SAN DIEGO _ A mermaid has joined a distinguished list in San Diego lore that includes a giant crab, a peace sign, a Christmas tree and a pterodactyl.
A mysterious mermaid mannequin appeared atop a massive rock at San Diego's Sunset Cliffs over Memorial Day Weekend and questions about who put it there _ and how _ are still stumping San Diego days later. Ross Rock, which some locals refer to simply as "The Rock," has seen its share of installations over time, but it has been years since anyone had braved the steep climb to put something new on it.
Despite increasing attention, the question of "whodunit" remains unanswered. The La Jolla Village News is sharing a rumor that Memorial Day weekend visitors from Arizona may have "concocted the fishy prank."
I consider myself to be a pretty good internet sleuth myself, but reddit, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook were all no help in solving this one. (If you have an inside scoop, contact me at abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com!)
How it was done was an easier quandary to consider.
"That would make for a fun rock climb," one commentator on The San Diego Union-Tribune's Facebook page said. Would it, though? That climb, about 50 feet above the water, would not be an easy one.
Another possible suggestion I found deep in the internet chatter was that drones could have been used to set it down on top of the rock.
The Ocean Beach Chronicle shined some light on the mystery Tuesday when the local news site shared a photo of several people installing the mannequin with the help of a long rope ladder. Check it out at http://obchronic.com/mermaid-latest-art-installation-on-bird-rock/.
The questions that remain:
Did someone have to climb the rock on his or her own to throw the ladder down?
How was the mermaid transported to the rock?
Is it attached to the rock somehow?
Where did the mermaid actually come from?
How long will it manage to stay there?
Installations on the rock haven't lasted all that long in previous attempts.
According to CBS 8, the Sunset Cliffs Recreation Advisory Council says the mermaid could be considered graffiti, and it will be up to the city Parks and Recreation Department to take it down if they want to.
Photos of the mermaid have popped up all over social media and even in news outlets beyond California. Some observers say it should be taken down or that they don't like it, but many are rooting for her to stay in place forever.
What do you think of the mermaid? Should we give her a name?
Send your thoughts on Twitter to @sdutideas and email any clues to solving this mystery to abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com.
