Blog Entry III San Diego Part I

S.D. – A Big city?

San Diego is California’s second largest city but visually it can come across as a small and friendly. Why is that? 


For sure the hundreds of Mesas (hills) and canyons that cover the city play a big role in the illusion. And then there's the ever-present ocean. The eye has so much to play with.

Balboa Park


This week we spent two days at Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre urban cultural park that like New York's Central Park, holds a very special place in the city's heart, both geographically and emotionally.

But who was this Balboa?

An engraving in the New York Public Library shows Vasco Núñez de Balboa setting his dogs upon Indian practitioners of homosexuality. In true conquistador fashion, the Spaniard also managed to amass great personal wealth, mostly by attacking and plundering native villages.

His mark on history? He gave Spain her dominance in Central America. What a guy!

And then they named a park after him.

In 1915-1916, San Diego hosted the Panama-California Expo. To celebrate California's Hispanic roots, breathtakingly ornate Spanish-style buildings were erected everywhere. One of them, now the Museum of Man, was modeled after a Spanish colonial church. The architecture is striking.

But there's more. Balboa Park is also home to a world-class zoo, 14 museums, incredible botanical gardens, a huge pipe organ pavilion, a Tony award winning theater, and the list goes on. 

Particularly interesting was poets' corner where we were entertained by a delightful Limerick starting with “There once was a man from Nantucket”..... Dang, I can't remember how the rest.

Our visit

Day I was one of discovery. Of interest was seeing the navy use the park for their fitness programs. The sailors were so interesting to talk to. Interesting too was one very outspoken anti-military on-looker who was finally put in his place when one astute young sailor commented calmly to his buddy next to him: “That guy is depriving some village of an idiot.” Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

The San Diego Zoo

We spent Day 2 at the San Diego Zoo, one of the most progressive zoos in the world, with its 4,000 animals, even a giant panda.

Someone once said “it all happens at the zoo”. I'm here to concur. We saw nosy elephants and spitting camels.  


There were flatulent gorillas with no care for social mores....  and cagey monkeys, too curious for their own good.  


There was  an ass named Donkey-Hoti with airy ideas, and of course, a “tower” of giraffes, that were just a big pain in the neck.

As deserving as the giraffes may have been, the “Oscar” for best actors in a romantic role was awarded to two large black rhinos...

.... who in 2 seconds flat transitioned from sleepin' to stylin' and attracting lots of attention.


It all started... literally with a bang in their cage where...
a whole lot of head butting and snorting quickly transformed into serious grunting and unconventional amorous pursuits.

Off to the side, but equally as intriguing, were red-faced parents frantically trying to explain the events of the day to their young and very curious  children.

Another great day at Balboa park!

Coronado Island

An amazing bridge takes you from S.D. over to Coronado Island, so high that all Navy ships pass under with plenty of clearance, all the while offering great views of the American naval base here. 

Afraid of heights, Linda was quite worried when we reached the middle span, but her curiosity got the best of her when she started snapping pictures of the bridge and the base right from the car.

We could live here!

Once back on Terra firma, a feeling of calm and serenity replaced any urban-rush mindset we had.  It was so kid-and family-friendly, we felt right at home.

A little adventure: 


Strolling along the beach, we crossed into an unmarked stretch of beach used by the U.S. Navy Amphibian Unit. Our focus was a cat basking in the sun at the edge of the beach. Needless to say, we were intercepted.

No great mischief and a great day of fun.

Until next time.