Olympic Training Center

Nicolas of Honolulu Daily Photo requested photos of the Olympic Training Center.When you first walk into the facility you will see the Olympic flame pictured above. Oooh, fire!This is an impressive training facility for the following Olympic sports: archery, canoe/kayak, cycling, field hockey, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, and track & field. Above is a photo of the scale model of the facility. You can see the athlete housing area, the soccer fields, tennis courts, the track, and the throwing field for track events in the photo above. What is not shown is the largest archery range in the US as well as the boathouse and lake facilities which are on the model but the model is so big I couldn't photograph it well. Unfortunately, I couldn't get up close and personal to get photos of these areas because they are restricted to the public. Sorry, I tried my best to show what is there, but you'll have to visit in person to see how cool it is!

Fashion Valley mall

Because of the fine weather, most of the malls in San Diego are open air spaces. This is considered "the" mall in San Diego because it has all the big name stores (Coach, Tiffany's, Nordstrom, Macy's, Burberry, Max Mara, Sax Fifth Avenue, Victoria's Secret, J Crew, Gap, Old Navy...) and of course a food court and movie theatres. Here are some fun models ready for the summer.

The Midway

In honor of Memorial Day, here is a photo of The USS Midway aircraft carrier. The Midway is the longest-serving aircraft carrier in US Navy history and is now a museum.

Graffiti campfire scene

Yesterday's post was probably commissioned to be put on that wall. I'm not sure if the owners of this building in Linda Vista authorized this to be painted or not. This full moon campfire scene definitely looks a little spooky. Can you read any of the words?

Epic waves

Rippin' it up on the wall of A-1 Self Storage. Seen from the 8 West freeway at Mission Gorge.

Mario's de La Mesa

Requested by Aaron G and recommended as the best Mexican food in San Diego. We had the tamale, the carnitas, and the rolled tacos. Once we cut into the tamale it suddenly became very difficult to work the camera as the anticipation and hunger took over. Here is the tamale:
The portions were large, the prices were good, and the service was excellent. Here is the carnitas (pork):
My favorite was the rolled tacos, unfortunately the photo didn't come out so well. At many of the fast food Mexican restaurants here you will find rolled tacos with guacamole on the menu usually 3 - 5 for under $4.00, which is a great cheap lunch. But, they usually taste like they pulled them out of the freezer. Mario's rolled tacos were delicioso! The food was above average and I'll get back to you on whether it is the best in SD once I do some more eating.

Mexican pottery

Mexican pottery, tin work, textiles, jewelry, things for the home, clothing, leather goods, artworks, and books in Spanish can be found in a great shopping (and dining) area called Old Town. Or go to Tijuana, Mexico which is about 20 minutes from San Diego and find the same stuff for less money.

Birthday treat

This photo was not taken in San Diego, but the window was so inviting that I couldn't resist posting it for today. Today is my birthday and this morning I got a much need full body massage. Usually on my birthday, if it is a work day I take the day off, I go shopping for something special for myself, then go out to dinner. Today the massage was just a bonus treat. How do you like to spend your birthday?

Linda's neighbor

My book group met at Linda's house last week and for the first time I noticed this beautiful and interesting Spanish style house next door. Next month we are meeting at the beach and will have a bonfire - no books will be burned!

Polar bear

Some days at the Zoo I only see animals sleeping far back in the shade of their enclosure or not at all. This day was a good Zoo day with lots of animal sightings. The building in the background is the Museum of Man in Balboa Park.
Visit new Daily Photo in Chicago, home of da Bears!

Bamboo graffiti/tagged

Besides the wonderful animal exhibits, the San Diego Zoo has as many trees and plants as a botanical garden. This photo was taken at the entrance of the Sun Bear exhibit at the Zoo. Many of the areas are landscaped with the animals' habitat in mind, this one is modeled after a Southeast Asian rain forest. Unfortunately, some people find ways to ruin things - even plants! Check out a better use of bamboo at Lisi's Hong Kong DP.

SAN - Lindbergh Field

It was 79 years ago today that Charles Lindbergh departed from New York to make the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Paris. The flight took 33 1/2 hours - talk about jet lag! San Diego's airport is called Lindbergh Field because Lindbergh's plane, The Spirit of Saint Louis, was built here. Driving (or walking or biking along Harbor Drive) to the airport, you will see this mural of Lindbergh on the side of the Commuter Terminal building.
This post is for my friend Jodi, a pilot with SkyWest Airlines, I always think of you when I see planes. Link here to see the view from the cockpit of a plane arriving into San Diego's airport - I hope you will see this view soon!

Chilies all around

A colorful doorway into a tasty local restaurant called Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe in Mission Hills. The restaurant is named after the owner - who is not related to the former US President. I've eaten here several times and the food is very good, plentiful, and inexpensive.

Tree with red flowers

When you see this tree in person, it will make you turn your head and stare in amazement. I took several photos and I found that I wasn't really able to capture it's stunning beauty. The red hot flowers make a striking contrast to its bare brown branches. Anyone know its name (I don't)?

Deconstruction

Stage 1 - cover it in plastic - people are working behind the plastic to remove the insides
Stage 2 - remove scaffolding

Stage 3 - carefully remove each layer
Stage 4 - bring big piece to ground level to break it into little pieces
This post is dedicated to Mea in Richmond, Virginia, USA. She likes construction sites. Although this is not the same awesome process of creating a new building, they use the same big machines which are fun to watch. Also tonight, fans said a sad goodbye to American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin whose hometown is Richmond, Virginia. : (

Owls - protecting you from other birds

I mostly see these fake owls on the roofs of gas stations. They put them on the roof to scare away other birds. The owl is supposed to keep the others (nasty pigeons!) from hanging out and pooping everywhere. We visit this owl from time to time because my son likes to see it, we call him by his French name, Monsieur Hiboo. At one time this owl was on the roof of the neighbor's house, but they moved it to right near their front door. I guess they found that his duty on the roof was not necessary or maybe not very effective.

Plane overhead

Another one from the Ocean Beach Pier.

Ocean Beach Pier

Here is the view looking back into the neighborhood. The pier is in a "T" shape and a nice walk. This post is for my mom because I know that whenever she has some free time she ends up taking a walk at the Ocean Beach Pier. Our family grew up in this neighborhood and I am sure that the pier brings back many childhood memories for her. Memories of going to the beach and Newport Avenue, seeing the tidepools, walking along the cliffs, crazy brothers diving off the end of the pier, bonfires, surfers, big waves during storms, grunion runs, the ocean smell, walking home the 6 or 7 blocks with sandy feet and sticky salty skin. And probably some other things that I don't know about! ;) Happy Mother's Day!

Mission Bay playground

There is a great playground in Mission Bay kind of near the Fiesta Island entrance. Seems like they tried to create a 1:1 ratio of play thing to kid - it is huge. I guess that helps decrease the sand throwing. What this photo doesn't show is the beautiful bay and grassy picnic area that surrounds the area. I find that some of the playgrounds here have unusual looking creatures living among the slides and swings. What kind of animal do you think this is?

Drive thru - es muy bueno

This is one of many drive thru Mexican fast food restaurants here. I'm going to put my vote in to say that every city needs a good drive thru Mexican food place. The sign says, Home of Famous California Burrito, which is a regular old carne asada beef burrito WITH french fries inside. I haven't tried that yet, but it sounds good. My cousin Honie tells me this building used to be the home of a place called Picnic-N-Chicken, hence the barn-like architecture.

Lowrider Chevy Impala

Another one from the Cinco de Mayo festival, and this will be the last of my car photos for a while. I liked this one the best because not only is it an old classic but it is also a lowrider. I wonder if, when people sit in the back of this car, it can be driven without touching the ground?

Still in shape after all these years

This post is for Carol in Chattanooga, Tennessee who posted a photo of a old car like this that is in need of some tender loving care. I took this photo at the Cinco de Mayo festival where there were also several other old cars. Do you like the sepia tone or do you prefer to see it in color? Here is the front view. Sorry, I don't know what kind of car or what year it was made. :-P

Spiffed up VW van

Rodney's classic VW photo from Aliso Viejo, California Daily Photo was the impetus for this post. Let's see your cool VW photo and I'll put your link here.

Superman's van

If you saw Greenville, South Carolina's post from today, then you have an idea as to how fast Superman really can fly. I thought Superman was from Gotham City (aka New York City), but I guess he is bicoastal! Seriously though, I see this car almost every Monday and will be posting different car photos over the next few days and thought this would be a fun way to start the week. I spoke with the owner a while back and he said, "My friends tell me that it looks like an airplane during the day and a spaceship at night." Some highlights of the van: 2 DVD players, a CB radio, and a police scanner; all the orange lights on the front light up, beads line the roof interior, and there are statues and pictures all along the dash and doors, and that is not all...! If you happen to be near Houston, Texas there will be an art car parade at the end of this week. Click here for more photos of art cars.

William Earl Walker, Sr., owner of the Super van

Old timey photo

Sister and brother are getting dressed to pose for an "Old West" photo. Costumes, props, and the sepia tone make the souvenir photo look realistic. This photo was taken in Old Town where the first settlers to San Diego made their homes and where there are many historic buildings from this period (early 1800's).

Local ballet folklorico

Yesterday and all weekend, there have been many celebrations throughout the city for Cinco de Mayo. I happened upon a performance of these ballet folklorico dancers at the shopping mall.

Fresh tortillas

I'm keeping with my Friday Mexican food theme here. There are some restaurants in the Old Town area that make their own tortillas right before your eyes. Here, she is pounding out the masa by hand and you can see a few to her right cooking on the grill. These "homemade" tortillas are the best. Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

Pelican electrical box

Another one of these neat-o electrical boxes. This one sits at a busy intersection in Point Loma. The community of Point Loma is on a small peninsula - the Pacific Ocean on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. I took this picture of the downtown view from this fishing/boating neighborhood.

Mary's blooming cactus

Last week I showed a prickly pear cactus in bloom. Here is another beautiful blooming cactus from a friend's yard. I think she has a "green thumb"!

Doggy bowls and bags

Restaurants and cafes sometimes have a water bowl for thirsty dogs passing by. These both had water in them, but the one on the left was meant for food for some lucky dog. I was surprised to learn that "doggy bags" (if you can't finish your meal at a restaurant you can ask for a container or "bag" to take the rest home) are not common practice outside the US.

Flamingos at the San Diego Zoo

The Zoo is probably San Diego's most famous tourist attraction and it is definitely worth a visit. The flamingos are the first animal exhibit you will see upon entering the Zoo - and it is a flashy welcome!