Our church makes sure that worship is a welcoming experience for everyone, and yes, especially for the children.
February 28, 2009
February 27, 2009
Roof of sails at Mission Valley Center
This roof of sails in front of the AMC theater in Mission Valley Shopping Center looks like the roof of the convention center.
February 26, 2009
Delight of falling water
This beautiful and peaceful waterfall is located in the foodcourt at Grossmont Shopping Center.
February 25, 2009
Islas Coronados
The Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado or Islas Coronados) are actually part of Baja California, Mexico. These four islands are battered by the wind and waves and are uninhabited except for a small military detachment and a few lighthouse keepers. They are about 18 miles from San Diego.
February 24, 2009
February 23, 2009
Naval Training Center transformed
NTC, established in 1916, has been redevloped but retains many of the original Spanish buildings. This quiet spot in the new Liberty Station is near the commercial shopping complex.
February 22, 2009
February 21, 2009
February 20, 2009
February 19, 2009
February 18, 2009
Possible Canary Island Date Palm in San Diego
My neighbor has this beautiful date palm in the front yard. I have searched with Google and decided it may be a Canary Island Date Palm, also called a Pineapple Palm or officially the phoenix canariensis. Can anyone confirm my guess?
February 17, 2009
Palm trees everywhere and more on the way
Palm trees are nearly everywhere you look in San Diego. Residents see so many that we often just blank them out. Here is a typical neighborhood grove of the native species Washingtonia filifera. Their seeds spread everywhere with little palms popping up like weeds.
February 16, 2009
East County rolls into the distance
San Diego County is huge covering 4,500 sq miles and populated with over 3 million people. This old cars can still make the grade coming over Mission Gorge into “East County” with the city of Santee coming into view below and the Cleveland National Forest off in the distance.
February 15, 2009
Living on the edge in San Diego
We are famous for having frequent earthquakes and brushfires. These newly built houses enjoy a terrific view and great privacy but at a risk. House prices are still dropping, down 25-30% for the year. These houses currently sell for about $250 per square foot (ex: 4 br, 3 ba, 3,329 sq ft, $755,000). My house is down below in the canyon currently $225 per square foot.
February 14, 2009
A window full of ornaments at Balboa Park
Beautiful art glass guild creations for sale at Spanish Village Art in Balboa Park.
February 13, 2009
Douglas R4D-8 (C-117D) “Sky Train” at MCAS Miramar
10,000 of these WW2 aircraft were built. This one was delivered in 1944 and retired in 1982 having flown 23,316 hrs. The “Sky Train” has a wingspan of 90′, a cruising speed of 238 mph and a range of 2,500 miles. Over 10,000 lbs. of cargo goes along for the ride.
February 12, 2009
Seagulls blown inland with the storm
See other great skywatch pictures here.
Our usual blue sky is gone with the arrival of much needed rain. The seagulls are confused or perhaps looking for a better place to hangout than the coast. Some picked this parking lot at MCAS Miramar exchange and commissary complex. Love the rain.
February 11, 2009
Amtrak “Pacific Surfliner” and the “San Diego Trolley” in Old Town
Amtrak’s “Pacific Surfliner” rolls along the coast and on into San Diego as the final destination. Formally known as the “San Diegan” this service launched in 2000 and has become a very popular way to arrive here with about 20 million passengers served so far. Another set of tracks supports our electric light-rail service, the “San Diego Trolley”, operational since 1981. The Troley has expanded to include 53 miles of track and 53 stations. About 113,000 people ride the SD Trolley each weekday. Seems like alot until you think about the Metro in DC with 1.5 million daily or how about New York with over 10 million riders daily. San Diego feels like a small city but actually we are the sixth largest in the U.S.
February 10, 2009
Teavana or Tea-not-so-much-a
Teavana has created a buzz in town as the lastest place to purchase a new tea pot or some blends of loose tea. My wife and I buy all things tea from Uptons online but were curious enough to take a sip of the tea offered and soon found ourselves inside having a look. Big mistake. The sales force inside is absolutely charming, well trained and tenacious. The offerings were half the quality at twice the price offered at Uptons.
February 9, 2009
Creasted Screamer
The pair of South American creasted screamers in the flamingo exhibit are busy building a nest. They are waterfowl, taking a bath every day, but don’t spend as much time in the water as most of their cousins. Screamers produce a high pitched screaming sound. I have not heard them yet but am told the sound is unmistakable. On each of the wings there are two 5cm long spurrs, used as weapons in defence.
February 8, 2009
Commissary at MCAS Miramar on a rainy day
Stores are provided on most military bases for the use of both active and retired personnel. The commissary on bases offers what a large grocery store off base would sell. This commissary at MCAS Miramar is very large and well stocked. We are having “weather” in San Diego this weekend, rain, what a blessing. But the temperature is still good enough to wear shorts.
February 7, 2009
February 6, 2009
A Manchurian Brown Bear at the San Diego Zoo
Huang Di, which means “king” in Chinese, a Manchurian brown bear, lived at the San Diego Zoo from 1986 to 1997 then went on loan to another facility. “Blackie”, as his friends call him, returned April 17, 2008. In 1996 Blackie was joined in his enclosure by Matthew Settles, 28. Settles, who comes from San Diego, told rescuers he had climbed the safety barrier surrounding the enclosure after the animals “motioned for him to join them”. Blackie’s female friend in the enclosure at the time did not appreciate Settles invading their territory. Settles survived after surgery for a gash in his groin.
February 5, 2009
Abe follows us around like a puppy
Abe is our little boy cat. Our daughter rescued him from under a trash container behind the United Methodist Church in Camarillo, CA while serving as associate minister. Abe is short for Abraham, like in the bible, Genesis 15-21. He was only about 4 weeks old when we brought him home. Some ferrell cats do better than others and Abe bonded with us perfectly. He lives inside, happy and content to rule the house with an iron hand while following us around whereever we go. At night when we watch TV he shares the sofa but only watches if the show is about birds. We think Abe is beautiful.
