07.21.2023

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Today’s Forecast

A wooden bridge to the past

The history of the Desert Line in southeastern San Diego

This wooden trestle did a lot of heavy lifting. | Photo via @melissa_utsler

All aboard, we’re exploring the “Impossible Railroad” in Campo in southeastern San Diego County. Much of the track now sits abandoned, but tells stories of early life in San Diego — and it’s possible it could run again.

🔨 Getting into motion

Construction on the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway — later nicknamed the Impossible Railroad — began in 1907 to connect San Diego to Yuma, AZ. At the time, SD was largely disconnected from the rest of the nation because of its desert terrain that was nearly impossible to build on, making it difficult to transport supplies.

Thanks to contributions from famous local entrepreneur John D. Spreckels, his brother Adolph B. Spreckels, and silent financier Edward H. Harriman, the 148-mile track became a reality and passed through Tecate in Baja California and Tijuana, Mexico. John Spreckels famously drove the final spike into the track in 1919.

🚂 Chugging along

Throughout its life, the Impossible Railroad has undergone repairs due to rain, fire, and even hurricane damages. MTS purchased 108 miles of the railroad in 1979, including the Desert Line — a 70-mile track that runs through Campo and Jacumba.

This segment of the track stopped transporting freight in 2008 due to its condition, though there have been efforts to rebuild it. It’s currently abandoned with many vacant train cars along the railway.

Abandoned train on Goat Canyon trestle in San Diego — It looks like this train has been slightly redecorated.
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Photo via @aneverendingbook

🛤 The remaining history

Though it’s not currently operating, the Desert Line contains incredible structures that changed the world of transportation. In the Carrizo Gorge area, you can find 14 trestles and 21 tunnels — including the Goat Canyon trestle, the world’s longest curved wooden trestle.

These sights should only be enjoyed from afar — the tracks are MTS property, and hikers are prohibited from walking on them. Some hiking trails provide views of the railway from a safe distance, like those in Carrizo Gorge, but these treks can be challenging, especially during hotter months.

Events

Friday, July 21

Cavetown: “Bittersweet Daze” | Friday, July 21 | 6 p.m. | Open Air Theatre, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $39-$50 | The English singer and YouTube star takes the stage at the College Area venue.
Jackie Kashian | Friday, July 21 + Saturday, July 22 | Times vary | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $20 | The podcast host and veteran comedian brings the funny.
Dive-In Movies | Friday, July 21 | 8 p.m. | Lakehouse Resort, 1025 La Bonita Dr., San Marcos | $10-$30 | The resort hosts its summertime outdoor movie series on the pool deck every Friday through Aug. 11, and this week, the flick is “Finding Nemo.”
“Cabaret” | Through Sunday, Aug. 20 | Times vary | Ocean Beach Playhouse and Arts Center, 4944 Newport Ave., San Diego | $30 | This musical is about a British nightclub singer and American author.

Saturday, July 22

Volunteer with the Hunger Action Heroes | Saturday, July 22 | 1-3 p.m. | Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Ste. 100, San Diego | Free | Sort, collect, and pack food at this superhero-themed volunteer event.
House of Peru Lawn Program | Saturday, July 22 | 2-3 p.m. | International Cottages, 2191 Pan American W. Rd., San Diego | Free | Celebrate Peruvian culture with music, dance, art, and history.

Sunday, July 23

TEDxTaftAvenue | Sunday, July 23 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon | $40 | Learn from a collection of speakers and artists while helping to support San Diego’s East County communities.
Friendship Pop Up Shop | Sunday, July 23 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Friendship Park, Fourth Avenue + F Street, Chula Vista | Free | Shop from a batch of small, local, and home-based businesses.
Comic Con Brunch with Gaslamp Divas | Sunday, July 23 | 12-3 p.m. | Casablanca Lounge, 836 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $10 | Wrap up Comic-Con and get brunch at this drag show.
Tiffany and Jennifer Paige | Sunday, July 23 | 6 p.m. | SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Dr., San Diego | $73-$103 | Tiffany definitely isn’t alone now, she’ll “Crush” the SeaWorld Summer Spectacular Concert Series with Jennifer Paige.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

We’re in for another warm weekend with partly cloudy skies. The National Weather Service warns of heat risks today ranging from “extreme” in deserts like Borrego Springs to “minor” near the coast. Meanwhile, Comic-Con is reminding attendees to take precautions and stay hydrated. (National Weather Service)

Civic

San Diego County has received a one-time, $44.3 million state grant for its Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program that helps locals with behavioral health conditions who are facing homelessness. The funding will help with hiring staff, housing assistance costs, and creating beds in non-medical or clinical settings.

Announced

Mark your calendars. The Holiday Bowl announced the big game is set for Wednesday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m., at Petco Park followed by the annual KGB Sky Show. Tickets will be available to the general public around Labor Day, and details of Bowl Week festivities are forthcoming.

Trending

Did you see a glowing light blast off on Wednesday night? This flying object has been identified as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The craft launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County to carry satellites, but its contrail could be seen as far south as Chula Vista. (Fox 5)

Community

It’s almost showtime for “Chula Vista Nights” — a free, outdoor movie series starting tomorrow, 6-9 p.m., at Memorial Park. The event will feature activities, food trucks, giveaways, and a screening of “The Super Mario Bros Movie.” The next film will be on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Coming Soon

Juicy news, SoCal-founded brand Juice It Up! announced it will expand into the San Diego area with six locations over the next five years. The chain is known for its smoothies, açaí bowls, and raw juices, and is looking to add its first store by the end of 2023.

Ranked

A RentCafe study rated San Diego the No. 17 most competitive rental market in the US — and No. 2 in California. The research looked at data like the average length of vacancies, lease renewal rate, and the number of prospective renters looking at units. (RentCafe)

Wellness

Hear this: The world’s first hearing aids featuring dual processing — and backed by cutting-edge German technology — were just unveiled by Hear.com. Transform your hearing with a 45-day, no-risk trial and join the 385,000+ customers hearing with double the power and double the clarity.*

Tech

🌎 In a Barbie world

We asked AI what a Barbie Dreamhouse would look like in San Diego

Barbie Dreamhouse generated by AI in San Diego

We asked: What would an AI Barbie Dreamhouse look like in San Diego? | WOMBO Dream Art

Come on Barbie, let’s go party — in a San Diego Barbie Dreamhouse.

“Barbie” hits the big screen today and the movie has already caught the world’s attention through various trends, collaborations, and even in themed drinks at The Blind Burro for Comic-Con weekend.

We thought we would join the fun and create our own Malibu Barbie-inspired homes by asking WOMBO Dream AI Art Generator:

“What would an AI Barbie Dreamhouse look like in San Diego?”

The verdict: We’re ready to pack our bags. Plus, we refined our request to get a few more Barbie-inspired options. Here’s what we asked for:

Barbie’s beach house in La Jolla
Barbie’s Victorian Dreamhouse in San Diego
Barbie’s Spanish Revival Dreamhouse in San Diego
Barbie’s studio apartment in Ocean Beach
Barbie’s downtown San Diego penthouse

See the other creations

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Happy Comic-Con weekend, San Diego. Monica and I had a blast during day one, both in and out of the convention center. We visited the Lanford Days activation inspired by the TV show “Roseanne” and met a troop of Cap’n Crunch lookalikes. We didn’t find any cereal though, just mascots — oops, all Cap’ns.

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