Statues of the San Diego Zoo

 

When I was walking around the San Diego Zoo earlier this month, I noticed all these cool animal statues that they had around the park:

And here is someone outside the front of the park:

The statues at the San Diego Zoo are amazing and I loved seeing them.

A Hidden Surprise- The Minnesota Grove

 

I was bouncing between art galleries in the Dogpatch arts district in San Francisco and saw all this greenery and decided to walk it and found a very cool hidden surprise, The Minnesota Grove is a neighbor-created park between 24th and 25th streets. 

About 15 years ago, it was pretty much unaccepted street-paved and maintained by local property owners when they felt the spirit move them. Then condos were built and the people who moved in started gardening and got the city to manage the area (put in sidewalks, lights and more paving, etc) and it has become a beautiful walk:

It is a beautiful and hidden part of San Francisco that I was happy to see. 

Walking Around Balboa Park

 

Balboa Park in San Diego is an amazing place to walk around, it also has an amazing history. It was founded in 1868 and was the second city in America to dedicate space for an urban park. In 1870, the California state legislature passed a law saying the park will be held in trust forever.

In 1915, it hosted the Panama-California Expo and in 1935, it hosted the California Pacific International Expo. 

Today, Balboa Park is home to 17 museums and the World Famous Zoo. Here is a little taste from walking around the park:

Balboa Park is an amazing and beautiful place. I was glad that I got to walk around it. 

Music Monday: Going Off the Grid

 Music Monday: We are going off the grid today as I highlighting musicians that are off the grid and I enjoy listening to:

I know that is different but I hope you enjoyed something different with these under-the-radar great bands and musicians. 

150 Years of Cable Cars

 

When you think of San Francisco, the cable car comes to mind. This year the cable cars turn 150 believe it or not. In August 1873, the first trial of the cable car system was done. On Sept. 1,  1873, the Clay St. line began ushering the use of cable cars in San Francisco. 

The San Francisco Main Library has a display in honoring 150 years of the cable car.:

Original Clay St. Cable Car Design

19th century cable car tickets

The hand brake of a cable car

In 1947, the Mayor of San Francisco proposed to close the remaining two cable car lines and a citizen's group put together a referendum to change the city charter saying the city to continue to operate the two lines:

In 1982, the system was shut down for two years to rebuild it.  It reopened in 1984 and in time for the 1984 Democratic National Convention. 

The funny thing is I have only rode the cable cars a couple of times in my life but I am still glad they are a part of San Francisco: