Walkabout Australia at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
At the new Walkabout Australia enclosure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, visitors can get up close and personal with free roaming kangaroos and wallaby.
Links: SD Zoo Safari Park
San Diego
Bob Hope Performs for the Troops
A little beyond the “Unconditional Surrender” statue recently posted is the collection of statues entitled “A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military” which presents various branches of the military gathered in front of Bob Hope as he entertains them. He began this labor of love in 1943 and continued for 50 years. One can see the USS Midway in the background.
Links: Previous related post
“Unconditional Surrender”
“Unconditional Surrender” is that iconic statue by Seward Johnson that purportedly recreates the famous image taken in Times Square on V-J Day by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, which shows a World War II sailor passionately kissing a nurse to celebrate. People love to imitate the pose underneath the woman’s skirts. The 25 ft tall statue is just south of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, and can also be seen from the ship.
Sea World at Christmas
A couple of days ago I went to Sea World in San Diego for the first time since 1973, and enjoyed the experience very much. The crowd was small, the shows entertaining, and the Christmas lights were all aglow. Nothing says Christmas like a well decorated palm tree! I’m just glad I didn’t have to string those lights!
Coronado Bridge
This view of the Coronado Bridge in San Diego (with part of the USS Midway peeking out) was taken from the 1914 Pilot Boat that tours San Diego Bay from the Maritime Museum . The 2.1 mile long bridge was opened in 1969 during the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego. Its 27 concrete girders made it the longest ever at the time of its construction.
Links: 1914 Pilot Boat
Favorite View of San Diego
I never tire of this magnificent view of downtown San Diego from across the bay at Cabrillo National Monument.
Tall Ship “Californian” at Maritime Museum
The “Californian” is the official tall ship of the State of California and was built in 1984 at Spanish Landing in San Diego Bay. It was launched at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles and is a replica of the 1847 Revenue Cutter C.W. Lawrence. You can see it at the Maritime Museum in San Diego.
Links: Californian
“La Poete et sa Muse” at Balboa Park
“Poet and Muse” is an artwork (located outside the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park) by famed French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who spent the later years of her life in San Diego. Her most ambitious work in the San Diego area is “Queen Califia’s Magical Circle” in Escondido (see previous post for details).
Links: previous related post
New Point Loma Lighthouse
In a previous post I featured the “old” Point Loma Lighthouse and now am highlighting the “new” one. Built down at sea level to better avoid the fog and low clouds, this lighthouse began operation on March 23, 1891. What a gorgeous combination of green grass, palm trees, beautiful ocean and white buildings.
Links: history previous related post
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is located on the Fort Rosecrans Military reservation in San Diego County, on both sides of Catalina Boulevard on the way to Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma. The earliest interments include the remains of the casualties from the battle of San Pasqual (1846) which were moved here in 1882. Twenty-three Medal of Honor recipients are buried here along with Major General Joseph H. Pendleton for whom Camp Pendleton was named. As you view this post, please remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
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