Tag: walking

Protruding piles pulled powerfully upward!

An old pile once used to support Anthony's Fish Grotto on San Diego's Embarcadero is removed with a large crane.
An old pile once used to support Anthony’s Fish Grotto on San Diego’s Embarcadero is removed with a large crane.

Here’s a quick, fun post . . . about posts!

I got off work early this afternoon, so I took a slow walk along the Embarcadero. By sheer chance, today happened to be the day that old piles from the now demolished Anthony’s Fish Grotto were being extracted.

After watching a large crane on a barge lift one pile skyward, I asked a nearby worker to describe what I was seeing. He explained that the long concrete piles had been installed in 1964, and had supported the old Anthony’s Fish Grotto structure for half a century. I stood for a while and watched the crane do some more heavy lifting.

My friend Carlos, who shows his cool artistic creations near the water, had watched this activity for much of the day. He told me that in the morning some powerful machinery had gripped and violently vibrated each pile for 30 seconds or so, in order to loosen them prior to extraction. I wish I had seen that!

Many extracted piles were already stacked on the barge beside the crane when I walked by.
Many extracted piles were already stacked on the barge beside the crane when I walked by.
Several construction workers were making ready for a new project. The Portside Pier will include a Brigantine restaurant, various smaller eateries and a public observation deck.
Several construction workers were making ready for a new project. The Portside Pier will include a Brigantine restaurant, several smaller eateries and a public observation deck. I believe the supporting structures you see in the water will remain.
My friend Carlos points out this fascinating activity on the bayfront. I see the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego in the distance.
My friend Carlos points toward some fascinating activity on the bayfront. I see the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego in the distance.
A gull circles overhead as a long, dripping wet pile is carefully lifted skyward!
A gull circles overhead as a long, dripping wet pile is carefully hoisted skyward!

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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!

Morning photos of new Piazza della Famiglia.

The fountain at the east end of Piazza della Famiglia.
The fountain at the east end of Piazza della Famiglia.

The new Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy is finally open to the public!

Yesterday morning I took a slow stroll through this amazing community gathering place. As I snapped photos I was awed by the space’s beauty. The European-style piazza is designed for pedestrians; it connects India Street and Columbia Street at Date Street. The delightful setting includes a tile fountain and lots of welcoming tables with umbrellas.

I noticed the apartment homes on either side of the Piazza della Famiglia aren’t quite completed. Construction workers were busy applying the final touches. I’ve also learned that eateries and other businesses along the piazza will be opening later in the year. Once the entire project is finished, the Piazza della Famiglia is sure to become one of the most popular destinations in downtown San Diego!

The illuminated fountain adds a touch of beauty to the European-style piazza in Little Italy.
The illuminated fountain and nearby planters add touches of beauty to the European-style piazza in Little Italy.
Construction workers were busy as I passed by with my camera.
Construction workers were busy as I passed by with my camera.
Someone walks through the piazza on a late March morning. There's still construction fencing for new buildings.
Someone walks through the piazza on a late March morning. There’s still construction fencing for one of the new buildings.
One of many seats at the tables in Piazza della Famiglia.
One of many seats at the tables in Piazza della Famiglia.
Flowers, warmth and beauty await one and all in Little Italy.
Flowers, warmth and beauty await one and all in Little Italy.
Someone else enjoys the peaceful, sunlit piazza.
Someone else enjoys the peaceful, sunlit piazza.
Another very cool sight has debuted in downtown San Diego!
Another very cool sight has debuted in 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!

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Magical light while walking home.

Magic in this world is abundant. I sensed some of it this evening during my walk home.

As I headed west along Broadway, slanting sunlight touched downtown buildings in unexpected ways, as if cast by a wizard with a flashing wand. The sun rolled away and the moon brightened. And then a few city lights blinked on.

The magic was plainly visible to anyone with lifted eyes.

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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!

Baseball dreams on banners at Petco Park!

20 Carlos Asuaje 3B
20 Carlos Asuaje 3B

Time flies! Only two days until the start of the Padres’ 2018 season! San Diego ended up with a record of 15-10 in spring training, the second best preseason record in the National League!

Expectations have risen greatly for the coming season. The team has a crop of young, hungry, super-skilled players, many rising from what is arguably the deepest and most talent-rich farm system in baseball. A sprinkling of outstanding veterans with great leadership skills are also in the mix, including newly acquired Eric Hosmer. Every indication is that the Padres’ offensive production should be really good. If the pitching is also good, who knows what might happen? It’s fun to dream, right?

During a walk around Petco Park last weekend, I spied 2018 Padres players on lamppost banners. And, naturally, I took photos!

Would you like to dream with me? Take a peek at what might be a very bright future!

3 Clayton Richard SP
3 Clayton Richard SP
4 Wil Myers 1B
4 Wil Myers 1B
7 Manuel Margot CF
7 Manuel Margot CF
12 Chase Headley 3B
12 Chase Headley 3B
13 Freddy Galvis SS
13 Freddy Galvis SS
18 Austin Hedges C
18 Austin Hedges C
52 Brad Hand RP
52 Brad Hand RP
61 Luis Perdomo SP
61 Luis Perdomo SP
64 Dinelson Lamet SP
64 Dinelson Lamet SP
30 Eric Hosmer 1B
30 Eric Hosmer 1B

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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!

GO PADRES!

Superheroes walk and race for autism!

This morning thousands of generous, compassionate people are walking and running to support local autism programs! The Race For Autism is taking place in Balboa Park as I post this blog!

I wanted to get a taste of the event so I walked up Sixth Avenue from Cortez Hill. I saw so many smiling superheroes I knew at once that those who experience autism are in powerful caring hands.

You can support the National Foundation for Autism Research’s work, particular people, or Race For Autism teams by checking out the donation page here!

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Walking forward through life, or a dream.

Color in the sky above downtown San Diego.
Color in the sky above downtown San Diego.

Here are photos from different walks the past couple of weeks.

It’s odd–how every living experience instantly vanishes, becomes intangible: an insubstantial memory. I look at these photographs and my days seem so ephemeral. Our walk through life is very much like a dream.

Garbage truck lifts dumpster in front of the San Diego Symphony's Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center.
Garbage truck lifts dumpster in front of the San Diego Symphony’s Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center.
Working on the street near Sixth and Broadway.
Guys working on the street near Sixth and Broadway.
Someone rides a dockless rental bike down the sidewalk after an early morning shower.
Someone rides a dockless rental bike down the sidewalk after an early morning shower.
Wichita State band members by downtown hotel gets instruments ready for their NCAA basketball tournament game that was held at SDSU's Viejas Arena.
Wichita State band members by downtown hotel, getting their instruments ready for an NCAA basketball tournament game held at SDSU’s Viejas Arena.
Having a friendly chat while walking the dog on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade.
Having a friendly chat while walking the dog on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade.
Picking up litter on railroad tracks.
Picking up litter on railroad tracks.
A tree's reflection in windows.
A tree’s mysterious, golden reflection in windows.
A gull soars above downtown San Diego buildings.
A gull soars above downtown San Diego buildings.
A TV news van is parked by the Hall of Justice one evening.
A TV news van is parked by the Hall of Justice one evening.
Walking along in the Gaslamp near Bub's.
Holding hands in the Gaslamp Quarter near Bub’s.
Homeless man walks through life with his stuff.
Homeless man walks through life with his stuff.
Man in kilt, smoking a pipe, relaxes in Seaport Village on St. Patrick's Day.
Man in kilt, smoking a pipe, relaxes in Seaport Village on St. Patrick’s Day.
Fishing in the Marriott Marina. A friendly wave from folks who work at Hookup Baits, my work neighbors.
Fishing in the Marriott Marina. A friendly smile and thumbs up from folks who work at Hookup Baits, my work neighbors.
Looking down from the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge at the train and trolley yard.
Looking down from the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge at the train and trolley yard.
People linger high above the city on the 9th floor of the Central Library.
People linger high above the city on the 9th floor of the Central Library.
A view over East Village construction toward mountains in San Diego's East County.
A view over East Village construction toward mountains in San Diego’s East County.
Feeding birds at the library one fine day.
Feeding birds at the library one fine 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!

A wordless story told on St. Patrick’s Day.

I went on a long walk yesterday between rainstorms. It was St. Patrick’s Day.

Many carefree people were heading into downtown to celebrate all things Irish: to attend the big Shamrock event, drink green beer, listen to music, dance a jig and party. Others were not thinking about St. Patrick’s Day.

There are countless participants in San Diego’s life.

One day in the city is infinitely complex. So many feet–moving forward in time–crossing paths, weaving a mystery.

Here is a wordless story for the eyes.

Pinterest pins of beautiful Balboa Park!

Pinterest pins of beautiful Balboa Park!

Do you love Balboa Park?

I just added a bunch of colorful photos to my page of Pinterest pins concerning Balboa Park. You can see them here.

These represent some of my best photographs from my special blog Beautiful Balboa Park.

You might also visit some of my other San Diego Pinterest boards, which I update from time to time. I have pins of places and events, San Diego Comic-Con and street art, and all sorts of cool, surprising stuff!

Feel free to pin or repin anything you’d like! I love the way Pinterest organizes so many memories all together in one place. If I’m stuck indoors and miss walking, a jumble of wonderful visions is just a click away!

Fun art on the sidewalk for a rainy day.

A dapper gentleman with an elegant automobile looks at a lady with a bottle.
A dapper gentleman with an elegant automobile looks at a lady with a bottle.

According to this morning’s weather report, it’s supposed to rain in San Diego for most of the day. We can always use more water in dry Southern California. But rain, and a bit of a sore throat, means I probably won’t go out walking today.

Meanwhile, here’s some fun artwork that I discovered yesterday while walking through North Park. Both works of art were on the sidewalk in the vicinity of El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street.

Enjoy!

I'm sorry love, the only rubbish I have time for is in this bin.
I’m sorry love, the only rubbish I have time for is in this bin.
Tile mosaic of a motorcycle and rider. A very cool sight in the sidewalk in front of Belching Beaver Brewery in North Park.
Tile mosaic of a motorcycle and rider. A very cool sight in the sidewalk in front of Belching Beaver Brewery in North Park.

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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!

A magical evening walk along the Embarcadero.

Trees at Tuna Harbor Park have turned golden just before sunset.
Trees at Tuna Harbor Park have turned golden just before sunset.

Here are a few photos from my walk along the Embarcadero early this evening. The images I’ve selected were taken between Navy Pier and Seaport Village.

Every walk in San Diego is magical.

A happy smile greets my camera at the foot of Navy Pier!
A happy smile greets my camera at the foot of Navy Pier!
Two people exit the USS Midway Museum.
Two people exit the USS Midway Museum.
Playing the fife beneath the Grand Union Flag near the Greatest Generation Walk.
Playing the fife beneath the Grand Union Flag near the Greatest Generation Walk.
A reflection of man and fishing boat in Tuna Harbor.
A reflection of man and fishing boat in Tuna Harbor.
A gull ready to alight upon a mast.
A gull ready to alight upon a mast.
Lobster traps in Tuna Harbor reflected in early evening water.
Lobster traps in Tuna Harbor reflected in ripples of early evening water.
The U.S.S. San Diego Memorial attracts walkers. Another day is nearing an end on San Diego's Embarcadero.
The U.S.S. San Diego Memorial attracts walkers. Another day is nearing an end on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
A fisherman and sea lion regard each other.
A fisherman and sea lion regard each other.
People watch another beautiful sunset across San Diego Bay.
People watch another magical sunset across San Diego Bay.

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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!