Day 4-5, Friends

Day 4 - San Diego Friendships.

High speed transit via California freeways.  Wish I could say it was better than a Disneyland ride, but you all now freeways.  A great way to get someplace fast, usually.  A nice evening in Camarillo and a ahort ride to San Diego, but not a fast one.  First, 101 blends into I 405 and to I-5, FIVE lanes headed South all the Stay tuned.way from LA to San Diego.  It was a surprise to find myself about 6 different times with both feet on the pavement waiting for traffic to move.  Despite the intensity,  a noon arrival was nearly on schedule, a sweeping, beautifully landscaped drive down into La Jolla Village.

I met grade and high school classmate Mary at her apartment, a reunion last occuring six years ago.  We’re fortunate to have seen each other a few times since graduation in 1960. We had the best time in the world.  From noon, through a lunch, drive around town and dinner, We toured “The Cross”, a beautiful monument to the origins of San Diego and it’s rich religious birth by the early missionaries.   Very sadly there’s an extremist group fighting religion in the area with the desire to tear the cross down.  Fortunately, intelligent people have been able to hold them at bay for many years, but it’s a constant threat.  The Cross has also become a memorial to our service men and women.  Absoultely stunning photographs and tributes to thousands of people from all branches of service form an intricate, and emotional twisting set of walls that add to the value of the monument.

I had the unusual pleasure over lunch, of meeting a friend of Mary’s who was a commander on a Polaris submarine.  You have to know me to know my passion for this iron undersea boats.  It was a memorable experience to talk with Denis for even a few moments, express my gratitude to him for what all people in the service do for our freedom AND find his photograph and awards on the wall at the Cross.  So this Cross is a tribute to both the living and the past.  It brings tears, my friends.

A cute Thai restaurant a short few blocks walk in a perfect Southern California evening was a great place to continue the memory lane journey.  I couldn’t believe it when midnight rolled around  Old friendships are wonderful.  Thank you, Mary, for the most wonderful time.

Day 5, The Sonoran Desert

Leaving La Jolla at 8am left me wondering for two hours whether to go all the way to Tucson or stop in Yuma, Arizona.  Threatening thunderstorms across the southern Sonoran Deserty, the weather was a heavy cloud deck deck and cool.  Perfect for nine hour drive to Tucson.  But the skies cleared and the temperatures soared.  It became a no brainer.  From Yuma itwould be over four more hours in 105 temps.  Not for this Oregon ranch hand.  The motel this afternoon feels so good.  An early start tomorrow when it’s cool will put me in Tucson for a late breakfast with cousin Janey..

So, not overly exciting for you all, but in a couple of days the transit adventure ebds and the Souhwest scenic adventure begins.  Brother Dick left San Antonio today and is in El Paso tonight.  We’re about equi-distant and should arrive at meeting point Safford abut the same time tomorrow afternoon.