Mission beach & sunset

Decided to check out Mission Beach today and walk along the beach. The surfers were all out and the waves looked pretty good. The giant rocks along the walkway stretched out into the ocean, and walking along them was fun.

There were some clouds, which made the scene look pretty. Walked along the beach and then back down past the big impressive looking beach houses, and caught the sunset which looked very pretty with a double layer of clouds on the horizon. Also got some nice pictures of a guy silhouetted against the setting sun.

The sky after sunset was not as impressive, But still pretty, silhouetted against the palm trees

Then checked out the California native plant society talk at El Prado where they talked about the replantation of the mission beach area and ongoing ecological work.

A quick visit to the basic bar to see the “no batteries needed” exhibition was filled with some nerds doing finger skateboard tricks!

Del Dios Highands

Up early, and on the road to this hike near Escondido. Chilly in the morning, and 30 minutes later set off with fleece and jacket on, up the hill. Looking back the view with low mist on lake Hodges was amazing. Several other walkers, went pretty fast up the hill that got Steeper and Steeper. Spoke to D and her family on a particularly steep part, then took pictures from the beautiful view up top.

Continued along the hike down rocky path, turning right and going down, and around the hill. Long zigzagging Walk down and then back up the hill, with a lovely overlook at the top. Then down again towards the reservoir where there was a monument and beautiful overlook. Now at 6 miles, continued plodding along, happy I took the big bottle of water, panettone, and nuts.

More people on the path, as I headed back to the top of the hill. Many mountain bikers coming up the very steep hill looking very tired! As I walk down, I realized just how steep the path was! Eventually made it down to the car with my battery nearly dead. Met a couple of other hikers, Nathaniel and Jane who struck up a conversation, and lived in Golden Hill. We suggested coordinating on future hikes, and turns out they were heading to the lost Abbey brewery, which was also on my list!

Stopped by Felicita park which was very pretty but cost money to park. Then drove on to the lost Abbey which was a very hipster place. Turns out they were going to have some foxes come along! Eventually both a new guinea singing dog, and three foxes were brought in! Very nice and soft fur on the foxes. They were apparently part of the Russian breeding experiment that made them much tamer than regular foxes. The new guinea singing dog was quite cute, but sounded just like a dog howling!

Tried a couple of the lost Abbey and Hopster pot beers, but was not impressed by any of them. Then drove back, parked and raced to the library for the Dave Bergo jazz quartet, which was OK. Headed back to the apartment and into the hot tub for a good soak

Songs I liked 2019…

So… for the 2 or 3 people who actually find *and* read this, here’s my playlist of “Songs I Have Liked”… (I’m sure many will make me scratch my head when I listen to them in the future, but thats ok…)

Like everything else here, I’d ask braver visitors to ‘like’ the songs, or leave (nice) comments and their own suggestions on what they have liked.. Enjoy!

Songs Kamal has Liked!

Santee Lakes…

Up again early, and after plucking on the guitar, decided to head to Santee Lakes for a quick walk. Beautiful scene driving down the 52 with early morning mist in the valleys burning off. Drove back round to try and catch it again. Santee Lakes was beautiful – thousands of birds everywhere, fisherman, ducks, pick up trucks and RVs. The tree in the lake was packed with birds, and the bright green grass around it was wet with dew.

Quick walk, then picked up my north face jacket, and went to the Friends of SD Architecture talk ‘Adventures in Planning’ by Angeles Leira at the New School by , which was an interesting examination of the challenges of shaping SD county and its communities –

The Culinary Historians of San Diego talk ‘Is American Chinese Food Authentic’ by Dr. Yong Chen at the central library was great. The Cornell alum who had written the book was informative and funny. Then a group went up to 99 Ranch in Claremont and had a guided tour of the store, ending with a quick lunch where I had hand ripped noodles with spicy cumin lamb

Running super low on gas, I cruised to the nearest Costco (filled 13.7G), and picked up a new giant tin of coffee…

Gliderport to Black’s beach

After visiting the home show, where I was accidentally in a long line with a lot of women, wondering why they were all there, when I realized I was in the bridal show line!

The home show was pretty empty… So decided to go to Gliderport and Black‘s Beach. What an amazing walk down to the beach – stunning and a reasonably good workout

See more great pics here

Mother Miguel hike…

After a morning trying to resolve admissions snafus for this semester‘s courses… Decided to go to Mother Miguel Hike before pottery

A lovely hike as usual, it was great to see the effort made to clear the path and put up better signs, and hopefully the vegetation will grow back quickly where the rock was exposed.

Went over the top and down to the water district area where I was questioned but managed to bluff my way out. Then off to Costco for the vodka for a new batch of Gin and to Pottery where the class made bird flutes which were great. Managed to nearly tune mine to the right pitch do re me fa so la…❤️❤️