sd bay

This is what San Diego Bay looks like from the cliffs of Cabrillo National Monument.  Breathtaking.

iris in bloom

Isn't this a lovely flower?  It has special meaning for us.  The iris honors a beautiful little angel.  The blooms appear from time to time, unexpectedly.  It's a reminder that angels are always with us.

cabrillo national monument

Overlooking San Diego Bay is the Cabrillo National Monument.  The monument is dedicated to the explorer that is associated with the discovery of this area.  There is a museum on the grounds with very good informational displays and the overall view of San Diego Bay is amazing.  Hiking paths are offered for those that want to visit the tidal pools or just take a walk along the rocky cliffs.  The park is operated by the National Park Service and various admission discounts apply.  Come and enjoy!  You will be glad you did.

point loma lighthouse

There is a beautiful old lighthouse on a high point overlooking San Diego Bay.  It is part of the Cabrillo National Monument and it is filled with the history of the discovery and early navigation of the bay.  On one side of the high cliff you can see all of the bay and the city of San Diego.  The other side of the cliff overlooks the Pacific Ocean.  The view is magnificent.  There are benches lined up along the walkway on the ocean side of the lighthouse.  It is a great place to sit and reflect.  The beauty is there.  It is a very peaceful place to be.

interstate 5

Earlier this year I drove along state highway 80 from Tybee Island, Georgia to Dallas, Texas.  It took me through five states along the local route (not the interstate) and gave me the opportunity to see the smaller towns and rural areas along the way.  This summer I drove almost the entire length of Interstate 5 from the Canadian border with Washington state to San Diego, California.  It wasn't intentional.  It just happened.  My sister and I had plans to drive from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and we travelled along the I-5 to the border.  Of course we reversed the drive on the way back and after dropping my sister off in Seattle I continued on to Salem, Oregon and then I began the long drive from Salem to San Diego.  The scenery changed dramatically the further south I drove.  In Washington I was surrounded by green trees and forests.  It was that way through most of Oregon but I noticed a change in southern Oregon as I approached the California border.  I left the lush Willamette Valley behind.  The trees thinned out and I could see more sandy features along the roadways and even with the mountains.  Then the mountains disappeared and the terrain became flat and very dry with sand being the ground cover of choice.  Northern California along the I-5 corridor is rather desolate.  It has it's beauty, of course.  It is part of the diverse geographical make-up of this country.  However, it IS desolate and it is a good thing to keep an eye on the gas gauge while driving on this route because the towns are far apart.  I was able to pass through the Sacramento area just before the rush hour started and thereby I was able to avoid a lot of the heavy traffic.  I was nervous about the traffic in the Los Angeles area so I woke up early and started my drive through LA county at 4 a.m.  It was dark so I didn't see any of the city.  There was traffic on the road so I wasn't alone.  It took me a couple of hours to go around the city and when I noticed signs for cities that I knew were on the south side of Los Angeles  I was relieved.  The drive to San Diego went smoothly.  Glimpses of the Pacific Ocean were refreshing to see.  San Diego is a large city but I was able to navigate the roadways and find my destination.  I haven't driven the last fifteen miles or so down I-5 to the border with Mexico.  That is all there is left of the trip down the highway.  I will complete the drive someday.  I'm good for now.

lovely trees

I just marvel at the majesty of trees.  I like looking at the different shapes and colors.  I like being amongst them.  They are just beautiful.  This stand of trees is located at a rest stop in Washington state.  The pictures are of the same trees but I used the artistic feature on my camera to get the two different looks.  I can just smell the pines!  So soothing.  

the Locks at Ballard

We visited the Locks and salmon ladder in Ballard, Washington on a hot summer day.  The boats are all lined up awaiting the opportunity to sail out into deep water for some fishing and fun.  The salmon ladder is very interesting to see.  Although there were no fish swimming up the ladder during the time we were here, it was still very interesting and informative.  And fun!  Enjoy the artwork.

the UP house

While in Seattle we visited a local landmark known as the UP house.  Although the house is not actually the inspiration for the movie by the same name, there are similarities with their respective stories, thus the name UP house.  This house was owned by one person for many decades and when urban development encroached by way of a new shopping mall, the owner refused to sell.  So, the mall was built around her house.  The owner was able to stay in her house for as long as she lived.  Unlike the house in the movie that flew away with the help of balloons, this house appears to have a different ending and it will be moved to a new location.  Three cheers for the little (wo)man.