While walking with my wife, today, I saw a fairly large group of people overflowing the sidewalk at Florida and Monroe in my neighborhood of University Heights. Initially, I wondered if they gathered to protest, perhaps against Donald Trump or for Palestine—either or both likely given the mood across Liberal San Diego County. Recent group gatherings closed down one or more local highways during rush hour.
But as we approached, I could see no placards and heard loads of laughing. Then my eyes turned to someone bent over marking the street with chalk. He continued until out of sight. As Annie and I resumed, a look over my shoulder revealed the group moving away. Later, when we returned to our street, I continued in the direction they had taken.
That’s when I saw the first chalked blue arrow on the sidewalk. Seeing another indicating a turn down an alley, I was intrigued enough to pursue. The chalked directions led me to Meade Avenue, then to Louisiana Street, and to El Cajon Blvd, where marks directed the way into and also out of Gilly’s House of Cocktails.
My pursuit continued, as I followed arrows to the gas station at Texas Street and then turnabout towards Meade. Hey, what’s that? About a block ahead, someone bent over to the sidewalk. Well! I hadn’t caught up with the crowd but instead the chalker denoting a path. Traffic lights, turning cars, and his faster pace kept me behind.
He turned West on Monroe and then onto Shirley Ann Place, where I finally got close enough to ask about the chalked path. A walking group had gathered, as they do one Saturday a month, and he marked a route that must include places to stop for social drinking. Turns out I had passed them after all, crammed inside Gilly’s.
The Featured Image shows the turn arrow at Monroe and Shirley Ann Place. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 80, 1/8000 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 3:18 p.m. PST; Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Composed as shot.