Borderfield State Park: U.S. / Mexico Border
March 18, 2006
I started out my morning on the beach in Oceanside in search of Island Band Convection. The flow was postfrontal. Strong cold advection over the relatively warm ocean water resulted in steep low level lapse rates. The flow was unidirectional and speed shear was weak. Conditions were ripe for Island Bands... but for some reason, something that morning was inhibiting Island Bands from forming downwind of Catalina Island. I decided to head south and try my luck with San Clemente Island instead. This turned out to be the right decision to make, but in the end, it didn't really matter. As I neared San Diego, I noticed that, indeed, San Clemente Island was producing a rather healthy looking line of convection. Problem was, the flow was taking the convection south over the Coronado Islands and into Mexico. It was then that I pretty much gave up on the idea of catching any waterspouts for the day, and figured I'd go explore some of Borderfield State Park instead. A trip here will give you a small glimpse into a contrasting world, and the border town of Tijuana, MX. On one side of the wall, you see poverty, desperation. On the other side, you see an excess of stuff, wealth, power, etc. Quite a contrast. At one point, I was buzzed by an old, shakey Mexican military helicopter... while at the same time, I watched a mighty U.S. aircraft carrier pull into San Diego Bay. The wall, which down at the beach is actually nothing more than a bunch of tall beams seperated by a few inches, has no problem holding people back... yet birds come and go as they please, and the same waves that crash on the U.S. side of the border, retreat back into the ocean on the Mexican side.
Life on the otherside.
(Left) In the foregroud on the border is a stone monument from the 1800s. In the background in Mexico is a lighthouse. (Right) Beachfront property in Mexico. Most of the windows were gone and were covered by old bed sheets. It also looked as though the roof could go at any moment. At first I thought it was abandoned, but then I saw a few people walk out shortly after I snapped this picture.
A glimpse through the wall reveals a family in prayer? A shady deal perhaps? Maybe they're lost... maybe they seek answers. Perhaps the lady on the left knows where the easiest place to cross is.
Oh yea... almost forgot about my free, complimentary haircut, courtesy of the Mexican military! The picture just doesn't do it justice. These guys were low!
Hey... they got Tecate over there. Now, if only I could find a way to scale this here fence. Or maybe... do you think if I slipped someone on the otherside a few Washingtons, that maybe they would go fetch me a cold one?!?! Hmmm, probably not a wise investment.
Another family portrait.
The storyline smells a bit... fishy!
(Left) The fence, rather, tall beams on the border. (Right) Seems these waves are crossing the border illegally!
For Sale: Rustic, humble dwelling w/ ocean view.
Some cool red ice plant on a nearby hill made for a neat picture.