Point Loma...

Today's excursion: off to Point Loma.  Point Loma is to San Diego Bay as Gibralter is to the Mediterranean Sea.  Bring back thoughts of taking the ACT tests?  ;-)

We picked up another rental car this morning - Enterprise has a $10/day weekend special.  Yes, we like our scoots, but a car feels more secure on the busy freeways in California.  We had breakfast at the restaurant at the marina (next to the RV park) - great food with a nice view of the marina.  Back to the motorhome to get Izzy set up for the day, then we were off.

We drove by the Embarcadero area, then north, then west to Point Loma.  At the very tip of he point is Cabrillo National Monument - it commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay in 1542.  It is also the home to the lighthouse, the gunnery installation from WW II, tidepools, and beautiful views in every direction.  Oh, and I got to use my "Geezer Pass" for the entrance fee.  Fortunate for Joan that she hangs out with an old guy.

We parked, then started walking...

Yes, that is a school bus in the foreground - a couple bus-loads of elementary school kids having a field day.  The park is plenty big enough that we could give them space at the Visitors' Center while we explored around the former gun sites.

Heading to the lighthouse...

That intricate lens in the background was replaced by the much smaller unit in front.  Most US lighthouses are automatic (not manned).  They stand as a reminder of how mariners navigated before LORAN or GPS, and many are still in use.

From the lighthouse, we made our way to another view area...

This is a great place to see gray whales... generally at a great distance.  That sidewalk in the second image above shows the relative size of a gray whale (adults can reach 45 feet in length).

Looking to the southwest, this silhouette of a Navy ship...

At the tip of the point, Coast Guard housing...

Nice view from that neighborhood!  They can keep an eye on the surfers there, too.

Looking south towards Coronado Island...

Southeast with the skyline of San Diego in the background...

That crowd around the statue would be the kids from the buses.  By the time we got to the Visitors' Center, they had moved to a picnic area for lunch.

Just east of the National Memorial is the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary...

In a dining guide we picked up for the area, Joan found a 94th Aero Squadron - we used to go to the one by Stapleton Airport in Denver back before Denver International Airport came to be... you could have some fine food (beer cheese soup) while watching planes come and go.  This particular restaurant is alongside a small airport; not much traffic, but the setting and food inspired some nostalgia...

The decor is WW I British Air Corps.  The food is good ol' American.

Another warm day in San Diego - 4th day in a row of record high temps.  Great weather for getting out and about.