San Diego Central Library

San Diego's New Library
San Diego’s New Library

We woke with surprise to a rare grayish morning with a chill in the San Diego air.  It is our last full day in San Diego and we had planned another trip to the beach; instead we decide  today was the day to go to the new library.  San Diego Central Library was sensational.

The architecture is innovative with a myriad of spaces for different events, a wonderful BaseBall Library near an open space reading room.  The Children’s Library has superb Dr. Seuss murals on the wall and exhibits of other authors like Maurice Sendak.

Great architecture and visuals
Great architecture and visuals

We took escalators up to the second floor, passing great Visual Arts screening on the wall.  There are indoor reading rooms, conference rooms, galleries and outdoor spaces.  There is parking underneath the building. Views take in the Coronado Bridge, art spaces nearby in old buildings  and PETCO Ball park, home of the Padres.

 

James on the escalator
James on the escalator, Harv photobombs 

San Diego Central Library is the new home of the biggest BaseBall Library,” west of Cooperstown”.  It is right next to the comfortable, open reading room with views over San Diego icons like the Coronado Bridge and the Trolley Station.

Reading Room and BaseBall Library
Reading Room and BaseBall Library

 

PetCo, Padres BaseBall field,
PETCO Park, Padres BaseBall field

The outside of the building was as remarkable as the inside, with viewing platforms overlooking all of the revitalised San Diego Downtown area.  The giant steel dome creates a wonderful landmark in the San Diego skyline.

Steel construction creates an iconic dome for the San Diego skyline
Steel construction creates an iconic dome for the San Diego skyline

Over one entryway, a quote read:

“The three most important documents a society gives are a birth certificate, a passport and a library card.”

Tucson Trails

James and I along with Donna Tormo received a lovely invitation from our friend Peggy San Filipo, come and see Tucson.  Peggy, Donna and I are old skiing/life/work buddies from Aspen, hard to note that was decades ago.

Saguro Cactus in an Arizona
Saguaro Cactus in an Arizona landscape

We did a walk in Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina mountains of Arizona.  There were large numbers of Saguaro cactus, water holes and large boulders of gneiss. The weather was perfect, warm and sunny.

James and I still travel with both ladies.  For years we met Donna in different places: San Diego, San Francisco, Baltimore, Houston and New York on our trips back to the US and also travelled Italy together.  Peggy has visited us twice in Sydney and for years we have met in Los Angeles just before we would head back to Sydney.

Peggy preparing dinner
Peggy preparing dinner

There was quite a bit of eating, drinking, laughing and talking going on all weekend. There were walks and taking photos.  Visiting the Hotel Congress and visiting a very  lively downtown Tucson and seeing where they captured Dillinger. We had a great dinner at Cafe Poca Cosa on Saturday night with friends Arta and Celeste.

Donna on the 'Sunset balcony'.
Donna on the ‘Sunset balcony’.
Peggy, Gaila & James at Poca Cosa
Peggy, Gaila & James at Poca Cosa

Brunch is mandantory
Brunch is mandatory

It was quite a drive to get to Tucson.  It is about a six-hour drive through the desert. Hours of the drive are in barren desert country but as we approach Tucson we see the hills and scenery of Cowboys and Indians. Rugged hills full of Saguaro cactus, which is indigenous to the Sonora Desert.

Walking in the wash, taking close up views of the Saguaros.
Walking in the wash, taking close up views of the Saguaros.

A giant thank you to Peggy for all her hospitality and generosity.  Tucson is highly recommended,  if you are going and want to play golf or pickleball, I will introduce you to Peggy.