Photograph by Matthew Suárez

When the water is high enough to flow over the concrete, it comes across as a typical rock crossing. The large, exposed rocks on top are pretty much all you have to work with — everything else is submerged. You must choose your steps and hops wisely.

Better than a bridge at Mission Trails

I enjoyed the well-written article about the tragic drowning death of Max Lenail at Mission Trails Regional Park ("Will Max Lenail's drowning be enough to get the bridge built?" Cover Story, March 17). I have crossed the river at that concrete-and-rock crossing dozens (if not hundreds) of times in the past 45 years. I will be 75 this year so now I usually only cross there when I’m wearing boots and carrying a hiking pole, and when the water’s not too high.

I’m not yet convinced that we need a bridge there, but I am convinced that something needs to be done there. It can be a very dangerous situation at times and there should be signage that clearly warns people of the dangers. Maybe even some sturdy hand rails or cables? It would take years to get a bridge approved and built but some safety improvements could be done immediately.

• Curtis Burdett
• Allied Gardens

The Swinging Sister, new mascot for San Diego’s baseball team, rechristened from Padres to Drag Queens. Explained Padres owner Ken Craven: “After the city changed its name, it really didn’t make sense to have a team named after Franciscan priests, no matter how effective they were at subjugating others. But then someone in the uniform design department suggested that we could keep with the religious theme, while at the same time honoring both the fabulous character of our new city name and the heroic struggle of the LGBTQIA+ community. And so, the San Diego Drag Queens are proud to announce that their new mascot is a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Slay, Queens!”

Renaming rights

We Sisters and Guards of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence are voracious consumers of the merest hint of media attention; in fact, our unholy habits thrive on it! So, we were overjoyed and most grateful to learn from little Wally Menck-y Pants-y-Poo that we must consider a name change (“San Diego renamed after Mayor in wake of Junipero Serra High renaming,” SD on the QT: Almost Factual News, March 19). We endorse neither political leader, party, nor candidate, but if our Dear Leader Todiana Gloriana decrees it, we are duty-bound by queer antifa sex pacts to satisfy. We’ll get that DBA application submitted right away, Dear Leader! Considering how much baby Wally Menck-y McDiddle-dy-doo likes to punch down, it sure is nice to see him try and punch up for once. Keep ‘em comin’ cuz we’ve been there, done that, bought a t-shirt, hunny! As previously stated, we love to get off in the spotlight. Base Blessings!

• The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
• We are everywhere, dearie!

Today, Former San Diego Mayor and would-be replacement governor Kevin Faulconer unveiled his first campaign poster, an attack ad on beleaguered governor Gavin Newsom that doesn’t even mention Faulconer’s name. “I have a lot of strengths,” said Faulconer at the unveiling, “but really, they aren’t nearly as important as Newsom’s weaknesses. Hate and fear are much stronger motivating forces than love and courage, which is why nothing brings people together like a common enemy. And in this case, there are so many people with so many reasons to want Gavin gone. Whether you’re a rich white liberal who’s suspicious of vaccines and also sick of being stuck at home with your rotten kids, or a poor white conservative who hates the way he’s driving businesses out of the state and also his curtailing of freedom through on-again, off-again lockdowns, or just a struggling apolitical minority who’s sick of watching the elite flaunt the rules they lay down for the rest of us, dining maskless at the French Laundry while your neighborhood taqueria goes out of business, you know he must go. And when he does, well, I’ll be around. See you on election day!"

Sickly slick

Love your magazine. I have been a California reader for many years. But the “Gruesome Newsom” ad made me sick (SD on the QT, March 3). I read it a few times before I realized it was not a bad joke. Trashy ad with no balls.

• CM Wallis
• Carlsbad

Once a nurse’s dorm for the nearby hospital, by the turn of the 21st century it had devolved into the most fleabitten of fleabag hotels.

Illustration by Jay Allen Sanford

Loved the Friendship

Times have changed about the Friendship Hotel.

(“Nothing friendly about Hillcrest’s Friendship Hotel,” February 18)

True it was a nurse’s dorm for the nearby Mercy Hospital, along with the Hillcrest Hotel across the street(8th Ave). I know - I rented a room (6/79 to 3/82) which was the “sun room” of all windows on the SE corner on the second floor - loved it! Rent was about $70/month. Bath, community kitchen & dining room down the hall. Laundry was at the back with a small bar of grass & a clothesline, I’m still the only person who hangs my wash on a line.

Two of my co-workers also rented rooms, all of 2 blocks from the large AT&T building.

Lived here 2 1/2 years ’til I bought my house in University Heights for 70,500, a smart move as now would go for 500,000! That was in March 1982.

Anyway back to the Friendship - A lot of the quiet tenants were retired folks. Also down the street (University Ave.) is the old “operating room” for Mercy - on top, 3rd floor all windows for lighting (we’re talking the 1920’s). The building was restored in recent years - still a furniture store & Kinkos, then there was a light fixture store in my time there, then a restaurant. Jack in the Box.

P.S. I never saw any fleas!

• Naida Hindert
• San Diego