California Dreamin’
Back when I was a very young Dragon attending elementary school I dreamed of going away to college in California. At that time it was a toss up between Berkley and Scrips. Time went by, six years of high school to be exact, and I never lost sight of my goal.
Daddy had a different idea, however, having watched entirely too much of the news out of California. None of the colleges and universities appeared to him to be safe for his little girl. Between the Free Speech Movement, Haight Ashbury, and war protesting in general, our Nation’s Capitol seemed to him a much safer choice.
Besides, I had friends attending college there, so it had been vetted for safety by several sets of parents. Alas, they never really got the whole story; D.C.’s only advantage was that it was close to home, when all was said and done. It turned out to be no more wholesome an environment that UCLA, my third choice.
So, many years went by and I never seemed to make it out to the Golden State. Other places intervened such as Florida, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. California remained elusive as a destination. Perhaps it had something to do with those pesky earthquakes one hears about, or perhaps it had to do with all I had learned in geology class about the numerous faults lines underlying the entire state!
Last October, Bill and I attended the Al Khamsa Meeting in Paso Robles, CA. Finally, a trip to the land of my dreams. Funnily enough, it was everything I had imagined and more. We had a great time and I was hooked.
As it happens, many of our fellow Davenport Arabian breeders make their homes in California, so it is not such a huge stretch to plan business trips out there now. Last week I looked at dozens of prime breeding mares and selected a few to come home to The Weyr.
The next trip might well be driving the truck and hauling the large trailer because if you are going to drive all that way you really need to make it worth your while and it would be a sin to go out empty.
It would also be a sin not to allow plenty of time for dining and sightseeing. Without a doubt Californians have access to some of the very best food in the country. The markets are full of exotic cheeses, fantastic bread and fresh-picked produce. Seafood is fresh and very available, especially in the Bay Area.
And while I did pack a slightly dressy outfit in case it was needed, Chris and I never donned anything more formal than jeans or riding britches. The Golden State has certainly gone casual in a big way. We actually indulged in an exorbitantly expensive lunch while wearing shorts and sandals for beachcombing.
The geology and physical geography of California are fascinating and change dramatically within fairly short distances. Our trusty native guide was delighted to carry us all over, pointing out faults and other rocky points of interest.
About those faults, they do take some getting used to! We followed one through a town and were able to photograph it going straight through houses, sidewalks, and streets. While the only earthquake I have personally experienced actually occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia, it was sobering to walk around atop of some world-famous fault lines like the San Andreas. We even drove across that bridge that collapsed in the last BIG ONE. It is all repaired now, of course, and I could not detect any cracks in the structure….
So, despite the potential for earthquakes occurring without a bit of warning, I will be going back to California at least annually. There is just so much to do there, camping on Pt. Reyes or in the Sierra Nevadas, exploring tidal pools during the autumnal tides, and enjoying the fantastic variety of delicious foods. It is almost as great as living in Appomattox, and worth the trip just to be reminded of how sweet it is to return home again.
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