Wow! I put up a post yesterday about 'the bucket list' and look what happens. My friend and Soledad Prison Branch President (more about that in another post) Art Romero was recently chosen by the 'local rag', The Californian, to write a community opinion column once a month for a year. Below is the final draft of the article that will be appearing this coming Saturday in the paper, which he emailed to me shortly after I posted my aforementioned blog. Look Ma, I'm in print!!!!!

I know you are thinking spiritual mind telepathy is at work here, but not so. We ride together down to our Sunday assignment at the prison and it affords us about an hour of time to talk about family, community, church and whatever else comes to mind. So....

The 'Maltaese Falcon' listed at at end of the article is none other that Brother Doug Humble, who has a computer chip business that takes him all over the world. He and his wife Annie have become dear friends in several ways. When I was on the High Counsel back in 2002, my first 'ward assignment' was the Prunedale Ward. Brother Doug was the Bishop of that good Ward. For the past year and a half, he has been helping us at the prison. He is currently on the High Counsel and is thus our Stake representative. All good stuff.

Salinas Summer Vacation

Vacation season is underway. My emails are coming back with “out of office” messages, and I’m swinging in my imaginary hammock, sipping my imaginary lemonade, imagining myself reeling in a big one, or driving my hot rod on the salt flats. Like most people scrounging through this financial meltdown, however, you and I may be redefining what it means to “get away.” Even with gas prices mercifully “falling” toward $3.50, filling the tank isn’t a given anymore and wistful imaginings shiver in cold, foggy nights and whistle through empty wallets.

A good friend and genuine Salinas native, Dave Shipley, related how he and his wife came up with their own little “bucket list” of things they always wanted to do within a day’s drive of Salinas High. Sounds like a plan more of us should consider, at least until the cost of ocean cruises and European tours come down, or incomes come back. Yosemite, Big Trees, Big Sur and other places were all on their list. They actually went to Disneyland without grand kids. Go figure.

Personally, I have yet to visit Hearst Castle or hike up to the hot springs at Big Sur. On second thought, if I wanted to so badly, I would’ve done it by now. Besides, I’ve seen the pictures. My idea of a good time has gone from mellow fishing trips to following my wife around antique stores, garden shops or sundry trinket vendors.

Sightseeing for someone on the Central Coast often means playing tour guide for relatives visiting from someplace else. We hit all the usual haunts, the beach, the Boardwalk, the Steinbeck Center. If we’re really adventurous, we’ll take the out-of-towners to the aquarium, visit the Mystery Spot or pay to see how the under-taxed evil rich live on Pebble Beach. Do free car shows in downtown Salinas count?

Big Week is upon us so we’re covered for a few days. I never was much of a cowboy but Kiddie Kapers got me hooked. I mean, really, could the kids be any cuter? The clop of the horses, the chill of the fog and the smell of the bovines are just too much to resist. Even the Mormon missionaries are thinking of volunteering. There’s tons of good food, thousands of visitors and that great little carnival over by the freeway. So, buckaroos, get your hats and bandannas, and enjoy the festivities right in our own back yard. Ahem, it’s a lot better use of the facilities than, say, a graduation (see last month’s column).

If you’re like us, “vacation” means visiting family someplace else. In our case, due to football, sibling rivalry and relatives, that means Nebraska with its raving fanaticism for the Cornhuskers. Carl Nicks from North High played there en route to winning the Super Bowl with New Orleans. Our sons, who also played for North High, but didn’t win the Super Bowl, dreamt about playing in Lincoln. Didn’t happen. Our eldest daughter, however, had her choice of colleges. So, just to put it to her brothers, she opted for the University of Nebraska. Neener-neener. She’s now holding three lovely grand kids hostage 1,600 miles away and we’re deciding between driving and flying.

For some, visiting family may mean a trip to anywhere in the country or the world. Others have family close by. If that’s you, more power to you, but I’m jealous. Still others are able to take real vacations, like another friend who visited Malta recently mostly because he’d never been there. As for the rest of us, maybe we can meet at the Sports Complex and splurge on a new Stetson. Ever been to King City?