Back in 1971 I took basic training at an Army base called Fort Ord, in the Monterey and Salinas area.
I could talk all day about my basic training there…the place was absolutely fabulous. I loved heading in to Salinas and checking out the scene there. We Texans always sort of found it funny the Salinas cowboys there would bow up and act like cowboys do…and we just laughed because that’s what we were used to seeing. I remember running in the sand there..in combat boots…and after a 4 mile run, just lay out on a spongy plant called “icicle” plants.. it was like laying on sponge rubber…aaaahhhh. Nice! One day, me and my buddies were going to the matinee show on-post..the sun was bright and shining when we went in…when we came out it was so foggy, could only see about 5 feet in front of us….I had a blast there. I understand they closed the ol fort down…not sure what it’s used for now. I qualified as an expert marksman by firing rounds out in to the Pacific Ocean.