State Park ranger Richard “Dick” Miller and Codi. Photo courtesy Richard Miller.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about a mysterious horseshoe and plaque at the top of some stairs at the Old Town Transit Center. The small monument memorializes Codi, Old Town’s Favorite Horse. (See my blog concerning the horseshoe here.) I asked whether anybody remembered Codi, and I’ve subsequently received photographs and a little information!
I learned that Codi was the horse of Richard Miller, who patrolled Old Town San Diego SHP as a mounted state park ranger. Richard “Dick” Miller retired in 2001 and came back to Old Town for another 12 years as an interpreter. He also started the group known as TRVEA, the Tijuana River Equestrian Association.
Codi and Dick Miller patrolled both Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Border Field State Park. Codi was a Morgan grade horse who weighed 1400 lbs, and when he passed he was about 22 years old.
After Codi’s passing, the horseshoe monument was made possible by the Old Town Transit Center contractor’s inspector, who had become a friend of Dick Miller.
Do you recognize Codi in these old photographs? If you have lived in or visited San Diego, perhaps Codi has a place in your memories, too!
Codi and Dick Miller at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Photo courtesy Richard Miller.
Codi and Dick Miller at the 1985 Sandcastle Parade in Imperial Beach. Photo courtesy Richard Miller.
Painting of Dick Miller riding Codi in front of the Casa de Estudillo in Old Town San Diego, by artist Miguel Chavez. Photo courtesy Richard Miller.
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Today I took two short walks in the South Bay. One of my modest adventures was near the Imperial Beach Pier.
I noticed that on Seacoast Drive, across from the pier, Bibbey’s gift shop now has two very cool murals, one painted on the south wall and one on the north. Both are super creative and contain all sorts of abstract characters, including kooky surfers, a mermaid, and what appear to be faceless underwater ball players!
That mural with elements from pop culture that I blogged about almost six years ago here seems to be long gone. Only the shark remains at the building’s southwest corner–an updated and rather fierce version!
UPDATE!
About a year later I walked past Bibbey’s again and took more photos…
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Peoples Park in Imperial Beach is now over two years old.
In 2016, residents of IB volunteered their skills, labor and love, and helped 4 Walls International create this fun, relaxed park on Seacoast Drive.
There are benches, planters and curving pathways, but the highlight of the park is a group of colorful, organic sculptures. Some appear to me like sea snails; others, as you can see, are turtles!
Decorating the surface of these mosaic sculptures are bits of broken tile and other small treasures, like beads and seashells.
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After enjoying the big Mariachi Festival in Chula Vista on Sunday, I headed south to Imperial Beach just to relax and gaze at the ocean from the pier.
As I walked down Seacoast Drive near Palm Avenue, I spied a cool mural that didn’t exist the last time I passed this way.
On the north wall of Pizzeria Luigi a splash of colorful abstract art and a bold face have appeared. I searched the mural right and left, but couldn’t figure out who the artist is. Perhaps I didn’t look closely enough. The complex spray paint art resembles the work of Maxx Moses. If someone knows more, please leave a comment.
There is another new mural on the front of the restaurant that depicts an eagle and pizza, and a third faded mural on the south side that I have observed on past walks. That one depicts surf breaking and the words from Genesis: In the beginning God Created the heavens and the earth. I wish I could recall who occupied the building before Pizzeria Luigi opened.
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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 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 photos for you to enjoy!
An astronaut gives a Hang Loose hand signal as he hovers near a satellite high above planet Earth!
Head into Imperial Beach along Palm Avenue and you’ll be treated to colorful art!
Here are some photos that I took yesterday!
A very cool space mural on one side of the AT&T building on Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach. By artists Todd Stands and Dave Frink.
As drivers head west down Palm Avenue, a mural featuring a gray whale welcomes them to Imperial Beach.
Art on fence between Palm Avenue and the old salt ponds of south San Diego Bay, now part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Reserve.
One side of the AT&T building at 13th Street has colorful, spiritual jellyfish that seem to communicate electrically!
The mural on the front of the AT&T building includes a big whale.
And lots of super colorful shore birds.
Beautiful public art welcomes visitors to Imperial Beach.
Another whale in the mural.
A pod of dolphins swims across an electrical box.
More beautiful street art.
I spotted a couple of native Eastern Pacific green sea turtles across Palm Avenue near 12th Street!
Carly Ealey painted Cosmic Tides in Imperial Beach for Pangeaseed’s Sea Walls Murals for Oceans.
UPDATE!
On a much later walk, I noticed there’s a plaque on the AT&T building, describing its mural project. The colorful murals on three sides are together titled Beyond Words.
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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 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 photos for you to enjoy!
Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?
Today I headed down to Imperial Beach to enjoy the Sun and Sea Festival. The annual summer event is famous for its popular sand sculpture contest near the pier. You might’ve seen photos I took in past years.
In 2018 the theme for the sand sculpture competition was Superheroes In The Sand.
A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.
Poster looks like a comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!
A big sand sculpture near the event’s entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival. That caped hero seems to be holding a surfboard.
I found my first superhero on the beach. It’s Wonder Woman!
Here’s a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle. I hope Thanos doesn’t have that gauntlet on.
Watch out Thanos! Hulk is finally really angry and ready to smash.
The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I’m not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.
Howie’s Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!
And I see Wayne Manor, too!
Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here’s the Mystery Machine!
And here’s a super scary creature! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker somehow cleverly disguised as a big monster. Just my wild guess.
According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don’t need a cape.
Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.
A local guy working on sand art that celebrates She-Ra. You’ll see why, shortly.
A variety of heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful sleepy face.
There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.
Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.
Here’s the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!
Team Sandstorm was creating their sand sculpture just north of the IB Pier.
Forever Heroes. It’s a big Purple Cross.
Sand spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.
Many heroes behind the medal.
The Sandcastle Man Team was creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.
A sand sculpture rendition of a far distant world. Rebels and Resistance.
The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter’s helmet.
Superman entered a phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!
Here are some hero lifeguards.
Why do several local sand artists like the heroine She-Ra?
This sculpture by the Sand Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.
My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.
A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman’s helmet.
My Heroes.
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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 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 photos for you to enjoy!
Tiny dogs surf mighty waves in Imperial Beach during the 11th Annual Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition!
And now for something on the light side. Surfing dogs!
Enjoy these funny photos of tiny dogs riding “huge” ocean waves near the pier at Imperial Beach! This morning I swung by the 11th Annual Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition, just to check out the action. The first 10-minute heat featured smaller breeds. These dogs are some of the most talented surfing athletes you’re likely to ever see! Well . . . maybe. But they definitely appeared to be having fun!
All you non-dog athletes, take note! No aspiration is too lofty! No wave is too large!
A crowd gathers on the beach in the morning, as the very popular Surf Dog Competition is almost ready to begin!
A pooch says “Hi” while hanging out with a few buddies. It’s going to be another great day in San Diego!
This thoughtful dog is checking out the perimeter of the surf competition starting area, which is fenced off from those often interfering human types.
We’re almost ready for the first heat! These small dogs pose atop their surfboards for photos and make the most of their superstar status.
A line of people awaits the start of the Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition’s first 10-minute heat of the day!
And these small surf dogs are off, making toward the Pacific Ocean with the help of a few human assistants!
The excitement has built to a doggone unbelievable level. Which four-legged contestant will catch the best waves and impress the judges?
The crowd watches these talented canine athletes as they take to the thundering waves!
Those are awfully big breakers! Only the most skillful and fearless dogs will master this tough surfing competition.
An amazing dog athlete has successfully caught the first wave! Here he comes! Great form!
A tiny canine contestant receives encouragement as this year’s surf dog competition in IB gets underway.
This innovative dog–I believe his name is Samson–doesn’t adhere to those old surfing traditions. He rides his surfboard backwards.
Oh my goodness! Three dogs on one wave! Remember this moment, because you’ll probably never see it again!
Two furry athletes vie for surfing supremacy!
I’m thinking of submitting this amazing photograph to SURFER Magazine. I wonder if it might make the cover. (Just kidding!)
Samson seems to have finally straightened himself out. Maybe he just wants to leap back onto dry land.
These best buddy pals are happy just to walk along the beach. No need to show off their mad surfing skills.
And these two sneaky dogs want to pretend they’re honest-to-goodness surfers. Can’t fool me!
Tiny surfing dogs have mastered the mighty waves at Imperial Beach during the Unleashed by Petco Surf Dog Competition. They are superstars, indeed!
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Sign near the entrance to Visitor Center of Tijuana Estuary, home of a National Wildlife Refuge and National Estuarine Research Reserve.
What place in North America officially contains the most plant and animal species? You don’t know? San Diego and the Northern Baja California region!
Yesterday I took a nature walk around and through the northern section of the Tijuana River Estuary. The large estuary, which is located at the extreme southwest corner of the continental United States, where the Tijuana River empties into the Pacific Ocean, contains abundant life which reflects San Diego’s amazing biodiversity and range of habitats.
The Tijuana Estuary is not only a place of tranquil beauty, but it’s a scientific laboratory, protective refuge, and outdoor classroom where the public can learn about our natural environment. It’s managed by several agencies, including the NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the National Wildlife Refuge System under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
I absorbed so much information while walking about, reading signs, and listening to a volunteer guide during a short nature walk near the Visitor Center, that I couldn’t possibly convey it all on my blog. So I’ve selected some photos and have captioned them so you’ll get the gist of what I saw and learned. And hopefully you’ll want to visit, too!
Relatively few people partake of the scheduled weekend nature walks at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center. Joan, the plant expert, said that some days nobody shows up. What a shame. Because there’s so much beauty, so much to see.
I strongly encourage anyone who lives in the San Diego area to head down to Imperial Beach and take a long, leisurely walk where life thrives!
Ecoroute Bikeway and sidewalk along Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach offers views of the north section of 2,500 acre Tijuana River Estuary.
A white egret and other small birds enjoy the fertile, nutrient-rich environment created by this important coastal wetland.
A shorebird equipped with a long bill, used to poke into sand and mudflats for food. Over 370 species of birds have been sighted in the wildlife reserve.
Once a dump, and destined to be a boat marina, local citizens fought to have the Tijuana Estuary protected as a National Wildlife Refuge and National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Steps lead down from Imperial Beach Boulevard to one of many trails in the fascinating, life-filled estuary.
There are many habitats in the estuary including dune, salt panne, salt marsh, mudflat, brackish pond, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and vernal pool.
Sign welcomes visitors to Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Five endangered and two threatened species of birds are protected here in their natural habitat.
I was told these old wooden pilings used to support a storm drain which ran out to the ocean.
A Snowy Egret perches atop a post, perhaps watching the water for prey. Small fish, frogs, reptiles and insects are part of the food chain in a shallow river estuary.
The path to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center passes through a garden of native plants often found along the coast of Southern California.
This colorful abstract map at the Visitor Center entrance represents the 1,735 square mile watershed of the Tijuana River, reaching deep into Mexico.
The edge of the map, inside the Visitor Center’s door, shows a part of San Diego and Tijuana. As it nears the Pacific Ocean, the Tijuana River crosses into the United States.
One of many educational exhibits inside the cool Visitor Center. Wildlife abounds . . . at Tijuana Estuary!
Viewed from the distance of the moon, the astonishing thing about the earth, catching the breath, is that it is alive.
Habitats in a changing landscape. All eight habitats in the estuary endure constant change. Water levels rise and fall with the tides. Salinity of the water fluctuates.
Visitors can jot notable sighting of birds on a board inside the Visitor Center. Buds and blooms are also listed.
A few people out on a nature walk on a pleasant Saturday in November. The estuary is full of blooms, birds, and animal activity, even as winter approaches.
Joan, a super nice park volunteer who is a plant expert (and author of a fun native plant book), shows us the yellow bloom of California bush sunflower.
Even though the blue blooms of this pleasantly aromatic Cleveland Sage have dried, the seeds pods have a bluish tint.
A tiny hummingbird is perched on the branch of a shrub.
The Galvezia, or bush snapdragon, is common in Baja California. It has green stems, bright red tube flowers, and attracts hummingbirds.
Hiking south down the North McCoy Trail in the Tijuana Estuary. Rising on the left horizon is Mexico. On the right horizon are the Coronado Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Ranger Debbie Good is super friendly. She answered a bunch of questions with a big smile. Here’s she’s putting away a table used to welcome volunteer workers.
These volunteer students from SDSU are helping to plant native vegetation. Efforts to return the estuary to a natural state are ongoing. This area several decades ago was a dump.
Looking across cordgrass and a beautiful wetland at the extreme southwest corner of the continental United States.
A quiet bench on the North McCoy Trail invites walkers to relax and take in the sunshine and surrounding tranquility.
Plaque on another bench at the south end of the trail. In memory of Glendon I. Layton. Rest a moment and watch the birds.
The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a place where amazing biodiversity and nature’s beauty thrive.
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A long time ago at a beach very very close…it is a period of sand wars… Star Wars sand sculpture at the Imperial Beach Sun and Sea Festival!
The 2015 Sun and Sea Festival at Imperial Beach today had almost everything. Lots of good food, live music, happy people, the beautiful ocean, and, of course, a whole bunch of awesome sand sculptures. What it didn’t have was sun. Monsoon conditions in San Diego have produced dark skies, frequent showers, even thunder and lightning this weekend.
But nothing could stop the crowds from enjoying this great annual tradition.
Ready to see the cool photos? Here they are…
The annual Sun and Sea Festival in IB features food, music, fun, people-watching and sand castles galore! This banner is hung on the pier above the beach.
The Port of San Diego is a sponsor of the yearly festival, home of the famous Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition. This sculpture was created by sand master Kirk Rademaker.
A second photo of Kirk Rademaker’s sculpture. Tiny sand people stand out on a sand IB pier over the sandy Pacific Ocean!
Sandstorm Fabrication team seems to be creating a large Viking head sand sculpture.
Cool frog-like creature coming to life on the beach conveys a Help Conserve Water message.
The Sandcastle Man team is building an elaborate sandcastle! Of course!
The I.B. Posse team is crafting a complex, exotic scene of Myths and Legends out of sand near the Imperial Beach pier.
Looks like the fallen head of a classic statue from a time long ago.
Sand sculptor is closely watched by the unblinking eyes of his inanimate subject.
This team wearing tie-dye was creating a hip sand scene with a fun, fanciful 60s flavor.
Is that a mud-covered hippopotamus rising from a river? No. Just some imaginative Southern California artwork.
Peace and Love. Hippie Hippos are cool, groovy and happening!
These are my favorite sand sculptures. Star Wars icons Chewbacca, R2-D2, stormtroopers, the Millennium Falcon and an X-Wing starfighter!
Fierce looking stormtroopers seem to be hanging out on sandy Tatooine. Where it happens to be raining today.
Han Solo is probably hoping this gifted sand artist can get the Millennium Falcon to jump to light speed.
Okay. You have to admit this is a lot of fun.
San Diego Sand Castles was skillfully carving toothy land sharks.
Hope it doesn’t bite.
Over here we have a large mechanical shark, driven by a small fish! The “real” shark must be terrified.
This team seemed to be digging out a whale. It’s huge!
Of course, there were Minions. Lots of Minions. Oodles of ’em. They were popping out of the sand everywhere you turned.
Five silly Minions seem to be having a party in a sand pit.
Another team had some Minions, too. This guy is riding a sand wave while sitting on a surfboard. Too bad the sun isn’t out.
Lastly, I spotted Baymax of Big Hero 6 being created out of sand. Lots of sculptures at the family friendly festival appealed to kids.
A cloudy, showery day with lightning, thunder, and crowds on the beach enjoying an awesome Imperial Beach tradition.
2014 Imperial Beach Sun and Sea sandcastle greets visitors.
I had to take one more trip to Imperial Beach this summer because of another big, fun event by the pier. Today was the 2014 Sun and Sea Festival! The event replaces the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition which came to an end back in 2011.
Master sandcastle builders who have won many international awards converged to demonstrate their craft and compete for top honors just north of the Imperial Beach pier. When I arrived, the creations were roughly half done. So I got a bunch of interesting photos of the artists in action!
Featured sand sculpture built by Kirk Rademaker of Sand Masters.
This centerpiece sandcastle stood near the foot of the pier, adjacent to busy vendor tents, and a variety of other fun activities.
Crowd watches master sand sculptors creating fantastic works of art.
Looking north from the pier toward the field of action.
Teams north of Imperial Beach pier work on detailed creations.
Plastic fork with two tines removed is used to create stonework detail.
Patience, planning and creativity on a Southern California beach!
Sand creations are sprinkled with water to prevent disintegration.
Tall structure looks like an exaggerated Eiffel Tower.
Sand head props up photos used to model rat from Ratatouille.
One unique sand sculpture was all about dogs.
A beach dog has its day at Camp Run a Mutt.
A castle with tall spires in the Imperial Beach competition.
The 2014 Sun and Sea Festival attracted many onlookers.
Brushes are often used to smooth and contour the sand.
Water and sand are mixed to form raw building material.
Close look at some detailed work getting started.
Artist works on a tire of a Transformers sand sculpture.
Unfortunately, the Transformers sculpture wasn’t too far along, so I couldn’t get more interesting pics.
I think this is an octopus.
Huge, complex sand sculpture with many team members working.
Now and Then is the theme of this sculpture.
Long straight edge turns a broad swath of level sand into a boardwalk.
I like how quaint this sandcastle appears!
The Sand Squirrels was one team competing at the festival.
Rocket’s engine of the funny Futurama sand sculpture.
Robot appears to be doing some sun bathing!
Super cool locomotive sand sculpture near the IB pier.
I liked this huge underground sand train most of all!
Everybody is watching the pros build their sand creations!
Kids on the pier’s other side build castles, too!
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