Tag: walking

Walk under cool bridges on Maple Canyon Trail.

View of the Quince Street Trestle from a spot on Fourth Avenue.
View of the Quince Street Trestle from a spot on Fourth Avenue.

Many nature hikes can be enjoyed in Balboa Park. But there’s another beautiful, quiet hike through date palms and eucalyptus trees and bright spring flowers that anyone can enjoy just a few blocks north of downtown San Diego.

The Maple Canyon Trail stretches from a trailhead near Quince Street and Third Avenue on Bankers Hill to a second trailhead at Maple Street and Dove Street in Middletown. It often seems that the only people who use the trail are dog walkers and joggers who live nearby. Those who haven’t hiked this easy trail are missing out on a unique experience. The Maple Canyon Trail passes under two cool historic bridges!

The Quince Street Trestle is a visually interesting wooden footbridge that was built in 1905. Back then streetcars ran up Fourth Avenue, and the trestle allowed pedestrians to cross the steep canyon from the west. A quarter century ago the bridge, weakened by termites and rot, was closed and almost demolished. Local residents took up the cause of saving the bridge, which was finally declared a historic site.

The Maple Canyon Trail also passes beneath the impressive First Avenue Bridge. The arched steel bridge was built in 1931 and was originally known as the Peoples Bridge. Its astonishing height above the trail is a reminder of San Diego’s unique geology. Southern California’s coastal region is crisscrossed in many places by deep, narrow canyons, which often serve as undeveloped habitat for native species of plant and animal life.

Small cabinet at end of footbridge contains books that people can freely borrow!
Small cabinet at end of footbridge contains books that people can freely borrow!
Walking across the very cool historic trestle on Bankers Hill.
Walking across the very cool historic trestle on Bankers Hill.
Looking down from the trestle at dogs and walker passing through the canyon below.
Looking down from trestle at dogs and walker passing through the canyon below.
This super cool condo is located near the Third Avenue trailhead.
This super cool condo is located near the Third Avenue trailhead.
Maple Canyon Open Space sign near trailhead on Bankers Hill.
Maple Canyon Open Space sign near trailhead on Bankers Hill.
Looking up at the wooden footbridge from the quiet footpath on a sunny day.
Looking up at the wooden footbridge from the quiet footpath on a sunny day.
Wooden beams compose the high trestle.
Wood beams compose the high trestle.
Grass and spring flowers line the Maple Canyon Trail.
Grass and spring flowers line the Maple Canyon Trail.
Some interesting houses can be seen up on the hillsides.
Some interesting houses can be seen up on the hillsides.
Here comes the First Avenue Bridge beyond a eucalyptus tree.
Here comes the First Avenue Bridge beyond a eucalyptus tree.
This elegant old steel bridge has very limited traffic.
This elegant old steel bridge has very limited motor traffic.

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Morning birds at the Children’s Park fountain.

Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children's Park fountain.
Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children’s Park fountain.

You might enjoy these fun photos.

Occasionally I walk past the Children’s Park fountain in the early morning, on my way to catch a downtown trolley for work. Even though the fountain is usually off (because of our long drought), birds like to hang out in the fountain’s man-made pond. It’s a sanctuary in the city where birds can easily scavenge human food.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, which runs parallel to Harbor Drive, passes right over the pond, and when I pause on the path camera in hand, I’m usually rewarded.

These shots were taken shortly after sunrise…

The Children's Park was the city of San Diego's gift to kids in 1995.
The Children’s Park was the city of San Diego’s gift to kids in 1995.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I'm standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I’m standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children's Park fountain.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children’s Park fountain.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley's electrical wires.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley’s electrical wires.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.

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Fun photos of colorful art on Little Italy’s streets.

Colorful tiles around base of Piazza Villaggio fountain in Little Italy.
Colorful tiles around base of Piazza Villaggio fountain in Little Italy.

I frequently walk through Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in the north part of downtown San Diego. Here are some photos of fun, colorful artwork that I’ve taken from the sidewalk during the last few months!

Unusual creation hangs from roof of a building in San Diego's Little Italy.
Unusual creation hangs from roof of a building in San Diego’s Little Italy.
Fun image on wall of The Good Sounds car stereo installation shop.
Fun image on wall of The Good Sounds car stereo installation shop.
Eye-catching clock atop tower on a street corner.
Eye-catching clock atop tower on a street corner.
Lots of whimsical art can be found on Queenstown Public House restaurant.
Lots of whimsical art on the Queenstown Public House restaurant.
Painted tiles add zest to a wall by a sidewalk.
Painted tiles add zest to a wall by a sidewalk.
Base of Little Italy Landmark Sign shows fish netted in the ocean.
Base of Little Italy Landmark Sign shows fish netted in the ocean.
Two cherubs adorn gate pillars on India Street.
Two cherubs adorn gate pillars on India Street.
Just a fun mailbox with hearts, flower and palm tree.
Just a fun mailbox with hearts, flower and palm tree.
Medallion-like artwork on wall above the Italian Cultural Center sign.
Medallion-like artwork on wall above the Italian Cultural Center sign.
Metal fish sculpture seems to leap from Piazza Villaggio fountain.
Metal fish sculpture seems to leap from Piazza Villaggio fountain.

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A few cool pics walking down Ninth Avenue.

Colorful splash of paint on a wall. THE END IS LATE... (AND I WAS PREPARED)
Colorful splash of paint on a wall. THE END IS LATE… (AND I WAS PREPARED)

The other morning I took a stroll down Ninth Avenue in downtown San Diego, from the top of Cortez Hill south to hip East Village. My camera was out and ready. Here are a few fun photos that I took as I sauntered through East Village!

Big fuzzy pink gorilla in the Car2Go window.
Big fuzzy pink gorilla in the Car2Go window.
Art that opens eyes. COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS
Art that opens eyes. COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS
Message shouted from store rooftop. JUICE SAVES
Message shouted from store’s rooftop. JUICE SAVES
Hiatt House, 1886. A tiny place with ample charm (and history).
Hiatt House, 1886. A tiny place with ample charm (and history).

The Hiatt House, located in East Village near Petco Park, used to contain a cool little eatery named Café Noir. That was a few years ago. According to an article I read, during the first part of the 20th century it was home to several generations of a Japanese-American family. The grounds have also been the site of horse stables and a blacksmith’s shop, and the Latonia Hotel, a modest room-and-board for colored people back in the days of racial segregation. Today the Hiatt House serves as a psychiatrist’s office.

Humulus lupulus (hops) gracefully drape green utility boxes.
Humulus lupulus (hops) gracefully drape green utility boxes.

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Fading public art glows by neglected river trail.

San Diego Bay scene graces a fading mural in Mission Valley.
San Diego Bay scene graces a slowly fading mural in Mission Valley.

When you ride the San Diego Trolley’s Green Line between the Old Town and Linda Vista stations, an interesting mural can be glimpsed for a moment where the tracks span the San Diego River. The public art is best viewed when walking along the San Diego River Trail, between the rail and Pacific Highway bridges. The path down by the river is fairly popular with bicycles; it is also trash-filled and tagged with graffiti. I don’t know anything about this artwork. Faded a little bit by time and the elements, the images still impart a happy glow along the seemingly neglected river trail.

UPDATE!

Turns out this mural is called “On The River Trail” and was completed in 2008. The artist who designed it is Lori Escalera. The public art comes from the San Diego River Park Foundation.

Public art along the San Diego River Trail near Pacific Highway. The Coaster train can be seen passing across one of the rail bridges.
Public art along the San Diego River Trail near Pacific Highway. The Coaster train can be seen passing across one of the rail bridges.
Weathered by outdoor elements, the artwork still glows like an impressionist painting.
Weathered by outdoor elements, artwork still glows like an impressionist painting.
Dreamy yellow sunflower painted on an old wall seen by those who walk along river.
Dreamy yellow sunflower painted on old wall seen by those who walk along river.
A hummingbird hovers above brightly sunlit vegetation.
A hummingbird hovers above brightly sunlit vegetation.
Happy painted bicyclist greets those who travel down San Diego River Trail.
Happy painted bicyclist greets those who travel down San Diego River Trail.
Art shows painter inspired by the river's natural beauty.
Art shows painter inspired by the river’s natural beauty.
This artwork was lovingly planted for future enjoyment.
This artwork was lovingly planted for future enjoyment.

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Birds take flight above San Diego River Estuary!

Birdwatching on north side of San Diego River, not far from Pacific Ocean.
Birdwatching on north side of San Diego River, not far from Pacific Ocean.

Today I enjoyed a glorious walk. I hiked along the always life-filled San Diego River Estuary.

Beginning along the north side of the San Diego River from Friars Road, I headed west down the bicycle and jogging trail which parallels Sea World Drive. I then crossed the river over the Sports Arena Boulevard bridge and returned along the San Diego River Trail back east to Morena Boulevard.

I didn’t expect to get any decent shots of birds with my dinky little camera, but as it turned out I got lucky. While the estuary is always teeming with both migrating and native birds, most tend to gather on the small islands and mud flats a fair distance from the path.

The San Diego River estuary is one of the best birding spots in Southern California.
The San Diego River Estuary is one of the best birding spots in Southern California.
Snowy egret takes flight from river's edge, very close to pedestrian and bike path.
Great egret takes flight from river’s edge, very close to pedestrian and bike path.
Hummingbird takes a rest on a twig on a sunny winter afternoon.
Hummingbird takes a rest on a twig on a sunny winter afternoon.
Plenty of ducks and shore birds dot the living river throughout the year.
Plenty of ducks and shore birds dot the living river throughout the year.
Black-necked stilt walks through the water, perhaps watching for a meal.
Black-necked stilt walks through the water, perhaps watching for a meal.
Looking north across blue water. Mission Bay and SeaWorld lie beyond the trees.
Looking north across blue water. Mission Bay and SeaWorld lie beyond the trees.
Huge flock of seagulls takes flight from mud flat near mouth of San Diego River.
Huge flock of seagulls takes flight from mud flat near mouth of San Diego River.
A fish-hunting osprey flies above the San Diego River estuary.
A fish-hunting osprey flies above the San Diego River Estuary.

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Writing a blog opens up an amazing world.

Birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.
Birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.

This is my 500th post. I can’t believe it.

When I started writing this blog on a lark about a year and a half ago, it was a puny little creation, and I hadn’t a clue where it would take me. Alas, after many hours pounding away at the old keyboard, I haven’t earned one thin dime. But that’s perfectly fine. The riches I’ve received are immaterial, and far greater.

Writing a blog–one that involves photography in particular–opens your eyes, enhances your appreciation of all that is around you. To chronicle a walk through this world, one must carefully experience each step and turn curious eyes everywhere. One must note light, depth, and the color of things. One must listen to others. If I hadn’t begun to meander about San Diego purposefully, searching for “cool” material, I might never have seen some hidden rainbows. Or a small bit of street art. Or dogs surf.

Writing a blog encourages creativity. It’s casual and conversational. There’s no need to fret too much about editing. Readers are just friends. So you can yap freely and let the mind flow. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. His great book Zen in the Art of Writing talks about the power of just letting thoughts flow, uninhibited, like gushing water from a wildly whipping dangerously uncontrolled hose. That water will irrigate one’s life, and the lives of others who are splashed.

Writing a blog leads the author to be more honest. More understanding. More compassionate. More vulnerable. Writing a blog, giving birth to a few silly words, expands the soul.

Thanks for coming along on my walks!

Where will I go today? I have a bit of an idea, but I’m not certain. Time propels us forward into the unknown. If you’d like, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr!

Our Silences and precious freedom of speech.

Sculptures on display on San Diego's Embarcadero near Tuna Harbor.
Sculptures on display on San Diego’s Embarcadero near Tuna Harbor.

My walk early this morning took me down to Ruocco Park, just north of Seaport Village. I wanted to check out something I saw on the news that looked really interesting.

Few people were about. Sunrise was slowly brightening the sky. Ten imposing human-like sculptures rose before me. As I approached, the figures loomed larger, silent, heavy-lidded, facing the fishing boats in Tuna Harbor, and a handful of joggers passing by.

This temporary installation of public art opened yesterday to the public. Our Silences, created by Mexican sculptor Rivelino, is composed of a row of ten massive bronze figures, whose mouths are shut and silenced with a metal plate. The object of the art is to provoke thought, feeling and discussion about freedom of speech. One wonders if the small prison-like black box nearby contains a political prisoner, or someone’s trembling, innermost thoughts. This very jolting artistic statement is on display for the first time in the United States. It will remain in San Diego through March 15.

Our Silences, by Mexican artist Rivelino, concerns freedom of speech.
Our Silences, by Mexican artist Rivelino, concerns freedom of speech.
People walk past provocative public art as day dawns near Seaport Village.
People walk past provocative public art as day dawns near Seaport Village.
This black cube appears to be an oppressive prison cell.
This harsh black cube appears to be an oppressive prison cell.
The black steel box might contain someone who would like to speak.
The steel box might contain someone who would like to speak.
Interesting, abstract designs on backs of the human-like sculptures.
Mysterious abstract designs on backs of the human-like sculptures.
Here comes the sun and another day of freedom on San Diego's waterfront.
Here comes the sun and another day of freedom on San Diego’s waterfront.
Walking past artwork that reminds us of liberty's gift.
Walking past artwork that reminds us of liberty’s precious gift.

Here’s a pic I took after a sign explaining Our Silences was installed nearby…

Sign explains Our Silences, now in San Diego.
Sign explains Our Silences, now in San Diego. (Click to enlarge.)

Where will I walk next? Life is an adventure!

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Early morning sights in downtown San Diego.

Scooter with fringed canopy zooms past as I swing my camera to capture a sudden morning photo.
Scooter with fringed canopy zooms past as I swing my camera to capture a sudden morning photo.

Here are a few interesting photos from another meandering walk downtown. I took these yesterday morning as I headed down from Cortez Hill to catch the trolley at the Santa Fe Depot.  I know, there are closer trolley stations, but I was itching to venture outside into the world and got an early start…

Wednesday is trash pick up day in front of the House of Blues in downtown San Diego.
Wednesday is trash pick up day in front of the House of Blues in downtown San Diego.
Cool mural on a downtown building's upper patio which, according to a security guard, is inaccessible to the general public.
Cool mural on a downtown building’s upper patio which, according to a security guard, is inaccessible to the general public.

From a distance that mural looks really awesome. The security guard said perhaps he’d let me onto the patio if I were swing by in the middle of a work day. According to some research on the internet, it was painted fairly recently by Maxx Moses, the same artist who created that super fantastic Ancestors street mural in Barrio Logan.

Mysterious elevated box on the sidewalk is colorfully painted with leaves.
Mysterious elevated box on the sidewalk is colorfully painted with leaves.
Vertically moving words on Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego don't seem to make sense.
Vertically moving words on Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego don’t seem to make sense.
Seward Johnson's 'That A Way' sculpture at entrance of The Sofia Hotel.
Seward Johnson’s ‘That A Way’ sculpture at entrance of The Sofia Hotel.

Yep, that’s the same Seward Johnson who created the huge Unconditional Surrender sculpture by the USS Midway Museum. He’s best known for making life-size pieces like this one, which stands by a doorway on Broadway.

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Crazy street gibberish makes perfect sense.

Sure, this makes perfect sense. It must. It has to!
Sure, this makes perfect sense. It must. It has to!

I took these two photos on the way to the Santa Fe Depot to catch the trolley this morning. Then I just stood and scratched my head.

No doubt this spray-painted street gibberish makes perfect sense to someone. I hope so!

Looks like someone has a lot of work to do!
Looks like someone has a lot of work to do!

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