Some one asked how close does the train get to the ocean on the trip? Well, this photo should answer the question. That’s the ocean, the highway ( 101) and the train tracks! And there are places where the train tracks are on the other side of the highway. The surf was up yesterday and every so often you would see some surfer-boys trying their stuff against a good wave or two. . . (“Dude”) Back in the day, I could never quite understand the surfer-culture but spend some time in California around the Ocean and you can get just a glimmer of what is so attractive to those who follow the waves. What could be better than some sand, some sea, a tasty brew or two and hanging ten on your board? ( so what if all this is my imagination, I say, dream on, kid!) With all this traveling I might just have to come back and see what this California stuff is all about since now, I have an invitation to check it out and do some “splorin’.” ( maybe I should affect a bushy,bushy blond hairdo and get some open-toed huaraches!-probably not, I am only 30 years too late and many years too old for this stuff!)
One thing about travel, it sure gets you out of your comfort zone! This morning I was served breakfast by an Indian woman ( from India-not Native American) and a young lady from Japan and I was checked into the hotel by lady from Korea-my bags were brought upstairs by a nice young man from Honduras. ( and this was just in the hotel!) My cab driver last night was Pakastani. I had mentioned that my first SCA on the Southwest Chief was Ha-Zeus ( Jesus) who had learned his trade on the Mexican Railroad and was hired from them by Amtrak? So far he was one of the best, although the SCA on the Coast Starlight , R.C. Came from a railroad family and has been studying to be a conductor and had passed the exam and now was on the available list! From what I can see he is going to be one of the best!
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