Tag: san diego bay

Golden light splashes upon two famous ships.

Sunlight brightens west-facing art glass windows on the passenger deck of the steam ferry Berkeley.
Sunlight brightens west-facing art glass windows inside the passenger deck of the steam ferry Berkeley.

The days are becoming shorter.

Hoping to enjoy every last drop of daylight, this evening I lingered by San Diego Bay.

As the sun neared the horizon, golden light splashed upon two famous museum ships: the steam ferry Berkeley, and the aircraft carrier USS Midway.

The beautiful art glass windows of the Berkeley remind one of the glowing stained glass found inside cathedrals.
The amazing art glass windows of the Berkeley remind one of glowing stained glass found inside cathedrals.
Light streams up along the historic ship's simple ceiling.
Light streams up along the historic ferryboat’s ceiling.
Splashes of sunlight reflect from the floor, woodwork and empty benches inside the passenger deck of Berkeley.
Splashes of golden sunlight reflect from the floor, woodwork and empty benches inside the passenger deck of Berkeley.
The sun nears the horizon beyond the USS Midway Museum, reflecting from tranquil San Diego Bay.
The sun nears the horizon beyond the USS Midway Museum, reflecting like a band of gold on San Diego Bay.
Late sunlight splashes the immense bow of the USS Midway with gold.
Golden sunlight splashes the immense bow of the USS Midway.

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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!

Fun photos of the Sea Chantey Festival!

Today I enjoyed an extraordinary event. I boarded the Star of India at the Maritime Museum of San Diego and experienced the annual Sea Chantey Festival!

Here come fun photos!

You’ll see two musical groups performing in these photographs: first Raggle Taggle, then Kick up the Dust. Others groups who had the audience clapping their hands and dancing on the ship’s deck were the Jackstraws, Gemini Junction, Sportive Tricks, and The Chanteymen.

I saw many people in costume. I found myself in the company of pirates and sea captains and ladies in Victorian dress. Members of the Maritime Museum’s sail crews hauled ropes and climbed the rigging while traditional sea chanteys were sung.

Everyone jumped when two cannon shots rang out across San Diego Bay. Heads turned. Like a vision from the past, the official tall ship of the State of California, Californian, which is also one of the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s beautiful vessels, sailed on past.

It was pure magic. Every moment.

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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!

A walk from Middletown to Broadway Pier.

Part of a long mural on the back of a building behind the Park 'N Fly Lot 1 on Pacific Highway.
Part of a cool mural on a building behind the Park ‘N Fly Lot 1 on Pacific Highway.

Today I got off from work a little early, so I decided to use my extra time for a walk from the Middletown trolley station down to the Embarcadero.

My main intention was to get photographs of a long mural I’ve glimpsed while driving along Pacific Highway near San Diego International Airport. The mural is a fair distance from the street, on the back of an old building behind the Park ‘N Fly Lot 1.

I snapped some photos of the cool mural, but as you can see, the results were not all that great. After doing some internet searching, I still know nothing about this artwork.

My walk turned west on Laurel Street as a series of airplanes came in for landings overhead. My eyes moved right and left searching for interesting sights, but nothing struck my fancy until I came to the big white anchor in the grassy median at the intersection of Harbor Drive and Laurel Street.

I vaguely recall learning something about this historical anchor–where it came from–but now when I do some searching I come up with nothing. The big anchor has been a landmark occupying that spot for as long as I can remember.

My leisurely walk south along the Embarcadero stalled when I came to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. I’m a member, so naturally I had to enjoy the elegant passenger deck of the steam ferry Berkeley to do some quiet reading. When I noticed through a window that the sun was about to slip behind clouds, I ventured outside and took more photos.

The photograph of Sea Shepherd’s vessel Farley Mowat reminds me that I blogged about their mission to protect the critically endangered vaquita porpoise a couple years ago.

My walk then resumed, and I proceeded along the water to Broadway Pier.

The extensive mural on the building is blocked by parked cars and too distant from the street for a good photograph.
The long mural near Pacific Highway is blocked by parked cars and too distant from the sidewalk for a good photograph.
An airplane comes in for a landing at San Diego International Airport near the intersection of Pacific Highway and Laurel Street.
An airplane comes in for a landing at San Diego International Airport near the intersection of Pacific Highway and Laurel Street.
Here comes another plane for a late afternoon arrival.
Here comes another plane for a late afternoon arrival.
A plane lands at San Diego International Airport, just beyond a large white anchor at Harbor Drive and Laurel Street.
A plane lands at San Diego International Airport, just beyond the large white anchor at Harbor Drive and Laurel Street.
A closer photo of the historical anchor.
A close photo of the anchor. If I obtain more information about its history, I’ll post an update.
Circling the big anchor, my camera captured the skyline of downtown San Diego.
After I circled the big anchor, my camera captured the skyline of downtown San Diego.
Now I'm on the Embarcadero by the water, in the Crescent Area that I visited in my last blog post.
Now I’m on the Embarcadero by the water, in the Crescent Area that I visited in my last blog post.
Photo from the Steam Ferry Berkeley of Farley Mowat which is now docked in San Diego. Sea Shepherd's vessel will soon return to the Sea of Cortez to protect the vaquita.
Photo from the steam ferry Berkeley of the Farley Mowat, which is presently docked in San Diego. Sea Shepherd’s vessel will soon return to the Sea of Cortez to resume its urgent mission protecting the critically endangered vaquita.
The sun is still shining on the floating barge behind the Berkeley.
The sun is still shining on the floating barge behind the Berkeley.
People enjoy a look inside the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador.
People enjoy exploring the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador.
The sun shines out from behind clouds, and the masts of America, Californian and San Salvador.
The sun shines out from behind clouds . . . and the masts of America, Californian and San Salvador.
People relax on one of the benches along the edge of Broadway Pier. The fog-like marine layer is coming in over Point Loma as nightfall approaches.
People relax on one of the benches along the edge of Broadway Pier. The fog-like marine layer is coming in over Point Loma as nightfall approaches.
Spirit of San Diego is coming in from a harbor cruise.
Spirit of San Diego is coming in from a harbor cruise.
Piloting the incoming ship, with the USS Midway Museum in the background.
Piloting the incoming ship, with the USS Midway Museum in the background.
Downtown buildings reflected in windows of the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.
Downtown buildings reflected in windows of the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.
Late sunlight shines from beautiful high-rise buildings in downtown San Diego.
Late sunlight shines from high-rise buildings in beautiful downtown San Diego.

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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!

Water, boats and sunset at the Crescent Area.

This evening before sunset I walked beside San Diego Bay.

Late sunlight reflected from the boats moored in the Crescent Area of the North Embarcadero.

I walked north from the Grape Street Pier not quite to the Coast Guard Station.

This is what I saw:

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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!

Sails dance in bright light at day’s end.

I love to watch sailboats out on San Diego Bay before sunset.

Sails stretch in the wind and capture the late sun.

Turning, fluttering, then swelling again, the dreamlike sails glide through their radiant dance. A ballet of light between the water and sky. And then the curtain closes.

Here I go again posting more photographs of sailboats.

I took these today from the end of Broadway Pier.

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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!

Welcome to Earth and Imperial Beach!

An astronaut gives a Hang Loose hand signal as he hovers near a satellite high above planet Earth!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
The mural on the front of the AT&T building includes a big whale.
And lots of super colorful shore birds.
And lots of super colorful shore birds.
Beautiful public art welcomes visitors to Imperial Beach.
Beautiful public art welcomes visitors to Imperial Beach.
Another whale in the mural.
Another whale in the mural.
A pod of dolphins swims across an electrical box.
A pod of dolphins swims across an electrical box.
More beautiful street art.
More beautiful street art.
I spotted a couple of native Eastern Pacific green sea turtles across Palm Avenue near 12th Street!
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.
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.

IMG_8981z

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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!

Another fine summer walk in San Diego.

Six teams from California play stickball in Little Italy on a fine summer Sunday.
Six teams of firefighters from California play stickball in Little Italy on a fine summer Sunday.

My walk today began on Cortez Hill and proceeded down through Little Italy until I reached the Embarcadero. I then headed south along the water.

It’s a simple walk that never gets old.

Good times on Columbia Street.
Good times on Columbia Street.
Bayside Fire Station No. 2 is finally open!
Bayside Fire Station No. 2 is finally open!
A friendly firefighter told me the engines arrived on Friday!
A friendly firefighter told me the engines arrived on Friday!
Volunteers pull a huge rope together on the deck of Star of India.
Volunteers pull a huge rope together on the deck of Star of India.
Climbing into clouds of sail.
Climbing up into clouds of sail.
Visitors to the Maritime Museum of San Diego exit from the Soviet submarine.
Visitors to the Maritime Museum of San Diego exit from the Soviet submarine.
More museum volunteers handling ropes and chains by the water.
More museum volunteers handling ropes and chains by the water.
The museum's longboat was out on San Diego Bay. An overcast but very pleasant start to the morning.
The museum’s longboat was out on San Diego Bay. An overcast but very pleasant start to the morning.
Two huge ships at the Cruise Ship Terminal. The superyacht Attessa IV and impressive U. S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB-20).
Two huge ships at the Cruise Ship Terminal. The superyacht Attessa IV and impressive U. S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB-20).
Someone rides a scooter along Broadway Pier past the Coast Guard's newest, most advanced polar icebreaker. I haven't spotted any ice off San Diego!
Someone rides a scooter along Broadway Pier past the Coast Guard’s newest, most advanced polar icebreaker. I haven’t spotted any ice off San Diego!
Family boards the Coronado Ferry near Broadway Pier.
Family boards a Coronado ferry near Broadway Pier.
Many people were out on the Embarcadero today enjoying wonderful San Diego.
Many people were out on the Embarcadero today enjoying wonderful San Diego.
America, replica of the racing yacht that won the first America's Cup, cruises past.
America, replica of the racing yacht that won the first America’s Cup, cruises past.
And so does a sailboat.
And so does a sailboat.
Walking above the shining water.
Walking and sitting above the shining water.
Creating music.
Creating music.
Out on a harbor cruise.
Out on a harbor cruise.
Simply standing by the blue water.
Simply standing by the blue water.
An easy float through the Marriott Marina.
An easy float through the Marriott Marina.
The San Diego Symphony is set up and ready to go for their outdoor summer concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
The San Diego Symphony is set up and ready to go for their outdoor summer concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Bayside Summer Nights will feature lots of great concerts, and fireworks.
Bayside Summer Nights will feature lots of great concerts, and fireworks.
On the water in a boat, and above it on a pier.
On the water in a boat, and above it on a pier.
I see the Coronado Island Marriott Resort beyond those fisherman.
I see the Coronado Island Marriott Resort beyond those fishermen.
And here's my favorite Coronado ferry, Silvergate. It usually departs near the San Diego Convention Center.
And here’s my favorite Coronado ferry, Silvergate. It usually departs near the San Diego Convention Center.

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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!

Bright sailboats race across San Diego Bay.

This evening, just before sunset, I stood on the Embarcadero and watched more than one hundred sunlit sailboats race across the north part of San Diego Bay.

From May 21 through August 1, the Cortez Racing Association, in partnership with the Silver Gate Yacht Club (which is based on Shelter Island), puts on Wednesday races called the San Diego Bay Beer Can Series.

As the sailboats began across the water, and late sunlight slanted over Point Loma, the colorful sails were so bright they seemed like a dream. The race was too distant for my camera to take sharp photos–so I have increased the contrast to make the images even more dreamy!

In case you’re curious, those two active aircraft carriers you see in my photos are docked at Naval Air Station North Island. They are the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

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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!

Images from a Memorial Day weekend.

Late light reflects from the Marriott Marquis onto San Diego Bay near Seaport Village.
Late light reflects from the Marriott Marquis onto San Diego Bay near Seaport Village.

So far this Memorial Day weekend I’ve enjoyed short walks through several favorite places. I’ve done a lot of sitting, reading, writing, eating ice cream, enjoying sunshine. And I’ve taken photos, of course. I always carry my little camera in hand. So why not?

Here are some random images. The first eight photos are from Friday evening along the Embarcadero. They are followed by photos from Saturday and Sunday.

Another beautiful day at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Another beautiful day at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Kites fly above Donal Hord's sculpture Morning.
Evening kites fly in the remaining daylight above Donal Hord’s sculpture Morning.
Sunset clouds reflected in the still water of Marriott Marina.
Sunset clouds reflected in the still water of Marriott Marina.
Many downtown buildings reflect light magically.
Many downtown buildings reflect light magically.
A fine Friday walk by the water to begin the long Memorial Day weekend.
A fine late Friday walk by the water to begin the long Memorial Day weekend.
A bright moon above tinted clouds.
A bright moon above tinted clouds.
Leonardo Nierman's sculpture Flame of Friendship catches the sun's last rays as the lights come on at the San Diego Convention Center.
Leonardo Nierman’s sculpture Flame of Friendship catches the sun’s last rays as the lights come on at the San Diego Convention Center.
Artist Pete Tillack creates stunning new artwork in front of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Artist Pete Tillack creates stunning new artwork in front of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Three sailboats pass the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
Three sailboats pass the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
A bunch of happy people on the ferry to Coronado waved at me from beneath the ship's American flag.
A bunch of happy people on the ferry to Coronado wave at me from beneath the ship’s American flag.
Looks like some folks enjoyed a tour of the USS Midway Museum during the Memorial Day weekend.
Looks like a family enjoyed a tour of the USS Midway Museum during the Memorial Day weekend.
Many people were out on Sunday enjoying the San Diego sunshine.
Many people were out on enjoying the San Diego sunshine.
A restored PCC streetcar of the San Diego Trolley's Silver Line passes near Kansas City Barbeque. A huge inflatable Uncle Sam is out for the Memorial Day weekend.
A restored PCC streetcar of the San Diego Trolley’s Silver Line passes near Kansas City Barbeque. A huge inflatable Uncle Sam is out for the Memorial Day weekend.
In Balboa Park, at the International Cottages, a big food festival was underway on Sunday. Yummy smells filled the air.
In Balboa Park, at the International Cottages, a big food festival was underway on Sunday. Yummy smells filled the air.
Colorful dancers grace the outdoor stage at the International Cottages.
Colorful dancers grace the outdoor stage at the International Cottages.
San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez greets people up on the stage at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion after the Sunday concert.
San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez greets people up on the stage at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion after the Sunday concert.
A dapper Marine and his new bride head for a stretch limousine in Balboa Park.
Marine and a new bride head for their stretch limousine in Balboa Park.
Street entertainment delights a crowd in Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama.
Street entertainment delights a crowd in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center had lots of colorful flowers out on the sidewalk beside Park Boulevard.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center had lots of colorful flowers out on the sidewalk beside Park Boulevard.
Many flags fly proudly on the Memorial Day weekend near the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center. Including the POW/MIA flag. You Are Not Forgotten.
Many flags fly proudly on the Memorial Day weekend near the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center. Including the POW/MIA flag. You Are Not Forgotten.

Today I published two new stories on my website Short Stories by Richard. They’re both very quick reads.

Handling a Harpoon and White Marble touch upon some of life’s deepest mysteries.

Everyone out there have a great Memorial Day!

Richard

Another sunny day in beautiful San Diego!

A spring day in San Diego that feels a whole lot like summer.
A spring day in San Diego that feels a whole lot like summer.

Many say San Diego has the best weather in the whole wide world. I can’t disagree. Most days in San Diego are comfortable and sunny.

As I walked along the Embarcadero this fine Sunday afternoon I felt like I was on summer vacation. Even though it’s still spring.

Come along with me…

Working up a sweat at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Working up a sweat at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Dancing in some Seaport Village sunshine.
Dancing in some Seaport Village sunshine.
Bubbles and kites at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Bubbles and kites at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Pure joy.
Soaring joy.
A didgeridoo like deep magic by the water.
A didgeridoo summons deep magic by the water.
A sun smiles at Alamo Flags.
A friendly sun smiles at Alamo Flags.
Three lazy dogs in hammocks. It's not quite the dog days of summer--not yet!
Three lazy dogs in hammocks. It’s not quite the dog days of summer–not yet!
Lots of sails between blue sky and gentle San Diego Bay.
Lots of sails between blue sky and gentle San Diego Bay.
Walking by Ruocco Park. It's always a good time for ice cream!
Walking by Ruocco Park. It’s always a good time for ice cream!
Beautiful spring blossoms by the USS Midway.
Beautiful spring blossoms by the USS Midway.
Stopping for a moment on bikes at the end of Broadway Pier.
Stopping for a moment on bikes at the end of Broadway Pier.
Disney Wonder cruise ship at dock in its sunny, welcoming home port.
Disney Wonder cruise ship at dock in its happy, welcoming home port.
A smiling sun on one of the tile benches along the Embarcadero.
A smiling sun on one of the tile benches along the Embarcadero.
My goodness! A large lady bug has landed nearby!
A large ladybug has landed nearby! Fun artwork on the Embarcadero.
It must be another summerlike day in beautiful San Diego!
It must be another summerlike day in beautiful San Diego!

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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!