A Busy Last Week in San Diego

Our last week in San Diego arrived faster than expected, and David is feeling the pressure to get as much bonsai work done as possible. If he'd had his way, Ira probably would have been working every daylight hour and only released at night. Unfortunately for David's plan, we already had a few things scheduled.

One of those plans was a long-anticipated trip to the zoo with RC. With everyone's busy schedules, this was the first day that worked for all of us. And really, we had to take advantage of our annual pass, right?

Kai arrived proudly wearing the gorilla shirt we'd bought him the last time we visited the San Diego Zoo. He was eager to show us how fast he could move and had a great time climbing and weaving his way through the polar bear exhibit. 

This time the polar bear was just as active. It definitely pays to visit early in the day. Sadly I stopped recording too soon because right after he jumped into the water, swam toward us, climbed out, and shook himself dry. Seeing such a massive animal so close was incredible.

Kai decked out in Zoo gear

Polar Bear on the move

We spent the morning wandering through the exhibits, mostly following wherever Kai decided to lead us. The aviary had recently reopened after a bird flu closure, and as we walked through them we started hearing deep rumbling roars somewhere in the distance.

Naturally, we had the same thought: let's go find the source. 

Just outside the aviary exit I noticed a volunteer photographing something near the fence. When I looked closer, there was a tiger cleaning himself, I asked if he was the one we'd been hearing roar. He was. 

Watching him groom himself was fascinating--despite the size difference, the movements were exactly like a house cat. I was so mesmerized I lost track of the group. Then the tiger began roaring again and I wasn't about to move.

Eventually. Ira found me and together we went searching for the rest of the crew.

Tiger cleaning

Tiger Roaring

When we caught up, Sara was in line for drinks and Ira joined her while I got distracted by the tiger merchandise. I couldn't resist picking up a tiger shirt for Kai--especially since it changed color in the light.

After a rest (and a wardrobe change for Kai), it was time to head back to La Jolla so Ira could get back to work on bonsai.

A bit of a rest and wardrobe change

A couple of days later we had lunch plans with an elderly couple we'd met the previous August in the Redwoods. What started as a quick request for directions on the trail turned into a forty-five-minute conversation and an exchange of phone numbers. 

Six months later--while we were in Edmonton--Steve actually called. Ira almost didn't answer since he didn't recognize the name, but something made him pick up. That call eventually led to a lunch invitation when we returned to San Diego.

They picked us up and originally planned to take us to the art museum in La Jolla, where their son works as the head installer for exhibitions, coordinating directly with artists. Unfortunately, he happened to be working at the museum warehouse in Chula Vista that day. 

 

Instead, Steve and his wife Jill took us to their favorite fish-and-chips spot overlooking Mission Bay.

View from the Fish and Chips spot

After lunch Steve suggested a quick visit to a place we'd never been to before, Belmont Park.

Belmont Amusement Park

With full stomachs none of us were tempted by the rides--especially after learning that the wooden roller coaster was nearly a hundred years old. Later I discovered it's called the Giant Dipper, built in 1925 and designated a National Historic Landmark. It's one of only two wooden coasters remaining on the West Coast and even made an appearance in the film Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds

Even though we skipped the rides, I couldn't skip dessert. I headed straight for Dole Whip--something anyone who's been to Hawaii knows and loves. The correct choice is always pineapple...except they were out. Apparently everyone agreed. Luckily mango was available, and since servings were enormous we shared one per couple.

Mango, I'm happy to report, was also delicious.

We took our Dole Whip for a walk along the boardwalk that stretches from Mission Bay toward Pacific Beach and eventually La Jolla. From the shoreline you can just make out La Jolla in the distance. 

The Boardwalk

Afterward Steve and Jill dropped us back at David and Dawn's house. It had been such a pleasant afternoon with fellow hikers and travelers. You really can't have too many friends.

The following evening we joined David and Dawn to see their daughter Elke's high school production of Le Misanthrope, written by Molière in 1666. Elke was one of the costume designers, and the costumes were impressive. The students also had an enormous amount of dialogue to memorize--performed in a style of language quite different from modern speech. 

Set for Le Misanthrope

by Moliere

Pink Costume by Elke

After that it was back to bonsai...lots of bonsai.

One evening we took a break to visit RC for dinner. Sara happened to be away on a girls' trip, so it was just the boys--RC, Kai and Bodhi. When we arrived. Kai was happily eating chicken while RC finished up the enchiladas. 

Kai love chicken

While they cooled, we took a nighttime stroll through the garden to check on the bonsai--including the Roadrunner, which was still looking great.

The Roadrunner

Dinner was worth the wait: chicken enchiladas topped with a spicy chorizo sauce. Bodhi had hoped for enchiladas too but had to settle for a bone (and a bit of Kai's leftover chicken).

Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Chorizo sauce

Bodhi

Then it was back to bonsai until the very end. I include a photo of all the trees repotted that week, sitting together on the heat bed recovering. The gentle warmth encourages root growth while the trees rest in shade for a few weeks before gradually returning to full sunlight.

Repotted trees convalescing on the heat bed

And just like that, it was time to leave. 

The morning of our departure happened to coincide with a total lunar eclipse--often called a "blood moon." As the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, the moon takes on a reddish glow while moving through Earth's shadow. 

It felt like a fitting final moment before the next chapter of our journey.

Blood Moon

Lunar Eclipse

The next post will be from Italy.

Ciao ciao!