Mission Gorge

I had to deliver a Peter Max print down to San Diego yesterday and the clients happened to live off Friars Rd., near Mission Trails Park. They had bought the artwork on top in Palm Springs and decided they wanted the other one too.

I have to confess that even though I spent a portion of my childhood not too far from there in Del Cerro, I had never actually hiked in Mission Gorge.

I delivered the piece to the nice couple and drove across the street to the trailhead. 

I didn't have water, or the right shoes or shirt but what the hell, stuff like that has never stopped me before.

I wasn't prepared for how beautiful this stretch of the San Diego River is. A lot like home honestly.

I could only hike so far. I had a tight schedule all day. The water was high and fellow hikers told me you could not take the visitor's center loop because the water crossing was four feet deep. Things got a little muddy for me and I turned back.

I will return when I am better prepared. Because the place is really beautiful.

I only saw a few raptors, too far away to identify, But I heard a falcon on a rocky ledge, just could not make out from exactly where in the shadows. Sure was loud though.

Just a very lovely place.

I am sure to be back!

I have a Maurice Braun painting and I have not been able to exactly identify the vantage. After my walk I believe it is right down there.