Let's Go Shopping

If you've ever visited Coronado, you know part of its charm is its selection of gorgeous locally-owned shops, most of which are walking distance from the beach.

The newest in town is Cotier, a home decor store with a seductive mix of coastal style and french country sensibility.  Here's a little peek inside.  Isn't is lovely?

Thanks Pat, for letting me shoot these photos for my blog!

The Ghost Of Kate Morgan

Do you believe in ghosts?  

On November 29th, 1892, the body of Kate Morgan was found at the Hotel Del Coronado on an exterior staircase.  The San Diego coroner ruled the beautiful young woman's death a suicide, but rumor and speculation persist to this day.

For the past 118 years, the ghost of Kate Morgan has been said to haunt the hotel, occasionally surprising guests and employees with harmless mischief.  Books have been published on the subject.

I don't think I believe in ghosts, but the mystery surrounding this unfortunate young woman's death and the public fascination it still holds is intriguing.

Sunrise Over San Diego

I shot this sunrise photograph earlier this month - the palm trees, bay, Coronado bridge and hills of San Diego remind me why I feel so blessed to live here.

Photo was taken at the SDG&E park on First Street in Coronado.

I Heart You

I'm not sure if this is the work of the Sandman, or lovers on the beach...  whoever wrote it, it is simply romantic.

Enjoy your weekend!

Ferry Landing At Night

There is always something going on at the Coronado Ferry Landing.  It is very romantic at night, with the city lights shining across the bay from San Diego.

Look on the right side of the pier, and you can see the Sandman has paid a visit.  The Sandman is a talented sand artist.  Yep, he creates with sand, so his art must be admired quickly, before it blows away!

Giving Thanks

There is so much to be thankful for today.  Family, friends, our health and countless blessings...

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Coronado Bridge At Sunset

I love the colors at the Golf Course at sunset, with the Coronado Bridge reaching over the Bay to San Diego in the background.

Lunch At Burger Lounge

The salads at Burger Lounge on Orange Avenue are both tasty and healthy.  You can't go wrong.

I like to sit outside and people watch.

Sunset on Ocean Avenue

The fading glow of sunset rolls down Ocean Avenue to the Hotel Del Coronado.  If you look to the right, and squint a little, you can see Mexico in the distance.

Orange Avenue In The Rain

Orange Avenue in the rain... it's pretty quiet this weekend.

Blustery Day In Coronado

It will be a rainy weekend here in Coronado, and I for one am enjoying the change!  Rarely do we encounter wet, windy days with autumn leaves blowing on the ground.  It gives me something new to photograph for you. 

This photo was taken in front of the Coronado Historical Association, on the 1000 block of Orange Avenue.

Villa Capri Motel

The Villa Capri Motel is situated near the beach in Coronado, across from the Hotel Del.  But what caught my eye was its retro neon sign.  In a fast paced world of excess, there is something reassuring and comforting about a nice beach motel.

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Tonight the giant cruise ship Carnival Splendor is docked at the Tenth Street Terminal, which is in a more industrial area of San Diego than the cruise ship terminal the Splendor spent the past week at.

According to the Carnival website, the Splendor will be out of commission until January, 2011.  That's a lot of cancelled vacations!

Soccer Practice At Twilight

This was taken at our son's soccer practice yesterday at Tidelands Park.  I never get tired of seeing San Diego's skyscrapers on the other side of the bay.  They're so close, yet so far away.

Tuesday Farmers' Market

The Autumn Farmers' Market is as gorgeous as any other time of year... anyone up for Butternut Squash Soup?  Yummy.  Sure beats the supermarket!

These photos would have been posted yesterday, but last night I was a little busy with an injured child.  All's well that ends well.  After x-rays and a doctors office visit, he's fine, but off the playing field for awhile.

Rotary Plaza

Here's Rotary Plaza in Coronado, with its Star Pine tree, Rotary Fountain, and Coronado Flower Lady stand.  This is one of my favorite spots to relax and watch life in Coronado. 

The Soccer Field

My son's soccer team had their last home game of the season at Tidelands Park yesterday.  This has been a good season, and I'll miss seeing the other families every Saturday morning.  But sleeping in on Saturdays will be really nice as well!

Snack Time

We're nearing the end of soccer season in Coronado, and I'm going to miss it.  Here's the snack bar at Tidelands Park today.  No matter how tough the game, or how tired the players, a few dollars at the snack bar cheers everyone up!

An Old Bicycle

I walked by this bike and couldn't resist taking its picture.  Bicycles bring back childhood memories of freedom and endless possibilities.  Plus their presence is ubiquitous in Coronado.

Just think where you could go with a little free time, and a sturdy bike...

Disabled Carnival Splendor Arrives

This morning I awoke to the sound of helicopters, and ran down to the water to see the disabled cruise ship Carnival Splendor being towed into San Diego.  An engine room fire on Monday morning crippled the 952 foot liner leaving 4,400 passengers and crew members at sea without hot food and air conditioning. 

Glorietta Bay Park

Glorietta Bay Park sits next to the Coronado Community Center, and it's the perfect spot for a picnic or a short stroll.  From shore you see Glorietta Bay, then the San Diego Bay, the big blue Coronado Bay Bridge, and South San Diego on the other side.

We are so fortunate that Coronado's master plan provides for these open green spaces you see tucked around the island.

Glorietta Bay

Looking inland from Glorietta Bay, you can see the Hotel Del Coronado on the far left, the Coronado Yacht Club in the center frame, and a bit of the Coronado Municipal Golf Course on the right.  This is a fun area of Coronado, but there really are no bad parts of the island!

Village Theater

The Village Theater, which has been closed since 2000 is scheduled to reopen in March, 2011, after extensive renovations.  I will be one of the first in line to see a movie here!

Coronado Sunset

I just happened to catch the sunset tonight, and thought it would pair nicely with yesterday's sunrise photo!

Sunrise This Morning

I awoke to the most gorgeous fiery sunrise this morning, but in the time it took to throw on some clothes and run outside, the "technicolor" was fading.  By the time I walked over to the bay, the orange-pink hue had almost disappeared, but it was still a lovely way to start the day!

Patty Schmidt's Memorial Garden

Have you ever noticed the gorgeous little gardens that are planted in the Orange Avenue median?

I've walked past one of these little gems on Orange and Second for years before discovering the story behind it.  This garden was sponsored by Dr. John Schmidt in 2003, and dedicated to his wife, Patty Schmidt in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary, and in recognition of her sixteen years service as a member of the Coronado City Counsel.

These gardens are traditionally memorial gardens dedicated to people who have passed away, but John tells me "Patty didn't want to wait that long", so John made arrangements with Main Street Limited to sponsor the design and planting of the garden in Patty's favorite colors; red, white and blue.  She loved it.

 

Patty passed away unexpectedly on August 21st, 2010, leaving a large gap in our community that will be hard to fill.  She kept an eye on this island, and wasn't afraid to speak up when necessary.  And it was necessary fairly often.  She was the mother of four grown children, grandmother to seven.  She was also my neighbor, and she will be missed.

Sunny November Day

I found this sunny scene earlier today at the end of Orange Avenue, looking out on Centennial Park and across the bay to San Diego.  This bicycle is such a vibrant red I just had to incorporate it in the photo!

The Zipper

Do you know what this big, blue vehicle is? 

If you're familiar with Coronado you've seen it plenty of times.  It's one of two "zippers" which move the Coronado Bridge's median divider twice a day to accommodate the surge of traffic coming on the island in the morning, and leaving in the afternoon.  The two vehicles move the divider segments piece by piece, much like zippers on clothing. It's a clever solution that allows this five lane bridge to swap the center lane to either side as needed.

Brilliant!

Day Of The Dead

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos in Spanish, is a Mexican tradition celebrated each year on November 1st and 2nd, and is a surprisingly festive occasion on which respect is paid to to loved ones who have passed away.

It's really a nice way to honor those who are no longer with us, that is once you get over the skeleton and skull theme!

Trick Or Treat

It seemed the whole town was out last night, trick or treating on Orange Avenue.  My friend Deanna took her family out looking exactly like Mona Lisa, that is until she beamed her brilliant smile! 

I loved the beautiful lady who celebrated her 92nd birthday by trick or treating with her family.  Now there's a role model for us all.

There were way too many adorable children's costumes to represent them all, but I noticed that girls were fond of the orange skirts and striped stockings this year.

Of course it wouldn't be a Coronado event without the pampered pooches.

Hope you had fun on Halloween!