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 23, 2009
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 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 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.
February 4, 2009
Sculpture at Grossmont Shopping Center
This playful sculpture is located in the open air mall of the Grossmont Shopping Center.
January 21, 2009
Otay Ranch Town Center, our newest shopping area
Otay Ranch Town Center, located in the South Bay, is our newest shopping area in San Diego. It feels like a little town with sidewalks, on-street parking and outdoor cafes. Stores include Macy’s, REI, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Sephora, White House Black Market, Gila Rut Aveda Salon plus an AMC 12 screen theatre. Restaurants include P. F. Chang’s China Bistro, Cheesecake Factory, King’s Fish House, California Pizza Kitchen or many on-the-go dining options.
January 15, 2009
Views from Mt. Soledad, 251 meters above the city
Interstate 5 leads south to San Diego and on down to the border with Mexico. To the southwest is Mission Bay in front of Point Loma. And to the northwest is the beautiful city of La Jolla.
The city of San Diego from Mt. Soledad looking south
Mission Bay and Point Loma from Mt. Soledad
La Jolla viewed from Mt. Soledad
December 31, 2008
Old Adobe Church, Old Town San Diego
On November 21, 1858 the Old Adobe Church in Old Town San Diego was dedicated by Father Molinier with the new name, Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Mass is celebrated daily.
December 27, 2008
Christmas at the Hotel del Coronado
Our Hotel del Coronado is a National Historic Landmark with 120 years of Christmas celebrations. Both inside and out the hotel dresses up nice. It is a treasure we love here in San Diego.
December 23, 2008
Sheep shearing at the Del Mar Fair
San Diego is such a big urban city I sometimes forget about all things rural. Once a year I revisit those memories by going to the Del Mar Fair and watching the kids with their animals. Sheep shearing is pretty tricky and certainly a family affair. The 2009 edition starts June 12, 2009.
December 22, 2008
Sun is coming up, time to go to work
The space age has moved from Sputnik in 1957 to China’s first walk this September 2008. Is America finished with space? We have been distracted for over a decade. And the financial crisis is a very deep hole. Can we move forward? Will we?
I took this picture, coffee in one hand, camera in the other, walking from the parking lot to my office. The structure you see helps move “things” many of which will be sent into space.
December 18, 2008
Mission Trails Regional Park next to my house
The three jewels in the San Diego park system are Balboa, Mission Bay and this one, Mission Trails Regional Park. It covers 5,800 acres of rugged hills, valleys and open areas and is located only eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Even better it is just two blocks from my house.
This picture shows a view looking east into Mission Gorge from the visitors parking area. The little valley holds the original dam built by the Kumeyaay to supply water to Mission San Diego de Alcala. The trail from the visitors center to the dam is walker friendly and a great place to relax from our urban pace.
December 17, 2008
Red Canna at Balboa Park near the Museum of Art
Georgia O’Keeffe said “Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower.” She painted Red Canna in the early twenties to help people see them “whether they want to or not.” My daughter took this picture in Balboa Park when we all went to see the Georgia OKeeffe exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art.
December 11, 2008
Moonrise over Del Cerro
San Diego had perfect weather to see the closest approach of the moon this year. It rose over the Del Cerro hills flooding the canyons with bright reflections of the season. As the moon rises it appears even larger than it will later in the night when it’s higher in the sky. With this closest approach we could see this years largest moon appearance, an illusion but beautiful. My home, third from right, sits on the rim of this canyon. Driving home from work I saw this scene and could not pass up an opportunity to take a picture similar to “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico 1941″ by Ansel Adams.
The hills are on fire
Brush fires are a constant danger in San Diego. I took this picture from the highest point inside the Wild Animal Park looking towards the southeast. The picture looks like a lovely sunset or sunrise. But that bright spot over the hill is a fast moving fire. The danger was very real with the smoke rolling up into the sky and turning day into night.
December 5, 2008
La Jolla Sunset with wine and friends
We always enjoy a late afternoon picnic with friends at La Jolla to include a beautiful sunset. Yvonne (left in the picture) loves a Temecula wine, Almond Champagne, from Wilson Creek Winery. I think sunset calls for a good sauvignon blanc like Frog’s Leap. We have not yet seen a green flash but still looking.
December 4, 2008
Wind Power
SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric) operates these wind power generators that produce 50 megawatts of electricity. They are built on land owned by the Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians just off Interstate 5 in East County.
December 3, 2008
Pacific Beach
Looking south from PB to Mission Beach and Ocean Beach you can see Point Loma.
November 27, 2008
America Plaza Trolley Station
Catch a trolley at this downtown waterfront district station located next to the One America building. 
November 26, 2008
Mission San Diego de Alcala
California 4th graders build models to learn about the role played by missions founded in the 1700s in the states development. Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded on July 16, 1769 as the first of the 21 Alta California missions. Interesting to note that the Bougainvillea decorating the grounds was first discovered just the year before, 1768, in Brazil by a French Navy admiral.
November 22, 2008
Whole Foods produce
Whole Foods Market is a food retailer of “natural” and organic products, including produce. We have two here in San Diego. This one is in La Jolla. The other is in Hillcrest. The company is consistently ranked among the most socially responsible businesses and placed second on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Top 25 Green Power Partners.
November 17, 2008
American Airlines landings at Lindbergh Field
American Airlines is the world’s largest in passenger miles transported and passenger fleet size. It is second largest, behind FedEx Express, in aircraft operated. San Diego International, Lindbergh Field, is the busiest single-runway commercial service airport in the United States, and second in the world, with approximately 600 departures and arrivals carrying 50,000 passengers each day, and a total of 18.3 million passengers in 2007
November 16, 2008
Taco time in San Diego is anytime 24 hours a day.
The taco is an essential food in San Diego. Each block has a place where you can buy a taco and other delicious Mexican food. This one is in my neighborhood of Grantville.
July 20, 2008
Chicken fried steak for breakfast? Well yes, certainly!
One of the best places in San Diego to enjoy chicken fried steak with your breakfast is the Spice House Cafe. Not only is the food delicious but the staff treats you like family. Try it! You will be glad you did. http://www.spicehousecafesd.com/
