We are so fortunate to have the Viejas band of the Kumeyaay Indian tribe here in Alpine.
They have, and continue to work to make their reservation one of the best in California and the nation.

Not only have they done exceptionally well for themselves and their reservation,
they give back to Alpine, and all of San Diego
so much more than what we took from them, so many years ago.


The Smithsonian Museum's Kumeyaay Indians site

They were peaceful hunter/gatherers, who lived where the old El Capitan Reservoir now sits
drying up
since a replacement water supply reservoir has been built in Hemet.

In the 1930's Colonel Fletcher had them re-located to an abandoned ranch in Alpine
so he could complete his dream of a reservoir, to supply water to San Diego's east county.
They were forced to move with little notice.
They took what they could and were forced to leave so much,
including their ancestral burial grounds, for land with:

No water access.
No trees (for firewood)
In the cold of winter.

I guess they should have been thankful they were given the old barn
that they had to clean out before sleeping in, that night.

Hmm Hmm Hmm.




Along with their massive casino, the reservation has also built a
factory outlet mall.
(I'm so glad they didn't run with the truck stop/motel plan.)
The best part of the mall is:
we locals don't have to drive "down the hill".


It's so nice to walk through here on a hot sunny morning.
The waterfalls and "babbling brooks and
misters and sprays are everywhere along the walkways.
Shoppers can purchase everything from
books at Barnes and Nobles to
Viejas concert tickets for all their venues.
(none of them are massive)
Entertainers range from Bill Cosby to Green Day,
from Tony Orlando to Undercover! :D



I love the cool and simple southwest design of the place:

























I have a plethora of pictures of Alpine.
Some are just pics I've taken around town.
Some are from garden tours, and/or Christmas homes tours.
Browse through them if you'd like.
Just please?

DON'T MOVE HERE!

;)







































































































































The 2009 Alpine Christmas Tour 2009







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