Low-Riders

Chula Vistans, particularly those of Mexican heritage, seem to have a penchant for restoring and maintaining old cars.  We’ve seen the gamut of 60’s muscle cars (Cameros, Mustangs, GTOs, Challengers, on & on), old Corvettes & Thunderbirds, a mint Datsun 240Z, sedans of all types from the 40s to the 70s (even a mint 1960 Plymouth Valiant, I mean why? But I’m glad someone did), Rancheros, and of course pickups, which are particularly prone to be made into Low Riders.  I can certainly understand restoring and maintaining these beautiful old cars but taking a pickup and giving it 1-inch of clearance, really!  It would probably last 2 days in Vermont, even in the summer.  On a bike ride with Bert we saw one stunning black Impala (early 60s) whose rear or front end could be raised or lowered 2 feet at the driver’s whim.  We’ve seen others bouncing up and down at stoplights.  Different strokes… but it sure is nice seeing these beauties from the past, most of which are restored to showroom condition.  A world of sunny days, no snow and never a salt truck there was.  

Low-Riding

Friends gathered at the nearby park on a Sunday afternoon.
Just off camera Elvis blared from a beautiful late 50's Ford.  

Even a fox tail

Surely not an original Chevy factory color but the gold with vinyl roof next to it of similar vintage may be.

Not sure but I'm guessing early 40s

Sunday afternoon at nearby bayside park

The owner of this low-rider must work nearby as we've seen it many times

Coronado

Hotel del Coronado

Coronado, once an island but now connected by a long spit of land stretching north from Imperial Beach and by the Coronado Bridge into SD, includes the historic Hotel del Coronado, an upscale community, thriving shopping district, a naval base, as well as beautiful beaches, bayside parks, and bikeways.  During our second week in SD we peddled to the trolley, rode into SD, took a brief ferry ride over to Coronado and biked home along a great bikepath (18 nice flat miles in all).  We returned several times to bike, paddleboard, walk the beach, enjoy outdoor music, great meals and SD’s skyline. 

Hotel del Coronado's Crown Room is home to a famous Sunday brunch.  At $80+
a pop we passed in favor of a sunset drink on the patio.

Sunset over Point Loma from Coronado beach

Wonder how long this took.  On another day we saw sand roadster (about half scale)

View across SD bay on an active sunday

SD night coming to life

Nancy, Bert, and I came across this budding star, Nilaja Gardner, filming her first musical video, when walking along a Coronado beach walkway waiting for sunset.  She was standing on some rocks, sunset at her back, swaying to an ocean breeze, and singing to her music which was blaring from their vehicle a few feet away.  Skeptically, we stopped.  I never know what to make of guys with rapper hats and pants belted at the top of their thighs.  I was sure they were safe enough as they'd probably trip over their pants if they tried to run.  Turns out that they were extremely pleasant, gracious and thankful that we could stay and be the live audience, all 3 of us.  The film crew was one guy, obviously a friend, who filmed with a handheld SLR but it looked like he knew what he was doing and she was charismatic.  Our photo taking was welcomed.  We took this one, but Bert, being the professional photographer that he is, easily outdid us.  Somehow thru his use of strobe and technique mastered over a gadzillion photos brought her to star status.  She glowed and leaped from the background while the scarf took on an iridescent life, quite a shot.  He emailed her a copy and I'm wondering if he'll get a response, it was that good a shot.  She came over after and asked us where we were from and was sweet and gracious as could be.  We hope that she "makes it".

Points North

La Jolla coastline

Just north of SD lie the beaches and cliffs of Point Loma, La Jolla, Torrey Pines and other communities.  We visited these areas many times to hike along the cliffs, beaches, tidal pools and parks.

La Jolla coast, surf, and surfers

Heading down to the surf

Surfing Paddle Boarders also, Nancy & I have taken to this sport but only in the protected bays

Sea Lions lounge in the sun

Constant barking and shoving matches, here's where sheer bulk pays off.  You'd need a  bull dozer to shove some of the big guys off 

Little guy has to find a rock of his own to avoid being shoved off

Pelicans and Cormorants commandeer nearby rocks, stinking them up to high-heaven to the dismay of the upscale sea view restauranteurs nearby 

A squadron of Pelicans heading off to fish

View from Point Loma

Torrey Pines offers stunning cliffside hikes and surf-side strolls 

We made it back to the truck just in time to beat this short-lived storm

Hummer enjoys the view and break from the breeze at Torrey Pines

Point Loma lighthouse

San Diego Zoo

Flamingos are the first to greet us as we pass the entrance

San Diego Zoo

We were here 5 years ago but just had to return to San Diego's world class zoo.  We were joined by our Montana buds, Bert & Janie who came over from Borrego for a couple of days to visit. They would return later for a 12-day stay, here in Chula Vista.  Lot's of photos will tell the story but these are only a snapshot of all the zoo has to offer.

With not a care in the world, baby Panda is the featured star of the zoo 

... and watchful Mom

And Dad: "what have I done, what have I done... and how will I
 put all that bamboo on the table,... and Panda school...OMG"

Yes, I'll capitalize on all these dumb looking humans.
 Panda hats, Panda shirts, Pandas stuffed in all sizes, ...and of
course Panda shot glasses, no stone will be left unturned.

Next stop, the Koala Bear, who has his own themed gift shop

We looked on as some nitwit woman fed him thorn branches.
He didn't seem to mind though. 

Just another bad hair day.

Can't remember what this is but I can't help wondering
 why this particular pattern is optimal for survival.

Desert Sheep, we've seen many of these on hikes 

All kinds of exotic and local birds

And of course Elephants. We would learn on a later whale watch that the blue whale
 weighs as much as 18-20 of these giants

And their pedicurist

Active and playful the crowd pleasing Otter

One of two Grizzlies relocated as cubs after learning "bad"
habits from mom.  That is raiding campsite trash and stealing
pic-a-nic baskets.  Yogi is a very bad influence for young bears.