With summer approaching and nothing compelling on my schedule, I had expressed frustration to both my parents over not being able to enroll in an appropriate computer science class at the local community college. Mom had mentioned this to Aunt Jane during a telephone conversation, and Aunt Jane had quickly suggested that I enroll in the course at the junior college near her and Uncle Dick's home in San Diego. She volunteered to keep me well fed during the eight-week course.
When Mom repeated Aunt Jane's suggestion, it took little reflection on my part to decide. A summer of one course and the rest of the day on the beach was pretty much a "no brainer." My enrollment was arranged over the next couple of days, and I began packing. My wardrobe needed to consist of little more than shorts and t-shirts, though I gave in to Mom's hectoring that I include some "nice things" for special occasions.
I had visited Uncle Dick and Aunt Jane's place a couple of times before, but as a child. The memory of the salt air that wafted in their open windows and patio doors was still clear in my mind. The patio of their townhouse literally opened onto the white sand of a long and beautiful beach in San Diego. The trip would be another first for me – a ten-hour ride on Amtrak.
After kissing or hugging everyone in the family goodbye, I rode with my dad to the train station. We were quick, as always, with our farewell, and I boarded the train with plenty of excitement. I had brought along a couple of paperbacks for entertainment, but the rapidly changing scenery held my attention for almost the entire trip.
The train pulled into the San Diego station shortly after 9:00 p.m. I stepped down from the train and breathed deeply, taking in the contrast of the great San Diego atmosphere and the diesel fumes generated by the engine. In less than ten seconds I spotted Uncle Dick ambling toward me in the distance. Like my dad, his brother, Uncle Dick is well over six feet, but he is of much heavier frame. He is a highly skilled machinist and works in the aero/space industry.