THE ZOO.

THE ZOO.
Our Wednesday (April 29th) trip is to visit the Sacramento Zoo. I probably haven’t been to a zoo for 25 years! Marie and I visited the San Francisco Zoo - shortly after I retired from California & Hawaiian Sugar Company. I had visited the Sacramento Zoo over 55 years ago, when Marie and I were living in Sacramento. I was stationed at Mather Field during the Korean War. I was piloting (we took turns as pilot or co-pilot) the Convair T-29. This plane was similar to the civilian Convair 240 airliner. The twin engine T-29 - prop plane - was modified to have four radar navigation/bombing stations in the passenger compartment. Instructors went along to teach B-47 pilots radar bombing and radar navigation techniques. The B-47 jet had only two pilots assigned. Consequently, the two needed to have all three skills.
Back on track, we left Quail Creek at 0950. On board our mini- bus were five residents, plus Tony, our driver, and Fabi, our Assistant Activities Director. Gas was posted at Shell for $2.34/gal., and at Chevron for $2.36. The spot price for crude oil is about $50/bbl.
Traffic on I-80 East is light. Even with all the fancy electronic- communicating devices today, the blue -call box - emergency- phone stations are still standing along the freeway. It is a nice day - sunny with an expected high in Fairfield of 68 degrees. There are beaucoup cars and light trucks, awaiting owners, in the Auto Malls’ lots, lining the freeway. There is no way that summer shutdowns at the Big Three auto plants will allow enough time to work off these large inventories.
We pass the large -new Kaiser Medical complex just beyond Vacaville. The Clinic is already “open“, and portions of the hospital will be “opening” this year. These new installations are one big reason for the escalating medical costs. We pass large fields of alfalfa on both sides. Both field have recently been mowed - one with the baled alfalfa still on the ground. A large group of cattle was grazing in a field adjacent to one of the harvested fields.
We are moving right along. With a posted speed limit of 65 mph, we are still passing trucks plodding along in the “slow” lane. It seems like there are far fewer trucks ambling along, during these turbulent economic times. There are orchards on both sides of the freeway now, and they look quite healthy. We pass three Highway Patrol cars stopped in the emergency lane on the right side. This is just after I saw the sign, “Patrolled by Aircraft”. Do you think……..? The City of Davis water tower stands out on the left side. It is a good land mark for autos, or low flying aircraft which have lost their way. There are many idle- rail tank cars stored on a siding near the freeway. Again, a sign of the times. A short distance to the North, an Amtrak passenger train is heading West, in the opposite direction.
We are traveling now on the Yolo Causeway above some wetlands. Shortly, we come to the highways 50-80 split. The Sacramento Airport is on 80, en -route to Reno. We take 50, the route to Lake Tahoe.. The Sacramento city limit sign is posted on mid span over the Sacramento river. We take Sutterville road at the I-5 exit and proceed to Land Park. Tony pulls up to the Zoo entrance at 10:35. Their were many school kids lining up to go in. This must be the end of the school year field trip.
Our admittance was only $4.50, which was half of the Senior rate of $8.75! Our reduced rate was based on one manual -wheel chair (pushed expertly by Fabi), a power chair and two walkers. One gal decided to walk - not a good decision. I am sure glad that I had my walker. I started out without it, and Tony reminded me that there would be a lot of walking (I don’t know why it didn’t dawn on me), and suggested that I take my walker. I am certainly glad that I did! The lady who walked un-aided, ran out of gas very soon, and was dragging the rest of the way. The walkers worked fine, but the uneven terrain was a real problem for the chairs - especially the powered one. She was afraid that her chair would either turn over or flip her out - even though she was belted in.
We took in the birds first (after a pass through the Gift Shop!) Included were about 25 flamingoes. They really put on an interesting show for us. The ones who weren’t rooting in the mud for flamingo food, were standing on one leg and honking, or butting beaks with each other and squawking. They certainly are an interesting species. This was my favorite exhibit. I was hoping that they would do their mating dance, but they weren’t so moved. They must have been waiting for privacy after the zoo closed. Then, on to the red panda. He/she was pretty aloof. Then, the giraffes, zebra, bongo, and addax. I am glad that there were so many kids there, even though it was ZOO Squared. There is nothing like the awe and enthusiasm of youth.
Almost noon, so we headed for refueling at the Kampala Café nearby. I got a child’s hot dog (don’t get those here) and a milk. After lunch, we headed for the Reptile House, and that was very interesting. Fabi got on her cell phone and called Tony that we were ready to be picked up. While waiting we visited the rest rooms and watched the flamingoes perform some more. We left for home at 1305.
We passed by Old Sacramento (downtown), where the great railroad museum is located. On to “H” Street and over the bridge across the Sacramento River, on I-80 West. Light traffic going back, but high overcast . Still, the visibility was about 20 miles, with haze. A highway sign saying Vallejo( our home town for 46 years before moving to Fairfield) - 22 miles.
Passed a truck overloaded with hay. What a valuable cargo! I wonder if it came from the freshly mowed fields I saw this morning on the way up?
Tony pulled in to Quail Creek entrance at 1355. He told us our round trip covered 89 miles. What a pleasant way to spend the day!
RCL - 4/29/09.

TOMMIE

“TOMMIE”
Tommie Klimisch died suddenly last Friday (April 17, 2009). She was a month shy of being 87. Her funeral was today at 11:00 A.M,. at the Twin Chapels Mortuary in Vallejo. When you are one of the old -old categories of aging, you can anticipate attending a lot of funerals. Dying is part of the life cycle.
I was thinking of Tommie last night and reminiscing about some of my memories of her. I decided to jot down my thoughts. I honored Tommie by reading them at her funeral today:
I have known Tommie and Percy for about 40 years. I always enjoyed her company when friends got together. She was a good listener with a warm personality. She was friendly and gracious. Tommie had many friends and no known enemies.
I enjoyed our get-togethers with the Klimisches, Pellegrini’s and Robinsons. While I enjoyed eating out with all of them, It was even more enjoyable sharing a meal with the Klimisches in their home. I got hooked on Tommie’s lemon meringue pie = the best that I have ever eaten, My Mother made good crusts, but Tommie’s were even flakier. This is a supreme compliment. I don’t know whether Tommie taught Connie and Percy how to cook, but the two of them aren’t far behind Tommie.
Tommie’s calmness was soothing and refreshing. At times, we men took bridge a little too seriously, and got into arguments. We lost sight of bridge being just a game! Tommie just sat there and listened. But, she gave us that “look” which calmed things down.
Tommie was “Information Central”. Marie would call her occasionally, just to check in, and see what was new with their mutual friends in the Bridge group.
My strongest memory of Tommie was her infectious laugh. Farewell Tommie, I will miss you. I hope that we will meet again in the Great Beyond.
I had planned to drive from Fairfield to Vallejo for Tommie’s Funeral. My daughters thought that it would be better if I avoided busy I-80 and rode with them. So, Mary drove me down to Vallejo, and Sue picked me up, and drove me back to Fairfield. They both took time off from work, and I appreciate their help and support.
RCL - 4/22/09.