Aloha to San Diego: Cabrillo National Monument (part 2) - Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Coastal Defense, and Coronado Island

We continued up to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. From the National Park Service (link),

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point.

Today, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse still stands watch over San Diego, sentinel to a vanished past. The National Park Service has refurbished the interior to its historic 1880s appearance - a reminder of a bygone era. Ranger-led talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse’s interesting past.

The Point Loma peninsula forms a natural protective barrier at the entrance to San Diego Bay, rising 422 feet to provide strategic views of the harbor and ocean. In 1852, the government of the United States recognized the importance of this sandstone rampart and designated the area as a military reserve. In 1899, the War Department dedicated Fort Rosecrans and built a series of gun batteries over the years. 

During World War I and II, military facilities on the Point provided vital coastal and harbor defense systems. Between 1918 and 1943, the Army constructed searchlight bunkers, fire control stations, and gun batteries. The largest guns were at Battery Ashburn, adjacent to the park entrance station, where two 16-inch guns could fire 2,300 pound shells nearly 30 miles out to sea.

Point Loma offers views of the migrating whales.

We walked down to the Cabrillo Monument, passing the panorama of San Diego Bay leading to the Pacific Ocean. Mexico is in the distance. 

Coronado Island came into view ... 

...  with a passing container ship heading out to sea.  I can't imagine sailing by the container ship in a sailboat! 

Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's voyage of discovery. A heroic statue of Cabrillo looks out over the bay that he first sailed into on September 28, 1542. At the Visitor Center, the film "In Search of Cabrillo" and an exhibit hall present Cabrillo's life and times. Ranger-led programs about Cabrillo are usually available on weekends and on many weekdays during summer months.

We also spotted Naval Base Point Loma, home to the Submarine Base, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), and the Fleet Intelligence Command Pacific.

On our drive back back to Downtown San Diego, I spotted these signs - my brother was named Byron.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's posts. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about lighthouses - do you have a favorite?  Of course I love the lighthouses of Hawaii!

2. Comments are open through Saturday, August 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 7, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Old Glory flying on the mast outside the visitors' center.

Aloha to San Diego: Cabrillo National Monument (part 1) - Rocky Intertidal Zone

 

The Cabrillo National Monument is located atop Point Loma, overlooking San Diego Bay.  From the National Park Service (link),

Cabrillo National Monument, established in 1913, commemorates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's voyage of discovery. A heroic statue of Cabrillo looks out over the bay that he first sailed into on September 28, 1542. At the Visitor Center, the film "In Search of Cabrillo" and an exhibit hall present Cabrillo's life and times. Ranger-led programs about Cabrillo are usually available on weekends and on many weekdays during summer months.

We first stopped at the Rocky Intertidal Zone.  Again from the National Park Service (link),

The southern end of Cabrillo is one of the best-protected and easily accessible rocky intertidal areas in southern California. The word “intertidal” refers to the unique ecosystem that lies between the high and low tides along the shore. Tidepools are depressions where water is trapped during low tides, forming small pools that provide habitat for numerous plants, invertebrates, and fish.

These depressions are formed over geologic time through a combination of biological, physical, and chemical processes. Although the whole rocky intertidal is often referred to as the “tidepool area,” it is important to note that shelves and boulder fields surround the pools, and these also provide a great habitat for the multitude of organisms that call this zone home.

I could spend hours looking at the sea.

What is your favorite place by the sea? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 6, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 7, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to San Diego - We found seals in La Jolla!

We ventured up to La Jolla for its gorgeous seascapes! From San Diego.org (link),

With a dramatic coastline boasting spectacular views, it's no surprise that La Jolla is one of the most popular beach destinations in California. Surrounded on three sides by the sea and backed by the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla's coastal profile and quaint village lifestyle evokes a Mediterranean feel. With a unique microclimate that rarely drops below 50 degrees or exceeds 90 degrees, combined with unmatched natural beauty, an upscale casual vibe and world-class attractions, La Jolla lives up to its nickname as "the jewel" of San Diego.

From La Jolla By the Sea (link):

What does the name "La Jolla" mean?

The exact origin of La Jolla’s name is somewhat uncertain. Historians dispute whether the name originates from the Spanish word La Joya, which means "the jewel" or from the Native American term Woholle meaning "hole in the mountains".

La Jolla is famous for its seals .... 

... enjoying the sun as the sea swirls around them.

We also spotted these critters ...

... a colony of ground squirrels burrowing in the slopes overlooking the beach.

The seagulls also nested in the bluffs.

 Walking back to our car, we noticed the dingy cluster ...

... and this mural.  Indeed, Brave Men Run in My Family!

I followed the sign ...

 ... for the wedding ceremony.

Have you visited La Jolla ... or attended a beach wedding ... or seen sea mammals in the wild? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner  on Sunday, July 31 at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Nothing like ukulele for a wedding!

Aloha to San Diego - Breakers Beach, Imperial Beach and Navy Amphibious Base Coronado

During my visit to San Diego, I rented a car to check out the local beaches.  First stop: Breakers Beach on Navy Base Coronado. The cliff in the distance is Point Loma (which we visited the following day). Coronado connects to the mainland to the south by a strip of land called the Silver Strand.  

Driving south on the Silver Strand, we followed the signs to Imperial Beach.  From its website (link),

Welcome to the Official web site of the City of Imperial Beach, the most southwesterly city in the continental United States. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and South San Diego Bay, our town is nestled between miles of uncrowded beaches, big surf and unparalleled open space and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Because this town is one of the last untouched beach towns in Southern California, we are known as Classic Southern California.

The bronze statue depicts beach fun, including surfing ... 

... and playing the ukulele!

We ventured onto Navy Amphibious Base along the Silver Strand.

From Navy.mil (link),

For the past eight years, the Navy has been operating The Navy SEAL & SWCC Scout Teams to help find these men and answer their questions and prepare them for the most challenging tests of their lives. Its priority is to maintain Naval Special Warfare's (NSW) level of excellence, and to seek a diverse culture that fully leverages and values a workforce and environment in which everybody serving in the NSW community is able to achieve their full potential.

No doubt a pack of romance writers would follow this trailer

... looking for a few good men ...

  
to inspire heroes!

From Military.com (link),

The Naval Special Warfare Support (NSW) Activities Group One was established in December 2006 to provide critical intelligence and targeting support to the NSW Community. Naval Special Warfare Support Activities (NSWSA) are sophisticated and flexible commands capable of executing special operations in direct support of NSWRONs and other discrete requirements. 

Support Activities are tasked to man, train, equip, organize and deploy forces to conduct preparation of the environment, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, special operations and combat support.

Alas, we drove through the base on a Saturday and did not find any SEALs. We parked by the dock for an awesome view of the San Diego Bay and Coronado Island Bridge.

No base is complete without an anchor!

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter to this week's blogs.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about your favorite beach activity? Mine is walking along the surf, looking for seashells. 

2. Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to San Diego - The Greatest Generation Walk

 

I woke early one morning in San Diego to enjoy the Greatest Generation Walk.  From the Port of San Diego (link),

In 1998 Tom Brokaw, the veteran NBC Nightly News anchor, authored a best-selling book The Greatest Generation. His story told of the generation of Americans who grew during the Great Depression, went on to fight in World War II and later helped build shape the post-war America we know today. The spirit of those men and women is commemorated with a collection of U.S. military heritage art in Tuna Harbor Park, the shore of San Diego Bay.

The Greatest Generation Collection, as well as the other military memorials in the park, honor and celebrate the people, events and military heritage spanning the time from World War II to today. Located in the shadow of the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway, the artworks and provide a magnificent setting in which to learn, remember and become inspired.

"Unconditional Surrender" is a 25-foot sculpture that brings to life a famous black and white image of a sailor kissing a young nurse in Times Square, New York City, on August 14, 1945. The image captures the spontaneous eruption of joy and euphoria that swept a war-weary nation when the public announcement was finally made that World War II was over. 

Bob Hope, the actor, entertainer and comedian, is almost universally known around the world for his long career as a star of film and television. Yet it is in the hearts of generations of U.S. servicemen that his most enduring legacy resides. For a span of over fifty years beginning in 1943, he dedicated himself to entertaining soldiers, sailors and airmen of the armed forces in the many battle fronts and remote outposts where they've served throughout the world. His overseas USO tours, which often took place over Christmas, were deeply appreciated and fondly remembered by countless thousands of servicemen on protracted tours of duty, often under combat conditions, far from their homes and families.

 

The tribute broadcasts several of his skits ... I laughed along with the recorded cheers of the military personnel.

The bronze sailor stands in front of the USS San Diego memorial. The Pacific Ocean is depicted on the ground in front of him; Hawaii is behind him.  Thank you, the Greatest Generation, for your service!  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's posts - today's comments are open forum.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 31.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

 Another view of the Kissing Couple