Trip Report 20160903
The photos below are
what we saw.
The area
near the B Street Pier was totally packed so we headed into the
downtown area to find parking. On our walk to the pier we
passed a new Federal building under construction.
Some of
the newer buildings downtown could be mistaken for Los Angeles
or Manhattan.
Our path
took us right past the Amtrak station near the old Santa Fe
depot. This is one of their "newer" engines, but note the
external deterioration.
This
motor was not in much better shape. Note the rust over the
windows.
The
Santa Fe Railroad has changed names a few times since it was
called the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. Now it is called Burlington
Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). The building was
opened in 1915 and is a good example of the so-called "mission
revival" style of architecture.
When we
got to the waterfront we got a good view of the city skyline.
Tickets
for entrance were around $10 and there were plenty of "fair
food" vendors so we got some lunch and checked out the
sculptures. This one is still under construction.
There
were lots of folks making taking photos challenging. These
sculptors were hard at work.
Some
kind of spray adhesive is used to cause the sand to cling
together.
The
sculptors used shovels, trowels, spoons and ice picks as their
tools.
Something from a fairy
tale.
This
sculpture was very intricate and was called "Rocking Bobbin" for
a sewing machine bobbin.
I was
lucky enough to be able to get the sun at my back and get not
only the sculpture but a bit of the skyline in the photo as
well.
All of
the sculptures required a huge amount of effort and days of toil
to complete, but some were more engaging than others.
This one
was a crowd favorite. Faces within faces within faces.
Interesting
and intricate.
Another
view of the screaming face.
There
were some highly abstract works.
Lots and
lots of detail. Note the fringe on the cape.
Intricate,
but odd.
An
outstanding sculpture.
There
were lots of expensive apartments and condos under construction
in the waterfront area.
The Sand
Sculpting was interesting; the competitors clearly put a ton of
time and effort into their projects. And it attracted lots
of paying customers. Interesting sights and "fair food" so
what's not to like?
Copyright Bill Caid 2016. All rights reserved.