Airstream Friends
©Bert Gildart: Before any more time elapses and we continue on with our independent explorations of San Diego, I want to take a moment to thank our friends Bill and Larry for all the help they have provided these past few weeks. About ten days ago, they introduced us to William Heise County Park, a campground situated 4,200 feet above sea level in a pine and oak forest above Borrego Springs. The park is located in the northern extremity of the Cuyamaca Mountain Range, and true to form, during our afternoon visit, Larry prepared a Mexican seafood stew consisting of squid, catfish and shrimp. Outside their Airstream trailer, we dined in grand style.
Bill showing Janie the "theater" of the Whaley House.
Today, they helped again, this time to show us a portion of San Diego we would not have seen had it not been for their knowledge. As well, they showed us their “state of the art home;” and Larry, who is an indisputable gourmet cook, introduced us to a grocery store that specializes in Oriental groceries. The store carried oysters, crabs, live snails – the stomachs and intestines of pork – and dozens of different species of fish swathed in chipped ice.
But for Janie and me our day began with a tour of the Whaley House, at one time the largest brick home in San Diego. Built in the Greek Revival style the old home retains stories of ghosts said to still wander the premises. Bill works at the old home as a docent, and he dresses the part of someone who might have lived in the home just after the Civil War. Work there is essentially a retirement position, for Bill once worked as a master-level nurse.
L to R: Bill works as docent at Whaley House where he watches the time with his old time piece for the next tour. Larry shows
Janie his Koi, which he has raised from fingerlings over the past 20 years.
Bill also introduced us to Pat, another interpreter who said that as she wanders the old home that she has experienced the presence of spirits. “At the time,” said Pat, “it felt like I was moving through a spider web charged with electricity.”
Larry has kept busy since his retirement as an occupational therapist creating a home that should be a candidate for Better Homes and Gardens. He has created a garden out of unique flowers complemented with a beautiful koi pond. Koi are a form of carp and looked to Janie and me like huge goldfish.
Of course Bill and Larry tow an Airstream and during our get-togethers they have provided us with many suggestions about the use of our Airstream. We remain appreciative for all their help and advice with our various travels.
Entrance to Whaley House
Let me also say that Janie and I wish Don and Nancy – back dropping my last posting on graffiti – the very best of luck during surgery scheduled for tomorrow. It is break through surgery and this good man deserves a gigantic infusion of luck. We’re watching over Don and Nancy’s Airstream Trailer here in Chula Vista RV Park.
—————————————-
THIS TIME LAST YEAR:
—————————————-
BOOKS FOR SALE:
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
April 18th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Thanks for your great post and spectacular photos taken with your new Nikon D800E camera.
Here is more information on the Mexican seafood stew, Caldo de Mariscos, and our fun day together at William Heise County Park:
http://airstreamlife.com/historysafariexpress/2013/04/14/cuyamaca-mountain-high/
April 19th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
[...] going to the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In the meantime our Airstream friends, Bert and Janie, visited me at the Whaley House and Larry at home. The following day we took them on a journey to the [...]