JULY, 2010: VISIT TO SAN DIEGO, VOL III
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La Jolla is a seaside resort community which is located north of San Diego city center, and within San Diego city limits. There is some disagreement over the origin of the name. It seems that most tourist-oriented websites state that it came from the Spanish word for jewel. They refer to this area as "the jewel of San Diego." However, other sites refer to a Native American term woholle, which means "hole in the mountain." Apparently a fair number of historians believe that this name derived from the holes in the small coastal cliffs and morphed into La Jolla.
Can you find Bev and Olga in this photo?
You will find them much easier in this video, especially if you watch it in Hi-Def.
This easily-accessible dike gives nice protection to an area frequented by seals. In fact there is quite a controversy as to whether the beach here should be made totally off-limits to people, as a sort of sanctuary for the seals.
Perseverance and standing one's ground with aggressors pays off.
Music by Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com
Another minute and 19 seconds of seal play.
They work so hard to get out. I think that they get out onto the sand when people are not over there. I would think that would be much easier and more comfortable. Unfortunately, that is also a popular little protected beach for people, too.
Back up at "city level," looking over the beach at the dike. As you can see, people have even invaded one of the rocks, making even less room for the seals to be able to rest.
Streets of La Jolla -- whether it be "the jewel" or "the hole in the mountain." Either way, it is a beautiful place.
We are now on top of 823-foot high Mount Soledad, with breathtaking views of San Diego.
This is a war memorial. Veterans, living or dead, who have been honorably discharged from the armed services -- or who served in the Merchant Marine during WWII -- are eligible to have a plaque installed on the wall here. Apparently the service person or family purchases the plaque from the Mount Soledad Memorial Association.
You can find out more at http://www.soledadmemorial.com/index.htm
View to the north and west.
If you click on a panorama, then click on the "O" which will appear at the top of your screen, the panorama will come up huge (you will then need to scroll to see different parts of it. You will have scroll bars to the right and at the bottom of your screen. Lots of detail in these shots.
WARNING: Once the photo is enlarged on your screen, if you click on it you will return to this screen (without the full-size photo).
The fellow to your right is putting blue tape around the plaques in need of restoration.
Dr. Suess used to live on Mount Soledad. According to Wikipedia, his widow still does. Could it be a coincidence that the fellow on your left in this shot is so reminiscent of the Grinch?
We were back in Old Town San Diego by sunset.
Mario treated us to a spectacular dinner in a true Old Town San Diego landmark restaurant. Mario or Olga: Could you leave a comment below with the name of the place? I highly recommend it. Mario's brother, Rubin, gave us the honor of joining us for dinner, also (Rubin is to your left, Mario in the center, then Olga, then Bev to your right).
Thank-you, mario!
Cute as a couple of opossums, wouldn't you say?
Then to Little Italy for some spectacular dessert!
What a wonderful time with wonderful people.
