We just got back from the Coronado Beach where we went down to see the ocean as the storm front is approaching. The ocean is full of white caps and the waves are hitting the shore sideways. The worst was the sand blasting we got!
Listen to the wind in this video ~
Hotel del Coronado Ornament 2009
As I have said before, Coronado embraces each and every holiday and is one of the most festive places to be during the Christmas season.
No one spot exemplifies the spirit of the Holiday Season more than the Hotel del Coronado. More than 60,000 twinkling white lights outline the edges of the Victorian resort making it appear like a scene from a fairy tale.
Each year, a theme is chosen and the Hotel del’s holiday theme this year is “Merry & Bright”. As you enter the hotel you see that the staff have fulfilled every expectation that phrase inspires.
On our evening walk last night, we headed over to the Hotel del to see the main attraction ~ the tree in the hotel foyer. There are decorated Christmas trees throughout the hotel, but the main foyer right inside the grand front entrance is home to the Christmas tree that draws thousands of people to its side each year.
The 25-foot tree is anchored top and bottom to keep it from toppling over under its own weight and the weight of more than 15,000 lights, and an abundance of ornaments of all sizes.
The tree was surrounded with people of all ages smiling and staring in wonder at its splendor. Cameras were drawn with flashes going off at a dizzying rate as people took photographs of the tree itself and of their family and friends standing beside it.
I took a few of my own which you can see in this video ~
If you get the chance, go over to the Hotel del Coronado and experience a bit of the magic of Christmas.
I wish you Happy Holidays, peace, love and joy and a prosperous New Year.
Steve Wampler
Every local Coronado resident knows Steve and Elizabeth Wampler and their two children. Steve is a familiar sight as he whizzes throughout Coronado Village in his wheelchair. The Wampler Family has always been well loved and supported in the community, but even more so now as Steve faces the biggest challenge in his life thus far. Steve has set a goal for himself to Steve’s attempt to become the first person with Cerebral Palsy ever to scale Yosemite’s fabled El Capitan.
You can read about Steve, the Wampler Foundation and Steve’s challenge for 2010 in this PRWeb release ~
Celebs Lend a Hand to the Wampler Foundation: Helping Kids with Disabilities Climb Higher
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) December 16, 2009
Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell and Will Forte of Saturday Night Live, Paul Reiser, who starred on Mad About You, and singer Chris Issak are lending a helping hand to The Wampler Foundation in its efforts to give kids with disabilities the chance to have an outdoor wilderness experience that will change their lives.
Ellen is the latest to offer her support. Her video, recorded just days ago can be seen here. She heard about Steve’s climb from a friend and when she learned what The Wampler Foundation is doing, she’s eager to lend her voice to its work. “I’m so excited with the challenge,” said Ellen. “I encourage you all the way, you’re gonna be great! Good Luck, Steve!”
“I’m so excited with the challenge,” said Ellen. “I encourage you all the way, you’re gonna be great! Good Luck, Steve!”
Will Ferrell and Will Forte have also recorded endorsements of the Foundation’s work. The others will likely soon follow suit. And the list is growing fast.
Inspired by Steve Wampler, who despite being disabled by Cerebral Palsy since birth, has been helping kids with disabilities for years, many well know performers are lining up to provide video testimonials to the work of the Foundation. Steve’s story and the Foundation’s successful efforts to make a difference in young people’s lives—young people whose opportunities have been limited by disabilities—are what has brought them on board. They are eager to help the program go national—even international—in ways that only a broad fund-raising campaign can make possible. The attention and recognition Ferrell, Forte, Reiser, DeGeneres, and others bring will let the Foundation touch the lives of more kids than ever before.
It all began for Steve Wampler at age nine. Born with severe Cerebral Palsy, he has been using a wheelchair for mobility ever since but has made his life a model for others in similar circumstances. He has been an environmental engineer, a successful entrepreneur, a devoted father and husband, and a leader in his community of Coronado, California.
When he was a fourth grader, his parents sent him on his first solo camping trip, a weeklong experience for physically challenged kids sponsored by Easter Seals at what was then called Camp Nejedly. It was a life-changing adventure. His experience there over the course of several years gave him the knowledge that he could handle all of the challenges that life held for him. After he finished college, he learned that financial difficulties had caused The Easter Seals Foundation to stop funding the camp and it fell into disrepair and was nearly abandoned.
Steve became determined to bring the camp back to life so that an even greater number of kids with physical disabilities could have the same sort of experience that had helped him gain the confidence and skills that had prepared him for taking his place in the world. Through his Wampler Kids camps, thousands of young people have been challenged to do more, accomplish more, and to have fun at the same time. Now, through the efforts of The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation, Steve’s life-affirming vision will be brought to a wider audience.
The Foundation’s major fund-raising campaign for 2010 will be Steve’s attempt to become the first person with Cerebral Palsy ever to scale Yosemite’s fabled El Capitan. It will require 20,000 pull-ups in six days for him to reach the top of the peak, climbing a vertical face twice the height of the Empire State Building. People the world over are donating $100 for each pull-up to help the Foundation help kids with disabilities reach their full potential.
According to Steve Wampler, having celebrity endorsements is a happy coincidence. “This is so important to getting our message out to more people than we could ever reach without their help. Sure, it’s an ego boost to have their attention but that’s not what matters. The kids are.”
Elizabeth Wampler, co-founder of the Foundation, as well as Steve’s wife and biggest cheerleader, adds, “The support we are receiving from celebrities has been a big surprise and we couldn’t be more grateful. It’s like having a magnifying glass focusing on all of the work we are doing. And this support is more than just a nod in our direction. These people are really involved!”
About the Wampler Foundation:
The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation provides outdoor wilderness programs to physically disabled children and teens in an environment where they are challenged to learn new physical, mental, and social skills. The Foundation is also involved in other areas that support physically challenged youth—from providing individual guidance to developing green vacation housing for disabled youth and their families.
Steve Wampler, as an example as someone who has created a meaningful and productive life despite being disabled by Cerebral Palsy, serves as an inspiration to young people who have experienced his life-changing programs or know his personal story. His record of accomplishment also has a profound effect on their families and the Foundation’s supporters. His leadership and vision is the driving force behind the Foundation and has been a key factor in its success thus far.
Many of those that the foundation helps are in desperate need of direction and greater self-confidence. The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation’s goal is to help as many children with physical disabilities as possible have the same opportunity that Steve has had to achieve independence and meet their potential. All sponsored programs promote the self-reliance, responsibility, and confidence they will need to succeed.
Coronado Christmas Ornament
Look at these lovely Coronado themed Christmas ornaments I found over at Café Press. I just love this Hotel del Coronado ornament. I may even keep it out after Christmas 
We were visiting with friends before the Coronado Holiday Parade where I delighted in my friend Victoria’s Coronado themed Christmas tree. She has collected an amazing array of ornaments that all have something to do with Coronado.
Liking the concept, I started to do some searching for Coronado themed ornaments of my own. What I quickly found were these wonderful ornaments at Café Press.
Whether you live in Coronado, have visited and have fond memories or dream of coming here one day, why not head over to Café Press and choose an ornament from their Coronado Ornament Collection?
Hotel del Coronado Christmas Lights
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday ~ a day to gather with family and friends and simply appreciate all that we have. In addition to its own meaning, Thanksgiving is the kick off for the Holiday Season. I think the season officially starts at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the arrival of Santa Claus.
This weekend, as I drive, walk and ride my bicycle all over Coronado, I see houses being adorned with bright lights, decorated Christmas trees standing proud in front windows and store windows festive with holiday ornaments. They all seem to appear suddenly to herald the start of the holidays.
One of the most beautiful holiday tributes is the Hotel del Coronado outlined with 100,000 twinkling white lights. It is a magical sight as you drive west over the Coronado Bridge with the ocean and Point Loma in the background especially at dusk.
As I’ve said many times, Coronado embraces every holiday and celebrates each of them to the max. The Hotel del Coronado joins in the Holiday Season with gusto. Each year a theme is chosen and the resort is adorned from head to toe with holiday décor. This year’s theme is “Merry and Bright” and I am looking forward to experiencing the magic.
Although the lights have already been placed on the outside of the hotel, the official launch happens next Wednesday, December 2 from 4pm to 7pm. The event, called “Holiday Festival…A Family Celebration,” includes the arrival of Santa Claus and his elves at Santa’s Village, the lighting of the tree in the lobby, musical entertainment, hot cocoa and other libations and the opportunity to ice skate beach side at the outdoor ice-skating rink on the Windsor Lawn. The festivities will culminate with a spectacular fireworks show.
With the Hotel’s event on Wednesday and the upcoming Holiday Parade on Friday, by the end of next week Coronado will be in full holiday bloom. Coronado is one of the best places to experience some holiday enchantment. So, come on over and fill your spirit with holiday cheer.
