Sandy Eggo

San Diego from the air, 2008. US Navy Photo

Okay Sarge, which is it? "San Diego" or "Sandy Eggo"? There is another variant, which is "San Dog." Which is how The WSO refers to this fair city in southern California. Now according to my buddy Wikipedia...

San Diego is a major city in California, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, approximately 120 miles south of Los Angeles and immediately adjacent to the border with Mexico. With an estimated population of 1,355,896 as of July 1, 2013, San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest in California. San Diego is the birthplace of California and is known for its mild year-round climate, natural deep-water harbor, extensive beaches, long association with the U.S. Navy, and recent emergence as a healthcare and biotechnology development center.

Historically home to the Kumeyaay people, San Diego was the first site visited by Europeans on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Upon landing in San Diego Bay in 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo* claimed the entire area for Spain, forming the basis for the settlement of Alta California 200 years later. The Presidio and Mission of San Diego, founded in 1769, formed the first European settlement in what is now California. In 1821, San Diego became part of newly independent Mexico, and in 1850, became part of the United States following the Mexican-American War and the admission of California to the union.

The city is the seat of San Diego County and is the economic center of the region as well as the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. San Diego's main economic engines are military and defense-related activities, tourism, international trade, and manufacturing. The presence of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), with the affiliated UCSD Medical Center, has helped make the area a center of research in biotechnology. (W)

I prefer the name Sandy Eggo primarily because that is what the spiritual father of the Chant du Départ called it. He lived there, he is interred there and I will forever associate this city with that fine gentleman.

Now you may not know it but the area was originally named San Miguel by Senhor Cabrillo. (That's San Miguel the saint, not the beer, just so we're clear. For those who have no idea, San Miguel is a beer brewed in the Philippines. As anyone who has spent anytime in WESTPAC or PACAF** could tell you. Oh and "Senhor" is "mister" in Portuguese. The equivalent of "Señor" in Spanish.)

Then in 1602, Spain had sent this chap Sebastián Vizcaíno to map the California coast. His flagship was named the San Diego. Now Señor Vizcaíno and his lads surveyed the harbor and the areas now known as Mission Bay and Point Loma. He named the area for the Catholic Saint Didacus, a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego de Alcalá. (I'm sure the name of his flagship had something to do with it as well. Just a guess, you know how sailors are.)

Saint Didacus, aka San Diego de Alcalá

So I reckon that the Sandy Eggo area is somewhat used to name changes.

Oh yeah, before I forget, Sandy Eggo is also home to one of my co-bloggers, Tuna. He of the Tuesday trivia posts, the "Now for Something Completely Different" posts, the occasional witty / pithy /snarky comment and all around splendid fellow.

Retired Navy though he be...

So with all that historical stuff out of the way, why am I on about the fair city of Sandy Eggo today? Well, that's a good question my friends, a very good question. (Come on Sarge, quit beating around the bush, you don't get paid by the word ya know. Actually I don't get paid at all. For those of you thinking "digression," award yourselves two points.)

Last week The WSO called me and mentioned the annual gathering held in Sandy Eggo by those of us who followed the blog (Neptunus Lex) of the late, much loved and missed, Carroll "Lex" LeFon. This event is held at this place, every year on the anniversary of Captain LeFon's death -

The Shakespeare Pub & Grille or Shakespeare's as many refer to it.
On India Street in San Diego (Image is from Google Street View)

This place was frequented by the good Captain, back in the day.

Anyhoo. The WSO mentioned that she was free of all duties and encumbrances on the weekend of this gathering (the 6th to the 8th of March that would be). I told her that she should attend that gathering. Though it be a five hour drive (depending on L.A. traffic) to that venue from her domicile.

She said she was thinking of doing just that. And would I like to go as well?

Why yes, yes I would.

But...

That's a long flight for to just spend the weekend. A lot of money too.

She said she would cover the airline tickets and the cost of a hotel in Sandy Eggo.

How could I say no?

But I did decide that it would be better to go out on a Thursday and return on a Tuesday, giving me a couple of spare days out there.

Originally I was to fly into Sandy Eggo itself where The WSO would meet me after she drove down from Hanford (think NAS Lemoore). I (being a dad) was a little concerned at my baby girl driving all that way by her lonesome. (Yes, she is a Naval Flight Officer who rides the back seat of the mighty Rhino, she should be able to drive that distance by herself. But I still worry. Yes, I do sweat blood every time she's been to sea. Or to Fallon. Or to Key West. It's what dads do, we worry. Not as much as moms, but we still worry.)

Instead I will fly into Fresno and assist with the driving chores from Hanford to Sandy Eggo. And back.

So the final plan has me flying to Fresno on a Thursday, drive with The WSO down to Sandy Eggo on a Friday. Party like it's 1999 on Friday and Saturday. Drive back to Hanford on Sunday. Then drag my tired self onto another aircraft at Fresno for the return flight to Little Rhody on Tuesday. Back to work on Wednesday.

I got tired just typing all that...

But it will be worth it. I'm going to meet up with good friends I've met before (the Hobbit and ORPO) and get to meet other friends (for the first time) whom I've only interacted with in a virtual sense. (Common interests and such can make for friendships without having to actually meet in person.) Sadly enough Tuna is out of town that weekend.

No, I didn't plan it that way...

Good times, good food and good company. I can't wait.

Yes, I'll be stopping by and saying hi to the Captain.

Google Street View

So if posting seems a little light around that time period, you'll know why.

Update: Above I mentioned meeting friends I've met before, the Hobbit and ORPO. I forgot to mention Daryle. I've met Daryle before. He will be there.

We good Daryle? (If I've forgotten anyone else, remember, I suffer from CRS...)

Update 2: I fixed the spelling of Daryle's name. Apparently his mum and dad had to pay extra for the "e" at the end. (It's Daryle, not Daryl. As in Ye Olde Daryle. Not Y Old Daryl.)

* Senhor Cabrillo was Portuguese born and was operating under the flag of Castile.
** WESTPAC is what the U.S.Navy calls their deployments to the Western Pacific. PACAF is the Air Force acronym for Pacific Air Forces, a major command of my old service. A command under which I served for six and a half years. With fond memories.