1948 tour of Univ of Calif with Dad
Turning age 14, during warm May 1948,my Father asked me, to spend a day at his work, which was while he worked at the Univ of Calif Wheeler Hall, Wow - Dad is going to take me to Univ of California. I read that Jackie Jensen, the only Blue-eyed, Blond hair, Quarterback playing college football, was the State's All American. Yes, I told Dad, thinking he would introduce me to my youth hero Jackie Jensen, how did I know he couldn't do that?
His work was 21 miles from our apartment 4301 Cutting Blvd, Richmond, Ca, as his work started at 7:00pm, so we had to leave at 6:00pm for the drive to his work.
He worked until 2:00am, he said I could sleep from 10:OOpm till he quit in his office, such a deal I thought back then.
We arrived at his work site, I cannot recall, if he had his 1949 Green Studebaker, or his 1931 Model-A-Ford, which he later, taught me how to drive in our backyard of 4301, it was one of those cars we drove in, he had his own parkling-place, quite impressed, I was! Wow " Mr Garcia" was written on his spot. Showing me his working site,the 2d and 3d floor was his area of responsibilty.
Entering the large 6 floof building, marked Wheeler Hall, Dad showed me his work area, both the 2d& 3d floor, he was responsible to clean it nightly. He also showed me the Library, the Theatre, the Dance Floor, a room with machines that looked like our typewriters at school, but Dad, told me, those are computers, I said"OK", never hearing that word before!
His office, he said I could sleep in, and I could walk around if I behaved myself, and didn't bother anyone, be in his office at 9:00pm, we could have his lunchtime, and not to be late. He told me it was 5:50, and be sure I got back between 8:30 and 9:00, you understand", I agreed and he said, "Ok Gerald, behave yourself", so I started walking!
Leaving that hugh red brick building, the porch steps were hugh, with a rail, so people wouldn't fall I guess. As I walked, I saw students reading as they sat on benches, all over the rich green grass. some students were standing up,holding books, and chatting with two or three other students. I continued walking and looking, at various buildings, then I saw GYMNASIUM, I knew GYM was where we showed after PE, so I felt safe in entering. Such hugh doors, I had to push, inside in their lobby, I saw numerous glass cases, holding thropies, many many thropies, as I read them, some had dates of 1934, the year I was born