Del Mar, Where the Turf meets the Surf

   Edith and Harry spent many summer vacations there in the forties and fifties. My brother and I plopped into his Packard and drove the coast highway until we arrived at the stylish Del Mar Hotel. The four of us stayed in one of many bungalows close the the beach. 
  The horses galloped on the sandy beaches to ready themselves for a future race. We swam and sat behind celebrities like Jimmy Durante, and Betty Grable. I played tennis with a Penny Clark who died in a car accident a few days later. We did't wear seat belts in those days. 
  
  Today I am a San Diego boy. I try not to drive. I visited the track twice opening week and had a ball. In no way did I pay for the large parking fee there. Instead, I took the Coaster Train from the Santa Fe Station to get to Solana Beach, just to the north of the great racing place. 
   I used my Compass Card for the ride and then rode an elevator to street level...Sometimes I park my car in the free commuter lot, next to the train station. From there, a Double Decker British bus takes me the rest of the way. I try to get a seat on top of the bus since the bottom is cramped and muggy. In the fifties, the buses didn't need many  windows since the weather in London is often cold and rainy. The people, of course, were smaller and thinner. 
   Today there was the Solana Beach Triathlon where bikers need to swim, run and bike. It is too late for me and besides, my asthmatic condition does not allow me the outdoors event.
   At about twelve o'clock, I enter the track and use my diamond card to get me a three dollar admission including a program. I don't use the racing form since I am sold on jockey Gary Stevens. ,
My knapsack includes  two tuna sandwiches and a thermos with  cold water.
  
   I use my diamond card to enter free on Wednesday's. Thursday's are free senior day, and there is no charge. Kurt barks out how it is important to buy a Union paper for the picks of the day. The gift shop to the right is busy selling hats-it means another muggy day. 
   I take the  elevator to the fifth floor and sit in section number nine, with a clear view of the finish line. The westerly breeze off the ocean along with the beautiful hills give me goose bumps. I feel like buying a Dutch Master cigar and stoking one up in memory of Harry...I've always believed he enjoyed the horses more than beating the tennis pro at a neighboring park.
   The Del Mar Race Track unclogs my mind from the trivialities of every day life.  My limit today is ten dollars since my monthly teacher's retirement check is a few days away. My birthday is the sixteenth of August, so the digits l and 6 are the post positions I bet.
    I treat myself to a hot dog plastered with mustard before the horses go to the post. A loud joyous recording of Bing Crosby blasts over the speakers over my head. "When the turf, meets the surf in old Del Mar..."
   I salute the flag and wiped the mustard off of my shirt. I win four races out of six, and my wallet smiles with ten dollars more in its stomach. The Coaster Train returns me to the Santa Fe Station. k me back to the Santa Fe Station. My regret is not placing enough sun screen on my 74 year old head.

   It is Wednesday the 14th of August. It is a no charge Wednesday when I use my  my Diamond Card. I leave the Encinitas Senior Center and drive towards the Salano Beach turnoff on Lomas Santa Fe. The commuter parking lot is full today so I park a few blocks on a residential street. No problem. 
   There is the Cedros Cafe known for its waffles and fig jams. I ear the beacon and eggs special but the fig jam steals the show. The other day I went to the Naked Cafe when I wished to live dangerously.  Today I will grab a long five dollar sub before mounting the double decker bus to the race track. It is a lot cheaper than the half priced hot dog specials.

   After my free admission along with a program, I will take the elevator to the fifth floor and find a seat in aisle seven. I will read a library book and do some writing. It is a great change of pace for me. The roof overhang blocks out sun, and a jacket is needed. I enjoy watching the betters run to the windows to place their wagers or watch the race.
   The westerly ocean breezes hit me just right. Every thirty minutes there is the sound of Amtrak or the Coaster trains hopping along to the west. The Coaster train can pick you up on the hour and back to San Diego or all points South. If my number come in, I can leave later and even buy a hamburger before going to the train station. Even if I miss the five thirty late Coaster, I can take Amtrak or even the 101 bus to get where I am going.

   Since my birthday is the 16th of August, I will bet six and one all day today. Good Luck.

                                                (c) George Garrett 2013

A San Diego Legend. Ambrose Parks Schindler

Alive at 96, Ambrose Schindler still lives on to carry the Trojan colors during the Howard Jones' era.  He grew up in San Diego and matriculated to San Diego High school before deciding on U.S.C. for college football. He became the 1940 All Star Player of the Game in Chicago beating out the Heisman Award winner for the 39 season. 

  His story begins in 1917 at the Mercy Hospital in San Diego and takes us through his developmental years until he became a living legend at U.S.C.  The story describes how the city of San Diego developed. It begins at the turn of the century to the thirties. On the way we meet a cast of characters from his high School Days and college days while playing for the Trojans of U.S.C..
    The above picture shows one of his famous cut backs during the 1940 Rose Bowl game against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Memorial Coliseum.  The third stringer out of San Diego High showed his medal by scoring two touchdowns, one by air and the other by land. Number 24 stopped the 23 game winning streak of the team from under the Mason Dixon line 14-0. He became the Rose Bowl player of the game.  
   

Schindler at the Bat.

 A Brand New Set of Tires.

   A cab ride from the stadium in South Bend to the Chicago Train Depot put him face to face with Mr. Turner, a wealthy tire man from Los Angeles. Both celebrated the 1939 victory against the Irish, 20-12.  

   "Mr. Turner, you promised free set of tires for any player who scored points against the Irish. When he left the cab, he looked at me and told me 'not to forget to pick up a free set of brand new tires." 

   "The other players and I celebrated in a local Chicago Bar. My buddy Carl Benson still had some blood on his head. He told me a distraught fan threw a whisky bottle his way."

                           The Second Trojan Dynasty

   Gil Kuhn, the Trojan center, was the glue for their 1936 team. He played on their spring rugby team, was the only 60 minute player, and also the student body president. The Oregon Ducks was on the Trojan menu for their first game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
   The amiable one, Ambrose Parks Schindler, led his gladiators on to the Coliseum turf. Remaining from the first squad was Gill Kuhn.  Sid Ziff, of the Herald describes the unveiling of the new crimson and gold.
 
"A mighty roar shook the Coliseum as the sophomores came to bat. The boys trotted out with vim, vigor, and vitality and wasted no time in striking. Quick as a flash, Schindler hit at right tackle, tore it apart for eight yards. Again, he hit the same spot. Eight more yards..." 

  On that summer like day when so began the Second Trojan Dynasty with began with the San Diego "Golden Boy" at quarterback.