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2011 Western Reunion - October 3-6,
San Diego

Picture taken after dinner on the first evening at Ruth's Chris Steak House.
(John Herbert '44 (Phoenix, AZ) didn't get there until the following day)

1st row - Dorance Nichols Hornsby '63 (Grove City, OH), Marilyn Hoelcher Christie '49 (Beaverton, OR), Mary Willer Liles '48 Jan. (Fullerton, CA), Norma Jean Carter Heyl '46 (Hilliard, OH), Shirley Mercer James '52 (El Cajon, CA), Anna Koons

2nd row - Ron James '51 Jan. (El Cajon, CA), Joe Caligiuri '46 Jan. (Westlake Village, CA), Larry Liles, Jim Remington '46 Jan. (La Habra, CA), Paul Koons '49 (Kingman, AZ), Dick Sherman '49 (Santa Maria, CA)

Missing from the picture - Tanya Caligiuri and Jack Hornsby who were both taking pictures.

We missed Jim '46 and Ruth Underwood Price '45 (San Diego, CA) who had planned to attend, but an illness kept both of them home.

Our thanks to Ron James, Dick Sherman, Tanya Caligiuri, and Jack Hornsby for all of the great pictures.

During our social time before we went to dinner the first evening.........

Joe Caligiuri looking at the San Diego poster board that Dick Sherman put together to familiarize those unfamiliar with the area about some of the best sights to visit.
Dick took the time to drive around the San Diego area to take the pictures just for our benefit - and we appreciated it.
He also brought informational brochures for several of the locations.
Anna Koons, Dick Sherman, and Paul Koons

(Interesting note -our first West Coast Reunion was in San Diego eleven years ago. Dick Sherman was living there at the time, but he wasn't even aware of the Alumni Association or the West group being there!)
Norma Jean Carter Heyl (who had just gotten in to town a short time before our evening began, flying in from Columbus) and Marilyn Hoelcher Christie
Tanya Caligiuri, Joe Caligiuri, Shirley Mercer James, Ron James, Mary Willer Liles
One of the event chairs, Shirley Mercer James.
Ron and Shirley live in El Cajon, a northeast suburb of San Diego.
Larry Liles, Ron James, and Joe Caligiuri

We had dinner the first evening at Ruth's Chris Steak House which was right next to our hotel.
Shirley got our table upgraded so we had the best view of the water as the sun was setting!
Everyone enjoyed their dinner with great friends.
Our group is waiting to board the ferry to Coronado, going across the San Diego Bay.
It is just starting to rain a little!

The day before one of the hotel staff was asked how often it rained in San Diego. He answered, 'Not very much and not for very long. We really need rain. We get most of our rain in the winter months.'
The following day it rained! We could hardly complain when we knew they needed rain so badly.
We boarded the ferry and are getting ready to
'sail across the ocean' (on a ten minute ferry ride)!
And no one got sea sick!

The USS Midway could be seen, which is open daily for tours.
Our ferry!

Because those of us from Ohio are so unaccustomed to seeing ships, we took several pictures!
Another view of the USS Midway.

Two aircraft carriers were in port (across the Bay from our hotel) - the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Carl Vinson.
The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier just returned about ten days ago after a nine month tour / deployment.

The Carl Vinson, also an aircraft carrier, also returned not long ago. One of it's recent activities was most notably the ship that sent Osama bin Laden to his burial at sea.

The ferry trip to Coronado was a pleasant one, although it started to rain a little harder on our way there!

For a while the San Diego buildings got a little harder to see through the rain!
When we debark the ferry, it starts to rain harder!
Most in our group didn't bring umbrellas.

Everyone checks the tourist guide after we land to see where our lunch restaurant will be - hopefully not too far away so we don't get too wet!
We duck in and out of shops on our way to the restaurant. Thankfully the rain is letting up some.
By the time we make our way to the restaurant, the rain has stopped.
This view is outside the Il Fornaio Restaurant where we had lunch. The tall buildings are in San Diego. You can see the rain has stopped and the sun is coming out.
Across the bay from the Il Fornaio.
Downtown San Diego on the waterfront.
Our table isn't quite ready yet, so we enjoy the sunshine in the El Fornaio outside eating area.
 
More boats / ships!
The Coronado Bay Bridge from the El Fornaio. On Wednesday several took the Olde Town Trolley ride that went across the Bridge. It was built in 1969. At its highest point it is 250' above the water and it 2.1 miles long.
Shirley also got our seating upgraded here so we had our own private room with the best view of the water! The staff took great care of us.
We had a very very good buffet lunch with a great view of the water.
Shirley Mercer James chose our lunch location - it is one of her favorites. And, she did well (except for Paul Koons who doesn't care for Italian food - sorry Paul)! The Il Fornaio was a very nice restaurant.
After lunch we boarded a bus to the historic Hotel Del Coronado that opened in 1888.
The Del has been used as the backdrop for several Hollywood movies including the comedy classic
"Some Like It Hot,"
Several in our group took pictures of the The Del (also called the Hotel del) from different angles. The beach front luxury hotel is a 'must-see' on most visitors list. You don't have to stay there to visit the grounds and tour the hotel.
The military base is located not far from The Del.
Our first view inside The Del is of their beautiful lobby with the wonderful chandelier.
A National Historic Landmark, even if not staying there, many stop in just to tour.
A beautiful bird of paradise blooming on The Del grounds. They almost look like real birds!
Another view of The Del.
Many noted people in history have stayed at The Del, including eleven presidents, Marilyn Monroe, and Charles Lindbergh.
Dick Sherman took a picture of the Hornsbys as they toured The Del grounds.
It was a little cooler day, so there were only a few in the pool.
 
The beach area by The Del.
It wasn't cool enough to keep people from walking on the beautiful beach!

The Del isn't your typical hotel - for sure!
It's red turrets are iconic.

 
Anna and Paul Koons enjoy some of The Del garden seating.
We even had a 'fly-over' by a military jet! We were sure it was just for us!
One of the great homes close to The Del.
Because of its close resemblance to The Del, this one is often called the 'Baby Del.'
Another lovely home in the area.
Many looked like southern plantation homes.
John Herbert (center) finally makes it to our late evening get-together / light dinner at our hotel restaurant after our day on Coronado Island.
On our 2nd day in San Diego the cruise ship, Celebrity of the Century, pulled in to the cruise ship terminal just across the street from our hotel.
We learned it had just returned from a cruise to Alaska - its last trip that far north for the year.
Those who talked to some from the cruise boat said it was getting a little cold 'up there.'
The Star of India Maritime Museum sailing ship is permanently moored just across from our hotel for touring.
The USS Midway aircraft carrier is permanently moored just a little south. It is also open for tours and is a popular tourist stop.
An area just a short walk from our hotel. Several from our group took the Old Town Trolley Ride around San Diego. While on the ride we saw a nice older hotel with the name 'Westgate Hotel!'
Dick Sherman shot a photo of Anthony's Fish Grotto Restaurant just, across the street from our hotel. Our group had dinner there our last night.
The Star of India at night!
The San Diego airport - not too far to the north of us!
A view from Point Loma, on Coronado Island.
A typical scene on the San Diego Bay.

One of the many boats and ships we saw in the San Diego Bay. Not something we get to see much in West High country!
A sailboat on the Bay.
Another airport picture.
Our home-away-from-home - the Holiday Inn on the Bay.
On our last day, a group took the Old Town Trolly tour around the area.
A pretty sunset across the bay from our hotel.