back to the sea

I neglected to show you this San Diego photo of a long, thin submarine.
It's hard to picture people living inside of this thing for extended periods
of time, isn't it? Thank you for such a great vaca, Tanya!

the old, the new

Top - I loved the many venerable homes in and around downtown San Diego.
Bottom - view from the brand new nine story Library where Tanya works.
(And thus ends my trip notes - thank you!)

a bit of Balboa Park

an Atheist booth!

a convention of big, black dogs

San Diego celebration too - not just SF

A week ago today I spent many happy hours in Balboa Park. Above are a
few of my discoveries that sunny day in the park. Why is that I can sit and
observe when on vacation but at home I always have to be "doing"?

San Diego scenes

my hotel was located in Little Italy

the Harborview Hotel (with my view of parking lot in back)

gentrification happens

I think my batteries are now fully recharged and I actually started writing
again this morning. I have been working all week but today is a day off
to catch up with Costco, the gym, the nap and then I have class tonight.
That is the shot in the arm that Ellen and I need currently. I now have a
new character named Lori who used to live in San Diego.

inside Petco Park

Despite the fact that the Giants are not exactly on a winning streak, I had
a great time at the beautiful stadium Saturday night. The dome in the distance
is the new Library where Tanya works and it is impressive and welcoming.
She took me on a quick tour before the game. Then the sun goes down and
the lights of the city come on and it's still warm in San Diego - very special.
See the orange square in the bottom photo? That is an electric SF logo! Sorry
the photo is so poor, but I knew you would want to see that. And of course
the location is ideal, right downtown where the action is.

early dinner in San Diego

Queenstown Public House

Tanya and Scott

One of the nice surprises about leaving one's beloved San Francisco is the
fact that other cities have reasonable restaurant prices and such was the
case at the Queenstown on Columbia Street. I had walked by this house
with wide and shady porches (on the front and side) on a previous walk.
We three had our pre-baseball dinner there on Saturday. Burgers, fries and
and a "Mexicoke" for me. I did love all the walking in San Diego...no
hills, mostly wide sidewalks and surprisingly few other walkers. Some
small cottages and big old houses amidst tall city buildings - I'll save
those pix for later. I have a busy work week starting today because it's
the dreaded Bouquets to Art - thankfully I'm out at the Legion where it
will be business as usual. Quiet business, I hope.

Gravity and Grace

Yesterday morning I walked a few blocks down to the Museum of Contemporary
Art San Diego and imagine my delight to find this splendid exhibit by El
Anatsui. The deYoung used to have a big wall hanging by him, but it isn't
there currently. He is African and works with "leftover stuff" like bottle caps,
cigar wrappers, etc. And he doesn't tell the museum staff how to drape or
hang his pieces. I so enjoyed those three rooms. By the way, I get into ALL
museums free by showing my badge - one of the perks of my job which I
so appreciate. And yes, I'm home but I will continue to post San Diego memories
because I had such a fine, fine time.

watching the bikers

I'm here at my Starbucks seat and there is a large bike race right in

front of me. Just finished my apple juice and banana and now some

cofffee as I prepare for my last day here in San Diego. Yesterday was

lovely with coffee and playground with Tanya and Ruby, then back to

Balboa Park and the Photography Museum, which I loved. A late

lunchh at Queenstown Public House on Columbia then we three

walked to the ball park, first hitting the impressive new library where

Tanya works - 9 floors and beautiful. We sat across from it at Petco

Park and that is a game that I don't care to discuss. Poor Giants.

We are dooomed, as notthat might say. We walked home and now 

I know where Scott and Tanya met, where the bus station was, 

where they each worked and lived before I knew them. This has

been a perfect few days for me, just what I needed. 

and on to Balboa Park

Yesterday I did get to the San Diego Museum of Art and loved it.

This morning I will return for some more museums and some

sitting by the reflection pool ~  people watching is superb at

Balboa Park.

Tonight is the ball game with Tanya and Scott and Mad Bum

is pitching. Beautiful weather here and I actually slept well

last night. Yess!

our day at the zoo

We had a delightful day and now I'm sitting in Balboa Park with a latte and free wi~fi.

Ruby has grown into a sweet three year old and she can spell her name and she

knows EVERY animal at the zoo. Truly. I'm now going to visit a couple of museums,

have a light supper and watch tonight's baseball game on TV. I'm so glad that I'm

here for a few special days. Lucky me!

from San Diego

I have been walking and enjoying myself immensely - lots of Giants fans here

and tons of Padres too, naturally. Great weather. Dinner soon and big day

with Tanya, Ruby and Scott tomorrow. 

a month from today

I'm excited about my trip to San Diego in April. I have been missing my
friend Tanya and I need to see Ruby and her papa Scott. Now that I have
my map and guidebook, I can really plan. That Balboa Park is huge and
filled with museums and of course I want to see my first official baseball
game of 2015. The Giants vs. the Padres, sounds good, no? And walking,
talking, people watching with latte and just getting away. "Every trip a
journey of self-discovery." (Joseph Dispenza, author)

talkin' San Diego

Of course you remember Ruby (and today is Tuesday) and Tanya, her
mother and my dear and greatly missed friend. Well, Tanya is now
working here, at the San Diego Public Library. Cool, no? And, even
more exciting, plans are afoot for an April trip down there to see our
Giants! Ginger and I are in the emailing "let's plan" stage and I haven't
even warned Tanya. But let's see if she still reads this blog...