The Accident and The Art of the Brick

First, the accident.  

We drove to Balboa Park, right next to the San Diego Zoo.  Parking is always difficult, but Joan's parking karma usually kicks in.

The first lot had no parking spots, the next had very few, but to get to a free spot, we drove by the scene below. 

A tall and majestic eucalyptus tree was felled by the high winds, less than 15 minutes before our arrival time. 

Had either of these two parking spot been vacant, and had we been a little earlier, things might be different...

As it turns out, no one was hurt except the tree that was killed on impact. Two cars were totalled: the SUV on the left of the picture below, and the van that is all but obliterated in the same picture. Notice that the van's back panel is seriously crumpled.

Next is a view from the tree's root system point of view. You can't even see the van.

A close-up of the victims.

The SUV's roof was flattened almost to seat level behind the front door, and there's no room for a passenger.

This is a view of the Van's passenger door. I gather there had been someone in the van: they got out through this door safely, and were not injured. [no ambulances were called] Note that the door is still opened.

Police and tree removal people arrived on the scene and some started rolling out police tape to isolate the scene while others were discussing and planning how to go about removing the tree, and cars.  

We continued on our way to the science museum where we wanted to see The Art of the Brick exhibit, a presentation of Nathan Sawaya's art, made completely out of Lego Bricks. He says that art is made using all kinds of materials, so why not Lego bricks.  Indeed, why not?

This is representing an icon of american art: the old couple with the fork.

Next is a rendition of the marvellous stained glass window of the Chartres Basilica in Paris. It was lit from behind and spread beautiful light throughout the area.

This is a representation of the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo DaVinci, one of Joan's favourites.

This group shot of historic celebrities are almost life size and take your breath away.

This old vase is about two feet high and is made entirely of Lego bricks, as was everything else in the exhibit.

This was part of the artist studio being displayed; note that non coloured bricks were used to make everything you see, including the desk.

This next sculpture was titled "Hands". Amusing and very sad at the same time.

This is the ladder: when you need a boost, maybe you're part of the solution...

"Torso", also amusing and sad.

Here's Joan with one of the biggest statues. Your jaw drops when you enter this room.

And lastly, a California surfer: how appropriate for an art exhibit in San Diego

At the end of our day, we walked back to the car, past the scene of this morning's destruction. The cars are gone, the area is completely cleaned up, and one car is already parking there. 

Note the other spot, where the van was, it's actually a no parking zone. Will the owner get a ticket? Will insurance refuse to pay out? Will we ever know?

And here's what's left of the majestic tree that was here just this morning. Sad, that tree had likely many stories to tell.

What Joan and I take away is that one should be careful where one parks.  The vacant spot might be vacant for a reason.   ... or not.

Saturday is supposed to be our first 'shorts weather' day this year.  Maybe we'll even go topless...  Stay tuned.