Baja Ha-Ha – cruisers rally

Every November sailboats gather in San Diego for the Baja Ha-Ha for a 10 day cruise down Baja California to Cabo San Lucas. This year's boats came down from British Columbia, up from Mexico and even across from Arizona.

This year there were just 131 boats registered for the rally. The boat parade begins at the Chula Vista Marina and gathers other entrants and well wishers as it prepares for the 10 am start from the southwest tip of Shelter Island.

This is a rally, not a race, with fun stops and games along the way.

There was little wind in the morning only a few boats had their sails up, and those just for show as they motored out of the Big Bay past Point Loma to begin the southward journey.

I watched the boats gather from the fishing pier on Shelter Island. This group next to me was from San Jose. Their son and DIL are in the rally. They found each other, greeting with big waves and air horns.

From there I went up to the Cabrillo National Monument to view from there.

Outside the shelter of Point Loma the boats finally had their sails up.

Last time I was here the lighthouse was covered in scaffolding getting a new roof and fresh coat of paint. It definitely looked brilliant in the morning light.

I was a bit disappointed the interior was not also given a bit of a face lift.

In the display room, I noticed the sign on the small Fresnel lens from the Ballast Point lighthouse. 

I had not noticed that before, in fact not even knew Ballast Point had a lighthouse.

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It certainly makes sense as the point does stick out into the channel.

A Google search on Ballast Point Lighthouse revealed the building itself was moved to Lakeside to be used as a Ham Radio Shack. It's now a residence.

However the Lantern Room is on display in Old Town … on Congress Street … the trolley stop is on Congress Street. Of course I wanted to see it.

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Also at the trolley stop is this small memorial to Codi.

Codi - Old Town's Favorite Horse

Codi was often seen as Park Ranger Dick Miller patrolled Old Town.

photo credit: Cool San Diego Sights - link HERE

 

Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors.  It is now combined with All Souls’ Day, a custom brought by the Spanish in the 1500s.

There are Fiestas throughout the area, but we again chose to hop on the trolley and ride a couple stops to Old Town State Park.

Our first stop was the Community Alter

It is here that anyone can post a remembrance of a passed loved one.  We added Fran’s brother to the alter.

Bobby passed a few weeks ago after a long battle with complications from Parkinson’s.

This is easily the biggest crowd we have experienced in Old Town!  Even the trolley was full.

The shops were decorated with Magnolias to ward off any evil spirits.

Shops and street vendors offer sugar skulls and flower bling.

A young girl dressed in her folkloric best, with her painted face was ready to have her photo taken.

I think Casa de Reyes is overrated, but they do indeed put on a great show.

The main stage had a very good Mariachi group as we passed by

And this staple mariachi group made their annual appearance.

The gals at Barra Barra dressed in their colorful outfits are ready to enjoy the fiesta.

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Outside tamales, chips/salsa, churros and adult beverages are available.

This alter was a very nice tribute to Jimmy Buffett.

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These gals were out wandering the square.

My phone battery is now dead, no more photos :(
Fran and I spilt a fish taco plate at Casa de Maria before taking the trolley home.

Later this week is the Baja Ha-Ha sailing regatta.  I'll take the camera with a longer battery life ;)

Little Italy - Street art

Tecolote Canyon:

The work on the drainage in Tecolote Canyon continues.

The Nature Center is a interesting stop to learn the history of the canyon and the critters that call it home.

Native Americans have lived in the canyon for several centuries.

recreating native wear

Wildlife has thrived in the canyon

The drainage for the center section of the canyon was completed a couple years ago, now the city is preparing to replace the drainage in the lower section.  The drain lines are tagged and will be dug up and replaced.

Many of the native plants will be retained, but the non-native plants will not.

Unfortunately Coyote Gourds are native.

Fran and I used to use this little foot bridge to enter the canyon.  But now we typically enter at the Nature Center.

Imperial Beach Bike Ride:

The San Diego City Library did not have a copy of the movie  “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, but the County Library did.

I requested it be sent to Imperial Beach for me to pick it up there.  The book and DVD are based on events of 1942, so deeply classified that it wasn’t made public until 2016.  And the British Spy master Ian Fleming is involved!, the events are said to inspire his James Bond.

The movie takes a bit of romantic license, but is fun.

Normally Fran and I would ride from Pepper Park, but the Padres were in the Playoffs and the sandcastle artist at Hotel del Coronado had a fun tribute on display.  My plan was to park just past the South Bay Salt Works and ride the Silver Strand.

Picture from the web

I took a break at the Entrance to Coronado Cays, a bit less than halfway and noticed a soft rear tire and a faint hissing sound.  I turned around at their entrance.

I didn’t make it far before the ride turned into a walk.

And a long walk back to the Salt Works, waaaay over there!

I figured just over two miles mostly on the bike path.  With a few sections on a well maintained trail.

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The evaporation ponds used to collect salt.

And my ugly old truck with its new KO tires never looked so good!

But my bike tire does not look so good!

Sera Mesa Block Party;

There was only one truck at the car show this year.

With a rebuilt inline 6 cylinder engine.

No  judges this year, the attendees voted.  Despite the fancy and classic cars in the show, the truck won the Peoples Choice Award!  I won’t mention how many times I voted :)

Again this year Love is a Rose is on the main stage.  The first time I heard them I walked out.  They named themselves after my favorite Linda Ronstadt song and butchered it! (IMHO)

So much better now!

Little Italy Bella Vita;

We’ve enjoyed the Little Italy Art Festival in the past.  But a bit different is their Bella Vita Fest where the street is the canvas and the artists all use chalk to create some really inspiring artwork.  Fran and I took the trolley the few stops to Little Italy.

I’ll let a few of their creations speak for themselves.  Enjoy!

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Next week is Day of the Dead!  So much fun!

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