Sanderling Wading Birds — Photo-Artistry by kenne
It is possible to walk along the shore
run from the incoming waves
or if you prefer to wade in the water
splashing and kicking as the waves
move in and out not distracting
the sanderlings, or are they sandpipers
wading and probing as loud,
squawking seagulls fly overhead
only to be decorated from above.
— kenne
Sanderling Wading Bird (San Diego 01-15-13) — Image by kenne
Water Lily Art — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The Lily
— William Blake
Pala Casino, Spa and Resort Pool Area — Images by kenne
Since moving to Tucson ten years ago, we have annually spent Thanksgiving
with Joy’s family in southern California. However, because of COVID, this year,
we will be staying in Tucson.
Instead of the usual big family get together (as many as 25 people), we decided
to meet two of Joy’s sisters (Jody and Jeri) at a neutral location, and of course, for them,
it would have to be a casino.
So, last Wednesday, we drove to Pala Casino, Spa, and Resort, which is located in
the mountains northeast of San Diego. Since I’m not into gambling, I spent time
around the pool, took photos of oranges, and listen to live music in the casino.
During past visits, I usually spent time walking the 1.5-mile Pala Band of Indians
Cultural and Nature Trail behind Pala Spa. This time it was closed.
We returned to Tucson last Friday.
(During this time of COVID, we have found casino resorts to be relatively safe, keeping everything clean, requiring social-distancing and masks, except when eating and drinking.)
— kenne
Balboa Park Bubbles — Image by kenne
— kenne
Vineyard Hacienda in Spring Valley, California — Images by kenne
It’s not uncommon for people in Tucson to get away from the heat by either going to the White Mountains, Flagstaff or the San Diego area. The last couple of years we have gone to San Diego.
On our previous getaways, we stayed downtown, near Balboa Park, or at Pala Casino. Wanting to try something different, Joy started searching travel sites and learned about Vineyard Hacienda. It looked like a really cool place and had a lot of good reviews, so she scheduled a three-night stay.
When we left the forecast for Tucson was 106. When we arrived in Spring Valley the San Diego temperature was 105. So much for trying to escape the heat.
Vineyard Hacienda is a beautiful place, tucked away from a lot of hassle of metropolitan San Diego. Having only six rooms, the Hacienda provides the best of a B&B and a hotel. However, upon arriving, we learned the Vineyard Hacienda doesn’t have AC, a nice fan but no AC.
The temperatures in San Diego tend to be moderate, which is one of the reasons why it’s a great travel destination. Having moderate temperatures in the summer is also why some authentic places may not have air conditioning. Under normal circumstances, this would be fine, but not during record-setting summer temperatures.
We changed into our bathing suits and headed for the pool for a couple hours before going out to dinner at a local beer and burger place — great food.
The next morning we learned that there was no water. Overnight the pump broke down. This was not good, especially since the forecast was for another day in the 100’s and no one seemed to know when the water would come back on.
So, with no water and AC, we headed for the Coronado Island beach, followed by lunch in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. Since it was still too hot to walk around the Quarter, we decided to head back to the Hacienda and spend the rest of the day by the pool.
As we drove back, we decided, water or no water we were going to check out the following morning, cutting our trip short by a day. Late in a day of another 105+ temperatures, the water was back on.
— kenne
“On The Roads Outside Of San Diego”
On the roads outside Oshiobo,
I fell down on my knees
There were female spirits
In old mud huts, iron bells
Ringing up in the trees and
An eighty-year white priestess,
Who made juju all night long
East of Woodstock,
West of Viet Nam.
— from “East of Woodstock, West of Viet Nam” by Tom Russell
Balboa Park Rose Garden — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images for larger view in a slideshow format.)
I am a lake, my poem is an empty boat,
and my life is the breeze that blows
through the whole scene
stirring everything it touches —
the surface of the water, the limp sail,
even the heavy, leafy trees along the shore.
— from “My Life” by Billy Collins
Happy Hour In Old Town San Diego — Computer Painting by kenne
We stopped
at the entranced
to the Mexican Cafe
for happy hour
on the patio.
“This way please,”
said the dark-eyed
women dressed
in a traditional
colorful Fiesta Dress.
We each ordered
Margaritas on the rocks
our way of reviewing
Mexican cafes
when traveling.
Music jumps
through the air,
venerable reminders
of European Polkas
brought by immigrants.
For good or bad,
our tastes for
Mexican food
continues to be
biased by Tex-Mex.
— kenne
The Flowers Of Balboa Park — Images by kenne
(Click on any image for larger view in a slideshow format.)
Computer Painting by kenne
She labors in each moment
carefully connecting
lines and colors
to create what
inspires the artist
becoming free in the moment.
— kenne
Big Bubbles (Balboa Park, San Diego, June 21, 2017) — Images by kenne
(Click on any image for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
— kenne
“SH*T HAPPENS!” — iPhone Image by kenne
After years of hiking and photo excursions, today I damaged my first DSLR camera, and it happened to be my latest one — Nikon D500. While taking photos in San Diego’s Balboa Park, I dropped the camera and lens breaking the bayonet fitting between the camera and the Nikon 28-300 lens. Like so many accidents, it was the result of a careless mistake.
— kenne
Lonesome Gardenia — Image by kenne
The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday,
A day many families go shopping together,
Not Joy’s family — it’s off to the casino!
A family thing, but not my thing,
Being an “in the margins guy” —
I’m at the casino, but I’m not.
On this day after Thanksgiving
The rains came, lots of rain,
As we drove to Pala Casino.
By the time we arrived,
The rain had stopped —
now hoping for sunshine.
But, the clouds stayed behind,
Limiting the poolside scenery —
What’s a guy to do?
I could still Capture the moment —
Flowers, there are always flowers
In southern California.
Flowers enrich the casino landscape,
Including gardenia shrubs
Hedged along the spa walls.
Looking around, I could find only one
Gardenia blossom, a lonesome gardenia —
We had something in common.
— kenne
“Martha, You’re Not Going To Believe This!” — Image by kenne (It was cold for San Diego!)
Becoming is Superior to Being 