Ranger's Residence, Palomar Mountain State Park - Palomar Mountain, CA, USA

Originally called the Warden's Residence, as the supervising Park Ranger was known then, this wood and stone cabin was constructed circa 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  It was one of many construction projects performed on Palomar Mountain by the CCC.  The two-bedroom cabin was without electricity for about the first year-and-a-half, although it did have the luxury of a flush toilet.  The only heat was from the fireplace and it was necessary for the Warden to saw his own firewood.

In October of 2007 the Poomacha Fire raced up the western slope of Palomar Mountain and into the State Park.  The Warden's Garage, another wood and stone structure built by the CCC which was adjacent to the cabin, was destroyed.  The wood portion was completely burned, leaving only the stonework standing.  There are plans to reconstruct the garage at some point in the future.  Firefighters were able to save the Ranger's Residence by spraying fire-retardant gel on the structure.

Located just below the Silvercrest Picnic Area

Bill of Rights Obelisk - Escondido, CA, USA

This 10-foot-tall obelisk is made of black granite quarried southwest of Escondido.  It is engraved on all four sides with Amendments I through X to the Constitution of the United States, commonly known as the Bill of Rights.

"Presented By Escondido Rotary Club To The City Of Escondido July 4, 1976"

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway, along Broadway.

Totem Bird - Fallbrook, CA, USA

A part of Fallbrook Art in Public Places, Totem Bird is a 2002 bronze sculpture based on a design by Kort Heyneman.  The original design was the winning entry in a 2001 children's art contest by, then 8-year-old, Kort, the grandson of Jackie Heyneman.  It is fittingly placed alongside Jackie Heyneman Park which was renamed in her honor in May 2012.

Located on the east side of South Mission Road between Beech Street and Ash Street.

Jackie Heyneman Park - Fallbrook, CA, USA

This half-acre community park, owned and maintained by the Fallbrook Village Association, is located on South Mission Road.  Formerly called Beech Street Park it was renamed in honor of local resident and activist Jackie Heyneman in a ceremony on May 5, 2012.  Jackie Heyneman has been a long-time volunteer with the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and the Save Our Forest Committee, working to plant new trees as well as saving many of the older trees in Fallbrook. 

This is a lovely shaded park which includes a large grassy area and benches along the paved walking path which surrounds it.  It was originally dedicated to the people of Fallbrook on June 6, 1996.

View through the park from north to south.

View through the park from south to north.

It's very easy to miss this little park when driving past on South Mission Road as only the treetops are visible.  It's worth stopping and checking out and would be a lovely, quiet spot for a picnic.

Former Beech Street Park signage.

Located on the east side of South Mission Road between Beech Street and Ash Street.  Access the parking area from Beech Street.

Moonlight Beach Overlook - Encinitas, CA, USA

Maintained by the City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department, this small bluffside park and overlook is situated just south of Moonlight State Beach.  It features a grassy area with a picnic table as well as several benches overlooking the beach and ocean.

Located at 400 Moonlight Lane at C Street.

Maze Stone Park - Hemet, CA, USA

California State Registered Landmark No. 557

"Maze Stone
This pictograph, representing a maze, is an outstanding example of the work of prehistoric peoples. It, with 5.75 acres of land, was donated to Riverside County as a county park on April 16, 1956 by Mr. and Mrs. Rodger E. Miller.
Registered Landmark No. 557
Plaque Placed By California State Park Commission In Cooperation With Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Hemet Woman's Club, February 9, 1957."

Look for a sign pointing the way to the State Historical Marker along State Highway 74 west of Hemet, and drive north on California Avenue.  Follow California Avenue for a little over 3 miles until it ends at a gate.  Park here - no vehicles are allowed beyond this point.  Be cautious of the soft sand on either side of the pavement.

It is a short uphill hike along the old pavement to the Maze Stone.  Carry water with you and be on the lookout for rattlesnakes.

The Maze Stone and Monument are located on the right.  Sadly it has been necessary to enclose them both within two separate barbed-wire-topped chainlink fences to deter vandalism.

In the lower left corner square of the Maze a swastika was carved sometime after the 1930s, an act of vandalism.

I first visited Maze Stone Park in the late 1970s and at that time there was only one chainlink fence  These photos were taken in November of 2006.  It was a hot dry day and I regretted carrying only one bottle of water along on the hike.

Located near the north end of California Avenue, west of Hemet.

Library Building - Escondido, CA, USA

Built in 1895, this was Escondido's first library.  It was originally located on Grand Avenue at the corner of Hickory Street.  When the realignment of Grand Avenue caused the building's removal it was relocated to Grape Day Park in 1971.  After renovation it has served as the office of the Escondido Historical Society since 1976.  It is one of several historical buildings that make up the Esondido History Center Museum.

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway.

Marshall Street Swim Center - Oceanside, CA, USA

The Marshall Street Swim Center is one of two public swimming pools operated by the City of Oceanside.  Located in Marshall Street Park, it is presently closed while the city seeks an outside party to operate and maintain the facility.

Located at 1404 Marshall Street at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Marshall Street Park - Oceanside, CA, USA

Marshall Street Park is a small neighborhood park operated by the City of Oceanside.  It features a playground for children and picnic tables, and is the location of the Marshall Street Swim Center, one of Oceanside's two public pool facilities.

Located at 1400 Marshall Street at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Peace Pole - Escondido, CA, USA

This four-sided Peace Pole is inscribed with the phrase "May Peace Prevail On Earth" in English, American Sign Language, Spanish, Hebrew, Japanese, Chinese, Kumeyaay and Somali.  There are two languages displayed on each side.  Additionally there is a small metal plaque in Braille.

"This Peace Pole is a gift from Escondido First United Methodist Church October 2010"

Located in Grape Day Park at 321 North Broadway.

Veterans Memorial - Encinitas, CA, USA

"These memorial walls are meant to be reminiscent of ancient walls, the shapes referring to 'the waving flag.'  Both ends of the large memorial wall are left unfinished, representing the unfinished lives of those who have perished in the line of duty.  The large monolithic stone water feature within the memorial, trickles water slowly as tears, speaking back to those who mourn. 

The ultimate goal in the design of this memorial wall is to offer a sense of quiet sympathy to the visitor, reminding those of us who take so much for granted, just how much others have given in protecting our freedoms."

"Dedicated to all those who served in the armed forces of our country.  May we never forget their unselfish devotion to the cause of our freedom."

"City of Encinitas
Veterans Memorial
Dedicated December 7, 2003
Mayor Jerome Stocks
Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan
Council Member James Bond
Council Member Dan Daliger
Coucil Member Christy Guerin
Memorial Designer Michael Ames Clark
Project Architect Schmidt Design Group, Inc."

Located on the northeast corner of Encinitas Boulevard and Vulcan Avenue, at the west end of Cottonwood Creek Park.

California Kingsnake Sculpture - Escondido, CA, USA

This large concrete sculpture of a California Kingsnake once held a swing from a hook in the center of the arch.

Located in Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway.

Save Palomar Mountain State Park - Palomar Mountain, CA, USA

Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park

Facebook Page: Save Palomar Mountain Sate Park

Incense Cedar - Palomar Mountain, CA, USA

This large Incense Cedar, Calocedrus decurrens or Libocedrus decurrens, is estimated to be 400 years old.  The Incense Cedar is native to California and is common in the mountains of San Diego County.

This is another tree I remember fondly from childhood picnics and camping trips on Palomar Mountain.

Located near the entrance of the Silvercrest Picnic Area within Palomar Mountain State Park, which is presently on the closure list of California State Parks in July 2012 due to budget cuts.