Walking in the time of COVID

By Dianne Gowder

Welcome to my neighborhood

Our individual worlds have grown smaller since we have been sheltering at home, there much beauty to be found no matter where you live.

I live in San Pedro, so welcome to my neighborhood.

Let’s go take a look around and we’ll discover that many of my neighbors are excellent gardeners.

I walk early in the morning and one of my favorite places is Paseo Del Mar, less than a mile from home with stunning cliff top views. What a way to start the day!

On a clear day you have a fantastic view of Catalina Island.

Let’s head south first to Point Fermin park. A popular spot with both the locals and people from out of town. I am practicing social distancing so I’ll give them all a wide berth and take a walk around the lighthouse. As I walk around I marvel at the building which is on the national historic register.

I am not going to give you a history of the lighthouse as one has been published here previously. So we will continue walking south on Shepherd street to Pacific Avenue. Another great viewpoint, have a look and you will also be able to see some of Sunken City . This area was a neighborhood until 1929 when a landslide sent it all into the ocean. You can see some of the remains but please don’t climb over! Instead turn on to Bluff Place and walk down to 40th St,, make a right and you have a great view of Cabrillo beach.

We can’t go on the beach just now, let’s head back 40th street to Gaffey, make a right on Gaffey and go up the hill, it’s good for your lungs and your legs, on your left Is the Korean Bell, Angel’s Gate Cultural Center, Marine Mammal care center and the Bird rescue, all located in the same area. As is the Fort MacArthur Museum. Not forgetting our beautiful Hey Rookie” swimming pool.

You may want to continue up Gaffey to the lookout point and see as many as 6 or 7 cruise ships and just as many tankers off the coast. The cruise ships seem to be taking it in turn to come in for supplies and the go back offshore.

Let’sgo back to Paseo Del Mar and have a cup of coffee at the Corner store, a local favorite! Say hello to Peggy, the amazing owner, when you go. Once you are fortified it’s time for another hill, you don’t want to miss the peacocks and they can often be found on the hilly streets behind the Corner store , don’t forget to look up! We’ll end this walk here. Thank you for joining me!

And remember please obey the signs! I am!

Dianne Gowder Bio:

Here is a link to my Facebook photography page

https://www.facebook.com/Walking-About-Photography-by-Dianne-Gowder-105661514321435/

Also I can be found on Instagram @dgbrit

Originally from England, but now long time San Pedro resident..

Credit for bio picture: Arturo Garcia AyalaDianne loves to walk and she tries to do at least 3 miles every day before she heads out to work. Her love of photography evolved from her walks.

“ I have always been amazed by scenery here and more and more I found myself stopping to capture the beauty of my surroundings. As I shared my work I realized that very few people were even aware of what they have on their doorstep!”

Dianne has made it her mission to share the beauty through her photographs and she takes her friends on walks as often as possible.