Re-Constructing the San Salvador in San Diego.

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Not far from Mission Beach the Maritime Museum of San Diego, (1492 North Harbor Dr.

San Diego, CA) is building a full-sized, fully functional, and historically accurate replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s flagship, San Salvador. Plans didn’t actually exist so they used old sketches, paintings and written documents to find the dimensions and proportions of the sailing ship. Many of the ship builders are volunteers and they are relearning ship building techniques that haven’t been used for over a hundred years. The build site is open to visitors every day from 11am to 4pm. Paul Andreen and I arrived a bit early and Paul managed to talk our way in by explaining what I do.

 In 1542, Juan Cabrillo led the first European expedition to explore what
is now the west coast of the United States. The Gulf of California had
recently been explored by Francisco de Ulloa, Hernando de Alarcón and
Domingo del Castillo, proving that California was not an island. Cabrillo was commissioned by Pedro de Alvarado, Governor of
Guatemala, for a voyage up the California coast under the flag of
Spain. Cabrillo hoped to find the fabulously wealthy cities known as
Cibola, believed to be somewhere on the Pacific coast beyond New Spain,
and a route connecting the North Pacific to the North Atlantic — the
non-existent “Straits of Anian”.

The Cabrillo expedition sailed out of the port of Navidad, near
modern day Manzanillo, on June 24, 1542. Accompanying Cabrillo were a
crew of sailors, soldiers, Indian and probably black slaves, merchants,
a priest, livestock and provisions for two years. Three ships, the
flagship San Salvador built by Cabrillo himself, were under his command. Cabrillo reached “a very good enclosed port” which is now San Diego
bay, on September 28, 1542, naming it “San Miguel”. He probably
anchored his flagship, the San Salvador at Ballast Point on
Point Loma’s east shore. Six days later, he departed San Diego sailing
northward and exploring the uncharted coast line of California. His
voyage helped to dispel myths and allowed Spain to proceed with the
task of colonizing the expanded Spanish Empire. Cabrillo visited many
of the islands along the coast — Santa Cruz, Catalina and San
Clemente, and may have sailed as far north as Oregon.

On December 21st the Maritime Museum will Celebrate  its 44th annual Parade of Lights. Modern and historic ships are covered in Christmas lights and the floating parade can be seen from the Maritime Museum. Ticket sales help keep the historic reconstruction work going.

The Childrens Pool in La Jolla is closed for Harbor Seals.

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In 1931 a sea wall was built at this tiny La Jolla California beach to create a children’s pool, that was safe from waves. This safe harbor however was also a perfect haven for harbor seals to raise their puCalifornia Cps during the breeding season. Local residents to used the beach resented the harbor seals. The water quality has deteriorated having high levels of bacterial contamination. Divers and spear fishermen still like to use the site. Over the years a debate has raged between residents who want to take back the children’s pool and those who want to protect the harbor seals.  The debate has played out in state and federal courts, in city council votes and in the legislature. There have been protests staged on both sides of the issue.

Last spring the city imposed night time closures of the beach after incidents of visitors harassed the seals by punching, kicking or sitting on them. Unfortunately people can’t be trusted to live this close to a harbor seal colony. When I visited the children’s pool there were only a few harbor seals in the children’s pool, most of them out by the retaining wall. During pupping season however there can be hundreds of seals on the beach. The site has become a tourist attraction giving visitors a great view of the beach and harbor seal colony from the cliffs.

In a unanimous vote, the California Coastal Commission will close the beach during pupping season which is between December 15th and May 15th.  This ordinance is the strongest action to date that protects the harbor seal colony. A chain will be installed to block the lower stairs leading to the beach. A sign will be posted warning visitors of the regulation. Violators will face misdemeanor penalties of up to $1000 or six months in jail. In the past year, a thin rope was stretched across the beach to guide visitors away from the seals in pupping season. When disturbed, a mother seal can give birth prematurely or abandon her pups. The rope wasn’t very effective at keeping people from harassing the seals. Perhaps the chain and ordinance will be more effective. Some residents feel that the seasonal closure exceeds the city’s authority. Apparently only the federal government has the authority to manage seals under the marine Mammal Protection Act.

In a short walk up the coast, snorkelers were in the water and seals would playfully approach them while staying just out of reach. Such close interactions in a natural setting are rare. In water the seals have the advantage of speed and agility, but on land they can be vulnerable to harassment. The debate still rages about this small children’s pool. But the seals have won a victory and can raise their pups in peace this Christmas season.

Top 10 wipe outs on the Mission Beach Flow Rider..

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Mission Beaches Belmont Park  in San Diego has a large flow rider wave that curls into a tube. Our intrepid group sat for several hours at dusk watching beginners and experts tackle the wave. It is most fun watching beginners attempt the wave. They are let out holding a tether to keep their balance. As soon as the life guard asks them to let go of the life line, they wipe out and are thrown over the top of the wave. The perpetual wave is created by jets of water that flow up a plastic ramp. One experienced surfer wore Groucho Marx glasses as he surfed the wave. His every move was relaxed and confident. He would disappear inside the tube and then burst out in a flash of spray just when you started to wonder if he had wiped out. It is possible to lie back on the wave and bounce back upright since the wave has a solid base.

Watching the flow riders is an infinitely entertaining way to spend an afternoon.  It became even more relaxing as we sipped margaritas. When we had our fill we walked back down the beach to our apartment where we played card games to pass the time. Up until I was ten years old, my family always rented a bungalow at the Jersey shore. Spending this much time at the beach brought those childhood memories back. My family would play Monopoly late into the night and I remember creating my own boogie board out of plywood. I never graduated to surfing unfortunately. The little kids that rode the flow rider wave always seemed to learn quickly since their center of gravity is already low.

The San Diego Urban Sketchers discover California history.

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While in San Diego I arranged to meet up with the San Diego Urban Sketching group. Terry’s mom was nice enough to lend me her car so I could drive up the California coast a bit to the Olivenhein Meeting Hall. When I arrived, many sketchers were already hard at work sketching the historic building. The colony of Olivenhein was settled by German immigrants who arrived from Denver in 1884. Each member was granted 5 acres and use of the community’s horse teams and equipment. In 1895 the colonists erected this board and batten redwood Community Hall which featured a pot bellied stove, bar, and a stage. Dances, picnics and fourth of July celebrations were traditional meeting hall events. The meeting hall became a California point of historical interest in 1971 and was placed on the National Register of historic places in 1993.

I was fascinated with the light bark of the trees and the vibrant blue sky behind the dark sienna structure. I tried to squeeze in as many sketchers as I could, but some were behind me. When everyone was finished with their sketches, we gathered together and put all the sketchbooks on the ground to see the results.  Then we posed for a group shot while holding our sketchbooks. In all there were eight sketchers that day. Neither Terry or her mom had ever heard of the Olivenheim Meeting Hall, so the field trip had allowed me to sketch a rather hidden gem from California’s past while getting to meet some talented artists.

The rollercoaster is the heart of Mission Beach.

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 The beach around the Belmont Park Giant Dipper roller coaster gets really crowded on weekends at Mission Beach in San Diego. A competition was held to celebrate the coasters 100 year anniversary. Contestants rode the coaster constantly, only getting toilet and eating breaks. The final contestants stayed on the coaster so long that the final prize had to be divided up among the crazy few who refused to give up. Our beach side apartment was just four blocks from the park. This was just far enough so that we were removed from the shouts and screams.

In the mornings, life guards drove along the beach putting out cones to mark their driving lane and warning signs for any rip tides. A group of children gathered on the beach for surfing workshops. Then the volleyball players would arrive and competitions would happen all day long. We relaxed under a beach umbrella and watched life stream by on the boardwalk. It seemed like everyone was fit, trim and beautiful in California.

Mission Beach is always active.

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We spent most of our time at Mission Beach in San Diego California sitting in front of the beachfront apartment watching life stream by on the boardwalk. A sign on the beachfront wall pointed out that the speed limit was 8mph, but I’m sure some bicyclists exceeded that limit. Everyone was out for a walk, jog or bike ride. Every day volleyball players would compete at the nets on the beach. They were serious competitors knowing how to set the ball after 3 hits. Sweaty and covered with sand, they would use a water spigot at our place to rinse off after the game.

Every day the smiley face parachute would rise above the water taking parasailors up for a ride above the waves. I only dipped my toes in the water which was freezing cold. When it came time for Terry’s reunion I found out I wasn’t invited. That night I watched fireworks explode behind the beach from the nightly show at Sea World and then I walked down the boardwalk to sketch at the Mission Beach amusement park.