San Diego: 'Downtime in downtown': Of Tunnel Vision, Solicitors and Advocates, plus Nature's coloring and artistry.

  This blog deals with a number of city hikes with the focus narrowed to controversial aspects of tunnel vision. This will follow after a few introductory photographs showing some early spring moves of nature.  

  As an aside, many people are very fond of San Diego and its position situate between the desert and ocean, with many residences resting on the surrounding hills, not forgetting an attractive downtown. We find our primary attraction of the city is its pearls: 

ELLIE and BENNY, G-d bless them.

We think our late parents might (big might) feel they did something right in bringing us up as we appreciate the obvious beauty. We might have finally redeemed ourselves (partially).
A scene in Bankers' Hill.
A tree view of downtown San Diego. Next time, we intend framing a plane.
After publishing the blog, the following day we headed out with a purpose, taking a good break from the stock market. We did 'frame' a plane. Jenni mentioned that 'someone' had asked her recently when we intended 'growing up'. I thought she answered appropriately: "Never, if possible."
Following the above plane of thought...um...probably should be train of thought, Jen told me that she no longer wishes to live in Mission Hills. Why would she not want to stay in this wonderful region? I was puzzled. Apparently, one of us spends his free time acting like a 'flower child' with camera, chasing aircraft and searching for planes in tunnels, up trees and once, even on our roof. I suppose, who can blame her. 

An American version of 'Trooping the color' although repositioning the flag would be appropriate.
Enjoyed this one. It appears the California Tower is modernizing its spire or offering blessings to fliers (with respect, of course).
  We have explored Mission Hills and the surround quite extensively over the past month. It's now time to move onwards and upwards although we did make a small change in our plans, so we'll be relocating for a short period to another apartment before flying away. Talking of flights, we have studied the flight paths of planes approaching and departing San Diego International Airport frequently. Even more fascinating is observing the relationship of the aircraft to the surrounding buildings, roadways, ocean and bays, amongst other things. 

  One thing that has elluded us thus far has been aircraft flying through tunnels. Sounds ridiculous but might not be as silly as a reader might deduce. We walk through a short tunnel often which lies under the I-5 Freeway, part of Laurel Street. One of us wondered whether planes could fly through this tunnel and so we set out to test this possibility. On an earlier occasion, we looked up after hearing the pounding sound of a jet above and were struck by the sight of what appeared to be a plane leaving the tunnel. On each walk, we waited for a while at the tunnel entrance to see whether what we had witnessed would be replicated. Alas, planes flew over and further to the flanks but none through. 

  On our walk today, we were about to turn right into State Street coming down the hill when I convinced Jen we should attempt one last time to implement our brand of tunnel-vision. However, in order to be well-positioned for a photograph, Jen would stand about 100 yards before the tunnel entrance where she would be able to see approaching aircraft in the distance. (See below)

   I would stand close to the tunnel entrance where I could not spot a plane until it flew from the tunnel exit. Effectively, Jen was the solicitor while I had my back to her (much of the time) facing toward the tunnel with the camera settings prepared. Upon Jen spotting a plane, she would raise her arm at which time I would turn to face the tunnel entrance, looking through it, camera at eye-level, hoping to capture the subject. 

  As is expected, whenever we set out to undertake such functions, it appears that pilots are on a break. Of course, when we walk around not ready to snap a photograph, said pilots seem to be busy flying and effectively, showing off via incredibly entertaining positions. Today was no exception. Jen stood up on a corner soliciting the planes to approach while I kept my eye on her arm as well as the tunnel (frequent neck twists), ensuring the camera remained in active mode, not allowing it to 'sleep' through non-use. 

  As an aside, something I never could have projected, while Jen acted as our aircraft solicitor, it appeared that others interpreted her function differently. While standing on the street corner, a number of males approached her as they viewed her concept of soliciting very differently. I'm most embarrassed and would like to punch a number of guys solidly, following the eventual realization of my naivete. Nevertheless, I suppose it's nice for her to know she still has it (turns heads), my lovely senior. It turns out that she also made a few bucks on the side. We were looking a little untidy in our hiking gear; some generous souls took her for a homeless person. Truth be told, there is much truth in that presumption. 

  Jen's arm shot up, my camera became active, I turned, aimed the camera through the tunnel, waited, hoping the plane would be in my line of sight and clicked. The result: Photographs below. 

Alaska Airlines gets the green light as it flies on the other side of the short tunnel...(India and Laurel Streets with the black upper part being part of the tunnel wall).
Delta Airlines' tail scrapes the under section of the tunnel roof while the vehicles pause for the red light.
Our conclusion after extensive study of flights in and around San Diego: Alaska is a 'smooth' airline while Delta appears to scrape along.  

"We see trees of green, red roses, too." The words of Louis Armstrong acknowledged in an earlier blog from Pokhara, Nepal.
Cascading color and the 'Lady in Red'...um...black.
Some of the flora of Mission Hills and neighboring suburbs continue to attract attention. 

'For whom the bells toll'.

Jen takes the gap. 

  Jen goes native as she enters the bush.

 Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Former 'plane solicitor, subsequently changed position to that of a spotter, gives the signal of an approaching aircraft. New title saves harassment and embarrassment. (see above, tunnel vision section for 'enlightenment'.)