Volkssports evolved from events in Germany and the term means a sport of the people. Volksmarching is a walking sport for health, recreation, fellowship and fun. The American Volkssport Association (AVA) was created in 1978 and there are over 750 AVA clubs nationwide with yearly events and over three million participants. (www.ava.org) You walk at your own pace, usually 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and most finish in about two hours. The local AVA club is called The San Diego County Rockhoppers.
Saturday morning, June 23rd was overcast and cool, perfect weather for the San Diego Downtown/Waterfront 10K walk. Our expert volksporters guides were my Uncle Doug and Aunt Jackie from Albany, who have participated in about 350+ 10K walks. Six of us began on the San Diego waterfront to the east end of the airport runway with jets flying over our heads! We climbed a steep hill into beautiful Balboa Park with Spanish-Renaissance style architecture and gardens. Home to 15 major museums, the Park commemorated two expositions; the 1915-16 Panama California Exposition for the opening of the Panama Canal and the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition, held to boost the local economy during the depression.
We walked around Petco Park, the Padres baseball stadium built about two years ago. The Boston Red Sox were in town all weekend and Red Sox fans were out in full force. We were told fans fly from Boston just to get seats since Fenway Park is sold out for the season. On to the Gaslamp Quarter, up over the Convention Center, through Seaport Village, past the USS Midway Museum, the cruise ship docks, past the Star of India sailing ship and back to our starting point.
All that walking worked up quite an appetite for the authentic Mexican fiesta at my cousin Matt's home in the afternoon. Yummy, best Mexican I've ever eaten, complete with margaritas. Ole!
The feeding frenzy continued that evening at a great seafood restaurant with Ron and Julie, friends of Ange's brother, Wally. Ron was originally from Rochester and has lived in San Diego since graduation.
The great thing about San Diego is the weather: mornings and evenings are cool, great for sleeping, and the days are warm and sunny with a cool breeze. The bad thing is the traffic!
3 comments:
Ange and Colleen,
It sounds as if you guys are having fun! Good for you!
Enjoy the cooler weather (it's been very hot here), the great company and the delicious food!! I love good mexican and San Diego!!
I miss you running buddy!!
Lorraine
Hi Colleen & Ange! The Waterfront/Balboa Park walk was great, as was the Coronado one. So sorry we couln't get to Pt. Loma Light.
Flight home was uneventful, except for wrong gate departure info on tickets at 2 airports. Be sure to always check the Departure Board for latest details.
It was hot, 83, when we got to ALB at 2230. By the time we got home it had fallen to 81, but home A/C worked well and house was comfortable for sleeping. I think the Mint-Chocolate Chip ice cream helped as well.
We finally got over PDT, so got up late and just hung out, waiting to get back on EDT. Did pool this afternoon which was 88. Don & Sis loved it. Did Offshore Pier for dinner. Going to look at pics from trip.
Hope you are having fun.
Uncle
Can't wait to get some news from the islands! Hope you guys are having a wonderful time and taking care of each other. It was back to the grind here in NC. Mom and Dad are up house shopping. Keep us posted!
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