Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Launching at the boat ramp (was: Langkawi Islands)

["Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>]

----- Original Message -----
"Marsee Skidmore" :  "Benicia! That's just up the bay from Vallejo. Is "The
Horse & Cow" still
serving?"

Hey Joe...

Last time I was in B-town was '91; I remember the Horse & Cow well; had a
few beers there, which might explain why my memory of it is blurred.
Something tells me that big black nuke-sub model they had on the sign
overlooking the freeway finally went the way of all dust; and the H&C might
have changed from a submariners bar to a biker establishment frequented by
the Vallejo H-A's; but again, I'm not really sure.  I pretty much put my
drinking days behind me in the 80's, when I got serious about other things.

And yep, Benicia is right next door to Vallejo, home of Mare Island Naval
Shipyard.  I did a lot of my research in the Vallejo Library, right across
the road from MINSY.  Read a lot of books while sitting next to that torpedo
they have on display, or in that cement alcove next to the water, across
from where they work on the nukes.  "Inspirational surroundings", you know.

Some of my friends and neighbors in Benicia were nuclear riggers and such.
They were a great bunch of guys.  Work hard, and play even harder.  They
approved of my submarine project, but wouldn't talk about their work at all.
I remember asking this one buddy of mine something about it one time; great
big ol' boy he was, too.  He just clamped down on his stogie, kinda squinted
and grinned at me from behind a smoke screen, and finally said, "I'd tell
ya, but then I'd have to kill ya."  I totally understood, too.

Lots of good times in Benicia; I miss it, sometimes.  Thanks for reminding
me.

VBR,

Pat