TimeOut

South End 

Across the Middle

North End

West Side

I went there again (solo today) and for the first time saw it from high on the east side of the canyon rim. And it was a completely different experience, especially compared to the middle where heavy tree canopy kept the walk cool and damp. Today it was just HOT.

This is the satellite view, with my journey in yellow. The orange lines are some of our previous walks. North is at the top of this image. I didn't intend to be walking today but I got a red light and a detour on the main road, and I followed my nose until I came to a canyon edge entrance (in the middle of a quiet apartment complex).

This is looking south, and in the distance is the University of San Diego (USD not UCSD) it's not on the map above.

Looking east up one finger of the canyon.



It was a perfect day for a snake to sunbathe on the wide path, which covers a high-pressure natural gas pipeline which was installed a few years ago under the high-voltage power lines. I am looking south here.



I turned around and walked a bit directly north. At this point the path turned to concrete. Why?



It went down the steepest grade I have ever seen in my life. I turned around again and went east.





I heard about a dozen lizards (or other critters) rustling in the undergrowth, but this one in the center is the only one I could photograph. Not easily spotted, but it's there.



The trail wound along the hillside below the apartment complex (completely out of sight) and was a pleasant walk.



A tired but adequate bench was perfectly positioned under the shade of a small tree, and offered a nice view



Just past the bench was an enormous spider web with a hole the size of my fist. Mr Spider must have been taking a break from the heat as he didn't make an appearance.



The shade here was very welcome, and I began to think about turning back...



However, at that point it turned up steeply and I hopped a low fence at the entrance of the apartment grounds and was able to stroll back to the Lotus on a nice sidewalk. In the shade!

As I left, I felt obliged to take a photo -- one red convertible to another. This looks like a Mercury Comet, late 60's to me. My grandmother had one.



Matching Little Free Library spotted soon thereafter

Obligatory watch photo.



I drove straight home and had 4 large glasses of water and a bottle of Gatorate. Note to self, don't walk so late in the morning, even if the marine influence is on the coastline. The canyons are HOT.

Thanks for joining me.

Cazalea

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