Families, generous supporters, and many young heroes converged on Embarcadero Marina Park North this morning for the 2017 Celebration of Champions!
During my walk along the Embarcadero this morning, I encountered a legion of amazing young heroes! Courageous children who are fighting cancer–and those who have defeated cancer–were gathering with their families for the 2017 Celebration of Champions!
I learned the emotionally moving event is in its 22nd year. It features young cancer battlers passing a simulated torch, from one hand to the next, as participants run a very short distance. Money raised supports Rady Children’s Hospital’s social, psychological and emotional support programs.
Parents of brave children who lost their battle with cancer also attend the event, in a tribute to loved ones whose smiles and hopeful hearts were in this world too briefly.
Folks head to the annual Celebration of Champions event, which honors young people who are fighting and have fought childhood cancer.A youthful honor guard arrives before the ceremonies begin.I learned that later in the day, many young cancer-fighting champions would carry a simulated torch around the grassy park at the edge of beautiful San Diego Bay.Some very young children were excited to be greeted by princesses!Young champions would hand off a simulated torch once they finished running a short length of the park’s looping walkway.Go Champions!
A statue of Tony Gwynn was dedicated last Tuesday at Lake Poway, not far from the place where he lived.
This morning I had to visit the new Tony Gwynn statue at Lake Poway. It was unveiled and dedicated last Tuesday.
I had to fill my eyes once again with that smile, imagine his laugh, remember his swing of the bat.
I never met Tony, but he touched my life, and the lives of countless others.
He worked hard. He gave much. He loved everybody.
He made the world much better.
Someone in a Gwynn San Diego Padres jersey sits by the softball field at Lake Poway, not far from the statue.The beautiful bronze sculpture celebrates one of the greatest hitters off all time in Major League Baseball. Gwynn doffs his cap while carrying his daughter Anisha.Plaque near the statue. Tony Gwynn was known as Mr. Padre. His humanitarian spirit was felt around Poway, the place he called home. His smile and laugh touched many around the world.Statue of Tony Gwynn in a beautiful park, where his children played.Flowers and a heart with the word LOVE at Tony’s feet.Tony Gwynn’s autograph greets those who visit the sculpture.This is how we should live.
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Adopt Leticia! She’s a silly Chihuahua and Rat Terrier mix who loves fluffy beds and meeting new people!
Lots of potential furry friends are awaiting adoption at the San Diego Humane Society. They’d like to meet you!
I spotted some fun flyers while walking near Balboa Park yesterday evening. They feature some friendly four-legged folk who are waiting to be adopted. Visit the San Diego Humane Society website to find out more!
Adopt Ellie and Bob! These special kitties are best friends who seek a compassionate human who understands the nature of shy cats.Adopt Lacey! She is a calm, loving girl who is really smart.Hey there, I’m Regal! This social gentleman is ready for a home of his own! He loves belly rubs and tennis balls and being with his people!
Folks enjoy taking a ride in an old-fashioned covered wagon in Old Town San Diego during 2017 Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day.
I’ve got lots of colorful photos! The annual Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day was held today in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. I covered this event last year, but I love history and scenes from the Old West so much that I swung by again!
San Diego’s history is remarkably diverse, considering our city is relatively new, and that it is situated in what for a long time was a thinly populated, desert-like wilderness. Many peoples and cultures have converged to help shape our dynamic city, including the original Native American Kumeyaay, missionaries from Spain, Mexicans who have called San Diego home, immigrants from Asia, an influx of Italian and Portuguese fishermen, and among many others, the Mormons.
Please enjoy these photos and click the big sign that provides a little more background about the event and the historical importance of the Mormon Battalion in San Diego. More information can also be found on my previous blog post concerning the event last year. Check the related links below!
The public was welcome to swing by the annual Mormon Battalion Commemoration in Old Town. There were many historical reenactments and costumes to see.One tent concerned letters home, featuring historical journals, maps and genealogy.Today we commemorate the first arrival of the U.S. Army in San Diego on January 29, 1847. This detachment was called The Mormon Battalion, recruited from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Click image to enlarge the sign if you’d like to read it.)Lots of interesting historical activities were being enjoyed by a large, enthusiastic crowd.Map shows Mormon Battalion Routes 1846 – 1847. The soldiers, recruited by the U.S. Army to fight in the Mexican-American War, undertook the longest military march in United States history. After arriving, they helped to build early San Diego.People draw the star and bear symbols of the California Republic.I believe these families were making biscuits, a staple of the Old West.Guys in pioneer clothing just kick back by plastic chairs and watch some dancing and musical entertainment during the event.Some colorful, joyful Mexican folklorico dancing on stage in Old Town San Diego!This guy with the huge saw was demonstrating another aspect of life in old San Diego.Visitors to Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day try their hand at sawing a thick log!A bunch of steampunk enthusiasts were attending the historical event!A fez and a golden arm. These guys should be in some sort of cool adventure movie! Perhaps they belong in a blimp!Like last year, a tent showed people how bricks were once made in San Diego.These assembled bigwigs were judging a Dutch Oven Bake-off!Scouts and other youth learn how rope was once made, using twisted fibers from native Yucca cacti.Lots of folks, old and young, were in one tent learning about and making frontier dolls.Some mountain men were camped at the Black Hawk Livery Stable, near the Old Town blacksmith shop.A sign tells about various Western trailblazers, including Jedediah Smith, Kit Carson and Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.Five anvils!Shaping red hot iron in the old blacksmith shop.These guys are keeping the ancient art of blacksmithing alive in a high tech world.Running out onto the wide grassy area behind Seeley Stable. Like travelling back in time.Some beautiful quilts on display during Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day in Old Town San Diego.Kids were learning how acorns were mashed by the Kumeyaay and others in San Diego’s early history.Someone poses for a photo with an old rifle.History, culture, bonnets and period dress. I saw many smiles in Old Town.People in nostalgic frontier garb and a modern t-shirt with a jolting urban message pose together for an unusual photo.Playing lively old frontier music.Kids playing simple, old-fashioned games.Another unique and memorable scene from Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day in Old Town San Diego!
…
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of unique stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Youthful members of All About Music San Diego prepare to play instrumental music at 2016 Christmas on the Prado in Balboa Park.
Early this afternoon, before the threatened rain might begin, I headed up to Balboa Park to enjoy a bit of the 3rd Annual Christmas on the Prado. This celebration of Christmas is put on by the San Diego Children’s Coalition and the San Diego Community Christmas Committee; it shouldn’t be confused with December Nights, a more diverse holiday event in Balboa Park which used to be called “Christmas on the Prado”. December Nights will take place next week.
When I arrived, the event was just getting underway and many booths were still being erected. I caught a few early performances and some of the Christmas spirit. Here are a few photos!
The San Diego Community Christmas Center’s nativity display at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is viewed by families during Christmas on the Prado.The nativity display shows scenes from the Bible concerning the birth of Christ.Shepherds are visited by an angel.Children view a scene depicting the birth of Jesus in a humble manger.A shack magically transported from the North Pole provides treats at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion during Christmas on the Prado.Christmas sweets include cookies!A brightly decorated tree and traditional Christmas music inside the House of Ireland at Balboa Park’s International Cottages.A small but cheerful Christmas tree inside the House of England.Inside the House of Norway, children make tiny paper Christmas baskets to hang on a tree among ornaments.Adding color to Christmas cookies inside the House of Norway.A youth ballet company practices before they take the stage at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.A children’s group sings joyful carols and other merry songs during Christmas on the Prado.Getting a Christmas tree ready where Santa will sit in the evening, after nightfall.
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Horse rides in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. One of many fun attractions at the Fall Back Festival and Historic Children’s Street Faire.
Late this morning I walked down to the Gaslamp to enjoy the 2016 Fall Back Festival and Historic Children’s Street Faire. A very long name for a very cool event!
Before the Fall Back Festival begins, clocks are set back one hour, as Daylight Saving Time ends. When the festival begins, however, clocks seem magically set back over a hundred years! Several blocks in the Gaslamp Quarter are transformed into a scene from the Old West, complete with cowboys, horses, a working blacksmith and more! The festival provides an idea of what San Diego might have been like in the mid to late 19th century.
Every year, the family-friendly Fall Back Festival appears about the same, but that’s just fine. Each journey back in time is wonderful!
Kids rides horses, as the citizens of San Diego commonly did in the mid 1800s.The Horton Grand Hotel rises behind a crowd of people enjoying the 2016 Fall Back Festival, an annual event that celebrates a fascinating period in San Diego history.Families dressed in Old West attire had a lot of fun as photos were taken at the Fall Back Festival!All sorts of Western hats, cowboy gear and Victorian finery could be donned at this table.Participants in the Fall Back Festival, wearing clothing from San Diego’s past. I felt as if I’d been transported back in time.A friendly hog greets somebody at the Fall Back Festival.Two ladies smile for my camera at the front door of the historic William Heath Davis House in San Diego’s Gaslamp.A row of shiny vintage cars on display during the popular downtown San Diego event.Many organizations had tents along Fourth Avenue, including the Friends of Villa Montezuma, which is a famous Victorian mansion in nearby Sherman Heights.Fourth Avenue runs through San Diego’s Chinatown, which is officially called the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District. A colorful lion dancer turns heads at the Fall Back Festival.San Diego’s relatively brief history is remarkably diverse. An informative poster at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum’s table includes several photos.I doubt anyone produced bubbles this big over a century ago, but I might be wrong!A working blacksmith attracted a big crowd on Island Avenue in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.Hammering red hot iron. A very cool demonstration at the 2016 Fall Back Festival!
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of unique photos for you to enjoy!
Naturalist Mike Kelly leads a small group of hikers into Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve from the Del Mar Mesa trailhead.
Free guided nature walks in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve introduce the public to unexpected wild beauty in the heart of San Diego. Yesterday I went on one of these easy walks.
Our guide, naturalist Mike Kelly, longtime member of the Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, has been an advocate working to safeguard this beautiful and historic San Diego canyon for over three decades. He’s a friendly fellow whose knowledge of the canyon’s flora, fauna and fascinating history made for an extremely enjoyable hike.
Years ago, Mike and others fought to save Los Peñasquitos Canyon from development. Their efforts resulted in about half of the canyon being protected. Fortunately, the preserve is connected to other similar natural areas in San Diego through various corridors, allowing wildlife to move about and thrive. Owls, woodpeckers, hawks, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, even an occasional mountain lion make the canyon their home. Native trees, chaparral, grass and spring flowers are abundant and the source of endless enjoyment.
I learned there are also wildlife tracking hikes, plus night walks, when deer are frequently seen. There are also free guided tours of San Diego’s second oldest residence, which stands near the east end of the preserve, the Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos adobe. To learn about all these wonderful adventures, which are ideal for families, click here.
To learn more about the Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, click here! Perhaps you’d like to become a member!
The Del Mar Mesa trailhead is located near suburban homes at the north edge of Los Peñasquitos Canyon.A sign posted at the trailhead shows future trails proposed in the Natural Resources Management Plan.Our small group of hikers heads down into the canyon through Coastal Sage Scrub habitat. We are passing California scrub oaks.We headed to Carson’s Crossing before checking out the popular waterfall.Approaching the central part of the long, narrow canyon, which runs from Poway west to Del Mar and the Pacific Ocean. Peñasquitos Creek lies beyond those coast live oaks in the distance.Carson’s Crossing is an historically important spot in Peñasquitos Canyon. Kit Carson crossed the creek here during the Mexican-American War. General Kearny’s US Army of the West was faced with formidable Californio lancers in San Pasqual, and the legendary frontiersman Kit Carson snuck away in the middle of the night to summon reinforcements from San Diego. He knew to come this way. The later 1857 Jackass Mail stagecoach line also ran through the canyon here enroute to San Diego.Heading west through the beautiful canyon in the shade of oaks, sycamores and willows. It’s an easy, pleasant hike.Looking north across a field in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in late October. Summers are very dry. Many leaves and flowers are now brown, awaiting winter rains.Walking slowly, senses alert. I smell the nearby sagebrush. I hear acorn woodpeckers and quail. I see beautiful clouds.Mike Kelly is a guide and activist whose knowledge of Peñasquitos is deep. Here he shows us some poison oak which is growing a short distance off the trail.A peaceful walk through nature. Over several decades, activists like Mike have worked hard to preserve the canyon and protect it from development. Today it is maintained by volunteers and both the City and County of San Diego.Mike Kelly shows us some California broom. Native American Kumeyaay and pioneers used the plant like a broom for sweeping.Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is a very popular place for jogging, hiking and mountain biking. Even marathoners use it for training.Now we’re approaching a trail sign and a large rock outcropping, which I learned is volcanic.Sign shows proposed San Diego Trans County Trail, which when completed would run from the Pacific Ocean over the mountains east of San Diego and out to the Salton Sea in the desert.I see lots of prickly pear cacti. Now we are getting close to the popular waterfall!Approaching the Peñasquitos Creek waterfall from the east.Descending rough stone steps to the waterfall. I learned the steps were a project of an Eagle Boy Scout.The small waterfall and its rocky pools are located near the center of Los Peñasquitos Canyon. It is the destination of many hikes. A great place to relax, cool off, and listen to the soothing water.Water spills over rocks. It isn’t Niagara Falls, but it’s wonderful nonetheless.Hikers pause above a pool of water which is captured by large blocks of volcanic rock. When the creek crests, it can rise many feet and submerge this area.A hiker up above seems to walk in the sky.Families wander down a pleasant trail in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. There is much here to see and appreciate. So much to learn.Naturalist Mike Kelly shows us a poisonous flower of Datura. In nature, beauty and danger are often found together. One should be thoughtful when hiking, and be careful to wear sturdy footwear and bring water. We didn’t see any rattlesnakes or mountain lions!
…
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Families are entertained by a story box rendition of The Magic Finger during the Roald Dahl celebration in Balboa Park.
Author Roald Dahl was celebrated today in Balboa Park! Who is Roald Dahl? He was the amazing writer who gave the world Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, The Witches . . . and many other extraordinary stories that have been enjoyed by millions of children and adults.
Roald Dahl, who would have been a hundred years old this year, is being honored around the world in September, and Balboa Park had its own very special celebration today. The good people of Write Out Loud put the whole thing together. You might have seen my posts about various other events Write Out Loud has organized, including TwainFest in Old Town and the Moby Dick Reading Marathon on the tall ship Star of India.
I took a few photos while wandering about Balboa Park, but the most colorful ones show the story box reading of The Magic Finger on the patio outside the House of England. By the way, the story box is a form of street theatre in Japan, where it is known as Kamishibai.
Celebrating 100 years of the beloved storyteller Roald Dahl. Many readings, screenings and activities could be found around Balboa Park during this special day.People converge on the House of England in Balboa Park to listen to a story box telling of Dahl’s fun story The Magic Finger.A good number of people, young and old, gather minutes before the reading begins. A small crowd stood off to one side.Inside the House of England, a special display provides details about Roald Dahl’s life, his writing and philosophy.. . . Go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall. Roald Dahl. . . If you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. Roald DahlWhile I stood waiting outside the House of England among Balboa Park’s International Cottages, I snapped this photo of a beautiful rose.Okay! The story is now underway! The young heroine has a magic finger which is activated when she sees red.Uh, oh! She’s about to use her magic finger on that foul, nasty teacher! The teacher grows fur and a tail!A joyful story box rendition of a clever, inventive Roald Dahl work of short fiction for children.Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. Roald Dahl
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I like to write short fiction, too! To read a few of my stories, please visit my other blog Short Stories by Richard.
American flags lead a Fourth of July parade in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Here come oodles of fun photos! I took them during the first two hours of Old Town San Diego’s Fourth of July celebration! (Sorry, but I missed the pie eating contest!)
I’ve captioned the photos with descriptions. If you’ve never enjoyed Independence Day at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, you’re missing out on a very colorful and patriotic event! And there’s a lot of fascinating history that you can absorb, as well!
During the Independence Day celebration in Old Town San Diego, there were all sorts of fun and educational activities. Musical entertainment could be heard at the main stage.The Armory Band played music popular in America long ago–patriotic tunes that citizens in San Diego would have enjoyed during the mid 1800s.Los Bailadores, performers in period costume, sing vintage patriotic songs like The Battle Hymn of the Republic inside Old Town’s historic La Casa de Estudillo.Los Bailadores then lived up to their name and began a few social dances that folks would have enjoyed in the 1850s and 1860s. Their first dance was the Virginia reel.During the Fourth of July, there were many historical demonstrations in Old Town’s central square, which was originally called La Plaza de Las Armas.A lady in a bonnet at a spinning wheel was making wool yarn.Quilters were getting their tent displays ready as Old Town San Diego’s Fourth of July events got underway.These guys were playing the old Victorian Game of Graces. A small hoop is shot into the air by pushing apart two rods. The hoop is then caught by one’s partner. Winner catches the hoop ten times first.The San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association had an interesting display, including ammunition that was used in old cannons.A poster has photos of reenactments of the Battle of San Pasqual, which took place northeast of San Diego during the Mexican-American War.Of course, you need some tasty watermelon during a traditional Fourth of July!The middle of the plaza became a center of attention as various tug of wars were contested by young and old alike.These ladies vied for tug of war glory!Later games would include wheelbarrow races.A cakewalk. Stop on the winning number and you receive a cake! This simple game was common in mid 19th century San Diego.Several speeches included one by Connie Gunther, a descendant of early San Diego. The legacy of those early Californios, townspeople, settlers and immigrants live on.
Are you a descendant of early San Diego? Do you think you might be? There’s a website I learned about that you ought to visit. Here it is. Those with family trees that reach back into early San Diego history can relate their knowledge for posterity and the benefit of others; those who think they might be related to an early resident of San Diego can perform searches and do extensive research. Check it out!
Kids listening to the speeches wave American flags.The keynote speech was by Tom Vilicich, portraying a first sergeant, Company K, 1st U.S. Dragoons, who fought in the Battle of San Pasqual.After the speeches, there was a Flag Raising Ceremony. People removed their hats as Old Glory was hoisted up Old Town’s high flagpole.Salutes as the Star and Stripes ascends into the San Diego sky.A billowing American flag rises on Independence Day!The musicians left the stage to make way for a special public reading of the Declaration of Independence.Diverse folk representing San Diego in the mid 19th century take turns reading the Declaration of Independence. Ordinary citizens in the crowd also took part!An ordinary American young person reads a few lines from the Declaration of Independence, on the Fourth of July in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.And then the parade began! It wound around the plaza twice. Ordinary Americans were invited to join in!Represented in the small patriotic parade were Old Town volunteers, boosters, and descendants of early San Diego.Here comes the old-fashioned marching band!People in the parade wore every sort of period costume–even red, white and blue attire from our own modern period!That’s because ordinary American citizens joined in the fun!This photo shows the good crowd that converged on Old Town San Diego for the Fourth of July!A scene from the colorful American Independence Day parade in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
…
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
People walk through the breezeway between MCASD and the Santa Fe Depot. Three large portraits address the theme of political and domestic violence.
Unusual, thought-provoking works of art are currently on public display in the outdoor breezeway between the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the Santa Fe Depot. I happened to see them the other day while walking through downtown to catch the trolley.
Close family members who have survived domestic and political violence appear in three large photographic portraits. The photos have been boldly augmented with paint to highlight human resilience and courage. According to a nearby description, these works are part of the FOCUS Binational Exhibition and were created by MCASD’s Teen Advisory Group. The artwork reflects an exploration of strategies for coping with violence and trauma.
This thought-provoking work of art suggests an older gentleman has a complex, deeply personal story to be told.A proud portrait augmented with laurels suggests one woman’s story ends in triumph.An arresting work of art glimpsed in downtown San Diego near the Santa Fe Depot. A strong woman rises from the turbulent ocean. Part of MCASD’s FOCUS Binational Exhibition.
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of unique photos for you to enjoy!
Cool San Diego Sights! 