Nature, travel, pets, home renovation, and geekery
While exploring Sacramento, I decided a river cruise would be a great way to see the city, considering the city is on the banks of two rivers. A river cruise was definitely a lovely way to get a different perspective of the city. The cruise only went on the Sacramento River, as my guess is the American River is even more shallow than the Sacramento, which is only about 12 feet deep. The engineering highlights of the cruise were going under two different bridges, the I Street Bridge, which is a swing bridge, and the Tower Bridge, which is a vertical lift bridge. The cruise also went under a boring stationary bridge, the I-80 bridge. The cruise also passed by both the old and new water intake pumping stations, where river water is pumped to the water treatment plant.
I Street Bridge
Bridge over the American River
Docks and condominiums line parts of the river
Drainage outlets from nearby canal
Downtown Sacramento
Old water intake tower and pumping station
New water intake pumping station
Downtown Sacramento
Tower Bridge
I am continuing in my quest to visit all the state capitols, and I am in Sacramento this weekend, so I got to add California to my list. The history of the building is rather interesting in that they started building it in 1860, but mainly due to lack of funds, it was not finished for 14 years. In 1906, much modernization was done to the building including electricity and central heat and air. [I was unclear when the indoor plumbing came.] Additions and other renovations were done after that. Some of those renovations sounded like they were more “renovations” that probably sounded good to some at the time, but now most of us at least, and cringe at what was done. Then in 1975, they pretty much completely rebuilt the capitol. The shell of the building stayed, but the interior was completely torn down and built back up again. They did a lovely job of rebuilding. The building is gorgeous with wonderful wooden staircases, gilded and painted ceilings and walls, tile floors, and plenty of little touches you just have to explore to find. The state seal can be found in all sorts of places, and many other symbols are subtly placed around the building. There are bears everywhere, including coming out of staircase railing columns. They also restored several rooms on the first floor to their 1906 appearance, so parts of the capitol are a historical museum.
California State Capitol
Rotunda
Rotunda
Rotunda
The senate chamber is decorated with a lot of pink, which is supposed to reflect the color of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords.
Senate chamber
Senate chamber
The assembly chamber is decorated with a lot of green, which is supposed to reflect the color of the United Kingdom’s House of Commons.
Assembly chamber
Assembly chamber ceiling
In one of the panels of the assembly’s ceiling, is a grotesque of man’s head and his two hands. It is difficult to see unless you are looking for it, preferably with the help of a tour guide with a laser pointer. It is in a panel with a ring of (what I assume are) prickly pears with yellow flowers. Based on what my tour guide said and my internet searches, it doesn’t seem like the origins and true meaning of the grotesque are clear, but a chubby cheeked man with his hands up in a room where politicians work kind of gives me easy ideas.
Assembly chamber ceiling grotesque
Elevator
Wooden staircases with intricate metal lamps
Wooden staircase
Stained glass ceiling light
1906 Governor’s office
Bear guarding the governor’s office
While in San Diego, I spent an entire day in Balboa Park and didn’t go inside one museum. I was too fascinated by the plants. There are beautiful tropical plants in the Botanical Building, but there are just as many beautiful plants outside. Colorful plants are everywhere, including the Desert Garden, which has many plants that I loved photographing while ever mindful not to get too close, or else ouch.
While in Sand Diego, I visited Cabrillo National Monument. Actually I visited it twice. I went in the morning, and the entire area was covered with thick fog. I explored the tidal pool area and met some cute crabs, limpets, and snails. I then went to the peak area and tried to view San Diego underneath the clouds. It was kind of amazing to be on a peak about 400 feet above the ocean and look at a giant fog encompassing almost everything below. I then came back in the afternoon and was finally able to get some good views.
Tidal pool area
Tidal pool area
Tidal pool area
Colorful, rock layers
Tidal pool area
Colorful, rock layers
Colorful, rock layers
Chiton
Snails and limpet
Snail
Crab
Crab
Anemone
Gooseneck Barnacles
View across bay
View out to sea
I was in San Diego recently for a conference, and I was able to take a few days to wander around and see a little bit of the city. A few blog posts to come with photos, but here are some from just around town.
Boats near downtown
View of San Diego from Coronado
Sculpture next to convention center
Entrance to Gaslamp Quarter
Balboa Theater
Santa Fe train station
Downtown office building
Balboa Park
Waterfront Park
San Diego County Administration Center
View of San Diego and North Island Naval Air Station from Cabrillo National Monument (in morning)
View of San Diego from Cabrillo National Monument (in afternoon)
View of Coronado from Cabrillo National Monument (in afternoon)
