Travels With Marie

NEIGHBORHOOD WALK

2020-03-18T15:03:00.005-07:00

While Paul was here in March 2020 we enjoyed a neighborhood walk during the early phase of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Most pubic places were closed including museums, the zoo, theaters etc. Everyone was asked to self quarantine to avoid contact with others so we took a walk up and down Pacifica Drive on a sunny Spring day. Paul took photos of some of the gardens and flowers in bloom along with views of the mountains and water views. The atmosphere was clear due to rainfall the previous day

A good view of the Coronado Islands in the distance

The view of the San Diego county mountains from Pacifica Drive.

Storm clouds over the mountains

Spring bloom

WINTER - LA JOLLA COAST

2020-01-10T13:55:00.002-08:00

Seals and gulls take over Children's Pool beach

La Jolla coast at low tide

Afternoon nap

Cormorants rule these rocks

BOUGUEREAU ART AT SAN DIEGO ART MUSEUM

2020-01-10T13:45:00.002-08:00

Art by Bouguereau at the San Diego Art museum

William-Adolphe Bouguereau enjoyed a remarkable popularity in the United States, particularly during the late 1800s through the early 20th century. Lauded and laureled by the French artistic establishment, and a dominant presence at the Parisian Salons, Bouguereau’s canvases offered American collectors the chance to bring Gallic sophistication and worldly elegance to their own galleries and drawing rooms. The master’s idealized, polished images—of chastely sensual classical maidens, Raphaelesque Madonnas, and impossibly pristine peasant children—embodied the tastes of the American Victorian age, and of his Gilded Age patrons. Bouguereau canvases at one time were de rigueur for every collector and arts institution from the late 1860s to the early 1900s in America.

As art turned towards Impressionism throughout much of the 20th century, artists rejected Bouguereau’s conventional treatment of paint and form while they explored abstraction, color field painting, and investigated alternative forms of art and representation. Ostracized for nearly 80 years, his portrayals of peasants and feminine beauty during his time were strongly embraced by his contemporary academic circle but reviled as the Realist movement in visual arts and literature took hold and gave way to Modernism.

This exhibition also includes a long time favorite by Bouguereau at The San Diego Museum of Art – The Young Shepherdess, 1885.

GRANDSON'S WEDDING

2019-10-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

My grandson Tim was married to Kim on Sept. 28 in Aptos, CA at Sand Rock Farm in a lovely glen in the woods.

Tim and Kim with Betsy and Ray

Steven sharing a toast to the bride and groom

HORN BLOWER CRUISE-SAN DIEGO BAY

2019-08-28T14:13:00.004-07:00

We enjoyed a cruise around the north bay of San Diego that highlighted the Star of India, sea lions, Point Loma, Shelter Island Cabrillo National park and North Island Naval Air Station.

The Star of India

An aircraft carrier at the North Island Navel Station

LA JOLLA COASTAL WALK

2019-07-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

Views of La Jolla coast near the Children's Pool.

Children's Pool area

Fishing day boat

The Difference Between Sea Lions and Seals

Sea lions hang out more at the cove, the harbor seals at Children’s Pool (1o-minutes south of the cove). You can tell a sea lion from a seal by recognizing some distinct features:

sea lions have visible, outer ear flaps
sea lions bark
sea lions use their flippers to move on land, seals tend to wriggle on their bellies since theirs are smaller
harbor seals tend to have darker, speckled skin

Swimmers at La Jolla Cove with sea lion

THE GOLDEN AGE OF SPAIN

2019-07-02T14:40:00.002-07:00

Apparition of Saint Michael on Mount Gargano by Sebastian de Arteaga

The San Diego Museum of Art explored Spain’s Golden Age with an ambitious exhibition of more than 100 objects primarily from the 17^th century. The museum already has one of the biggest permanent collections of art from that era in the United States. “Art & Empire: The Golden Age of Spain,” which took four years of planning to expand on that collection to take a global view of that period in art history

The art of Spain and the San Diego Museum of Art are inextricably connected. Full-size statues of Spanish masters Diego Velázquez, Bartolomé Estebán Murillo and Francisco de Zurbarán stand sentry in the façade over the main entrance of the Balboa Park museum. Busts of Jusepe de Ribera and El Greco, set in medallions, flank the three.

The five painters are masters from the Spanish Golden Age, when Spain laid claim to land around the world, including vast swaths of North and South America, parts of Italy and the Netherlands, as well as the Philippines. Spain’s global expansion that began around 1500 brought a shift in the world order with the conquest of land, subjugation of people and the demise of many societies. But there was also a broadening of culture that led to a brilliant era in the arts, producing what are still considered among the finest works of art in history.

Kitchen Maid by Diego Velazquez

Allegory of Eternity, the Succession of Popes by Ruben

Museum of Art with statues of Velazquez, Murillo and Zurbaran above the entrance

Kitchen Maid by Diego Velazquez

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

2019-07-02T13:50:00.003-07:00

Kick off your summer weekends in style every Friday evening at Balboa Park’s hottest after-hours event. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live entertainment by talented local performers while eating gourmet dishes from a rotating selection of more than a dozen food trucks parked on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado walkway. Now in its fourth year, Food Truck Fridays is a program of the Balboa Park Conservancy in partnership with the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.

Food Truck Fridays gives thousands of park visitors and families a unique opportunity to sample a diverse, rotating selection of gourmet food trucks, serving everything from appetizers and main courses to desserts and specialty beverages, all in one convenient location. In addition to exceptional food options, Food Truck Fridays presents a full slate of family-friendly fun: Different musical acts perform each night in the Plaza de Panama. The Plaza’s “living room” setup is rolled out, along with giant family game sets. Various Balboa Park cultural institutions and community partners offer hands-on activity and crafts booths for kids. And participating park museums host special evening hours and programs on Fridays.

PATAGONIA EXPLORER-CHILE

2019-02-10T13:36:00.003-08:00

PATAGONIA EXPLORER-THE BEST OF CHILE

Paul and I were part of a group from Cal Alumnae on a trip with Odysseys Unlimited.

There were 21 members in the group led by Alex Maureira from Puerto Varas in Chile.

We started the trip in Puerto Varas at the Radisson Hotel overlooking the lake with a view of Osorno Volcano.

On our first full day we took a walk in Vicente Rosales National Park that included Petrohue Falls

Later we visited a working ranch where we saw cowboys demonstrate some rodeo maneuvers.

The next day we visited Calbuco, a small fishing village. We visited an outdoor market and had lunch with a local family.

Our group is looking at mussel farming before lunch at a home

Lunch included steamed mussels, barnacles, sausage and steamed bread.

We visited an estancia in Punta Arenas to see a sheep-shearing demonstration. Lunch at the estancia featured BBQ lamb.

In Puerto Natales we boarded a boat for Magdalena Island to see the Magellanic penguins.

Another boat trip in the same area featured the Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers.

The highlight of the trip was Torres del Paine National Park with jagged mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, rivers and wildlife.

We saw Guanacos seen here along with foxes and a variety of birds.

We finished the trip in the modern city of Santiago.

Santiago had many high rise buildings.

Santiago highlights included a tour of the central area and visits to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino and the Santa Rita winery.

HOW BEER IS MADE

2018-11-16T15:25:00.004-08:00

Beer is made from four basic ingredients: Barley, water, hops and yeast. The basic idea is to extract the sugars from grains (usually barley) so that the yeast can turn it into alcohol and CO2, creating beer.

The brewing process starts with grains, usually barley (although sometimes wheat, rye or other such things.) The grains are harvested and processed through a process of heating, drying out and cracking. The main goal of malting is to isolate the enzymes needed for brewing so that it’s ready for the next step.

The wort is boiled for about an hour while hops and other spices are added several times.

What are hops? Hops are the small, green cone-like fruit of a vine plant. They provide bitterness to balance out all the sugar in the wort and provide flavor. They also act as a natural preservative, which is what they were first used for.

Once the hour long boil is over the wort is cooled, strained and filtered. It’s then put in a fermenting vessel and yeast is added to it. At this point the brewing is complete and the fermentation begins. The beer is stored for a couple of weeks at room temperature (in the case of ales) or many many weeks at cold temperatures (in the case of lagers) while the yeast works its fermentation magic. Basically the yeast eats up all that sugar in the wort and spits out CO2 and alcohol as waste

products.

Barrel for collecting CO2

Bottling equipment

You’ve now got alcoholic beer, however it is still flat and uncarbonated. The flat beer is bottled, at which time it is either artificially carbonated like a soda, or if it’s going to be ‘bottle conditioned’ it’s allowed to naturally carbonate via the CO2 the yeast produces. After allowing it to age for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months you drink the beer, and it’s delicious!

Part of the bottling area

STONE BREWERY TOUR

2018-11-16T14:05:00.001-08:00

Paul and I took a tour of Stone Brewery in Escondido along with Ray and Betsy.

Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, Stone Brewing has come a long way since opening up in San Diego, California in 1996. It has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 11 times, and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. Stone Brewing is the eighth-largest craftbrewer in the U.S. and with breweries in Richmond, Virginia & Berlin, Germany.

Stone Brewing has come a long way since opening in 1996. It has grown from a small microbrewery with just two founders into one of the largest craft breweries in the United States, employing more than 1,100 men and women. From the beginning, the goal has been to brew outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, and the art of brewing.

There is a Bistro that is part of the complex along with a landscaped patio outside with a walkway around the patio with fire pits and an outdoor bar.

Part of the outdoor bar.

Stone Brewery entrance

LA JOLLA COAST AND COVE

2018-09-24T10:59:00.001-07:00

LA JOLLA COVE

It is always enjoyable to walk along the La Jolla coastal cliffs and look down on the cove, beach and rocks below. The sea lions and seals may be seen basking on the sand or rocks. They can be quite active and vocal as well to the delight of visitors.

The most obvious difference between sea lions and seals is that sea lions have external ears. Sea lions also have larger and stronger front flippers that enable them to “walk” and climb up cliffs which is why they’re so visible around La Jolla Cove. Seals move around on land by wiggling on their stomachs. They have smaller, webbed front flippers. Sea lions are brown and seals are darker grey, brown or almost black with speckled skin. If you hear barking, that’s definitely a sea lion. Seals are only capable of low grunts. Seals are typically solitary animals but you will see them in large groups here in La Jolla. Sea lions often pile up next to each other.

SAN DIEGO BAYFAIR POWERBOAT RACES 2018

2018-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

San Diego Bayfair is a world series of powerboat races on Mission Bay.

It has a long and rich tradition in Mission Bay Park. The first race was staged in 1964 thanks to the foresight of the great Unlimited hydroplane racer Bill Muncey. Muncey was the driving force behind Bayfair and getting the racecourse built to host the event.

The 2.5-mile racecourse, which was named after the late Bill Muncey, is the longest and fastest racecourse on the H1 Unlimited hydroplane circuit. Driver Dave Villwock set the World Lap Speed Record of 173.384 mph in 1999 at Bayfair. Villwock has won a record nine Bill Muncey Cups, including his first ever Unlimited hydroplane race victory on Mission Bay.

The photos of the powerboats were taken from Mission Bay Campland which has a nice beachfront.

WALKABOUT AUSTRALIA

2018-07-04T15:20:00.003-07:00

Walkabout Australia is the newest addition to the San Diego Safari Park.

It is designed to represent Australia’s rural landscapes, animals, plants and signs of human habitats along back country roads.

One walks along a path in a grassy habitat where one may encounter gray kangaroos and red-necked wallabies.

A stream flows into a large pond where one may find magpie geese.

There is a large Zuest Station building to represent the wool sheep shearing sheds found on many of Australia’s sheep ranches. Techniques of wool processing are exhibited. Snacks are available as well.

Future additions to the exhibit will include the Cassowary bird and other Australian inhabitants.

THE BAJA GARDEN IS ON THE TRAIL AFTER VISITING THE WALKABOUT

Nearby attractions include the Condor Ridge with Condors and a few other birds along the trail.

CONDOR

There is a good view of the Safari Park from an overlook.

AN AMERICAN EAGLE IS ON EXHIBIT ALONG THE TRAIL NEAR THE CONDORS

80th BIRTHDAY

2018-05-18T13:17:00.001-07:00

My family treated me to a special birthday dinner at Juniper and Ivy which is located at the north day of Little Italy. The menu features many small plates which are fun to share with a group .

GOLD AT SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART

2018-05-18T09:56:00.003-07:00

Nancy Lorenz: Moon Gold is the first major solo museum exhibition to showcase the art and alchemy of New York-based Nancy Lorenz. Having trained in the conservation of Japanese decorative arts, Lorenz continues to employ traditional lacquering and gilding techniques as points of departure in her studio practice. This collaboration with the Museum will features new works by the artist inspired by Japanese masterpieces from the permanent collection.

Among the painted works in the exhibition will be what Lorenz calls Pours, abstract compositions involving gestural applications of water-gilded gesso. Varying in scale, these paintings turn on the tension between arid fields of pigment and sumptuous cascades of gold, silver, and platinum. More intimate, though no less beguiling, will be a group of decadently adorned boxes.

Elsewhere, corrugated cardboard is transformed into a ground for gilding. Abstract scratches and striations coalesce into a landscape composition, an evocation of sea, sky, and slanting rain. This motif, studied from nature in the artist’s sketchbooks, remains a recurring theme in paintings large and small, and in the panels that together form folding screens.

We also visited a gallery at the art museum that featured paintings by American artists.

Portrait of Mrs. Henri by Robert Henri

painted by Mary Cassalt

Below the Towers of Towers Falls, Yellowstone Park by Thomas Morgan

A bougainvillea in full bloom near the Museum of Art.

AFRICA ROCKS AT THE ZOO

2018-05-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Africa Rocks spotlights the animal and plant diversity on the African continent and is the newest experience at the zoo. The area is divided into several geographical sections.

Colorful drought resistant flowering ground cover plant in Africa Rocks

Closer look

We saw a Bateleur Eagle at the top of the Africa Rocks canyon.

The Hyraxes live in rock formations. Their footpads act like suction cups to help get a grip. They are related to the elephant!

Hamadryas Baboon

The baboon exhibit has the largest area with a good part of the canyon forming the Ethiopian Highlands section. The Hamadryas Baboons have a large group that stays together and spends the day foraging.

The Nubian Ibex are known for their impressive horns and are members of the goat family.

Ring-tailed lemur

Several species of lemurs are in the Madagascar forest section.

West African Crocodiles are found in West African forests. How to tell a crocodile from an Alligator? Crocodiles have a V shaped snout and alligators have a U shped snout.

The Acacia woodland is a haven for many animal species. Monkeys use the trees and scamper on the ground, birds perch and nest among the branch canopies and big cats lounge in the shade.

A large aviary is part of the Acacia woodland. Some of the featured birds include bee-eaters and the black-headed weaver. The weaver builds a hanging nest that it hovers around to attract a female.

Black Headed Weaver

The Fischer’s Lovebirds have green backs with orange heads and a flaming red beak.

This colorful bird caught our attention

An African Pygmy Goose is nestled in a large bowl.

A leopard is resting in the Acacia woodland of the African savanna

Cape Fynbos is located on the South Africa coast where the African Penguins live. In this enclosure at the bottom of the canyon they enjoy a large pool and a rocky beach.

CARSLBAD FLOWER FIELDS

2018-04-28T16:42:00.003-07:00

Every year Southern California welcomes in the spring season with a very special attraction - The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch one of the most unique attractions in Southern California and an annual rite of passage into spring; drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually. The Flower Fields® is a 50-acre dazzling rainbow of beautiful ranunculus flowers set on a hillside that overlooks the striking Carlsbad, California coastline.

A leisurely stroll along the pathways of The Flower Fields from March 1st through Mother’s Day provides one with the opportunity to experience colorful bands of ranunculus flowers up close, and to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. There are also various themed gardens. weather. Picnic tables are provided on site.

A group in our P.E.O. Chapter visited here in April 2018

Riding the truck wagon to view the flowers

NEW ORLEANS MEMORIES

2018-04-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Our tour of New Orleans included a stop at the Sydney and Walda Bestow Sculpture Garden that had many interesting sculptures including ones by Henry Moore and George Segal.

Sculpture by Henry Moore

New Orleans is known for above ground cemeteries.

The Garden district is one of the loveliest areas with grand houses.

Another highlight was the WWII museum that tells the story of the American experience in the war.

This part of the WWII museum shows some of the involvement in Europe

We visited Mardi Gras World where one can see floats and decorations that have been used for past parades and watch work being done for future floats.

The Louisiana State museum had displays of costumes worn at Mardi Gras balls.

We had brunch at the Court of the Two Sisters in the French Quarter and enjoyed listening to jazz music while sampling local cuisine such as gumbo, turtle soup and bananas foster from the buffet.

We had the opportunity to go to a cooking school to watch the preparation of creole dishes like gumbo, shrimp estouffee, bananas foster and pralines.

Preparing bananas foster

Jackson Square is in the heart of the French Quarter. It is easy to stroll through the district to admire the architecture and listen to street musicians

This building has a good example of the wrought iron railing seen on many balconies.

Note the Mardi Gras beads on the left balcony

This jazz group was playing in front of the Louisiana State Museum.

Jackson Statue in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the U.S.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRIP MEMORIES

2018-04-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Paul and I enjoyed a river trip on the Mississippi River on the American Duchess. The itinerary began in Memphis with visits to the National Civil Rights Museum, adjacent to where Martin Luther King was assassinated and the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum before boarding the paddlewheel river boat American Duchess.

A mural at the Civil Rights Museum

A mixer used with Elvis Presley music

A stop was made at Vicksburg National Military Park that preserves the site of the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. The 47 day siege ended with the surrender of the city. Over 1000 historic markers and monuments are scattered over the battleground.

Markers describe the battle in this area

The Illinois state memorial is modeled after the Parthenon

Longwood Plantation in Natchez is known for its octagonal plan that was never finished.

Stanton Hall is an Antebellum Classical Revival mansion in Natchez.

Tea garden area behind Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall entry

Paul is making friends with a horse trained at Angola Prison

A museum exhibit at Angola Prison about the on site rodeo

Angola prison in Louisiana is the largest maximum security prison in the U.S. with over 6,000 prisoners. It is self sufficient with a dairy, ranch, repair shops and cash crops.

It has vocational and education classes. It also features a rodeo in April and every Sunday in October in a 10,000 person stadium and included is an Arts and Crafts festival with items made by the prisoners.

Nottoway Plantation in White Castle is a Greek Revival and Italianate-styled mansion with 64 rooms built in 1859.

Nottoway Plantation

The Ballroom at Nottoway

The elegant dining room

Sitting room at Nottoway

Paul and I in the show room on the boat.

After Nottoway plantation the next day's boat stop was New Orleans, our final destination. This paddle wheel boat looks similar to the American Duchess that we were on.

OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO

2018-02-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed refreshing root beer floats one afternoon in Old Town

Old Town San Diego

By 1846 the U.S. declared war on Mexico and a new constitution was written in 1849 and California was a state in 1850. By then the American flag was raised in the plaza and San Diego was incorporated as a city.

The San Diego Union Museum is a historic structure in Old Town San Diego.

This first office of the San Diego Union newspaper is restored to what it was when the Union printed its first edition on October 10, 1868 as a weekly paper. Visitors can view the original printroom with a Washington press and the editor's office

Don Jose Antonio Auirre adobe mansion site

Don Jose Aguirre

Father Antonio Ubach

Casa de Aguirre is an important landmark within the Old Town Market as it displays the life and traditions of the settlers of Old Town, San Diego’s first city. The home of Don Jose Aguirre and his family, the original adobe was built in 1853. Don Jose later gave the building and all his land to the Catholic Church. Father Antonio Ubach used the home as a site for an industrial school for Indians.

figurines in shop next to museum in Aguire's hom

store room-Casa de Estudillo

In 1907 Spreckles bought the remains of La Casa de Estudillo and started to restore Old Town. La Casa de Estudillo is a fine example of a home of a leading family of that era. It was built by Jose Estudillo with an inner courtyard with bedrooms, servants quarters, a kitchen, storage rooms, a living and dining room and a chapel. It was the social and religious center during the Mexican and early American periods

La Casa de Estudillo

GETTY MUSEUM

2017-10-29T11:24:00.003-07:00

The Getty Center incorporates the modern design of architect Richard Meier, with beautiful gardens, opens spaces and spectacular views of Los Angeles.

The collection of the Getty Museum includes pre-20^thcentury and 20^th century European and American paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, photographs, sculpture, decorative arts and changing exhibits.

A special exhibit was focused on sacred landscape art.

There was a special outdoor performance of Aztec dancers with drum players.

Several galleries feature Impressionist art.

Portrait by Manet

Landscape at Louveciennes by Camille Pissarro

Irises by Vincent Van Gogh

La Promenade by Renoir

The Fountain of Love is by Boucher

Another special exhibit called Golden Kingdoms highlighted the luxury and legacy in the Ancient Americas.

Since the weather was pleasant we took a lunch break at an outdoor terrace café near a garden area with a view of the city.

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART

2017-09-27T16:21:00.002-07:00

During our visit at the San Diego Museum of art we spent time in the galley with “genre” paintings that includes landscapes, still life and interiors. Around 1600 a shift took place with the rise of naturalism.

Painting by Juan Sanchez Cotan

Venice Canal by Bernardo Bellotto

Grand Canal by Giovanni Canaletto

The Penetant Saint by El Greco

The gallery with European devotion art spans 1550-1850. Religious

Institutions commissioned artists and architects to build and decorate places of worship, from cathedrals to monasteries and hospitals.

Monarchs and wealthy nobility also employed artists to paint devotional works for domestic setting and design altarpieces for family chapels at parish churches.

DAY WITH MONET

2017-09-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Le Bassin de Nympheas by Claude Monet

Paul and I enjoyed at day in
Balboa Park visiting the Timken Museum of Art and the San Diego Art museum to see a few Claude Monet paintings along with the rest of the art collections at each of these art museums . We took a lunch break at the Prado with an outdoors table during a pleasant afternoon.

Etretat is located on the Normandy coast of north-western France

Etretat by Claude Monet

Varengeville-sur-Mer is a commune in the Normandy region in north-western France

The Church at Varengeville by Claude Monet

ZOO VISIT

2017-07-18T14:45:00.004-07:00

After visiting the new Africa Rocks exhibit at the zoo Paul and I explored some of the other exhibits that included the two large aviaries. The San Diego Zoo is committed to saving species worldwide through expertise in animal care and conservation science. The 100 acre Zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. The temperate, sunny maritime climate is well suited to an extensive collection of birds, reptiles and mammals.
It is one of the few zoos in the world that houses and successfully breeds the giant panda. The zoo raises 40 varieties of bamboo for the pandas on long-term loan from China.

Toucan

Bonobos

Lorikeets

Orangutan

Paul enjoys photography