At the southwest end of Shelter Island, near the end of Shoreline Park, are some works of art. The female life-size bronze sculpture is Pacific Spirit, by James Hubbell, 2002.
I was off from work yesterday. In the late morning I headed down to Shelter Island. It’s another of my favorite places. After a bite to eat, I enjoyed an easy, peaceful walk while gathering photos for future blog posts. Expect some cool sights in the coming weeks!
The path that extends the length of narrow Shoreline Park is just about perfect. The park itself is located at the very edge of the bay, stretching from one end of Shelter Island to the other. In one place the path traverses what seems to be more of a large parking lot than a park, but no matter. I love the place. It’s relaxed, usually non-crowded, and just beautiful. There are amazing views of San Diego Bay, sailboats and a large variety of ships, scenic Point Loma, a slice of ocean horizon, the distant Coronado Islands (when it isn’t hazy), busy Naval Air Station North Island and the skyline of downtown San Diego. I often see people sitting on lawn chairs with binoculars, just watching boats pass by, jets take off from North Island, and birds that wheel and dive through the blue sky.
People walk along the pathway which stretches down narrow Shoreline Park. Grass, benches and picnic tables invite both locals and tourists.Bougainvillea and lath provide shade on a sunny warm summer morning. Several of these structures are found along the park.Bicyclist cruises past a raised Osprey nesting platform. A sign nearby provides an explanation.A large Navy warship entering San Diego harbor is seen beyond the Shelter Island pier. Downtown skyscrapers appear misty in the background.Fathom Bistro, Bait and Tackle sign at foot of Shelter Island fishing pier. They’ve been open a couple years now.Someone next to the pathway along Shoreline Park balanced a bunch of rocks up on top of each other. Perhaps it was someone who was fishing.Another cool photo of Shelter Island’s dinghy landing. I published a post with similar photos a year or two ago.Huge swaths of sand along the water are simply covered with gull tracks.Someone spreads a big bag of old bread along the small Shelter Island beach, sending the seagulls into a wild feeding frenzy!It’s a quiet weekday morning outside the Outboard Boating Club of San Diego’s building near the Shelter Island boat ramp. A nearby flagpole is empty.At the base of the flagpole: The Holiday Express. This plaque cast of brass from the aircraft carrier USS Bunkerhill CV-17 is dedicated to that gallant ship and her courageous crew.Perhaps you remember my fun blog post “Wally the sociable sea lion greets boaters.” I saw him again during another walk at the same boat launching area!Floating peacefully along the edge of San Diego Bay, enjoying the calm water and bright sunshine.Someone is ready to row off Shelter Island’s dinghy landing, perhaps heading to a boat moored nearby.
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Kid enters an inflatable floating cylinder walk-inside thingy on a narrow beach on San Diego Bay.
Shame on me. After all these years, I’d never once visited Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, down in San Diego’s South Bay. When I saw that HarborFest would be held there today, I instantly decided to go. I’m glad that I did!
I’ll let the captions of these photographs tell the story of what I saw…
So much was going on at 2015 HarborFest at Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, a really big sign was required!Thousands turned out to just chill, enjoy the sunshine, devour food, listen to live music and have fun at HarborFest.The big annual South Bay event had lots of fun activities on the water, including paddleboarding, kayaking and Seal and Swift Boat tours of the bay.These gents in festive old-fashioned costumes were providing music in one corner of the park by the water.Colorful canopies with vendors, community organizations and businesses attracted attention up and down the Chula Vista public park’s walkways.The Birch Aquarium, of Scripps Institution of Oceanography up in La Jolla, had lots of marine exhibits for folks to explore.This tiny but proud Burrowing Owl was greeting humans over at the Living Coast Discovery Center tent. I’ve yet to go to the nature refuge, which is nearby. One day soon…A boy helps slice lemons at one food vendor’s tent.And this kid is flying high courtesy of some bungee cords!I walked to the extreme north end of Bayside Park, where nobody else was. I took this photo of a massive travelift which hoists ships out of the water at Marine Group Boat Works.I could glimpse the masts of the San Salvador and HMS Surprise, two ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which are being worked on at this Chula Vista shipyard.Adults were sampling tacos and spirits in one area of the festival.I didn’t know Rockin’ Baja had a mascot!Live music could be heard from several stages scattered along the length of HarborFest.A BMX stunt bike guy with Wheels in Motion went upside down to the delight of many onlookers!A cool car show had a bunch of hot rods and vintage automobiles out on display.Walking happily along, checking out some awesome cars.Kids could practice casting a fishing rod from the pier at the south end of Bayside Park.A little guy lets the line fly!These young fishermen are enjoying the water and a view of the Chula Vista Marina.This great egret sculpture at Bayside Park is titled The Fisherman, by Stephen Fairfield. It was originally part of the Embarcadero’s third Urban Trees art exhibition.Youth, grown-ups, or anybody at all was invited to paint on this canvas!On the Community Stage, a bunch of kids competed in a cooking contest hosted by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Axel Dirolf.The most fun, in my opinion, was to be had by the water. It’s HarborFest, after all!I really am glad I went down to Chula Vista’s HarborFest and finally explored the very cool Bayside Park.
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A kicked football flies into the stands during the 2015 Chargers FanFest.
Today I took the trolley over to Qualcomm Stadium to check out the 2015 Chargers FanFest. San Diego’s NFL team is getting ready for the regular season, and during the popular FanFest a practice session was held in the presence of thousands of fans. Veteran players and those who are striving to make the team demonstrated their skills for coaches and fans alike!
In addition to action on the field, the annual FanFest also included a performance by the San Diego Charger Girls cheerleaders, and autograph sessions with many past and current players.
I didn’t want to miss this event. It’s possible the Chargers might soon leave San Diego and move to Los Angeles. I hope not.
Thousands line up outside San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium to enjoy this year’s Chargers FanFest. I saw many Seau jerseys being worn today.Save Our Bolts advocate holds up a San Diego Chargers banner for my camera. There’s a chance the NFL team will soon leave San Diego.San Diego Charger Girls cheerleaders smile as fans enter Qualcomm Stadium for FanFest.Chargers faithful line up at a concession stand to get ready for an enjoyable FanFest.Crowd fills field level seats, anticipating a good team practice on a perfect August summer day.The old Jumbotron reads Welcome to Chargers FanFest 2015.As Chargers fans watch football action on the field, vendors circulate with cotton candy, lemonade and other treats.Today NFL legend Junior Seau was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A banner honoring number 55 hangs high and proudly in Qualcomm Stadium.Players on offense, defense and special teams were practicing all over the field, getting ready for the regular season.Cornerback Richard Crawford on the Chargers practice squad catches a kicked ball.Footballs were flying everywhere, including through the goal posts. Rookie kicker Josh Lambo nailed it.Awesome field goal wizard Nick Novak limbers up his leg with some easy kicks.Stretching out this valuable player’s leg muscles involves professional sports medicine expertise.Shirt declares that all grandmas are created equal, but only the coolest wear blue and gold!Superstar quarterback Philip Rivers provides leadership for the team during stretching exercises.Here comes a line of Chargers stepping high during the warm up routine.Some scrimmaging begins as players face each other and test their skills on the field.The pigskin bounces crazily on the grass as Chargers vie for possession.An animated fan in the stands gestures during the preseason practice session.An exciting play near the end zone has players scrambling at full speed.After a good workout, players offer some mutual congrats and encouragement.Practice is over, and King Dunlap signs autographs for thrilled fans in the stands.Chargers FanFest 2015 was a whole lot of fun. I hope San Diego’s NFL team has a great season!
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A pleasure boat, two sailboats, one catamaran–everyone is out on glorious, blue San Diego Bay.
Here are some photos taken today during my walk. Nothing too earth-shattering. Just sunshine, birds, people, water, boats, music, love, life . . . and Chewbacca, Tom Cruise and Captain Ahab. Ordinary stuff.
Gull takes flight near fishing pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Folks relax as they listen to a small concert by a Seaport Village fountain.These talented kids playing classic rock tunes in Seaport Village form the band Gen-X!Chewbacca is hanging out with a Star Wars buddy near the USS Midway Museum.Looks like Tom Cruise has shore leave after landing his Top Gun fighter jet on that big aircraft carrier docked there behind him!Two enjoy the sparkling water beside the Cruise Ship Terminal.Students prepare to board the Star of India. A cool Moby Dick Marathon Reading is coming next weekend to San Diego’s historic tall ship.Throwing a rope as Maritime Museum of San Diego’s restored Swift Boat returns from a harbor cruise.
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People gather on a July evening to listen to the amazing, magical Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park.
Tonight I walked through Balboa Park. I lingered for a bit at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion to enjoy the beginning of a special concert. This year, in honor of Balboa Park’s centennial, the annual International Summer Organ Festival is featuring an incredible lineup of the world’s finest organists. Concerts are held Monday evenings through the end of August.
The concert tonight was performed by Aaron David Miller. Here are some pics of the magic…
Tonight at 7:30, composer and concert organist Aaron David Miller performed at the Centennial International Summer Organ Festival.These Spreckels Organ Society volunteers smiled for my camera at one entrance to the free public concert.San Diegans filter into the Spreckels Organ Pavilion as evening progresses and daylight fades.Treats and beverages were served near one entrance.Preparing for the concert on the shadowed stage The sun’s horizontal rays strike one end of the beautiful colonnade.The metal benches are filling up and lights turn on as night descends and the time for music nears.At night, many small lights turn the Spreckels Organ Pavilion into a truly magical place.Pan plays his pipes. Soon a world-class organist will join him.Aaron David Miller begins with Festival Overture, by Felix Mendelssohn.
Color guard leads the way during the Coronado Independence Day parade on Orange Avenue.
While this blog post contains a whole bunch of photos, they only represent a small fraction of today’s Independence Day parade in Coronado. This Fourth of July parade is one of the biggest and best in the nation. Coronado is about as apple pie as a town can get, as it’s home to two very important military bases: Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Amphibious Base.
Before the parade began, I walked about checking out the sights, smells and sounds. Hopefully I captured a bit of the experience with these photographs…
Welcome to Coronado . . . A Star Spangled Summer!I believe these runners raced earlier in the Crown City Classic that started and ended at Tidelands Park, a few blocks away.Almost everyone I saw was wearing clothing or costumes befitting a Fourth of July celebration!Someone wrote on the sidewalk with chalk: Happy Fourth of July!Tent in front of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Orange Avenue was raising money selling parade-worthy treats.The Lions Club had a stand at Spreckels Park near the center of patriotic Coronado.People check out art on display in Spreckels Park.What could be more American than tossing a baseball while waiting for the big parade to begin?A shop window had a dog with a red, white and blue bow!Humans and canines were all decked out for the occasion!And what could be more American than a hot dog? A hot dog draped by a flag!The businesses along Orange Avenue had all sorts of Independence Day wares and decorations outside.There is no greater love than this: That a person would lay down his life for his friends.Kids with flags follow a big wagon full of lawn chairs, as the parade is almost ready to start.Finishing touches are put on the poop circles. Should a horse poop in your chalk circle, you win a special prize!Tens of thousands are ready now along the entire length of Coronado. I think I hear the distant parade approaching.Actually, it’s the pre-parade entertainment. These performers are swirling and dancing to the delight of the crowd!A colorful costume gets onlookers in the mood for a big, fun parade.These guys are the Emilio Wallace Panamanian Marching Band of California!The official parade has begun. The Escondido Mounted Posse carries flags.Red, white and blue flowery carts are pulled by miniature horses!The Grand Marshall this year was Vice Admiral Thomas Rowden, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.And here comes the San Diego County tax collector, waving cheerfully to all!Beautifully groomed long-tailed horses and a poodle strut their stuff down the parade route.A color guard precedes honored Pearl Harbor survivors.A veteran who served during Pearl Harbor. He and other fellow heroes received the loudest applause all day.A Pearl Harbor survivor waves to the crowd. Many were shouting “Thank You”.Applause for the Pearl Harbor survivors as they pass on by for the Fourth of July.Here comes the Marine Corps band!An American military veteran rides his motorcycle down Orange Avenue.Gold Star Mothers, with signs of loved ones killed in action. The people of Coronado understand that defending freedom can require sacrifice.Wounded Warriors are welcomed home.Remembering our local fallen. Some gave all.San Diego Young Marines march. A future generation of heroes.An avenue of proud, billowing flags.Reenacting raising the flag at Iwo Jima, The United States Marine Corps War Memorial.San Diego heroes carry a large American flag.Here come the Valley Center Rodeo Queens on horseback.Welcome Home Seth. Your country thanks you.Welcome Home Rodger. Our returning warrior.Cool old cars from the Avenue of Heroes.Now that’s an antique.Of course, the big parade includes the Wells Fargo stagecoach.Even the Coronado Lawn Bowling Club was a part of the big Independence Day parade.Meet the canine Vice Mayor of Coronado. I’m not sure which dog is the Mayor.It’s the Castle Park High School marching band.Some medieval knights did battle on the parade route. Seems one has emerged the victor.Pink flamingos greet the crowd. I wonder if they wandered over here from the Marriott Coronado Resort’s flamingo pond.Coronado is one of the most patriotic places you’ll find. Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Amphibious Base where Seals train are located here.An unrestored FJ-3 Fury from the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar was towed to Coronado for the parade!Historic fighter jet heads down Orange Avenue as Fourth of July parade onlookers honor the troops.
Flags are already out up and down San Diego’s Embarcadero the day before the Fourth of July. This gentleman was taking a break near the fishing pier behind the convention center.
I noticed today that folks are already in the Fourth of July spirit. During my walk along the Embarcadero, I saw flags everywhere. Tomorrow the waterfront will be jammed with hundreds of thousands of San Diegans and tourists, especially during the Big Bay Boom fireworks show which takes place at 9 o’clock. I’ll be watching, too! Don’t expect any photos of fireworks, however, because my modest camera isn’t quite up to that task!
Should you happen to stroll through Seaport Village on Saturday, Alamo Flags will be handing out 1000 actual American flags for free! I was once honored to receive one, and they’re great! Giving away flags is a tradition carried on by the owner, Mike Ismail. Because of his personal experiences, he’s very grateful to live in the Land of the Free.
Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom, an Independence Day Spectacular, will take place at 9 o’clock July 4. Several barges on the bay will launch synchronized fireworks.American flag on a pedicab. The driver is waiting for passengers on the Embarcadero, near the USS Midway Museum.Flagship’s Patriot speed boat is about to take folks on a thrill ride! Get ready to be splashed!A street performer wears the Stars and Stripes. Looks like he’s ready to go this Fourth of July weekend.Window at Alamo Flags in Seaport Village has a patriotic display. Mike Ismail, the owner, is proud and grateful to be a free American.Banners near front of Alamo Flags. The shop will give away 1000 actual United States flags on the Fourth of July!Tourists wearing Old Glory have disembarked at Seaport Village from a San Diego SEAL Tours cool Hydra-Terra vehicle, after taking a bay cruise.
Cool skateboard bench by the 36th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on Newport Avenue.
Late this morning I spent a little time at one of the coolest summer events in Southern California!
The 36th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival was being held along Newport Avenue, drawing a huge crowd from all around San Diego. Many consider OB their favorite beach community. Once you see these photos, you might understand why!
A masked street performer shakes hands with a kid on a scooter. The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier stretches in the background.San Diegans and Obetians check out a street vendor selling colorful t-shirts.Fun, unusual art all over the place. Lots to see at this legendary summer street festival in a laid-back, funky Southern California beach community.Creative people had cool stuff on display and for sale in the Artists’ Alley.Kids were invited to express themselves with pottery, painting and chalk art.Young artists use their imaginations as they work behind a utility box decorated with parrots in Ocean Beach.Public art mural on one wall depicts the annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off.Just a typical scene from this awesome street festival.Someone checks out large works of colorful art in OB.One booth had all sorts of awesome, unique decorative surfboards!And, of course, food was everywhere!Ocean Beach is the scene of many different happy lifestyles and diverse, life-affirming interests.It wasn’t even lunchtime and some folks were ready to chow down.If these cookies don’t make you drool, nothing will!All sorts of cool surf shops line Newport Avenue, where the festival was held.Rock and Roll San Diego was teaching kids how to play drums, electric guitar and more!A young man is training to be a rock superstar!Street musicians in OB next to a storefront on a summer day.Young and old were practicing maintaining balance on a board that simulates surfing.Yeah, another photo of food getting ready…Ocean Beach is jam-packed with amazing urban art, almost anywhere you walk!People were just getting started with the community mural project!Anyone could participate in painting a small square in this large mural!Another street mural on a wall above a station where people could park their bikes.Surfboards on top, cool decals plastered around. Let’s walk past the Hodadmobile and check out something amazing…Burgers are famous at Hodad’s, and so is the skateboarding demonstration beside their restaurant.Skater catches huge air as he performs trick from a ramp, wowing everybody watching!Lots of skilled skateboarders were taking turns on this small half-pipe.Oh, man–lots of very cool action!Legendary Hodad’s had a burger-eating competition!Some guys walking along near porta-potties by the beer garden.Guy chills with a Starbucks by funky sculptures on Newport Avenue near the beach. He’s listening to a really great concert.The local band Markland performs on the Main Stage at the 2015 Ocean Beach Street Fair.Justin Markland peers at me over drums while Randy Jones entertains the Ocean Beach crowd with irrepressible vocal and physical energy.Just a pic to provide some flavor of what I saw this morning.Surfers come up across the beach while a guy relaxes on the sea wall.People walk behind the Main Stage along the beach, toward the Ocean Beach lifeguard station. An overcast day with a few sprinkles, but it didn’t matter!People buy tickets to sample special concoctions at the famous chili contest!This tent featured one of the chili cook-off contestant teams.Stirring and scooping from one big pot of hot chili!Unfortunately, this poor dog can’t participate without a ticket. And it seems like he knows it.Perhaps this chili was the winner. Looks tasty, if you don’t mind that it’s served from a toilet!
Summer must almost be here! I saw it on the above sign!
I also noticed lots of happy San Diegans enjoying a sunny day at the big waterfront park that surrounds the County Administration Building. Maybe the families had gathered because today, by sheer coincidence, was Mother’s Day. Seems likely!
Can you believe this popular park is already one year old? I still vividly remember the two ugly old parking lots it replaced! San Diego’s Embarcadero has become much, much more beautiful during the 15 years I’ve lived downtown.
Families just chill and have fun in the San Diego sunshine.It looks like a bunch of kids were put in huge hamster balls.This guy is testing his balance on some sort of board simulator.Kids play on the grass by a flag that flies above the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.I’m approaching a special Mom Zone. Today is Mother’s Day!Free 5 minute massages for moms! That tent seemed the most popular!
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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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