Old Town San Diego for a Saturday afternoon outing....View from the Coaster....
We happened upon an antique car show.....earlier in the day they had a race to re-enact the 1915 race honoring the Panama-California Exposition.....the first World's Fair.... 
(costumes provided by the San Diego Costume Guild)
History
Park Beginnings
Balboa Park began as 1400 acres of land set aside in 1868 by San Diego civic leaders. Known then as “City Park”, the scrub-filled mesa that overlooked present day Downtown San Diego sat without formal landscaping or development for more than 20 years.(Today the Park's total land parcel has been reduced to 1,200 acres.)
The first steps in Park beautification were made in 1892, largely due to the contributions of Kate Sessions. Sessions offered to plant 100 trees a year within the Park as well as donate trees and shrubs around San Diego in exchange for 32 acres of land within the Park boundaries to be used for her commercial nursery. Several popular species, including the birds of paradise, queen palm and poinsettia were introduced into the Park’s horticulture because of Sessions’ early efforts. In fact, many of her original trees are alive and visible today. It is no wonder that Kate Sessions earned the title “The Mother of Balboa Park” at the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
The first steps in Park beautification were made in 1892, largely due to the contributions of Kate Sessions. Sessions offered to plant 100 trees a year within the Park as well as donate trees and shrubs around San Diego in exchange for 32 acres of land within the Park boundaries to be used for her commercial nursery. Several popular species, including the birds of paradise, queen palm and poinsettia were introduced into the Park’s horticulture because of Sessions’ early efforts. In fact, many of her original trees are alive and visible today. It is no wonder that Kate Sessions earned the title “The Mother of Balboa Park” at the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
Just after the turn of the century, a master plan for Park improvements and beautification was formally introduced. Supported by a City tax levied in 1905, the process began in 1903 and continued through 1910. Water systems were installed, planting continued, roads were built, and the Park began to take on much of the familiar look of today.
San Diego was set to play host to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, and “City Park” was a less-than memorable or distinctive name for such an internationally prestigious event. In 1910, Park Commissioners announced plans to re-name City Park and the public was eager to throw potential names into the hat, including: San Diego Park, Silver Gate Park, Horton Park and Miramar Park. After months of discussion and great public interest, the Park Commissioners decided on the name Balboa Park, chosen in honor of Spanish-born Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the first European to spot the Pacific Ocean while on exploration in Panama.
San Diego was set to play host to the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, and “City Park” was a less-than memorable or distinctive name for such an internationally prestigious event. In 1910, Park Commissioners announced plans to re-name City Park and the public was eager to throw potential names into the hat, including: San Diego Park, Silver Gate Park, Horton Park and Miramar Park. After months of discussion and great public interest, the Park Commissioners decided on the name Balboa Park, chosen in honor of Spanish-born Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the first European to spot the Pacific Ocean while on exploration in Panama.
Driving under the Cabrillo Bridge
Walking Over the Cabrillo Bridge
Grandma G's first tamale.....wrapped in corn husks....corn meal and beef....tastes like corn on the cob.....yum! Ole!
Strolling Through the Park......
Photo Bombed.....
Now you see her/now you don't....
(cute little girl just happened by)
Two friends (uncle and nephew) in Friendship Garden
Segway tour
(I'm gonna ride one someday)
Sky over Balboa Park
This was a good Balboa Park day in the life of Grandma G.....
___________________________________________
AND a 10AM Packer game party at Gerry's on Sunday......
A few little girls missing from picture.....
The (former) Wisconsin contingent....
Six from Park Falls.....
Sons, Gerry (#4) and Bill (green cap)
Brats for lunch.....selfie with Gemma.....
Grandma G is a winner no matter which team wins next Sunday.....
She'll go either way....WA or WI......
She can even go Colts.....
This was a good Packer game party day in the life of Grandma G.
"The father[mother] of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and your mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!" (Proverbs 23: 24 & 25)
No comments:
Post a Comment