cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17137
Bridging some Gaps in the Park
It seems like a very long time ago indeed that I wrote Walking with a Seiko 1520 and now I see it's only been about a month. I mention this because today's Seiko walk is made possible by my good friend John who is recovering from COVID (including a few days in hospital emergency care). Thankfully he is home recuperating, and had enough strength to rummage in his desk's top drawer and share this lovely watch.
He located it on eBay a couple years ago, after seeing my 1520 (left), and jumped on it because it was so unique and in like-new condition (right). These have a mechanical movement, not quartz. Visibility is NOT ideal but the style is dynamite.
I had in mind making our own "Bridge Walk" incorporating a few pedestrian bridges that we knew existed in around Balboa Park, but hadn't crossed before: Richmond, Quince and Upas.
Stepping out of the house about an hour later than yesterday, we were smacked in the face with this sky! That line on the right is a vapor trail, not dirt on my lens (I checked).
I had in mind making our own "Bridge Walk" incorporating a few pedestrian bridges that we knew existed in around Balboa Park, but hadn't crossed before: Richmond, Quince and Upas.
The moon was still up when we started down the Upas bridge. It looked familiar, but I have never walked on this before. Then it hit me...
About 30 years ago I was volunteering with the local Blind Community Center, and I had a blind woman on the back of our tandem. There were 5-6 other tandem bikes, and we all started down this hill, our passengers laughing with delight (or crying in fear). It's like a roller coaster - a steep down then a very steep uphill section. Having been caught by surprise in the wrong gear, we struggled, slowed, and nearly fell over into some thick bushes. My lady was laughing hysterically (thankfully).
We rode to the foot of the Coronado Bridge, heading for a famous Mexican place called Las Quatro Milpas. We worked our way inside. One of the blind riders, facing towards the good smells, asked the air for a menu (thinking someone could read it to him). The old mamacita behind the counter, without looking up, said "Are you blind? It's painted on the wall behind me!" The man said calmly, "Of course I'm Blind." Our hostess looked up in embarrassment -- as she scanned the crowd she realised a number of people couldn't see her. Our blind man started to laugh, we all laughed, and the tension melted away.
This bird started sqawking and my memories melted away too.
We took a little detour on the dirt path, tyring out a Balboa Park tourist app I loaded last night. The app didn't help (tourists wouldn't come here, would they?) so we followed our noses back. Here is the Upas bridge.
Built in 1946! There's actually a bridal trail in this part of the park, but not many horses live in town anymore. Some decades ago there was actually a stable nearby, for mounted park police. We passed it, then saw a laboriously-constructed staircase to nowhere (it formerly went to the Marston House).
The staircase has been replaced with a concrete path, which is definitely NOT wheelchair safe. I was wheezing my way up the hill at this point when Mrs. C said "Take a look back at the hairpin corner."
We passed some people sleeping on the grass nearby, and a few sitting up in sleeping bags having a coffee, and these birds scratching out THEIR breakfast.
Then we saw this sign - I had no idea there was a real campground in the middle of the park, but there it was concealed behind a high fence and some trees...
I wonder if these people a hundred yards away could see the campground? I suppose not.
We walked to the Quince street bridge. The First Avenue bridge is in the distance on the left. John, owner of the watch, lives a mile away. I hope he's feeling better today.
We saw this giant house in the canyon, all wood, 4 stories high. If I was a termite and saw that house, I would think I'd died and gone to heaven.
We crossed the bridge.
A few weeks back we were further west and lower down in this same ravine. Having been there already we were not tempted to take the steep dirt trail down to the bottom.
Having crossed over, we came back the same way. Mrs. C is wearing the watch now.
Back in the park, it was still breakfast time for the wildlife.
I suspect Richmond is not a "bonafide" bridge in park management's eyes, because there is no official trail to it. But plenty of people go across there, following informal trails of their own. We took one.
We crossed the bridge.
A few weeks back we were further west and lower down in this same ravine. Having been there already we were not tempted to take the steep dirt trail down to the bottom.
Having crossed over, we came back the same way. Mrs. C is wearing the watch now.
Back in the park, it was still breakfast time for the wildlife.
I suspect Richmond is not a "bonafide" bridge in park management's eyes, because there is no official trail to it. But plenty of people go across there, following informal trails of their own. We took one.
surprising a squirrel, who hadn't expected to see people slide down the hill beside him.
Cabrillo Freeway, as seen from the Richmond Bridge.
When I got home I realized I hadn't take a picture of the actual bridge, mainly because there was a guy sitting in the middle on the curb, smoking a cigarette.
Cabrillo Freeway, as seen from the Richmond Bridge.
When I got home I realized I hadn't take a picture of the actual bridge, mainly because there was a guy sitting in the middle on the curb, smoking a cigarette.
I was thinking that it's a shame he has to come all the way out here to have a smoke. That's typical of California!
Here's a view back towards the bridge, and you can see the giant construction crane from a few days ago. And a definite line across the sky marking the "Marine Layer" coming in off the ocean.
The moon was still up as we trudged up this long hill (9 flights of stairs according to my iPhone) past the Girl Scouts facility.
The back door to the World Famous San Diego Zoo was locked. The money goes in the front gates and the elephant poo comes out this end.
The moon was still up as we trudged up this long hill (9 flights of stairs according to my iPhone) past the Girl Scouts facility.
The back door to the World Famous San Diego Zoo was locked. The money goes in the front gates and the elephant poo comes out this end.
Reaching our car at last, we removed a few layers of clothing, had a short rest, then headed for the last destination of the day.
I had read about a cactus garden planted in 1937 which had been forgotten for decades but recently rediscovered. We drove as close as we could and checked it out.
Nice! There's a big old BBQ/fireplace and the big bridge across the Cabrillo Freeway (the two we took are practically invisible by comparison).
And here's the tower again from a different perspective.
A visible definition of the word "Prickly"
We noticed a gang of cats. They were slouching around, smacking each other, rolling in the dirt, and glaring at us. Just like a gang of human children.
Penciled signs said "Don't feed the cats, we take them to the vet, these are our pets, don't steal them" etc.
An older cat was actually perched on a log.
While this one gave us the stink-eye and said (non-verbally) "Take a hike". We did.
Leaving the watch cats to their flock of kitties. As we were driving away a couple of older folks went anxiously past us, undoubtedly going to care for their pets.
An older cat was actually perched on a log.
While this one gave us the stink-eye and said (non-verbally) "Take a hike". We did.
Leaving the watch cats to their flock of kitties. As we were driving away a couple of older folks went anxiously past us, undoubtedly going to care for their pets.
Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoyed this taste of San Diego.
Cazalea
Bridging some Gaps in the Park
It seems like a very long time ago indeed that I wrote Walking with a Seiko 1520 and now I see it's only been about a month. I mention this because today's Seiko walk is made possible by my good friend John who is recovering from COVID (including a few da...
Actually that's "sunrise" and I make the mistake all the time, according to my wife
Here's the movement, as a prize for being the first to comment on the post. ...
Cats, Bridges, and Squirrels! Oh my!
Lions, Bears, and Tigers! Oh my! What a delight here! Blind individuals can ride tandem bikes on the back! I never thought of that! That big wooden house is indeed a termite's delight! I hope they used a lot of the pressure treated wood that's more resist...
