Have you been observing the subtle changes in season surrounding us? Yesterday, SCAC President Schulze and I rode our mountain bikes near Pine Valley where we spotted forests of trees with golden leaves. We stopped to take our shoes off and stick our toes in a spring-fed stream as various types of birds flitted about and the waning summer sun shed its beams on us. Our sojourns in nature consistently recharge our batteries. We all owe it to ourselves to get out there, take in some vitamin D and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of nature.

Here in San Carlos we are fortunate to dwell in San Diego’s best-kept-secret neighborhood, surrounded by nature. And you can see the autumn colors springing up in Mission Trails.

In checking out the Google map of our neighborhood, you will note the thin red line that delineates San Carlos. You can see that to the north lies Mission Trails Regional Park and to the west flows the San Diego River. To the south is our five-fingered Lake Murray. And there rising over our beautiful San Carlos to the northeast are three mountain peaks — Cowles, Pyles and Kwaay Paay — that hikers, runners, dog lovers and families all love to climb. On a clear day, when you reach the tops of these peaks, you can see amazing 360-degree views all the way to Mexico, the Coronado Islands, Mount Soledad, Mt. Helix and beyond. No wonder so many people from around the city and around the world frequent those trails, both day and night.

After visiting New York City and meeting residents who had never been to the top of the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, I realized that many times people have never fully explored their own backyard. Going forward, I’d like to focus on the amenities here in San Carlos, restaurants, coffee and tea shops, and other businesses that exist here to serve us. Take another look at that map and I think you’ll agree that we are living in America’s finest neighborhood in America’s finest city. So tell me your news, and we’ll share it with our community right here in the Mission Times Courier, and on our Facebook page. We are also interested in learning more about the history of our town. For instance, were you aware that San Carlos is not named after a saint at all, but the developer who built our homes? His name was Carlos Tavares. If you have an old shoe box filled with archival photos of our town, or stories passed down from your elders, please share them!

I’ll make one more reference to the map. Note that in the center of our town sits the San Carlos Library. I’m happy to report that after decades of wading through bureaucratic red tape, only a few steps remain until ground is broken on the construction of our new library. Stay tuned for more good news from Councilman Raul Campillo in the near future.

SCAC will not be meeting in November. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 15, a holiday gathering. Further details to be announced. The Zoom link & videos of past meetings are available online at facebook.com/sancarlosareacouncil.

— by SCAC vice president Patty Mooney