Escondido's Kit Carson Park is alive with mosaic sculptures by internationally acclaimed 20th century artist, Niki de Saint Phalle.
The gardens begin with aisles of mirror-laced walls and topped with hundred of yards of mosaic and polished rock serpents.
Nicki's vision of Queen Califia's Magical Circle is a meeting place for people of all ages and cultures.
She got the inspiration from a book called Assembling California. California is named for Calafia (sometimes spelled Califia), warrior queen of a mythical tribe of Amazon warriors who were believed by early Spanish explorers to inhabit what is now California.
The diameter of the garden is 120 feet, enclosed by a waving (undulating) wall with eight snakes along the top.
Queen Califia reigns astride a 13 foot, 5-legged eagles. Inside the legs is a domed 'temple,' filled with cosmic symbols.
A gold egg-shaped fountain fills the centre, a reference to Queen Califia's magical reign over the oceans (and the artist's frequent reference to birth, death and transformation).
The mirrors reflect multiple colors are you walk around with the sun.
Born in France in 1930, Nicki's sculpture garden was the last major international projected she created. She died in 2002.
Tens of thousands of individually hand-cut glass, ceramic and stone mosaics. Built from polystyrene encased in urethane skin with fiberglass coating over steel armature.
Marc's relatives, Steve & Sandy came to town for a week's visit and cycling/sightseeing with us (from AZ).
A pit stop at Del Mar beach, en route to Encinitas (40 mins). A windy, overcast day but always gorgeous to be on the coast.
Drove to south of Oceanside in San Diego County, parked and just minutes, rode to the gateway to Camp Pendleton. I.D. must be shown.
Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps Base Camp) is the major West Coast base of the US Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base for Assault Craft Unit 5.
Established in 1942 (to train U.S. Marines for service in WW II), by 1944 it became a permanent installation. Over 125,000 acres, it is host to year-round training for Marines in addition to all other branches of the U.S. military.
Approximately a 20 mile round trip ride; you watch hawks and helicopters patrol overhead, hear gunshots, explosions in the distance and watch various military combat vehicles pass by. Depending on atmospheric conditions, the sound of explosions may be amplified and heard up to 50 miles away.
Some type of car! (Looks like a trailer behind the truck but it IS a car)
(will be posting our time at Coronado Island, soon)
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