Cabrillo National Monument

On Thursday, my daughter and I had an hour to spare, so we drove to the Cabrillo National Monument.  The Old Point Loma Lighthouse (shown on left) was built in 1854.  It has been replaced by a newer one on the water's edge (on the right).

When I attended a Birdwatchers Tour
at the Formosa Slough last month, I heard some of the people speaking about the "Drip."  I asked what the "Drip" was and the people told me it was a place where birds were seen at the Cabrillo National Monument.  My curiosity was piqued.  I did ask for directions on Thursday, but ran out of time.  However, I did spot a California Towhee near the Visitor's Center.  The terrace in back of the Visitor's Center provides a great view of the City of San Diego.  On the terrace, you can also find a statue of Juan Cabrillo, who came to San Diego in 1542.   From that spot, we watched the USS Chief leaving San Diego Bay. 

On Thursday's eleven o'clock news, the meteorologist stated that today would be perfect with great visibility.  So, I decided to return to the Monument to look for the "Drip."  I had difficulty finding it, but after walking around, I found a Ranger speaking with an artist who was in the process of completing a beautiful painting of the old lighthouse.  The Ranger offered to walk me directly to the "Drip" while telling me that he thought I would be disappointed.  That day crews had been cutting down some trees because they were infected with a parasite and the Ranger didn't expect birds to be frequenting the spot due to the noise.  I also passed by the same area not realizing that the site was exactly where I wanted to go.

After the Ranger left me in what probably was a small grove of trees previous to being cut down, I did spot a little bird stopping by for a little water. 

The "Drip" was a medium container of water that had a solar panel providing electricity for the drip of water.  Of course, this explanation is in layman's terms and supposition on my part.  Anyway, the little bird was yellow and after comparing pictures on the Internet, I think it was a Pacific-slope Flycatcher.  For me, it was quite a find.  Then, another Ranger spotted me and ordered me off the area, stating the "Drip" had no permit.  Oh well.

While there, I took the opportunity to take another photograph the Old Point Loma Lighthouse with the backdrop of a beautiful blue sky.

 
I plan to return to walk the Bayside trail and visit the tidepools with the grandchildren.  It should be fun.

Amtrak Trip

As I promised on my blog of August 3, I finally made the trip to Los Angeles.

This past weekend I visited my son, his wife and two children, ages 5 and 8.  I rode Amtrak from San Diego to Union Station in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.  When I arrived there, I went to the bus area and boarded a “Fly Away” bus to Los Angeles Airport (LAX).  I travel this way so that the family doesn’t have to get stuck in Downtown Los Angeles traffic, which can be a bear.  It is much easier to pick me up at the airport.  I purchased my Business Class ticket and boarded the 1:25 pm train and arrived at LAX around 5pm.  I ride Business Class because it gives me a reserved seat for an extra $15.  I remember being on a train to Los Angeles once, when some people had to stand.  Those seats are difficult to hold onto to prevent falling.  So, as a plus, I’ve enjoyed the special treatment given in Business Class.

I like to sit upstairs.  As I was trying to carry my suitcase up the stairs, a young man, who seemed to come out of nowhere, offered to take my bag up for me.  When I reached the seat, I decided to ride the wave, so to speak, and asked him to put the suitcase up in the overhead.  Since I sat one seat behind him and his friend, I heard that they were in the entertainment field.  The same young man carried my bag to the platform in Los Angeles.   As they were departing the train, I asked him the name of his group.  He responded, “Manufactured Superstars.”  I really appreciate that he stepped up to the plate, offering to help me.  I hope he is blessed for his kindness.

At LAX, my son timed his arrival to match my bus.  Because of security concerns, a car just can’t wait at a loading area.  As the bus was entering the airport, he called me on the phone to ask where the bus was and what kind of a bus it was.  He managed to be just ahead of the bus, so there was no waiting on my part, or his.  With an uneventful, yet pleasant trip, the transition was smooth and I joined the family.

On Sunday, my son drove me directly to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles.  He expected light traffic.  However, it was bumper to bumper so I missed the 2:00 pm departure.  It wasn't much of a wait since the next train was scheduled at 3:00 pm.  The Business Class section was practically empty and had only five adults and four children.  Since I didn’t bring a book, I had two hours and forty-five minutes on my hands to notice the people on this trip, as well as Friday’s trip.  One of the passengers mentioned, in my hearing, that he and his 3 year old daughter ride the train many weekends.  This little lady with bouncing brown curls seemed right at home in the train traveling the aisle at will.  The other children were three teenagers (two boys and a girl, aged thirteen).  They also seemed right at home on the train.  Unfortunately, they had been visiting their father in Manhattan Beach and were returning home to their mother in Solana Beach….a distance of approximately one hundred miles.  Apparently, they do this quite often.  The boys acted like eight year olds, as she did her homework.  While they seemed to be weathering their situation, it still seemed like a tough life.

The ride was quiet.  When we reached the beach area, I lamented not bringing my camera because the train windows were clean.  The only drawback to the ride was that we stopped five times to let trains coming north go through.  At different points on the trip to San Diego, south of Solana Beach, there is only one track.  I believe San Diego is the seventh largest city in the United States so you would think they would improve the tracks.  I guess Amtrak’s ridership between San Diego and Los Angeles just isn’t large enough.

Even with the inconveniences, the trip was worth it.  I had a wonderful time with the family.

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Walking around Downtown San Diego

Today, I went to Downtown San Diego and just walked around. On Mother's Day, my daughter had to run an errand which took us down to the more residential area below Broadway. When I saw the area, it brought back memories of walking through these neighborhoods probably ten years ago.

So, today I decided to go back for a quiet walk and take some pictures. First I walked down Fourth Avenue through the Gaslight area (mostly restaurants) from Broadway to the Convention Center by San Diego Bay. The fabricated sails, which are built into the roof, compliment the nautical flavor of the City.




I rounded the hotels to the back to the Embarcadero. Usually there are many yachts moored behind the Marriott. I've been told that often these yachts are owned by famous people. The whole area is beautiful and inviting.

The weather was just right and the sky, an azure blue. So, I continued walking around taking pictures of anything that interested me, like the passing sailboats. As I left the Embarcadero passing Seaport Village (picture below right), I saw a very talented man building sculptures from the rocks on the edge of the Bay. I walked on past the USS Midway Museum, making a mental note to schedule a tour. Perhaps my grandson would like to go when he visits.

I ended my delightful afternoon by boarding the trolley at the Sante Fe Station.







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