PLYMOUTH ROCK of the WEST COAST

Looking at San Diego... 
April 13, 2011 

It's been called the "Plymouth Rock of the West Coast, the Naples of America and America's finest city..."  I'm not sure it lives up to the last claim, but we certainly enjoyed our visit to SAN DIEGO. It's the home of the Naval branch of our military and their presence is strong!

The USS Midway has a 47 year military history, from 1945-1991. It's the largest floating Naval-aviation museum in the world. Just imagine all the action it's seen...

 It's a city that's shaped by individuals...from the Spanish explorers who first "discovered" it in the 1500's to the forward-looking business folks who envisioned the beautiful seaside metropolis it was to become (even in cool weather!)

Something new to us...kite-boarding

 Over the last two decades, San Diego has evolved past being a Naval base and a town graced with 70 miles of fabulous sandy coastline...it's a big, outdoor playground with the style of a big city.

Japanese Gardens in Balboa Park

Interestingly, San Diego is perched on the world's busiest international border, with the sights, sounds and tastes of Mexico... just a chihuahua's length away.

Under the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, there's a treasure trove of graffiti...murals that are a colorful road map through Mexican and Chicano history. They represent some of the city's most important pieces of public art.

Perhaps the BEST part of this trip was the day I spent with my long-time cyber art friend, Michele. We've been exchanging art and emails for several years, but this was the first chance we had to actually MEET...FACE-TO-FACE!! It was fun, familiar and absolutely comfortable even though it was our first time meeting. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to meet cyber friends in person...and of course, to seeing Michele again. Together, we explored a village of local artisans as well as one of several art museums in Balboa Park... This day and this face-to-face was definitely the highlight of MY trip!!

 

 Finally, speaking of art, I DID find time to do a bit of my own art...ON THE AIRPLANE!!! Not ideal...

"BLOOMS" created for TAKE A WORD...too late to enter

"Cave Painting" and "Terra Cotta Warriors of China" (above) were done for THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC. Their theme was something ETHNIC as in artifacts. AGAIN, created too late to answer the challenge!

SUNDAY POSTCARD ART's theme was 'Mothers"

"Victorian Elegance" was THE THREE MUSES' call for art

 Although LIFE inspires my art, it also gets in the way of creating...when I can't seem to find time to create!!! It's frustrating, as it has been these past few weeks. I must remember that it's not brain surgery...not a matter of life or death. It's simply my relaxation and fun!


NOTE TO SELF: Take a breath!!

 Please come and see me again. 
 xox,  abbyj