As I am on the topic of California vacations, I will talk about my travel experience to California.  I mentioned in a previous newsletter that I had the privilege of participating in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Marching Band.  It was definitely one of the highlights of my life.  Beyond my great band experiences, I also remember how much I enjoyed the state itself.

         Amongst my most vivid memories was the absolutely perfect weather I experienced while in California.  It ranged from 60-85 degrees and did not rain one time the entire month I was there. Add that to the view of the Pacific coastline my first two weeks staying at Pepperdine University, and life could not have been any better.

         Other experiences included walking down the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard where I also saw Grauman’s Chinese Theater.  After our parade performances we enjoyed time at Disneyland and Sea World theme parks.  I remember thinking that everything at Disneyland was smaller than Magic Kingdom including the castle and walkways.

         Another memory that stands out for me from California was an interesting astrological encounter.  One evening we had off from rehearsals, a group of us went to a bonfire on a beach far from the lights of the city.  I laid back on the sand and looked at the cloudless night sky.  I saw a hazy, thin cloud crossing the sky and realized it was not a cloud.  It was the Milky Way.  I did not realize it was something you could actually see.  California definitely was a lot of great memories for me.