TimeOut

Birds and Bark but No Buy

In response to reader requests we got off our duffs and walked outside today. We planned to explore a part of Mission Valley that we’d never walked before — the South side.

As we started on our way, I took some freehand shots of the action on the street, to try to keep up with Filip InHavenPro.

This is your typical California Street Action — person with luggage being pulled by a 3-legged dog (with a spare bicycle tire). Two buses, one Smart car and a truck from Texas.

Yes, they went across right in front of an oncoming car. And Yes, both of the 3-legged dog’s rear feet are in the air. But he didn’t bark! I wonder if they have just come from the Animal Hospital? It’s only a mile away...

Former Big Lots store in the background out of business due to homeless dwellers living all around it.

We made it into the valley without further incidents.

My thought was to go along the hills shown by the red line, but it turned out that the hotels along the road make that impossible due to 1) no parking without permit 2) chain link or barbed wire fencing 3) security guards.

We did wander a bit at several properties as you will see below.

The yellow square marked on the map is a vacant property 1.6 acres of hillside that we explored because, who knows? I might want to buy it. But this would be our neighbor and I’m not sure I’d like that activity:

We were amazed at all the birds. Hordes of them, but very shy.

My wife again got the first hummingbird spotting trophy.

These trees were towering over us!

Look at the contrast in the tree trunks (you can’t hear this bark).

Weird pods from a creeping vine on some of the lower bushes, not on the trees.

More bark (from the tree) while my wife was giving me the silent “I’m getting bored” signal.

I almost fell over trying to get images of the trees. The smell was wonderful and the light was great.

A photo across the valley to the side that has been apartmentized.

Big, bad, black GMC version of the Chevy Suburban. Notice the pink brake calipers! Five women and all their bags barely fit in this beast. Female FBI perhaps?

while a black bird circled overhead.

This tree was gorgeous and fragrant at the same time. I didn’t notice its bark.

This Toyon is in full bloom and beautiful in a different way.

We found a curious wall along a side road. And arrived just as the manager of this space came to unlock it. This is an entertaining venue called Lot8 which can be rented for parties or probably even for WPS GTGs?

Decor of succulents was novel and we thought pretty well done - this is open-air all the time, so the decor has to be durable.

Tires were a curious choice but went with the ambiance.

We left the valley at this point and headed west to Old Town, where we saw a procession of old but well-dressed cyclists.

W saw a Subaru WRX (the car we love to hate) doing its best to maintain the stereotype by having a teddy bear smashed into its front bumper… BTW he can call King 619 333-3333 when he needs to make bail.

A sight even we don’t see very often, a Mini Woody with surfboards on top.

Visiting tourist family wearing Canadian shirts …

This guy was staring at them while I was looking at him. I wonder who was looking at me?

A Porsche snarled by on its way to the freeway

While the Ferrari going in the opposite direction barked. I think I’ve seen this one before.

An alert and attractive bird gave me a target for sharp focus.

Having arrived at home, I squeezed some of the oranges we still have piled up on our counter. Only 11 more to go after this glass, assuming we don’t pick up any more this weekend. If some are offered, I will say NO MO.

They are beckoning to me from the tree in the back yard next door.

It’s time for lunch, says one of the regulars on our back wall.

Thanks for walking with us today.

Cazalea & Mrs C

Birds and Bark but No Buy

Birds and Bark but No Buy

Great post - enjoyed following your wander

They ARE tiny

That looks fab!