I headed to the little cafe where Julie and I had breakfast before we went to Tucson. I ate breakfast then took off for the Grand Canyon. I headed north on I-17 and just a few miles out, I stopped on the shoulder. I looked around and said fuck it. I turned back south through Phoenix and went west on I-8. I was San Diego bound. Just before the border to California, I stopped and stashed my 1911 and my .38 derringer as deep in my saddlebags as I could. I knew I really needed to watch my Ps and Qs because I didn't want to get stopped.
I rode into San Diego and headed for the coast. I wanted to ride the Pacific Coast Highway all the way up to Northern California and beyond. I wanted to stay in San Diego a couple days first. I got a room and unloaded the bike. I took a spin around town and man, have things changed since I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Duh, its only been thirty years. What else should I expect.
I stopped to get something to eat. I walked around a couple of malls. Went back to the room. Not much going on right now. Friday I went down to the beach and saw it was the same water and sand that was here when I was at Pendleton. I took in a movie late afternoon. Friday night the place livened up quite a bit.
I saw some jarheads slipping into a bar and decided to follow them in. I ordered my Corona and settled in at the bar. I got into a conversation with a couple Marines and they were excited when they found out I had been in the corps. They announced it to the entire place.
One found out I was from Texas and asked what part. I told him I lived just outside College Station now but was raised on the north side of Houston. "Oh, yeah. Where abouts on the north side?"
"One block north of Parker Rd. about three blocks west of where the Hardy Toll Road is now."
"I know that area. It's where my dad grew up. He took us kids through there a couple times to show us where he grew up."
"Really?" I looked at his name tag, it said Richards. "Is Monte Richards your dad?"
"Yes, sir. It was."
"Hell, I know him. He lived a couple blocks over from me. We were in the corps together. In basic together as a matter of fact. Neither of us knew the other had joined up. We got different assignments after basic and lost track of one another. How's the old jarhead doing?"
"He was killed in Afghanistan in '04. He asked for a transfer from the White House detail back to an infantry unit after 9/11."
"Oh, damn. I'm sorry to hear that. Don't I feel like an asshole."
"Not necessary, sir. He died protecting the country he loved so he was doing what he wanted to do. I'm sure he's ok with that."
"So how are you liking the corps?"
""I love it, sir," he said with a huge smile. "I'll be a lifer I'm sure. Just like Dad was. After my first hitch I'll probably look into officer training. Want another beer, sir?"
"No thanks, corporal. I'm on two wheels and I don't drink much these days anyway."
"My name is Monte Jr., sir. But everybody these days call me Slam"
"Slam? How'd you get that peculiar moniker?"
"When we all got to the base and when Drill Sergeant Morgan lined us up at the mats he told us, "If any of you pukes think you can kick my ass just step forward. I was one of the idiots that did. I was already a black belt in jiu jitsu and tae kwan do. First thing I did when I got a hand on him was body slam him. He jumped up before I could take advantage and proceeded to give me a royal ass kicking. I've been Slam ever since. Even Sgt. Morgan called me Slam. I'm kind of proud of it now. The nickname I mean."
"Lose a fight, lose your life. He couldn't afford to lose the respect of his recruits. That would have been the same as losing his life to him."
"Yeah, I guess that was what gave him the resolve that day. He did tell me after graduation that it taught him a lesson as well. He'll never underestimate his recruits again. He was used to his guys being street fighters, not trained in the arts. He did me in fair and square, I've got to give him that."
"Never underestimate a Marine is the real moral of that story. Your mom's name is Janet, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell her James Mathison says hello. Sorry to hear about your dad, son. I've got to get going. Nice to meet all of you," I shouted.
I headed back to the room. I was watching a movie when I fell asleep with the television on. I don't do that very often.
I woke the next morning with some sappy lady telling how she thought illegal aliens helped our economy. I wanted to hurl but didn't have anything in my stomach to throw up. I shut it off pretty quick. I made coffee with the supplied coffee maker. Damn, I almost always forget to ask for more coffee packets. Only enough to make one cup. I don't drink decaf. I showered and headed for breakfast.
While at breakfast, I checked the maps app on my iPhone. I was planning to ride the coast south to north then maybe back south again.
I headed for the southern most point on the coast that had paved roads. I wound up in Imperial Beach. I started north on SH75 with the Pacific Ocean on my left and San Diego Bay on my right. There's a lot to see on the coast route to Northern California. I watched some naval aviators doing touch and go drills at the naval air station for a while. I hadn't checked out of the motel yet so when I was done riding I headed back to the room.
The next morning I checked out and went back to the spot where I had left off the day before and headed north from there. I stayed as close to the coast as I possibly could. It was a fascinating journey. I'd recommend it to anyone. I stayed off the interstate as much as possible. As soon as I would wind up back on the highway I would check my maps app for the next road that would put me closer to the coast. I took a lot of detours.
After four days of stops to gawk at some things I had only made it to Santa Barbara. I decided to take in one of the clothing optional beaches so now was a good chance because there was one nearby, More Mesa Beach.
I had been camping all the way up so I checked into a motel and stashed my gear...and my pistols. I took a quick shower. It was still late morning so I lit out for some breakfast and a trip to the beach.
At breakfast a very pretty and young thing asked me if I was riding the motorcycle. Duh, there's a helmet sitting on the table in front of me. "Yes, I am, dear."
"Are you from Texas?"
"What makes you think that, honey?"
"I saw the plates on your bike."
"Well, then I suppose I am from Texas, sweetie." This one doesn't seem too bright but I'd still like to give her a good fucking. Blonde, about 19 or 20, tall, about 5'10" or so, and stacked like a brick shit house. A man could get lost in those tits. Must be DDD or bigger. I'm not a really big fan of huge breasts but these looked exceptionally nice on her.
"We're going to the beach," she stated. "What do you have planned today?"
"I'm headed to More Mesa Beach myself."
"We weren't going to the nude beach, but I've always wanted to. None of my friends will go and I don't want to go by myself. Can I ride with you?"
"I would, except I don't have another helmet."
"That's ok, my grandfather is the mayor. The cops around here won't give us a ticket. Besides, it's not very far at all." A horn outside started blaring.
"Let me tell my friends I'm not going with them."
"What's your name?" I asked as she left then again on her return because she didn't answer me on her way out.
"Shelly, but everybody calls me Shel."
"I'm James. Nice to meet you."
I was done eating so I strapped my helmet around the backrest. We mounted up and she showed me the way. I parked the bike and we walked the trail to the beach. As soon as we hit sand, she started peeling clothes off and so did I. Those huge tits stood straight out in front of her. It's going to be fun just watching her even if I don't get her back to my room dressed just the way she is now.
The water was a bit cool so we just hung out on the beach and talked. Her family in this area goes back to the big gold rush. That was what, 1848 I think. Her family also owns about half the town hear her talk about it. It was just after three o'clock when she asked if I had a room in town.
"Yes, I do."
"Can we go there now? I'm really horny and wet. I need you to take care of it for me."
"Do you always pick up strange older guys like this?"
"Heck no. I've always been attracted to older guys, but I've never fucked one. All the guys in town know me and won't try anything because of Gramps. That leaves me with Jared."
"Is Jared your boyfriend?"
"No, not really. We're just friends and we just kind of take care of each other when one of us gets horny. Like a friends with benefits thing. We've only had each other and neither of us is really that experienced. It kind of leaves something short. Older guys are exciting and mysterious. They know a lot more that young guys. Does that make sense?"
"It certainly does."