And The Rains Came...

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 23, 2024 

To say it was a rainy weekend might be a bit of an understatement as it rained and rained on Saturday and Sunday and then Monday morning at 9:34, we received an emergency notice on our phones.  Neither of us have ever seen it rain so much and so hard in one day.  In fact, folks in San Diego had not ever seen it either.  The news reported that San Diego received more rain in those three days that it has in the past three months combined.  And Monday was reported to be the rainiest day ever in January dating back to 1850.  It was the fourth wettest day on record in the entire history of San Diego weather measurements according to the national Weather Service.  The photo below was taken about 8:00 am when we walked Sally.  Within a couple of hours, the concrete in the road and RV sites were under water.  

Sally was a real trooper...we managed several walks under the umbrella when the rains slowed a bit.

Joe and I filled our time reading, spelling, playing Yahtzee, making loaded baked potato soup and fixing stuff.

 But it was Sally who had the best idea of how to spend her time.  

The sun finally came out on Tuesday.  

We ventured over to Ocean Beach for a late lunch even though we knew the pier was closed from a few weeks ago. 

It was oyster day for me and South Beach Bar and Grill was calling. I enjoyed every morsel of a half dozen oysters on the half shell (the cocktail sauce at South Beach is the best ever) and a fried oyster taco with rice and beans.  We enjoyed a nice view of OB Pier (which just happens to be one of the most visited landmarks in San Diego) during lunch.   

Joe and I are always amazed at how busy San Diego highways are and yet always amazed at how easy it is to get around.  Interstate highways that are 4 and 5 lanes wide stacked up on top of one another sounds intimidating.  We try to pick our times to avoid locals going to or coming from work, but even then, it can be congested.  But in all the years visiting here, we have never had to slow to a crawl or come to a stand still.  I think that is pretty amazing.  And probably pretty lucky.  

Last week when we went with Carol and Ronnie to Switzer Canyon, we drove the long way home and stopped at The Landing on Coronado Island.  

I love driving over the Bay Bridge...

The Landing is so named because that's where the ferry lands when it takes folks to or from the city to the island.  

There is a wonderful green park with lots of little shops and restaurants to peruse or enjoy a meal at The Landing. But the really best part to me is the view of the city.

The pier just behind the palm trees is the pier where the ferry lands.

This is a good stopping spot so I will close for now...until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !

Bayside Walk and Switzer Canyon

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 24, 2024

Wednesday, January 17...

Mission Beach and Bay are always a great choice for a walk.  Last week we enjoyed the Bayshore Walk along the beach and this week we enjoyed the Bayside Walk along the bay.  Dredging began back in the late 1940s to convert  marsh/wetlands into the jewel it is today. 

Today Mission Bay has 32 miles of shoreline and at 4,600 acres, it is the largest manmade aquatic park and the ninth largest municipal park in the country.  Most folks are not aware what a created environment  Mission Bay is.  It was constructed and fabricated for the purpose of creating recreational opportunities.  In fact, the first triathlon in the United States was held there in 1975. I suppose walking is a recreational opportunity and Mission Bay just happens to be a favorite for us and Ronnie and Carol.  We logged in a few miles all the while oohing and aahing.  

My dear sweet Mother-in-Law once said, "Things don't just grow in California, they thrive."  She also said if you ever have a chance to visit California, you should.  She shared that CA  was one of the most beautiful places she had ever been right along side Hawaii.  I haven't been to Hawaii and don't think a trip there is in my future, but I can say for sure that California has been a favorite for years...things do thrive here.  Helen most definitely had a green thumb and a great appreciation for color...I often think of her on these walks.  
 

Friday January 19...

I just read that San Diego is known for its canyons. I had no idea as I often think of beaches, bays, quaint neighborhoods, birds, colorful blossoms, friends, marinas, sunsets, and yummy food when I think of SD.  Canyons are usually described as a "deep, narrow, valley with steep sides" cut into the earth by running water.  Located east of Balboa Park is one such canyon...Switzer Canyon.  I was so excited Friday morning when Carol texted, "We found a new hike.  It's an urban hike in a canyon. Do you want to go?"  Located just east of Balboa Park, Switzer Canyon is one of San Diego's largest canyons.  Today, the canyon serves as a boundary for North Park and South Park...both charming San Diego neighborhoods.   

Switzer Canyon is named after E.D. Switzer who owned a five-acre farm just outside downtown SD that bordered the canyon in 1869. 

A quick search did not yield any info about him.  And the only other info I found was that  the remoteness of the canyon from downtown made it a good place for an isolation camp during the city's smallpox scare in 1887.  

 

 In October 1998, the Sierra Club guided about 60 residents on a tour of Switzer Canyon and organized the first canyon "friends".  The canyon is now a protected area to preserve the landforms, habitats, and vegetation.  What beauties these old elm trees are.  

Stately California sycamore trees and saplings...

and gorgeous native evergreen shrubs...Toyon or often called Christmas Berry.

Its a steep walk down and a steep walk up and the section of trail we did was slightly over a mile.  The exit landed us in Burlingame Historic District...a 10 block pocket  roughly located between North Park and South Park.  It is an easy stroll through a neighborhood rich in early-century Craftsman and Spanish Revival bungalows.  

The homes had plaques designating the year the home was built.

1913

I was too busy taking in the brick walks, yard, and retro camper and didn't get the date on this one...

I got side tracked on this one too...what a really nice driveway

1924

And I couldn't help myself...what a face!

We walked a couple of blocks at South Park...an urban neighborhood full of charm, coffee shops, unique boutiques, and indoor and outdoor cafes.

Plum Pottery sure caught my eye.  We met Les there.  He is a student of pottery.  

Plum Pottery is actually a studio to teach the art of pottery.  Annie is the owner and she along with two other potters are passing along their skills to locals interested in learning how to make pottery.  

Classes are offered for adults and children throughout the year.  The studio is bright and cheery and if you just happen to be at South Park during a class, the door is open and you are welcome to watch.  

Les says that only the three teachers sell their pottery at the studio and emphasized the studio is not in the business to sell pottery.  The pieces that are put in the window are sold to make room for more pieces and sold at a very reasonable price.  I do have a soft spot for pottery !

On the walk back to the car, we crossed a bridge with a skyline view of SD on our left...

and a view of Switzer Canyon on our right.

The last part of the trail and the climb out...

Two completely different walks...two totally fun days...and so many beautiful things to photograph.  Until next time...

Bayside Walk

Switzer Canyon Trail

HAPPY TRAILS!