The New Bridge

On Friday, March 18th the new pedestrian bridge in San Diego opened without much fanfare for people wanting easy access between Pet Co Park and the convention center on Harbor Drive. It had been a long time in the making, with many delays, and at a higher cost. It is a beautiful piece of architecture, a treat for the eyes. I think a ribbon cutting ceremony is on the books. This new bridge will make life easier for those in the Gaslamp area. People will be able to cross Harbor Drive without walking blocks to a crosswalk. They will not have to watch out for trains and trolleys if they use the bridge.

Laura and I had been wanting to walk across the new bridge and finally set a time to do this. We decided to ask our good friend Ellen to go with us after Bible Study on Wednesday. Her husband Dave had walked there the day it opened so we knew she would be interested. Like us, she rides the bus everywhere. So after Bible Study we headed for the 901 bus heading to Coronado and then to San Diego. We enjoyed our ride down the Strand, through Coronado and then over the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge. We got off the bus at Pet Co Park, where our Padres play baseball.

We headed directly to the new bridge just a block or so away. Ellen and Laura climbed the many steps to the bridge while I took the elevator. We enjoyed the scenery at the top and took some pictures. Others were there to enjoy the sights too. Some were also taking pictures and one gentleman offered to take our picture. We could enjoy much of San Diego's skyline and a view of the bay and Coronado. We were above the train tracks and Harbor Drive.

At the south end of the bridge Ellen and Laura did the steps again while I found the elevator going down. We were now at the new Hilton Hotel next to the bay. There is a beautiful walkway along the bay that was not there the last time Laura and I were in that area near the convention center. There is a new park next to the bay which is much more welcoming than it was previously. We sat for a short time and thought about walking to Sea Port Village, but decided to go back across the bridge as planned.

We again enjoyed the walk across the bridge, this time heading north. Near Pet Co Park we headed to where we planned to get something for lunch. Walking is getting difficult for me now days, but I slowly headed for our destination near the ball park. It was lunch time so Subway was crowded. We had hoped to take a sandwich to Pet Co Park to eat. Laura and I did this last time we were in that area. So we headed to The Tin Fish for lunch. Last time we tried to do this it was too early. This time it was too crowded. So we sat for a while to decide what to do.

We decided to head for the trolley and get something closer to home. We got the trolley heading to 12th and Imperial, and then the one heading south. It was crowded but we got seats for our ride to Palomar Street in Chula Vista. At our destination we got off the trolley and went to the Subway in that shopping center for our sandwiches. Thankfully it was not crowded until after we were waited on. We each enjoyed the sandwich of our choice while seated at Subway. Laura and I always get the Veggie Delite.

The three of us continued south on the trolley to Iris Street. Ellen was at her destination stop, and Laura and I still had a short bus ride to get home. Laura and I were delighted with our day with Ellen. We are game for more such days even though I hold them back with my slow pace. I need to keep moving.