The road to the Julian, California

The view from California Highway 79, the road to Julian, northeast of San Diego. - photo by Joe Alexander
Sharp curve ahead. The view from California Highway 79, the road to Julian, northeast of San Diego. – photo by Joe Alexander
It was one of those days when I just wanted to jump in the car and drive down a road I’d never seen before.

My chosen destination was Julian, California – a little more than an hour drive northeast of San Diego.

Starting out from my base in Pacific Beach, I headed east on Interstate-8. That part is a pretty routine drive through the suburbs.

The interesting part starts when you head north on Highway 79. You drive through the mountains that are certainly not on par with the Rockies, but the elevation in the Cuyamaca Mountains does rise above 4,000 feet. There are plenty of warning signs of 15- 20- or 25-mile-per-hour curves.

Along the way you pass Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. To the east you can see the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Cormorants and seagulls at La Jolla Cove

A cormorant perches on a rock overlooking La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California. - photo by Joe Alexander
A cormorant perches on a rock overlooking La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California. – photo by Joe Alexander
Lots of birds shared the rocky beach of La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, on this sunny afternoon in September.

The black birds are the Brandt’s Cormorant. The most common seagulls are the Western Gull.

Of course there are plenty of pelicans.

inaturalist.org: Wildlife of La Jolla Cove

Pelicans at La Jolla Cove

A pelican hanging out at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, in September 2025. - photo by Joe Alexander
A pelican hanging out at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, in September 2025. – photo by Joe Alexander
There were plenty of sea birds hanging around La Jolla Cove on this sunny afternoon in September.

You can’t miss the pelicans with their large bodies, long beaks and huge wingspans.

According to Google, La Jolla Cove in San Diego is a regular hangout for California Brown Pelicans. At one time these were endangered, but not anymore.

National Park Service: California Brown Pelican

Pelicans congregating at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, in September 2025. - photo by Joe Alexander
Pelicans congregating at La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California, in September 2025. – photo by Joe Alexander

Seals and sea lions of La Jolla Cove in San Diego

I stopped by La Jolla Cove on what felt like a perfect day to work on a tan. - photo by Joe Alexander
I stopped by La Jolla Cove on what felt like a perfect day to work on a tan. – photo by Joe Alexander
The rocky stretch of beach at La Jolla Cove provided an ideal spot for seals and sea lions to enjoy the sun on this sunny September afternoon.

Seals or sea lions? LaJolla.com

To help out: sealconservancy.org

These two images are from the same photo. The closeup is cropped down to give you a better look at what this animal is dealing with. What I planned as a fun stop on my trip served as a reminder of the real impact of pollution. - photo by Joe Alexander
These two images are from the same photo. The closeup is cropped down to give you a better look at what this animal is dealing with. What I planned as a fun stop on my trip served as a reminder of the real impact of pollution. – photo by Joe Alexander

These two images are from the same photo. The closeup is cropped down to give you a better look at what this animal is dealing with. What I planned as a fun stop on my trip served as a reminder of the real impact of pollution. - photo by Joe Alexander

La Jolla Cove in San Diego

La Jolla Cove in San Diego on a sunny afternoon in September. - photo by Joe Alexander
Birds and sea lions take advantage of a sunny afternoon in September at La Jolla Cove in San Diego. – photo by Joe Alexander
La Jolla Cove is at the northern tip of the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California.

The cove itself includes a small sandy beach, a larger rocky beach front and a cave. It is part of a marine reserve.

The cove area is a popular hangout for sea lions, aquatic birds and tourists.

Landing in San Diego, California

Landing at San Diego International Airport. - photo by Joe Alexander
Landing at San Diego International Airport. – photo by Joe Alexander
The main runway at the San Diego International Airport runs roughly east and west. The airport itself is just off Interstate 5 and northwest of downtown.

Moments before landing from the east, I got a good look at downtown, San Diego Bay, the Coronado Bridge, a number of naval ships and we came in right over Interstate 5.

Flying west into southern California

View towards the U.S.-Mexico border while flying into southern California. - photo by Joe Alexander
View towards the U.S.-Mexico border while flying into southern California. – photo by Joe Alexander
Coming in to southern California from the east, I figured the last stretch of my flight was probably about parallel to the U.S.-Mexico border.

I was sitting on the left side of the plane. That gave me a good view of the south toward Mexico.

Not long before landing, I could see the desert, some mountains in the direction of Mexico and a couple of reservoirs that I wasn’t able to identify.

I’m guessing the dry looking areas I saw were part of the Sonoran Desert including the Colorado Desert. I might have even seen a little bit of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Fredericksburg Brewing Company still serving it up

Fredericksburg Brewing Company on Main Street in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. - photo by Joe Alexander
Fredericksburg Brewing Company on Main Street in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. – photo by Joe Alexander
I made a drive through part of the Texas Hill Country up to Fredericksburg for lunch on Tuesday.

I stopped in at the Fredericksburg Brewing Company, the oldest operating brew pub in Texas.

You know you’re in Fredericksburg when the restaurant not only makes its own beer, but also made from scratch peach cobbler.

“Hier Wird mit Liebe Gekocht” means “cooking with love here”.

Fredericksburg Brewing Company on Main Street in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. - photo by Joe Alexander
You can see where the beer comes from as you drink and dine at Fredericksburg Brewing Company.
Fredericksburg Brewing Company on Main Street in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Texas. - photo by Joe Alexander
Fredericksburg is known for its peaches – so you can count on the peach cobbler at Fredericksburg Brewing Company.

New Selena mural by Optek_Art

Selena mural by Optek_Art in San Antonio.
Selena mural by Optek_Art in San Antonio.
The legend of Selena has long been a part of San Antonio’s music culture.

There is a new tribute to the Queen of Tejano Music on the western edge of downtown San Antonio. The mural is the work of Roland Alvarez – also known as Optek_Art.

This is at the corner of West Houston and North Leona about two blocks north of UTSA Downtown and a block east of Frio Street.

Optek_Art on Instagram: instagram.com/optek_art/

Mural by Angela Fox near Broadway and McCollough next to KLRN

One of three cats in this Angela Fox mural located north of the main downtown San Antonio tourist area.
One of three cats in this Angela Fox mural located north of the main downtown San Antonio tourist area.
This is another long mural behind the KLRN building on the corner of Broadway and McCullough – on the northwest corner of the building. The mural faces Avenue B and the parking lot of the CPS Headquarters.

This mural is courtesy of Angela Fox and San Antonio Street Art.