainment, and a visit from Viking explorer Leif Erikson (an actor)!

What I found most interesting, however, was a living history “encampment” on the International Cottages lawn. Costumed members of Wolves ov Odin were showing what Norse life was like in the 8th century!

Perhaps you’ve seen Wolves ov Odin at the annual Viking Festival in Vista, California. They are a group that portrays Danish Vikings that lived in the Jorvik region of present day York, UK.

As you can see, curious people converged on several tables to see and touch history.

Read the photo captions for a bit of what I learned…

Viking chain mail armor on display. I lifted one end and it was heavy! Those steel helmets in the background were heavy, too! Better a sore neck than a hole in the head!

Creating chain mail by interlocking iron rings was a long process undertaken by Viking smiths. Iron was rare and chain mail shirts were relatively rare.

A beautifully engraved but deadly Viking axe. I wish I had learned more about it.

A simple sundial made of wood, which could double as a compass to aid in Viking ocean navigation. An X marks noon–I took this photo a few minutes before the shadow lined up with it!

Making a replica Viking coin, using a length of modern steel tubing for hammering safety.

I got my own, freshly minted pewter Viking Raven Penny of Anlaf Guthfrithson!

Demonstrating a replica Oseberg Sprang Weaving Loom, a loom from the Oseberg ship, a well-preserved Viking ship discovered in 1904 in Norway.

Combing and spinning wool with a hand spindle preceded tablet weaving and making Viking clothing and ship sails!

The spindles were very simple.

It never occurred to me that Viking sails were made by weaving!

Beads were a sign of wealth among Vikings.

A smile and sample of Viking life.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.

Exhibit for San Diego City Clerk’s Archives Month!

A great exhibit is now open to the public inside the lobby of downtown San Diego’s City Administration Building. The San Diego City Clerk is celebrating its 5th Annual Archives Month with displays concerning our city’s historic 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park!

Step into the City Administration Building in the next few days and you’ll discover old photographs and documents concerning the exposition, and even the big coin you see above!

This original coin, inscribed Welcome To America’s Exposition, was actually the welcome sign for San Diego’s second world’s fair, which followed the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition, also held in Balboa Park.

The above 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition Sign was donated to the City Clerk Archives for safekeeping.

Here’s a photo of someone posing with the original sign!

There are many fascinating images on display, including photos of American presidents, dignitaries and celebrities who visited the expo almost a century ago. You also have an opportunity to take a selfie with a replica of the coin that is light enough to hold above your head!

Can’t make it downtown? View archived photographs, ephemera and city documents that concern the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition by clicking here!

This fascinating historical exhibit will be on display in the City Administration Building lobby from October 2nd through October 16th, so check it out if you can!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!