Tag: happy

Hundreds of vows, one Valentine’s Day arbor.

Brides, grooms and guests approach County Administration Building on Valentine's Day.
Brides, grooms and special guests approach County Administration Building on Valentine’s Day.

Today I took the trolley to Qualcomm Stadium to check out the very cool Lunar New Year Festival. Before catching the trolley at the Little Italy station, I walked around the nearby County Administration Building and its beautiful waterfront park. Every year on Valentine’s Day, hundreds of weddings are performed here. According to an article I read, this year 187 ceremonies were scheduled!

I didn’t stay long, and I kept a respectful distance from those who were tying the knot, but I did manage to get a few decent pics!

This soon-to-wed couple is interviewed by a television reporter.
This happy soon-to-be-wed couple is interviewed by a television reporter.
People enter and leave San Diego's County Administration Center in bliss.
People enter and leave San Diego’s County Administration Center in bliss.
The first ceremony takes places at the small wedding arbor in the waterfront park.
The first ceremony takes places at the small wedding arbor in the waterfront park.
Love is in the air, and across the street at the waiting taco shop.
Love is in the air, and across the street at the waiting taco shop.

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Random happy visions in magical Balboa Park.

New bride and groom hustle through the heart of Balboa Park.
New bride and groom hustle through the heart of Balboa Park.

Please enjoy these random pics of happy visions seen on various occasions in Balboa Park. Every day in this special place is magical!

Wedding party walks down elegant El Prado, a frequent sight in Balboa Park.
Wedding party walks down elegant El Prado, a frequent sight in Balboa Park.
Getting ready to make a music video near reflecting pool flowers.
Getting ready to make a music video near reflecting pool flowers.
Classic automobile cruises over San Diego's scenic Cabrillo Bridge.
Classic automobile cruises over San Diego’s scenic Cabrillo Bridge.
Someone poses for a photo by Rolls Royce limo standing by in Balboa Park.
Someone poses for a photo by Rolls Royce limo standing by in Balboa Park.
An enthusiastic greeting from tourist passing in a GoCar rental.
An enthusiastic greeting from tourist passing in a GoCar rental.
Ice cream truck parked by children's playground on Park Boulevard.
Ice cream truck parked by children’s playground on Park Boulevard.
Artfully trimmed shrub elephant in front of San Diego Zoo.
Artfully trimmed shrub elephant in front of San Diego Zoo.
Taking a floating creation out to the big Balboa Park fountain.
Taking a floating creation out to the big Balboa Park fountain.
Kid tows handmade boat over cloudy water in the circular fountain basin.
Kid tows handmade boat over cloudy water in the circular fountain basin.
A caricature artist at work on El Prado as folks watch.
A caricature artist at work on El Prado as folks watch.
Playing a horn, trying to draw a crowd.
Playing a horn, trying to draw a crowd.
Musician plays didgeridoo that looks like a snake!
Musician plays didgeridoo that looks like a snake!
This cool didgeridoo guy can also be occasionally seen at Seaport Village.
This cool didgeridoo guy can also be occasionally seen at Seaport Village.

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Amazing sight before the Big Bay Balloon Parade!

Balloons of every color and shape bob and rise above the gathering handlers.
Balloons of every color rise and bob above costumed handlers.

I headed down to the Embarcadero a good hour before the start of today’s 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade. I hoped to capture some fun balloon pics. I succeeded!

The staging area, where the amazing, colorful balloons were being inflated, appeared like a vision in a wonderful dream, with gigantic faces and forms swaying high in the sky. It seemed as if they’d become magically alive!

These photos were taken in a large parking lot north of the County Administration Building. The Big Bay Balloon Parade, held every year in San Diego shortly before the Holiday Bowl, proceeded south on Harbor Drive and ended at Seaport Village.

Tourists pass staging area for San Diego's 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade.
Tourists pass staging area for San Diego’s 2014 Big Bay Balloon Parade.
This is the nation's largest balloon parade. The event is held just before the Holiday Bowl.
This is the nation’s largest balloon parade. The event is held just before the Holiday Bowl.
Costumed San Diegans enter a fantastic world of huge smileys and ice cream cones.
Costumed balloon handlers enter a fantastic world of huge smileys and ice cream cones.
A giant traditional Christmas nutcracker tips a bit in the sea breeze.
A giant traditional Christmas nutcracker tips a bit in the San Diego sea breeze.
This big inflatable American flag will be part of the upcoming parade.
This big inflatable American flag will be part of the upcoming parade.
Cool! I see Mr. Potato Head!
Cool! A favorite toy when I was a kid!  I see Mr. Potato Head!
Balloons fill the blue sky, and so does a penguin in a tuxedo.
Balloons fill the blue sky, and so does a penguin in a tuxedo.
Are those gigantic pinatas? They must contain lots of candy!
Are those gigantic pinatas? They must contain lots of candy!
Preparation for the parade includes unrolling something wrinkly near an octopus.
Preparation for the parade includes unrolling something wrinkly near an octopus.
This colorful mess is destined to transform into a delightful big balloon!
This colorful mess is destined to transform into a delightful big balloon!
Happy bumble bee billows as it's filled with helium in parade staging area.
Happy bumble bee billows as it’s filled with helium in parade staging area.
USS Midway Museum had a lighter-than-air jet fighter.
USS Midway Museum had a lighter-than-air jet fighter.
Happiness is super-sized like a wonderful waking dream.
Happiness is super-sized like a wonderful waking dream.
Fun, happy childhood stuff flying all over the place. Marvelous mayhem!
Fun, happy childhood stuff flying all over the place. Marvelous mayhem!

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Balboa Park Carousel provides fun nostalgia.

Lady twists balloon creations near the historic Balboa Park carousel.
Lady twists balloon creations near the historic Balboa Park Carousel.

Whenever I walk through Balboa Park, I almost always point my feet in the direction of the carousel.

There’s something just so innocent and joyful about the old merry-go-round. For generations it has faithfully awaited children of all ages at the north end of the park, right next to the San Diego Zoo. The whirling playful animals and marching organ music put a smile on my face and a lift in my spirit.

While the 1910 Herschell-Spillman carousel has been moved a few times, for one hundred years it has been located in San Diego. Today it is only one of two carousels west of the Mississippi that feature the nostalgic brass ring game. Lucky riders who grab a brass ring win a free ride!

People gaze at the 1910 Herschell-Spillman carousel on a summer day.
People gaze at the 1910 Herschell-Spillman carousel on a summer day.
The merry-go-round features 27 horses and 25 menagerie animals.
The merry-go-round features 27 horses and 25 menagerie animals.
A brightly painted carved wooden horse awaits a passenger.
A brightly painted carved wooden horse awaits a passenger.
The carousel has stood in Balboa Park for exactly one hundred years!
The carousel, built in New York, has stood in Balboa Park since 1922! It was previously located at Tent City in Coronado.
Old items in building include a rowboat.
Old items in building include a rowboat.
A brass ring game is still played today.
A fun brass ring game is still played today.
Many generations have enjoyed this cheerful San Diego attraction.
Many generations have enjoyed this cheerful San Diego attraction.
Another view past a ride for very young children.
Another view past a ride for very young children.

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Mother’s Day at Balboa Park’s rose garden.

View of Balboa Park rose garden from nearby bridge.
View of Balboa Park rose garden from nearby bridge.

Mom passed away some years ago. She loved roses. This blog post is dedicated to every precious mom on Mother’s Day.

I took these photos today at Balboa Park’s three-acre Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden. It’s located across Park Boulevard from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and features about 1,600 roses of more than 130 varieties. People love to stroll through the lush award-winning displays. Many mothers and families were present today!

Hundreds of roses surround a large, shady gazebo.
Hundreds of roses surround a large, shady gazebo.
Path near the edge of rose garden's gazebo.
Path near the edge of rose garden’s gazebo.
Plaque on one gazebo bench with romantic sentiment.
Plaque on one gazebo bench with romantic sentiment.
A fountain among the roses.
A fountain among the roses.
Mother's Day at the Balboa Park rose garden.
Looking across colorful blooms toward entrance.
Looking north toward main entrance near Park Boulevard bridge.
Families enjoy a world-class rose garden on Mother’s Day.
Looking over white roses at the Natural History Museum.
Looking over white roses at the Natural History Museum.
Dedicated to the memory of Inez Grant Parker.
Garden is dedicated to the memory of Inez Grant Parker.
Simply beautiful.
Simply beautiful.

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The fun, whimsical Sixth Avenue playground.

Imaginative children's playground in Balboa Park.
Imaginative children’s playground in Balboa Park.

Whenever I walk past the Sixth Avenue playground, located among pine trees in the northwest corner of Balboa Park, I wish I were a child again. To romp, climb and swing through this crazy colorful jumble would be a ton of fun!

The fun, whimsical Sixth Avenue playground.
The fun, whimsical Sixth Avenue playground.
Morning view of what is probably a fairly ordinary playground, but I still like it!
Morning view of what is probably just an ordinary playground, but I still like it!

Three utility boxes on Bankers Hill.

Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.
Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.

Here are three colorful utility boxes along Laurel Street on Bankers Hill. I really like the message on the first one.

Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.

A quiet New Year’s Day on San Diego Bay.

Anthony's Fishette is empty, closed on New Year's Day.
Anthony’s Fishette is empty, closed on New Year’s Day.

It didn’t matter that most places were closed.  The Embarcadero was wide open.

On this sunny New Year’s Day people were simply walking or sitting at the edge of San Diego Bay, gazing out at the water and boats.

People gaze at San Diego Bay from benches by The Fish Market.
People simply talk or gaze at San Diego Bay near The Fish Market.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Ice cream vendor near USS Midway scoops New Year's Day treat.
Street vendor near USS Midway scoops a New Year’s Day treat.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier on New Year's Day.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier for New Year’s Day.
Gull relaxes atop pile of yellow floats on pier.
Gull enters the new year atop pile of yellow floats.

Funky, folksy Studio 13 in Spanish Village.

funky art studio in spanish village

Take a look at the deliciously, crazily, wonderfully picturesque Studio 13 in Balboa Park’s always surprising and colorful Spanish Village! This quaint little studio is both funky and folksy, a wild mixture of creative artistry!

You know, I wouldn’t mind living in such a happy place. Perhaps in the middle of a green meadow with unicorns grazing nearby…

A peek inside Studio 13 in Spanish Village.
A peek inside Studio 13 in Spanish Village.
Looking around the side of Studio 13.
Looking around the side of Studio 13.
Looking behind funky Studio 13 in Spanish Village.
Looking behind funky Studio 13 in Spanish Village.