Festival celebrates all things Oz at Spreckels Park in Coronado.
Today a special event was held in Coronado’s Spreckels Park celebrating The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum’s other popular children’s novels. The family festival was put on to coincide with the 50th annual Winkie Con, a convention for fans of the Land of Oz.
Winkie Con, now also called Oz Con International (I suspect to sound like Comic-Con International), is growing in popularity and will be held next week for the first time in San Diego. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the classic Wizard of Oz movie, starring Judy Garland!
I strolled through the happy, colorful Coronado festival and got a few pics. According to what I’ve read, there were all sorts of activities during the day, including a children’s parade.
I then sauntered across Orange Avenue and took several photos of the famous Wizard of Oz stained glass wall inside the Coronado Public Library!
Dorothy and a Wicked Witch walk along checking out some art.Art along Orange Avenue sidewalk includes images from the Oz books.Wizard of Oz characters were all over Spreckels Park today!People enjoy music at the bandstand on a warm summer day.Kids could follow the yellow brick road and spin a prize wheel.These signs and balloons were all over the green grass.
I assume these were part of a fun kids activity.
The Cowardly Lion on stained glass at Coronado Public Library.
Now I’m visiting the Coronado Library which is located across the street from Spreckels Park.
Author L. Frank Baum spent a good deal of time in Coronado, writing many of his novels in a rented house not far from the Hotel del Coronado. (You might check out my earlier blog post on this subject!) He modeled the Emerald City of Oz after the fantastic, world famous Victorian beach resort hotel.
Because of its strong connection with L. Frank Baum, Coronado today is often referred to as the Emerald City!
These fun Wizard of Oz glass panels in the library were created by artist Brenda Smith.
The Scarecrow greets two crows and library visitors.Dorothy, Toto and Munchkins are a permanent feature of the library!
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Looking across Ventura Place at the Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Mission Beach is one of the most popular attractions in Southern California. One big reason: Belmont Park and the wonderful Giant Dipper roller coaster!
In my last blog post I walked south down the busy beach boardwalk to Hamel’s. Belmont Park stands just across the street. The historic amusement park was built in 1925 by wealthy sugar magnate John D. Spreckels, and was called the Mission Beach Amusement Center. The 2,600 foot Giant Dipper roller coaster, made entirely of wood, was built in less than two months. Over the ensuing years, the coaster fell into disrepair; it was then carefully restored in 1990 and became a huge success.
Entering Belmont Park beneath the wooden roller coaster.Looking up at red tracks of the picturesque coaster.Kid-friendly Belmont Park has thrilling rides and lots of fun stuff.People wait to board the historic roller coaster.The winding coaster tracks make for interesting photos.Palm fronds, painted wood and clear blue sky.A large indoor arcade at Belmont Park features many classic games.This small merry-go-round is a treat for kids of every age.A carnival midway area has tests of skill and a food court.Riders whiz by as the cars rattle on wooden rails.This yellow submarine requires no water!Wild and crazy Tilt-A-Whirl provides a big adrenaline rush.The Giant Dipper roller coaster swooshes by!Peeking into the innards of a wooden roller coaster.
It’s interesting to walk around the perimeter of the Giant Dipper. You can peer beneath the rails and see the materials used to build and maintain the huge wooden construction.
The Plunge giant swimming pool is undergoing restoration.
Right next to Belmont Park’s amusement rides you’ll find The Plunge, originally called The Natatorium. The huge 12,000 square foot swimming pool originally contained salt water. It was the largest such pool in the world with 400,000 gallons of water!
The Plunge has also become famous for its Orcas off Point Loma whaling wall, painted in 1989 by famous marine artist, Wyland.
Today the pool and surrounding structure are being repaired. It’s scheduled to reopen by the end of this summer.
I hoped to get pictures of Belmont Park’s relatively new FlowRider wave machine, which allows thrill-seekers continuous surfing without entering the ocean! Unfortunately, it was down for maintenance.
Photo mosaic on a nearby beach restroom shows bits of Belmont Park.Playing football on the sand at Mission Beach.
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The 2014 San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is bigger, crazier and more exciting than ever. If you want to enjoy a really fun time, go check it out! But expect huge crowds!
The theme this year is the Fab Fair, a commemoration of the fifty year anniversary of the Beatles coming to America. Prepare to relive the 60’s in ways you’d never imagine!
On a lark I rode the Coaster from downtown up to Del Mar for the big Opening Day. I didn’t have any sort of plan; I just walked about the fairgrounds randomly the way I often do. But I did discover and photograph lots of cool stuff!
Would you like to see some pics? Let’s start at the West Gate and begin our walk through the enormous Fun Zone…
Make a pool shot and win a stuffed one-eyed Minion!Persuasive carny almost convinces me to throw a ring at a duck.Gazing up at ride in San Diego County Fair’s Fun Zone.The wacky Fun House lures fair-goers and one curious photo-taker.Now we’re near the historic Del Mar Fairgrounds Grandstand.Ms. Senior Nevada performs on the Plaza Stage.Lots of crafts at the Design in Wood exhibition.
Now we’ve headed inside a building adjacent to the Del Mar Racetrack’s big Grandstand. There is also a dazzling Gems, Minerals and Jewelry exhibition which is well worth checking out.
Master woodworker demonstrates planing skills.Student Showcase contains art by high school students.
Many of the fair’s exhibits were in the large Grandstand building. Displays of art, food, clothing, collectibles, and everything imaginable filled several floors. It all had been entered by creative San Diegans, with the hope of winning a blue ribbon.
Home and Hobby exhibition includes many Beatles collectibles.Big crowd outside enjoys fair beneath the Skyway.Demonstrating a fancy vegetable peeler inside Bing Crosby Hall.
The huge Bing Crosby hall is where all sorts of odd gadgets and unique products are touted by eager salespeople!
Psychedelic VW Beetle at the outside Garden Show.
The outdoor and indoor Garden Show is one of my favorite parts of the annual fair. There were many beautiful and creative landscape exhibits.
Cool little keyhole garden can be grown anywhere.Fab Four include Paul, John, George and Ringo.Fun, whimsical display at the popular Garden Show.Lots of hippie-themed stuff to buy everywhere.Here are the good old Footsie Wootsie machines!
I remember these crazy machines at the fair when I was a kid, and that was many years ago!
Just inside the San Diego County Fair’s O’Brien Gate main entrance.Man walks into the Fab Fair Experience.People pose to recreate old Beatles album cover.Lots of displays remember the British Invasion of the 60’s.Sign above the Livestock Barn.
Now let’s go check out some livestock. It’s the county fair, after all!
Judge scores llama in a ring near livestock barn.Young lady looks worried as she prepares to show her goat.Sheep were being sheered in a smaller nearby barn.I missed the Swifty Swine pig racing event!Rescue personnel perform demonstration in Del Mar Arena.Back outside we discover a giant Florida gator.Wall of the Wyland Center has a cool whale mural.
That whale and the underwater scene around it were painted by famed marine-life artist Wyland at the 2006 San Diego County Fair.
Cool photo of extremely popular 2014 San Diego County Fair.The giant Ferris wheel turns in the summer sky.
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Boy gets encouragement before racing in Soap Box Derby.
San Diego’s annual Local Race put on by the All-American Soap Box Derby was held today! The action could be found on 25th Street in Sherman Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown!
Local kids, 7 to 18 years old, build their own gravity cars, then race them down a straight, sloped residential street. There are three classes of competition: Stock Division, Super Stock Division, and Masters Division. Each class features a unique type of race car.
The kids were having a blast!
Kids learn workmanship building gravity cars.The very simple interior of a gravity car.Two competitors get some last minute advice.Ready to race!Man pushes Ice cream cart up 25th Street hill.Here they come! Racers speed past spectators!Announcer at finish line watches the action!One race is over and a car is retrieved.Gravity cars are towed back up to the start line!
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Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
The brand new, very awesome County Administration Center Waterfront Park opened today! This spectacular city park stretches several blocks both north and south of the historic County Administration Building, replacing two ugly parking lots. It’s impossible to miss this expansive 12-acre park, located just across Harbor Drive from beautiful San Diego Bay.
You might have read my recent blog post about waterfront improvements, and seen some photos of this new park under construction. It’s now finished and it’s really fantastic!
I attended the grand opening this morning and got tons of cool pics!
Here we go…
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the County Administration Building in 1938.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!Looking through fountains on north side of park.Street performer in front of County Administration Building.Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!Kid checks out a fire engine.A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.A cool woodie with surfboard!
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A short walk north of the Imperial Beach pier takes you to this delightful sculpture. The Spirit of Imperial Beach is 18 feet high and incorporates many fun elements. The sandcastle at its base and the child with a pail recall the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, which used to be held yearly in Imperial Beach. (Several years ago the competition was replaced by the Sun and Sea Festival.)
Child rides a fish near the beach.Spirit of Imperial Beach by James A. Wasil.Crabs, shells, fish, sandcastle and girl with a pail.Closer look at amazing detail.Spirit of Imperial Beach sculpture is just north of the pier.
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Activist at EarthFair fights the Keystone Pipeline.
I couldn’t resist heading over to EarthFair today. What’s EarthFair? It’s a gigantic annual event that celebrates Earth Day in Balboa Park!
Put on by San Diego EarthWorks, this year’s EarthFair featured more than 300 exhibitors, promoting pro-environment concepts, policies, programs, business and education. The event is billed as a big tent celebration, and so the multitude of participants often seem an unlikely hodgepodge. From more traditional viewpoints, to those that are truly radical, all sorts of ideas and visions are expressed. It’s a colorful, thought-provoking and entertaining event with endless photographic opportunities!
Here are some pics!
Old objects reused to create art and jewelry.Learning to make yarn from plastic bags.Crafts at EarthFair include tennis racket mirrors.Kids have fun with great big bubbles.Costumed characters greet a child at EarthFair.Booth in Balboa Park promotes camping nude.Hemp enthusiasts check out wares at EarthFair.Meat eaters enjoy barbeque for Earth Day.1912 Baker Electric Car fitted with a solar panel!Kids learn how to set up teepees on a Balboa Park grassy area.Big Mama Earth provides green lessons for kids.San Diego Public Library’s booth with many interesting books.A lovely blue recycle bin poses for my camera!SoCal Parrot lady and a bright green friend.Earth Day activists conceal anti-abortion sign with banners.Toyota shows hybrid vehicles in front of Museum of Art.Old hiking gear can be fixed up and used again.Table with information about pest control using copper.Two rescued raptors shown to crowd on El Prado.Huge canvas interprets the reflecting pool with vivid colors.Mellow steel drum entertainment during EarthFair.Balboa Park’s trashcans were blocked with flower pots.Looking west down El Prado at huge Earth Day crowd.Advocating for the protection of seals.Activists oppose new power plant at Mission Trails Park.A table demonstrates the benefits of composting.Smokey the Bear stands near Surfrider Foundation booth.Man painted blue advocates for lower carbon emissions.High school student with Save the World Fridays sign.Scripps Aquarium brought some big shark jaws.Peace sign and coexist sign in the crowd.Banner in booth opposes eating animals.Petitions include dividing California into six states.Secret chemtrail and HAARP programs are opposed.Free hugs are offered to visitors at Balboa Park’s EarthFair!
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I hope you enjoyed my last blog post, where I described a hike around the Guy Fleming Trail in Torrey Pines State Reserve. Now I’d like to take you up to see the Lodge.
We’re going to start at the entrance of Torrey Pines State Reserve, just off the Pacific Coast Highway. We’ll be climbing the steep Torrey Pines Park Road all the way to the historic Lodge.
Looking south along Torrey Pines State Beach.
As we begin our climb we bend away from the beach, but pause for a moment to observe the high sandstone cliffs to our south. This wonderful beach, which extends for many miles, will be the subject of a future blog post!
Heading up steep Torrey Pines Park Road.Entering a zone full of endangered Torrey pines.Torrey pines stand atop eroded sandstone cliffs.
The Torrey pine is an endangered tree found only here and on Santa Rosa island. We’ll learn more about it shortly…
View of lagoon and ocean from High Point Overlook.
Near the top of the road we come to High Point Overlook, a short trail that heads up some steps for a 360 degree view. Here we’re looking north and seeing a bit of the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon.
Sign about philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps.
This sign stands among some Torrey pines at the top of the overlook. It reads:
The philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps (1836-1932) holds a special and endearing place in the annals of Torrey Pines. Without Miss Scripps, this mesa might resemble what you see to the east: a tangle of roads, houses and businesses.
Although the City of San Diego had set aside some land to preserve the Torrey pines, the best and densest groves remained in the hands of developers who planned to subdivide and commercialize the area. Miss Scripps bought these lots in 1908, 1911, and 1912.
She hired naturalist Guy Fleming to care for and protect this wonderful place in 1921 and funded the construction of his house on the property.
The Torrey Pines Lodge, now used as a visitor center and ranger station, was built with her funds and donated to the people of San Diego. It was designed by noted architects Richard Requa and Herbert Lewis Jackson. It opened as a restaurant in 1923.
Finally, she bequeathed the City of San Diego the groves of Torrey pines, asking that they “be held in perpetuity as a public park,” and requesting, “that care be taken to preserve the natural beauty of the area” in 1932.
Today’s visitors may thank Ellen Browning Scripps for having the foresight to protect this unique place in the California landscape.
Nearing Torrey Pines State Reserve’s historic Lodge.
A little more walking takes us to our main destination, the Lodge. An old adobe built in 1922, it originally served as a restaurant! According to the official website, it had stumpy tables, chintz curtains, lampshades made of Torrey Pine needles, and a jukebox! Back in those days, Model T cars had difficulty going up the steep hill, because they didn’t have a fuel pump, and instead relied on a gravity system. When the steeply climbing cars conked out, drivers were told to continue up the hill in reverse!
Banner commemorates 150 years of California State Parks.Gap in Lodge’s stucco shows original adobe bricks.
This is near the front door. The sign below reads:
When the Lodge was built in 1922-23, thousands of bricks were made on site using local sand and clay. The gap in the stucco coating above deliberately reveals the original adobe bricks.
Portion of large sign outside describing coastal flowers.Interior of Lodge is a museum and visitor center.
I love the interior of the Lodge. There’s so much interesting stuff to see, and so much history and natural charm jammed into one place. The Lodge is open daily 9 AM to 6 PM during summer daylight saving time and 10 AM to 4 PM during winter standard time. Ranger guided hikes are available on weekends.
One of many educational exhibits.Mountain lion patiently watches visitors to the Lodge.Plaque in Lodge credits Ellen Browning Scripps.Old fireplace shows decades of use.
The plaque above the old fireplace reads:
Torrey Pines Lodge dedicated to Dr. John Torrey, for whom, in 1850, these unique trees were named Pinus torreyana by Dr. C. C. Parry.
Sign behind Lodge describes Torrey Pine Woodlands.
Now we’ve headed back outside, around the back of the Lodge. Numerous Torrey pines are all around us, and benches are sprinkled here and there with sweeping views eastward toward developed Carmel Valley and Interstate 5.
This sign reads:
The Torrey Pine tree is one of the most rare pine trees in all of North America. The young trees that you see today may be the remnants of what was once an ancient coastal forest. This natural plant community is found only in nutrient-poor sandy soils, along the sandstone bluffs, canyons, and ravines, of Torrey Pines State Reserve and on Santa Rosa Island. In this harsh arid landscape, coastal fog is vital to the tree’s survival, acting as an air conditioner, shielding the needles from the hot sun and providing most of the moisture for the trees. The twisted and gnarled trees along the bluffs often lean inland, growing close to the ground, as a result of the ocean winds and pruning by salt crystals in the air.
School kids learn about local flora and fauna.
A ranger was giving a bunch of school kids a talk about Torrey Pines State Reserve. They’ll remember this special place for the rest of their lives.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines State Reserve is a must see!
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A friendly greeting from the folks at downtown’s SMARTS Farm.
This morning I headed out for a short walk along F Street in downtown San Diego’s East Village, with the intention of photographing some awesome murals and street art. As I was strolling along, my feet carried me into a super cool place I really hadn’t noticed before.
SMARTS Farm is an urban garden run by the nonprofit organization Humane Smarts. In addition to being a community garden, SMARTS Farm offers educational programs aimed at local kids. Children plant their own produce, watch it grow and learn about our environment. Photography classes are also offered!
How appropriate that I randomly discovered this cool place on Earth Day!
Happiness is working in a beautiful urban garden.Lots of stuff to see, including some photo art.An educational community garden in the concrete jungle.SMARTS Farm is located on F Street in downtown San Diego’s East Village.Children learn to love gardening and being outside.New beds where salsa ingredients will be grown.Lots of fun stuff to see!Look at this big old tub of color!Grow, Cultivate, Learn, Share.
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South end of long Urban Corps mural on Jefferson Street.
San Diego’s Urban Corp is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a high school education and green job training to young adults. Whenever I ride the trolley to work, I usually see a number of youth in green uniforms disembarking at the Old Town station. They’re heading off to begin another day developing new skills, while working to improve San Diego’s environment.
A long, colorful mural was recently painted along Jefferson Street, right across from the Urban Corps. You can find this public art near Rosecrans at Interstate 5.
Here are some pics I took as I walked north!
Mural depicts youth bettering San Diego’s environment.Urban Corps provides valuable employment training.Eliminating graffiti is one important activity.Youth have a second chance to earn a high school diploma.Urban Corps mural shows conservation efforts.Education is the key to moving forward to success.Young people have an opportunity to earn a paycheck.Segment of Urban Corps mural near Rosecrans and Jefferson.Optimism and opportunity on a long, colorful mural.
Cool San Diego Sights! 