Friends Since High School

My good buddy Dave drove all the way from his southern California home to hook up with me this week at Bodega Bay. We had planned this annual event for months, and when the date finally arrived, we could not have asked for finer weather. Mid 70's to near 80 degrees, clear skies, with only a slight breeze.

Dave and I have been friends since our high school days in southern California. He went off to college and eventually law school, while I went for a different educational experience in South Vietnam and eventually into law enforcement.

It took years for me to finally reveal to Dave the reason America went to war....not many know this but Vietnam was poised to invade California. Dave on the other hand insists he went to Berkeley to protest for my right to be there.

Despite the distance from each other, we maintain our friendship via e-mail and phone calls. Of utmost importance however is making sure there is at least an annual visit for some face time. We always have a lot of fun, regardless of the fact that our political view are, shall we say, different. So we get to debate about a lot of subjects, but always with a great deal of respect for each other's view. The mutual respect for each other's opinions is responsible for the duration of this long friendship.

I drove the 5 hours necessary to reach Bodega Bay and he drove the necessary 9 hours to finally land at my camp site that was all set up by the time he arrived. How sweet it is to both be retired from government work!

Below are photos and comments about our time together......

From Grass Valley, I took I-80 to Hwy 37 at Vallejo. Crossing the bridge near the Mare Island turn off got me a little nervous. Traffic was at a stand still for merging to one at the base of the bridge.  For several minutes I sat atop the water crossing. Bad time for an earthquake! Then there is the 'infrastructure' issue....can the bridge support all the weight?? Yikes! It felt good to get back on solid ground.

West end of Bodega Bay

Looking north from Bodega Bay

We were headed to the store for dinner provisions, and I got to thinking.....Venison anyone?

Not far from where we spotted the deer, over looking Bodega Bay

After a good dinner, a warm fire

This photo does not do justice to what we could see. The lights from across the bay 'spiked into the water' or so it appeared, due to the glass-like surface of the bay 

My wife said I could extended my coastal visit an extra day. She is my angel!

 

Where is the fire wood?



Dave usually wins. Next year I'll get even!



I would spend several minutes figuring out my moves, but ultimately fail to prevail
There WILL be opportunities in the future!




After Dave left Bodega Bay, I decided to move south for one more night on the coast. The Golden Gate is about an hour from Bodega Bay, and I decided to explore a little. One must use caution driving a 32' motor home in San Francisco. I had never been to Baker Beach until today.




I gained a different perspective of San Francisco, looking north east from a perch above Baker Beach




I had no idea this museum was here, I found it quite by mistake, just cruising around




Looks like me, working on my next Chess move!



Freedom is not Free

It was a wonderful trip, one that Dave and I will not soon forget. Plans are being laid for next year's reunion. If you have a really good friend you have not seen in quite some time, visit them. Face time is essential, even with all the modern technology that enables us to keep in touch throughout the seasons.