SAN DIEGO

SAN DIEGO
It is Thursday, September 17, 2009, and I am headed down to San Diego to attend the wedding of my oldest grand daughter, Melissa, and her fiancé` Ryan. Mary and Greg have picked up Sue, and they swing by Quail Creek and get me. Greg loads my suit case, and carry-on, into the spacious trunk of his Toyota, and we are off to the Sacramento Airport. I am sure that they are leaving sooner than they do when I’m not with them. They know how nervous I am about catching my flight. I missed a flight once when traveling on business. I promised myself that I would never miss another one. I didn’t want to go through that helpless feeling again. My theory is - “I’d rather sit “relaxed” at the airport than sit “tensed” at home, waiting to leave.
We arrive in plenty of time and I am relieved. Greg parked the car when while we joined the Disney-lie snake line to check in with our luggage. It took us less than an hour to check in and go through the Security Check. I had a new experience. This is my introduction to the Sacramento Airport. The Southwest “coordinator” checked me out on the computer, at the counter, to get my “boarding pass”. Nice to learn something new at this late stage! We stopped in the snack area as we had plenty of time until boarding.
Sue got me a pre-boarding pass. She was allowed to board with me. It worked out well, because she was able to “hold” two seats for Mary and Greg (no reserved seating on Southwest. They board by A, B and C groups. Your assignment is “first come first served”, when obtaining the boarding passes.
It was a scenic flight down - first over land and then along the coast into San Diego. We had a good view of Hetch-Hetchy reservoir - the source of San Francisco’s water supply, It is located at the North end of Yosemite Park. There was a big battle before it was constructed. Big business won over the environmentalists. John Muir must still be shaking his fist on High!
After picking up our luggage at the Southwest carousel, we took the Hertz shuttle to their office off -airport. The car renters used to be in the terminals, with the cars parked just outside. Check-in was very convenient and fast. Cheaper off-site. Let the customer scramble! Although it is nice of them to provide the shuttle bus!
Sue, Greg and I cooled our heels outside, across the street from the Hertz check-in office. Mary was inside, in line, inching up to the counter for an hour, for the privilege of renting one of their vehicles. She finally was awarded a four-door black Honda. While standing outside, Greg spotted Steadman - Oprah’s sidekick. He was boarding (hurriedly) a Hertz shuttle (heading back to Chicago?) Greg mentioned it. Sue really got excited! She wanted to run over and get his auto graph! Greg and I talked her out of it. He was probably the real thing, because Joan and Manny saw him in bound the day before, after they arrived in San Diego.
I was surprised at the roomy trunk of the Honda. Greg skillfully fit all of our luggage in, and still could close the trunk without leaning on the door. Greg drove us to the waterfront where we had a nice lunch at the Fish Market. I was really impressed with the Bob Hope sculptures that Greg pointed out in front of the restaurant.
After lunch, Greg drove us to the Radisson Hotel on the North end of San Diego. (11520 West Bernardo Court). Sue and I shared Room 216. I really enjoyed our three night stay there. There was a restaurant below us, so it was very convenient. It was strange to see Joan and Manny, Melissa, Michelle and Brittney in a setting different than in Fairfield.
This evening, Thursday, Ryan’s stepmother, Jeannette and dad, Bill, graciously hosted the Rehearsal Dinner at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. So, I got to meet them, and Ryan’s mom, Janice, and his brother, Andy. I also got to meet Ryan’s relatives and friends. Some of the relatives came from Rochester, New York - including Janice’s mother (Ryan’s grandmother), Angie. I enjoyed a very pleasant evening.
On Friday, Greg was very gracious in driving us all over the San Diego area - including beautiful La Jolla, where his sister Flo lives. He is very familiar with the local area and was an excellent Tour Guide! I was really impressed with the nice beaches, and the beautiful homes.
Thanks to cell phones, we all - Mary, Greg, Sue, Joan. Manny, Melissa, Michelle and Brittney and I, were able to meet up at the Urbane Café’ for lunch. Joan and Manny treated all of us! It was very nice of them, and I enjoyed sharing lunch.
Melissa sat next to me, and shared the philosophy on the inside of her Honest Ade - Orange Mango drink - label. - “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade, you do not expect to sit” - Nelson Henderson. We volunteered on what exactly we thought the quote meant.
Friday evening, the family ate in the hotel. Mary and Greg “treated.” It was a very enjoyable evening.
Saturday was a very busy “flower day.” Everyone (but me) pitched in and took over one of the rooms. They made the flower arrangements and the
button Aires and corsages. They did a professional job - consuming most of the day,
The Wedding took place at the Bernardo Winery not too far from the hotel. Melissa and Ryan made all the arrangements, and they did a very thorough and professional job. The ceremony took place at five in the afternoon, and was held outside in a very nice garden setting. Being late afternoon, it had cooled off a little.
Joy officiated, and performed an interesting and spiritual ceremony. Manny escorted Melissa, and I escorted Joan. Melissa’s sisters. Michelle and Brittney were bridesmaids. Tory, Ryan’s lifelong friend and his brother Andy were Groomsmen. (Tory’s mother, and Ryan’s mother, delivered their sons at about the same time.) After a delicious dinner and Wedding Cake, there was dancing.
Joan drove Sue and I to the San Diego Airport on Sunday for our return flight to Sacramento. I sure appreciated her help. We checked our suitcases inside, and went through Security. While waiting for Flight 1493 to board, Sue got a sandwich, which we split. While sitting there, I noticed this older man walking by. He was limping, and I wondered if the heavy weight of the bag was causing it. Sue and I pre-boarded. Soon, the old guy came hobbling on board and stopped at the row ahead of us. He had the gall to ask Sue to put his heavy bag up in the bin. He said that he had a bad back! (Why didn’t the dummy check it?) I told Sue to forget it - or she would have a bad back. It takes all kinds. No wonder older people are stereotyped!
The flight back to Sacramento was uneventful. Walking in the jet way, I belatedly wondered what altitude we were flying. She went back and asked the pilot, and he said 38,000 feet (- odd altitude Southbound, and even Northbound.).Tom was very thoughtful, an met us at the Southwest “Arrival” area. This was my first time to see the very nice Sacramento Airport.
RCL - 10/10/09.