COOLER
Today is Saturday, August 29, 2009. The weatherman predicts another scorcher today. I wasn’t looking forward to it. So, what a pleasant surprise when I received a phone call from my daughter, Mary, early this morning, She wondered if I would be interested in riding over to Bodega Bay with her and Greg. It certainly didn’t take long for me to make the decision. There can be a 30 to 40 degree temperature spread between here and there in the summer. Fairfield is inland and Bodega Bay is on the edge of the Pacific Ocean - a distance of about 60 miles.
It was a pretty drive over to the coast - I hadn’t been over there, since my whale watching trip, 25 years ago. I was surprised al the “open” space which was very appealing - especially the many areas with grazing horses. While we were driving in highway 37, Greg informed us of the bumper sticker ahead, which we enjoyed. - “The driver carries no cash - he’s married.”
Greg parked on a bluff overlooking the ocean, and we got out. While there was a brisk breeze, visibility was good. I breathed in that cool- fresh air! How nice. There was a group of people, with their binoculars trained on the ocean, whale watching.
We came back in to “town”, and stopped at a “Craftsman’s Cooperative” to check out their hand-made skills. It was really a quality shop! The pricing of the various crafts - primarily paintings and ceramics - would screen out the riff-raff! Mary knew that I was familiar with Joann Cassidy’s craft skill, and she exhibited them here. Marie, and I, are also friends of her parents, Tommie and Percy Klimisch. Tommie died earlier this year. Joann’s work is quite unique. She specializes in Raku Pottery. This technique is a traditional Japanese firing process. It involves a very rapid heating and cooling process.
Then, we browsed around the Tides Wharf. I enjoyed the beautiful view of the bay through their large windows. Then, we went outside on to the deck where we continued to enjoy the view, along with the perching sea gulls.
We stopped at Lucas Wharf Restaurant & Bar for lunch. I knew that it would be a quality place, because of the crowd inside.- including many locals. While we had to wait about a half hour to be seated, it was well worth it We had a table with a nice view of the harbor.
On our return ride, we stopped at a cooperative - consignment -antique shop, which had some interesting wares. Traffic was much heavier than it was on our inbound trip. Part of the reason was because it was later. But, it was probably due mostly to “inlanders” searching for cool air.
It was a very pleasant day, and I thank them for being so thoughtful to invite me along. I really enjoyed the day. Greg check the car’s thermometer, and gave Mary and I a reading of 108 degrees!. I am sure that there was no parallax error.
RCL - 8/30/09.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Military Museum
MILITARY MUSUM
Today is Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Our weekly “outing” is to California State military Museum in Sacramento. There are five residents on board, plus our Activities Coordinator, Kelli, and our driver Terri. She is replacing our regular driver, Tony, who is on a cruise to Alaska with his daughter. We leave from Quail Creek at 09:55. The weather is clear and cool (probably 60 degrees,) Yet, the temperature is supposed to climb to 100 this afternoon.
Construction at the I-80 interchange is still going on - only it seems to be on a larger scale, Shell gas is $3.06; Chevron - $3.20 and Arco is $2,90. The construction is impacting Arco. They have posted a large sign “Arco Open”. Oil futures are about $72.00/bbl.
Midweek traffic is moderate in both directions. Just beyond Vacaville, we pass the new Kaiser complex. The Medical Clinic is up and running, and the hospital will be opened on October 6th. 2009. I am conscious of the facility, because I was there yesterday, with an appointment with my Cardiologist.
We are going at the 65mph speed limit, and a Highway Police motorcycle passes us as if we were barely moving. It wasn’t much longer than we saw why all the urgency. He had a maroon van stopped on the right shoulder. A sign Sacramento 32. A stalled Walgreen truck on the right shoulder - emergency lights flashing.
There are a few more trucks on the road = a good sign. A few hauling “Containers” westbound, to the Port of Oakland.
There are many new cars sitting on the lots of Dealers in the Davis area. I didn’t see any “clunkers”. They must be stored in the back lots. A lot with beaucoup RV’s sitting idle. Selling recreational vehicles must be the worst business to be in today, with banking and real estate sales not far behind. The guy next to us is on his cell phone. He’s rolling the dice, even though he did slow down.
Visibility is hazier as we approach Sacramento. We take the “Downtown Exit”, and cross the Sacramento River on the Tower Bridge. Now, we are on Capitol Mall. I can see the Capitol building straight ahead. A TV truck passes us. There must be breaking news in the area. We turn left towards “Old Sacramento”.
We arrive at the Museum at 10:45. It was very interesting. They had the Army, Navy and Marine exhibits on the main floor. The show cases covered all the wars beginning with the Civil War. The Air Force exhibit was in the basement. They have a very good collection of military memorabilia.
While waiting for some of the group, I checked the parking meters: “Quarters only. Two hour limit. Enforced seven days”. We had lunch at a nearby “Subway”. It brought back memories of some of the lunches I had at the chain, on my tour of the National Parks in the west.
We leave “Old Sacramento” at 2:10pm. After crossing the river, I see Raley’s headquarters building - across from Raley Field, the baseball park. Hazy now, and much warmer. Traffic is heavier in both directions. Smoke from a grass fire ahead and traffic slows.
I didn’t sleep on the bus during my trip, but I had trouble staying awake on our return trip. We pass Vacaville at 2: 45. The highway sign says Vallejo - 22
San Francisco - 52.
Terri smoothly applied the brakes. I looked up and saw this van moving ACROSS four lanes of traffic - left to right - before our very eyes. It was a miracle that no one broadsided it! It seemed like I was watching a movie in slow motion. When the van hit the shoulder it started to roll. Then, it settled back down on the driver’s side and slid along - raising a cloud of dust. I didn’t see it come to a stop before we passed by. But, the driver was probably very fortunate. I am sure that he survived, if he was restrained by his seat belt. Kelli had presence of mind, and whipped out her cell phone. She called 911. I am sure that we were the first eye witnesses. I figured that the driver went to sleep. But, Terri said that one of his tires blew! Shortly after that we were stopped at a traffic signal and saw emergency lights plashing ahead. It was a Highway patrol car apparently responding to the accident. Two cars ahead of him also stopped for the red light. The dummies just sat there waiting for the light to change. Finally, the officer hit his siren, and the two cars finally moved - making a slow left turn,
We got back at 3p.m, I estimate that we had covered about 90 miles..
RCL
8/26/09.
Today is Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Our weekly “outing” is to California State military Museum in Sacramento. There are five residents on board, plus our Activities Coordinator, Kelli, and our driver Terri. She is replacing our regular driver, Tony, who is on a cruise to Alaska with his daughter. We leave from Quail Creek at 09:55. The weather is clear and cool (probably 60 degrees,) Yet, the temperature is supposed to climb to 100 this afternoon.
Construction at the I-80 interchange is still going on - only it seems to be on a larger scale, Shell gas is $3.06; Chevron - $3.20 and Arco is $2,90. The construction is impacting Arco. They have posted a large sign “Arco Open”. Oil futures are about $72.00/bbl.
Midweek traffic is moderate in both directions. Just beyond Vacaville, we pass the new Kaiser complex. The Medical Clinic is up and running, and the hospital will be opened on October 6th. 2009. I am conscious of the facility, because I was there yesterday, with an appointment with my Cardiologist.
We are going at the 65mph speed limit, and a Highway Police motorcycle passes us as if we were barely moving. It wasn’t much longer than we saw why all the urgency. He had a maroon van stopped on the right shoulder. A sign Sacramento 32. A stalled Walgreen truck on the right shoulder - emergency lights flashing.
There are a few more trucks on the road = a good sign. A few hauling “Containers” westbound, to the Port of Oakland.
There are many new cars sitting on the lots of Dealers in the Davis area. I didn’t see any “clunkers”. They must be stored in the back lots. A lot with beaucoup RV’s sitting idle. Selling recreational vehicles must be the worst business to be in today, with banking and real estate sales not far behind. The guy next to us is on his cell phone. He’s rolling the dice, even though he did slow down.
Visibility is hazier as we approach Sacramento. We take the “Downtown Exit”, and cross the Sacramento River on the Tower Bridge. Now, we are on Capitol Mall. I can see the Capitol building straight ahead. A TV truck passes us. There must be breaking news in the area. We turn left towards “Old Sacramento”.
We arrive at the Museum at 10:45. It was very interesting. They had the Army, Navy and Marine exhibits on the main floor. The show cases covered all the wars beginning with the Civil War. The Air Force exhibit was in the basement. They have a very good collection of military memorabilia.
While waiting for some of the group, I checked the parking meters: “Quarters only. Two hour limit. Enforced seven days”. We had lunch at a nearby “Subway”. It brought back memories of some of the lunches I had at the chain, on my tour of the National Parks in the west.
We leave “Old Sacramento” at 2:10pm. After crossing the river, I see Raley’s headquarters building - across from Raley Field, the baseball park. Hazy now, and much warmer. Traffic is heavier in both directions. Smoke from a grass fire ahead and traffic slows.
I didn’t sleep on the bus during my trip, but I had trouble staying awake on our return trip. We pass Vacaville at 2: 45. The highway sign says Vallejo - 22
San Francisco - 52.
Terri smoothly applied the brakes. I looked up and saw this van moving ACROSS four lanes of traffic - left to right - before our very eyes. It was a miracle that no one broadsided it! It seemed like I was watching a movie in slow motion. When the van hit the shoulder it started to roll. Then, it settled back down on the driver’s side and slid along - raising a cloud of dust. I didn’t see it come to a stop before we passed by. But, the driver was probably very fortunate. I am sure that he survived, if he was restrained by his seat belt. Kelli had presence of mind, and whipped out her cell phone. She called 911. I am sure that we were the first eye witnesses. I figured that the driver went to sleep. But, Terri said that one of his tires blew! Shortly after that we were stopped at a traffic signal and saw emergency lights plashing ahead. It was a Highway patrol car apparently responding to the accident. Two cars ahead of him also stopped for the red light. The dummies just sat there waiting for the light to change. Finally, the officer hit his siren, and the two cars finally moved - making a slow left turn,
We got back at 3p.m, I estimate that we had covered about 90 miles..
RCL
8/26/09.
Friday, August 7, 2009
WEEKLY REPORT
WEEKLY REPORT
I played bridge Monday afternoon, across the street, in their Community Center. Lousy cards, but I enjoy being with other people so it wasn’t a total loss. I blame my poor performance on low cards. Perhaps, my lack of concentration (I didn’t trump my partner’s ace!), didn’t help. We had three tables - four at each table. We play six hands, and the low partners move to the next table, and have different partners. We each chip in a dollar and this is split up into prize money. I probably was in the running for the booby prize, but I was too embarrassed to stick around until everyone had finished, and the scores were tabulated.”
The card room isn’t very large. I would catch myself “tuning in” on the bidding, and or, conversations at the other two tables. I’ve got to work on this distraction.
Wednesday, I ate dinner with Marie at Laurel Creek. On the way over, I stopped at the putting green, and played a couple of balls around the nine holes. Again, at dinner, my mind wandered. A volunteer was quizzing the occupants at a table near ours. (Why would she be doing this when people are trying to eat?) I couldn’t help but listen. It sounded interesting. I don’t think that I was a very good dinner companion, although Marie didn’t complain. A few of her questions follow:
Who wrote “Poor Richard’s Almanac?
What was the date, when our astronauts landed on the moon?
Where was “Check Point Charlie?
Who was the Sultan of Swat?
Who delivered the “Fireside Chats”?
What percent of the earth is water?
Which city had the first subway?
Hearst’s Castle is located in which city?
Which is the worlds’ fastest dog?
What is the longest river in the world?
What coin was used in the first slot machine?
What is the national flower of Austria?
“As Time Goes By” - the song - was in which movie?
I am glad that I wasn’t taking her test. But, I could have handled the last one. I saw the movie “Casablanca” IN Casablanca, on an October evening in 1943. I was waiting to be assigned transportation back to the good old USA., after completing my 50 combat missions. Is it any wonder that this is still my favorite movie?
Bocce .
We won our game today, 12-4. I rolled fairly well, thanks to the practice game that Bill, John and I played yesterday. This is a brand new court. Our game was the first one after the dedication this morning. Carpeting was laid on top of cement. Of course this surface is quite a bit faster than the old crushed -oyster shells. I think that the contract price of $14,500 was about right. The court still has a slight camber in the middle, just as the old court did. I asked someone about it, and they said it was laser-leveled!
The former court was built by the residents, a few years ago. That would have really been labor intensive!
RCL - 8/7/09.
I played bridge Monday afternoon, across the street, in their Community Center. Lousy cards, but I enjoy being with other people so it wasn’t a total loss. I blame my poor performance on low cards. Perhaps, my lack of concentration (I didn’t trump my partner’s ace!), didn’t help. We had three tables - four at each table. We play six hands, and the low partners move to the next table, and have different partners. We each chip in a dollar and this is split up into prize money. I probably was in the running for the booby prize, but I was too embarrassed to stick around until everyone had finished, and the scores were tabulated.”
The card room isn’t very large. I would catch myself “tuning in” on the bidding, and or, conversations at the other two tables. I’ve got to work on this distraction.
Wednesday, I ate dinner with Marie at Laurel Creek. On the way over, I stopped at the putting green, and played a couple of balls around the nine holes. Again, at dinner, my mind wandered. A volunteer was quizzing the occupants at a table near ours. (Why would she be doing this when people are trying to eat?) I couldn’t help but listen. It sounded interesting. I don’t think that I was a very good dinner companion, although Marie didn’t complain. A few of her questions follow:
Who wrote “Poor Richard’s Almanac?
What was the date, when our astronauts landed on the moon?
Where was “Check Point Charlie?
Who was the Sultan of Swat?
Who delivered the “Fireside Chats”?
What percent of the earth is water?
Which city had the first subway?
Hearst’s Castle is located in which city?
Which is the worlds’ fastest dog?
What is the longest river in the world?
What coin was used in the first slot machine?
What is the national flower of Austria?
“As Time Goes By” - the song - was in which movie?
I am glad that I wasn’t taking her test. But, I could have handled the last one. I saw the movie “Casablanca” IN Casablanca, on an October evening in 1943. I was waiting to be assigned transportation back to the good old USA., after completing my 50 combat missions. Is it any wonder that this is still my favorite movie?
Bocce .
We won our game today, 12-4. I rolled fairly well, thanks to the practice game that Bill, John and I played yesterday. This is a brand new court. Our game was the first one after the dedication this morning. Carpeting was laid on top of cement. Of course this surface is quite a bit faster than the old crushed -oyster shells. I think that the contract price of $14,500 was about right. The court still has a slight camber in the middle, just as the old court did. I asked someone about it, and they said it was laser-leveled!
The former court was built by the residents, a few years ago. That would have really been labor intensive!
RCL - 8/7/09.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
THURSDAY, 8/6/09.
THURSDAY - 8/06/09.
Today, I bid adieu to my visitors, Bill and John. They were returning to their homes in Austin. They arrived Tuesday afternoon, so it was a quick turn around. The two are screenplay writers, and were here to interview me about what I remembered about our crash landing of our B-17. They will base their story around this theme. Hopefully, it will also end up as a movie.
I trust that I was helpful, at least enough to justify their trip. Surprising, how much I did remember. But, more surprising. was how much that I couldn’t remember. But, heck, that event happened more than 66 years ago!
I enjoyed meeting both of them. I was impressed with their backgrounds, and their accomplishments. What I didn’t anticipate, was the big void I was experiencing after they drove away. While talking with them, I was also surprised at the emotion I was experiencing, while dredging up my memories of long ago. I was missing this “rush”, I guess.
RCL - 8/6/09.
Today, I bid adieu to my visitors, Bill and John. They were returning to their homes in Austin. They arrived Tuesday afternoon, so it was a quick turn around. The two are screenplay writers, and were here to interview me about what I remembered about our crash landing of our B-17. They will base their story around this theme. Hopefully, it will also end up as a movie.
I trust that I was helpful, at least enough to justify their trip. Surprising, how much I did remember. But, more surprising. was how much that I couldn’t remember. But, heck, that event happened more than 66 years ago!
I enjoyed meeting both of them. I was impressed with their backgrounds, and their accomplishments. What I didn’t anticipate, was the big void I was experiencing after they drove away. While talking with them, I was also surprised at the emotion I was experiencing, while dredging up my memories of long ago. I was missing this “rush”, I guess.
RCL - 8/6/09.
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