We soon moved above the cloud layer into a clear space between two layers.
It seems we weren't the only one with the same idea.
The midwest is mostly farmland, but becomes a desert as one approaches Phoenix.
I didn't have a window seat on the Phoenix to Orange County leg, but pics once again resumed after we landed. This is the official
name of the airport, and the first clue we were in California.
This was the rental car from Budget that we picked up at the airport - a Mustang.
California is odd #1. We had no idea what this was.
California is odd #2. Burger joints are at the edge of pop culture - note the band that is playing.
California is odd #3. While one can obtain computers and brides via mail, picking them up at a trade
show is much easier.
California is odd #4. Apparently the Burger King really does live in a castle.
How you know you are in California #2.
Tuesday was the first day we went to the Delphi plant.
They make automotive batteries. They have a capacity of 14,000 batteries per day, and are currently
targeting 12,000 a day. Thursday in particular they did well.
Automotive batteries are made of lead and acid - stuff that isn't good for you.
Even though its bad stuff, and admittedly their employees aren't rocket scientists, some of their
signs are just overkill. These two are seen in bathrooms.
These batteries are made on 100 foot long formation tables - there are about 20 in this plant.
Note that the near corner of table 1 has a string of 15 batteries chained together - this corresponds
to a single formation circuit which charges them. Bitrode (the company I work for) builds these sorts of circuits
(though not the ones installed
at this particular set of tables). Other parts of the plant form and oxidize the lead plates,
place them in the battery cases, do testing, and shipping.
This plant fits the stereotype. Not only does it have a union office, it has motivational sayings
all over the place.
After familiarizing ourselves with what we needed to do, we went on to dinner at Newport Beach. At the
restaurant we ended up in I had the blackened aki with salsa - was good.
Wednesday was back to the plant to start the real work. These parts of California are beautiful,
aren't they?
After an 11 hour day, I went to dinner with the Rizzos at Knott's Berry Farm. Had chicken and
dumplings - was good.
Thursday was back to the plant for a 10 hour day. I discovered yet another helpful safety tip. I couldn't
find "don't lick battery posts" although I was looking.
Lunch was had at the Americana Coffee Shop. We were served by a cheerful Asian lady and the busboy was
Hispanic. Yep, its Americana. Had a burger and milkshake - was good.
For dinner we decided to go back to Newport Beach. The surf was up and you could see boats in the
far distance.
We decided to eat at the restaurant at the end of the pier. Had swordfish in white sauce - was good.
Our table had a nice view looking back toward the shore too.
California is odd #5. Autentic Mexican Food. Yum. Apparently spelling is approximate.
California is odd #6. Drive through locksmith. "Excuse me, but I just hotwired this car - can you
make a key for me?"
California is odd #7. Drinking water store. Drinking water fountain or faucet, okay, but store?
We had originally planned to return to STL on Thursday, but circumstances had us stay longer in
Anaheim. On Friday, after yet another day at the plant, we debated on where to go for dinner that
evening. Instead of straight as the previous nights, we went right. Eventually we spiraled into
Long Beach.
Long beach is nice. Its pretty long too.
There is a really big boat (over 1000 ft long - longer than the Titanic and about twice as heavy)
permanently docked at Long Beach - the Queen Mary. Next
to it is a Russian submarine.
By the time we got there the submarine was closed, but as the Queen Mary is now a hotel and set of
restaurants, we could wander around. It was built in the 30s I gather and was used in WWII (hence the
deck gun).
From the deck you also get a nice view of the port at Long Beach. BTW, at the restaurant on the Queen
Mary I had
prawns with vegetables, rice and sliced raw salmon, and a slice of bourbon chocolate torte for
dessert - was good. I didn't know what a prawn was, so I decided
to eat some of them to find out. They appear to be shrimp. Now I know.
On Saturday we had to go back to the plant one last time. On our way out we saw a Honda Civic GX
parked in our hotel's parking lot - it ran on natural gas. Neat.
California is odd #8. I was wondering all week how that hubcap got there. I still don't know.
We were finally able to leave and go back home to STL. Our flight was at 3:15PM though, and with
losing two hours due to the time zone changes, four hours in the air, a stopover, and a delay because
of an ill copilot on the Phoenix to STL leg, I didn't get back to my apartment until midnight. Ugh.
Did see some nice scenery from the plane - until it got cloudy and dark that is.
