people – Page 27 – Cool San Diego Sights!

Horses and riders gather for St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

A horse is prepared in a corner of Balboa Park for San Diego's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Sixth Avenue. — A horse is prepared in a corner of Balboa Park for San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Sixth Avenue. San Diego Bay and Point Loma can be seen in the distance.

Here are some fun photos!

Look what I discovered this morning as I walked through Marston Point, heading into the heart of Balboa Park. Horses and riders had gathered in the southwest corner of the park and were preparing for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Every year the big parade heads down nearby Sixth Avenue.

Both horses and riders would be wearing green today during the parade.

Horse and rider get ready in Balboa Park's Marston Point parking lot. — Horse and rider get ready in Balboa Park’s Marston Point parking lot.

Folks dressed in cowboy attire watch the proceedings.

A couple of horses from Valley Center wait by a trailer for the start of the parade.

Law enforcement would ride in the parade, too. These two horses were wearing some green shamrocks.

A horse and rider with fancy braids. — A horse and rider with braids and curls.

This elegant carriage would soon be watched by thousands during the big parade. — This elegant carriage would soon be watched by thousands during the big St. Patrick’s Day parade.

A rider heads across the grass of Balboa Park's lush green Marston Point. — A rider heads across the grass of Balboa Park’s beautiful green Marston Point.

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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!

This musician will put a smile on your face!

Fast Heart Mart sings smart, memorable music on San Diego's Embarcadero. — Fast Heart Mart sings smart, memorable music on San Diego’s Embarcadero.

For a few minutes this afternoon, during my walk along the Embarcadero, I relaxed on a bench with a smile on my face. I was tapping my toes listening to some really smart, folksy, bluesy, heartfelt singing accompanied by banjo and harmonica. I was enjoying a performance by Fast Heart Mart!

Please check out Martin’s website. He’s toured all over the world and has opened concerts for a wide variety of musical acts. He has ten albums!

I listened to his original composition titled “Good Lordy, I’m Forty” and laughed out loud. The lyrics are intelligent, humorous and strike a chord! And his voice has a distinctive, edgy but pleasingly authentic sound that I could listen to all day.

You can find many samples of his music on his website. I urge you to pay a visit!

Fast Heart Mart strikes a chord and produces smiles!

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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!

Angel hovers above homeless person.

An angel hovers above a homeless person.

I usually don’t post only one photograph, but I captured a remarkable image this morning, and thought some of you might like to see it. I was walking into the Panama-California Sculpture Court at the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park when I observed the standing figure titled “Religion” hovering like a heavenly angel above a homeless person sitting alone on a bench.

Workday snapshots of downtown San Diego.

On a weekday morning, construction workers remove debris from the interior of the now vacant Gaslamp 15 movie theater.

Here comes a batch of lively photos that I took downtown this morning. I have the week off from work, so I’m trying to take full advantage of it.

On this typical workday, I simply walked down from Cortez Hill and enjoyed some of the ordinary bustle downtown that I don’t always have time to appreciate. Among other things, I noticed the clean up is still going on from last night’s Mardi Gras celebrations. Life goes on…

Workers on scaffolding renovate the exterior of a building on Sixth Avenue.

Meals are being delivered by the San Diego Unified School District's Food and Nutrition Services to Kipp Adelante Preparatory Academy. — Meals are being delivered by the San Diego Unified School District’s Food and Nutrition Services to Kipp Adelante Preparatory Academy.

Priests from St. Paul's Cathedral provide Ashes To Go and a blessing to anybody passing by on B Street on this Ash Wednesday. — Priests from St. Paul’s Cathedral provide Ashes To Go and a quick blessing to believers passing by on B Street on this Ash Wednesday.

A window washer at work at City Pizzeria.

Sidewalk sign proclaims that your future is waiting upstairs!

I saw this art in a shop window as I walked by so I had to post it, of course!

A row of motorcycles and a construction worker taking a break near Horton Plaza. — A row of motorcycles, and a worker taking a break near Horton Plaza.

Torn sign at a Broadway bus station informs riders about yesterday's Mardi Gras detours. — Torn sign at a Broadway bus station informs riders about yesterday’s Mardi Gras detours.

This cool guy holding a parking sign outside the Bristol Hotel was nice to smile for a pic.

A worker crosses Broadway while a homeless man looks into a trashcan. — A construction worker crosses Broadway while a homeless man looks into a trashcan.

Here comes a guy riding a cool bicycle that appears to be designed for deliveries. Perhaps he’s a courier. A few bike couriers still make deliveries downtown.

One guy crosses the street while carrying plans, another escorts dogs with a coffee in hand. — One guy crosses the street while carrying plans; another escorts dogs with a coffee in hand.

People board an MTS bus near the Fifth Avenue trolley station.

A walker runs his cane through some spilled leftover ice on a Gaslamp sidewalk.

A firetruck turns a corner in the Gaslamp, and reflections of nearby buildings appear in the windows.

A worker with Clean and Safe's downtown program mops the sidewalk while a businessman walks by. — A worker with Clean and Safe’s downtown program mops the sidewalk while a businessman walks by.

An Old Town Trolley Tours vehicle loaded with tourists waits for a homeless man with a packed shopping cart to clear a downtown intersection. — An Old Town Trolley Tours vehicle loaded with tourists waits for a homeless man with a packed shopping cart to clear an intersection.

People work on laptop computers outside a coffee shop.

Birds fly in a blue downtown San Diego sky.

Someone unlocks the security gate in front of a small downtown shop. It is morning, so time to open. — Someone unlocks the security gate in front of a small downtown shop. It’s morning, so time to open.

I wait for my pollo asado burrito inside The Taco Stand and gaze out the window at B Street. — I wait for a pollo asado burrito inside The Taco Stand and gaze out the window at B Street.

A street musician near the C Street trolley tracks.

Finally, I spotted these people as I headed back up Cortez Hill. They were crossing the street with some shining balloons. I guess it must be someone's anniversary! — Finally, I spotted these people as I headed back up Cortez Hill. They were crossing the street with some shining balloons. I guess it must be an anniversary!

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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!

Volunteers paint lampposts in downtown San Diego!

Volunteers in downtown San Diego add a coat of paint to a metal post. A wonderful community project put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

A busy morning! I’ve got lots of fun photos coming! First, check out something really fantastic. The Downtown San Diego Partnership arranged for a bunch of generous volunteers to help beautify the city! The resident volunteers converged this morning at Eighth Avenue and B Street, were given paint and brushes, and were then shown lampposts in the area that need a coat of paint!

Thank you Downtown San Diego Partnership for working to keep the heart of our city in tip top shape! I was told this sort of event might occur in the future on a regular basis. Hopefully this blog post helps to raise awareness a bit!

Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o'clock when I walked through the area. — Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o’clock when I walked through the area.

Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown's Core district. — Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown’s Core district.

The base of a downtown lamp post has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today! — The base of a downtown lamppost has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today!

A worker for the Clean and Safe program beautifies downtown San Diego. As a resident, I thank you all.

These nice volunteers were painting their third lamp post as I walked back through the area later in the day! — These nice volunteers were painting their third lamppost as I walked back through the area later in the day!

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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!

Dreamlike visions on a wet, drizzly morning.

It was drizzling very lightly this morning when I stepped out my door. I walked from Cortez Hill down to Broadway, then over to Santa Fe Depot. My camera was under my umbrella.

The light was dim and uncertain, causing many photographs to come out unfocused. A few strange photographs seem to contain mysterious phantoms from some half-remembered dream. Haunting visions on a wet, drizzly morning.

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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!

Colorful photos of San Diego Tet Festival.

Colorful lion heads in a row. It's the Year of the Rooster and many throughout the world are celebrating! — Colorful lion heads in a row. It’s the Year of the Rooster and many throughout the world are celebrating!

I enjoyed strolling around the San Diego Tet Festival today. I arrived a few minutes after the annual free festival, held at Mira Mesa Community Park, opened its gate. People were slowly streaming in, and everyone was happy. It’s the Year of the Rooster!

Here are some colorful photos…

Visitors enter the San Diego Tet Festival as it opens late Sunday morning.

A free annual celebration of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, takes place at Mira Mesa Community Park.

Many booths in the park had all sorts of gleaming goods for sale. — Many booths in the park had all sorts of glittering goods for sale.

A representation of the Hoàn Kiếm Lake Turtle Tower.

Model of a small fishing boat used by 69 people to flee the Vietnamese communist regime.

History of the Escape Boat. Fleeing brutal communism, the refugees arrived at a camp set up by the United Nations on the island of Galang, in Indonesia. (Click the sign to enlarge it.)

Large bronze drum with ornate designs. They are a traditional symbol of power, used in religious ceremony, festival and war. — Large bronze drum with ornate design. These drums are a traditional symbol of power, used in religious ceremony, festival and war.

The Year of the Rooster has begun. It's the tenth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. — The Year of the Rooster has begun. It’s the tenth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

Martial arts students demonstrate some moves for the gathering crowd.

Taking photos of the stage on a sunny San Diego day in late January.

A representation of the sacred Hùng Kings' Temple, which is located on the Nghĩa Lĩnh mountain. — A representation of the sacred Hùng Kings’ Temple, which is located on the Nghĩa Lĩnh mountain.

Lots of Asian food could be found around the San Diego Tet Festival, as well as more ordinary American fare.

Pikachu sits protecting a spot where food is picked up.

Donations help keep the Tet Festival alive.

More area at the festival was dedicated to kids games and carnival rides than anything else! Oh, to be young again! — More area in the park was dedicated to kids games and carnival rides than anything else! Oh, to be young again!

A beautiful wishing tree at the San Diego Tet Festival.

A wish for abundance of love and health. Togetherness.

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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!

History comes alive at Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day.

Folks enjoy taking a ride in an old-fashioned covered wagon in Old Town San DIego during 2017 Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day. — 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.) — 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. — 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 folks were making biscuits, a staple of the Old West. — I believe these families were making biscuits, a staple of the Old West.

Guys in pioneer clothing just kick back in plastic chairs and watch some dancing and musical entertainment during the event. — 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 were in one tent learning about and making frontier dolls. — 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.

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. — 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 and period costumes. I saw many smiles in Old Town. — 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 old frontier music. — Playing lively old frontier music.

Playing simple, old-fashioned games. — Kids playing simple, old-fashioned games.

Another unique and memorable scene from Mormon Battalion Commemoration Day in Old Town San Diego!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of unique stuff to check out!

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Balboa Park, beautiful after the rain.

Girls in ponchos take photos with Will the bronze-gold Bard near the Balboa Park reflecting pool after the rain. — After the rain, girls in plastic ponchos take photos with Will the friendly Bard near the Balboa Park reflecting pool.

A major storm hit San Diego yesterday, causing flooding and uprooting trees.

I went for a walk through Balboa Park this morning. As I started across the Cabrillo Bridge, my hat protected my face from a few lingering very light showers. But they didn’t last long. My camera was out.

Rain has painted the arching west entrance to Balboa Park.

Leaves, puddles and a few early visitors entering Balboa Park after the latest San Diego storm. — Leaves, puddles, and a few early visitors entering Balboa Park after the latest San Diego storm.

Leaves blown by a very windy storm on a wet tile bench in the Alcazar Garden.

The Plaza de Panama might be wet, but people find tranquility and many wonders in the park.

Dripping branches and leaves seem to overhang The Watchers. This outdoor sculpture is by artist Lynn Chadwick.

Rainwater has collected in this beautiful flower.

Walkways glisten and the air is clean and cool.

The colors of the tiles in Spanish Village's patio are made bold and cheerful with the lingering moisture. — The colors of the tiles in Spanish Village’s patio are made bold and cheerful with the lingering moisture.

Magical life. A squirrel on the damp green grass feasts.

Walking toward the Casa del Prado, between the huge Moreton Bay Fig and the San Diego Natural History Museum. Everything is so green.

A photographer gets his subjects to pose. Hopefully nobody slips!

An iconic sculpture in the rain-wet courtyard of the House of Hospitality. Aztec Woman of Tehuantepec by Donal Hord, 1935. — An iconic sculpture in the rain-wet courtyard of the House of Hospitality. Aztec Woman of Tehuantepec by famed San Diego artist Donal Hord, 1935.

Beads of water on bright jewel-like flowers.

Cleaning up after the muddy, messy storm with a smile.

Gazing down at the Japanese Friendship Garden's canyon from an overlook by the koi pond. — Gazing down at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s canyon from an overlook by the koi pond.

The strong storm yesterday knocked over a towering eucalyptus tree at the Japanese Friendship Garden canyon's edge. Guys with chainsaws cut it up. — The strong storm yesterday knocked over a towering eucalyptus tree at the Japanese Friendship Garden canyon’s edge. Guys with chainsaws cut it up.

That long puddle almost looks impassable!

Rain or not, it seems an umbrella and cell phone simply can't be put aside. — Rain or not, it seems an umbrella and cell phone simply can’t be put aside.

Patches of dampness add character to the side of the Balboa Park Club. — Patches of dampness add even more character to the side of the Balboa Park Club.

A seldom used path to the old cactus garden is lined with bright rain-loving moss.

The picnic benches behind the Balboa Park Club are empty as usual. Grass has turned bright green in collected pools of water.

The clouds are clearing. I hear a cry above. Paired Red-tailed Hawks whirl and dance in the sky together above Balboa Park.

This is Engineer Joe. He was blowing a train whistle to attract an audience. He is performing at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre! The super nice guy told me that this puppet theater has been in continuous operation since 1948! He also said Marie Hitchcock created the puppets used by the San Diego Zoo to feed California Condor chicks, saving the species from extinction! — This is Engineer Joe. He was blowing a train whistle outside to attract an audience! He is presently performing at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre.

Engineer Joe is a super nice guy. He told me that the Balboa Park puppet theater has been in continuous operation since 1948. That’s a long time for a puppet theater! He also said Marie Hitchcock created the hand puppets used by the San Diego Zoo to feed endangered California Condor chicks in the early 1980s, saving the species from extinction!

The sun is out after the storm. A Balboa Park ranger opens the colorful table umbrellas in the Plaza de Panama.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around taking photographs! Just for fun! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!

Happiness and togetherness at MLK Day Parade.

People gather along Harbor Drive awaiting the start of the 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in San Diego. — People gather together along Harbor Drive and await the start of the 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in San Diego.

San Diego’s 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade started this afternoon at 2 o’clock. I arrived a bit early and made my way onto the tall ship Star of India. Best seat in the house!

What all did I see? Read the photo captions!

Lots of friendship and smiles up and down the street.

Some Navy officers gather near the MLK Day Parade's starting area. — Some Navy officers gather near the MLK Day Parade’s starting area.

The San Diego Padres would be in the parade. They were waiting with some baseball balloons by the Maritime Museum.

One benefit of being a member of the Maritime Museum of San Diego--I could watch the parade from atop one of the world's most famous tall ships--the Star of India! — One benefit of being a member of the Maritime Museum of San Diego–I could freely watch the parade from atop one of the world’s most famous tall ships–the Star of India!

Now I'm looking down from the deck above the historic ship's forecastle. Joe who works at the museum and I had the best view of the parade all to ourselves! — Now I’m looking down from the deck above the historic ship’s forecastle. Joe who works at the museum and I had the best view of the parade all to ourselves!

Look at all the folks gathering for the big MLK Day Parade. Every year, it's one of the most popular parades in San Diego. — Look at all the folks gathering for the big MLK Day Parade. Every year, it’s one of the most popular parades in San Diego.

From the Star of India we overlooked the parade's starting point. Lots of groups were waiting by their vehicles, including these Homeland Security guys posing for a picture. — From the Star of India we overlooked the parade’s starting point. Lots of groups were waiting by their vehicles, including these Homeland Security guys posing for a picture.

I also spotted law enforcement officers from around San Diego and the Border Patrol.

But the politicians manage to always go first. I spotted Todd Gloria, Toni Atkins, Susan Davis and Shirley Weber. — A pigeon joined us on the tall ship’s rigging. Funny how the politicians manage to always go first. I spotted Todd Gloria, Toni Atkins, Susan Davis and Shirley Weber.

The parade has begun and here comes the Padres' happy mascot, the Swinging Friar! — The parade has begun and here comes the Padres’ happy mascot, the Swinging Friar!

The Chargers might be history, but San Diego's beloved Padres remain a strong part of our wonderful community. — The Chargers might be history, but San Diego’s beloved Padres remain a strong part of our wonderful community.

I think these guys marching are the San Diego County Sheriffs. — I think those guys marching are the San Diego County Sheriffs.

Oh, goodness! It's the Geico gecko. — Oh, goodness! It’s the Geico gecko.

Fellowship and laughter in one group before beginning down the parade route.

From our cool vantage point above the starting point, sometimes the big event seemed like two parades in one!

It's a small planet. Perhaps we human-types ought to be nice to one another. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that love overcomes hate. — It’s a small planet. Perhaps we humans ought to be nice to one another. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that love overcomes hate.

I realized my small camera struggles at a distance, so after a bit I said bye to Joe and headed down to Harbor Drive to get closer shots.

Here comes a bright yellow float carrying some beauty queens!

Wow--look at all the color. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade is a happy celebration of human diversity and togetherness. — Wow–look at all the happy people. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade is a joyful celebration of human diversity and togetherness.

I believe these guys are students from UCSD. The County Administration Building rises in the background.

Lots of colorful costumes and finery representing different backgrounds and cultures. San Diego comes together as one family. — Lots of colorful costumes and finery representing different experiences and cultures. San Diego comes together as one family.

Smiles, happiness and togetherness. May the parade go on and on... — Smiles, happiness and togetherness. May the parade go on and on…

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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!

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