It's been a few weeks since my last update. As mentioned in my last post I picked up some severe congestion in Borrego Springs. Very aggressive, and passed it to Fran. For almost 2 weeks we traded it back and forth …
At least my testing showed it was not Covid!
So mid-Dranuary/January we ventured out. Our destination was some fresh air and a walk in Balboa Park.
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It was a chance to saunter in the sunshine to the remodeled Botanical Garden. We parked near our 5th Ave outside the park and meandered to the Laurel Street Bridge.
At this entrance is the Founder's Plaza. Last time I passed this way George Marston had construction tape wrapped around his neck. I have to admit that I consider him as 'Mr. San Diego' for the dedication, commitment and sacrifice he personally made for the city.
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Nice to see the the construction tape has been removed from around his neck and his wishing pond restored.
Marston donated his property for the construction of the Laurel Street Bridge. Sauntering across the bridge I knew to look for the construction inscription.
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| top center of the arch 19 0n the left 13 n the right |
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The building looks great, but is missing the mature botanical displays. I guess the new plants will continue to thrive and in future visits they will mature.
The flags are at half-staff in honor of President Jimmy Carter, who died the previous week.
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For our own tribute to our 39th president we walked to Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe. Our first time here we walked over from the Marston House with Joe and Gay last January.
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Certainly no relation to our 39th president, but it just seemed appropriate. Fran is sticking to her 'Dranuary' (Dry January) resolution and had a soda, but I had a Margarita with my tostada.
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I do audio books, a lot of them! But I'll share this one with my readers as we are all RV'rs. “Three Years a Traveler” is just a laugh out loud read! If I made that many impulsive, dumb, and expensive mistakes in 3 years I'd not be writing a book about them!
On the local front:
1. Amazing how fast our new President has all but closed the San Diego to Tijuana border crossing. With nearly 2000 National Guards sent to the area, my next dentist visit may be delayed.... ARG!
2. SpaceX had an early morning launch, It was overcast when my morning alarm went off.
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| My first thought was that I caught the 1st stage separation... But no, the exhaust burned off the clouds to reveal what appears to be Arcturus and Denebola |
3. The east side of Mission Bay (my side) is now locally called “Quartzite on the Bay”! Our current Mayor and City Counsel decided not to enforce any parking or occupancy regulations. Meaning any RV, car, or tent camper can select a prime spot on the bay with no ramifications! and stay until the city changes its mind.
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| His slide extends into the Bike Path |
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| A school bus converted on a budget |
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| At least his slides or only part way out. Atho parked in front of the Mission Bay RV Park, it looks like he could easily afford a site in the park |
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| At Mission Bay Golf |
All pictures of the RVs are from De Anza Cove. There were many many more along East Mission Bay Drive. Why can't our current leadership deport these?
4. And best of all, RAIN! Whoot! Whoot! a measurable amount of RAIN!
Hi Jeff…I remember our fun day with you and Fran. The Marston home/museum is so beautiful and Jimmy’s Skillet (and Bloody Mary) was so yummy! Such nice memories! I am glad you posted photos of the newly remodeled Botanical Gardens at Balboa Park. It’s on my list…we love perusing the Park too! I love the daylight filtering thru the historic lath structure and oh those orchids! Is the Lily Pond still there. I took the sweetest photos of ducklings there one year…oh the memories! Thank you! Glad you both are feeling better! And send some rain our way!
ReplyDeleteHi Gay !!!- - Of course I knew it was you ;}
DeleteYes the lily pond is still there although the fish need to grow up and mature ... just like the plants.
We've lunched at Jimmy Carter's a few times since we went, and always think fondly of our visit.
Interesting there's a restaurant named Jimmy Carter that isn't the late president! Looks like the garden building got a nice facelift, I've always loved that curved ceiling. There are streets in Portland OR that also have unlimited, unrestricted parking lined with old (much less "nice" than those in SD) RVs and I wonder how they stay so long with no hookups to sewer :-( The border, what a mess.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Jodee !!! personally I prefer the migrants, as they are willing to work, over the the those living in the parks expecting 'entitlements'. At least Mission Bay has a couple dump stations and restrooms with showers.
DeleteThe Botanical Building does look great, but I miss all the old growth vegetation
It seems like everyone got the "January Crud" this year! I'm glad you're both feeling better now. We always loved strolling Balboa Park and visiting San Diego, but I think we'll have to wait awhile or find a new rv park to stay in. DeAnza Cove isn't what it used to be.....
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Suzi !!! We lived in one of the old trailers for several years. It was an ideal spot for us then, but change is inevitable and it's not so much a paradise anymore.
DeleteSouth Bay has some nice parks, but traffic ....