Description
I thought this might reach you faster by train - either way you'll get it Sunday #1 Friday Sept. 22 10 pm Darling, For the first time today I am in private - the room has been filled with conversation and laughter until just now. When my two congenial but unwelcome roommates have gone downstairs to have a look at the Officer's Club (there's a nice one here, with hostesses and dancing.) It's been such a full day - I'm just about exhausted and am anxious to turn in soon for a good night's sleep. The trip with Gil was fascinating - I should have loved to take it with you. Visibility was hampered by a slight haze but we could still see for several miles. The plane was an AT 10, a dual control Navy trainer with twin motors, somewhat heavier than I had expected it to be. It was a very even ride - just a few [q?] bumps or dips - and I could see much better than I would have been able to from a commercial plan over the same route. The landscape was varied and so interesting - the well laid out [t?] farms of the [Sal?] Valley. “salad bar [pg 2] of the nation”; the bay; several cities and airports; Stanford University and stadium; the Santa Cruz mountains just before getting to San Francisco airport. I alternated amongst aesthetic appreciation of the view, comparing it with a map and studying the plane instruments. We flew as high as 10,000 feet but were at 4-5000 much of the time. I loved the way we peeled off to lose altitude on approaching San Francisco airport, crossing the field in conventional fashion at right angles to the runways (for a better judgment - of it) before circling into position for landing. The latter was quite gentle - though I felt it acutely in my ears at the time; they are all right now. I wore a parachute, and also headphones leaving [Sal?] Army Airfield and approaching SF Gil answered my numerous questions patiently and I learned a great deal. [Aus?] [?] around 145; we left at 1030, and though I forgot to note time of arrival I think it was about 1115. Had my first ride in a jeep after we landed (Gil took right off again to return) [pg 3] to take me across the field to one of those long airline taxis in which I got a ride into the city. It was in that that I met Lt. (jg) Campbell and (Army) Capt. Dudley; the three of us learned that rooms earmarked for service personnel by the hotels here have to be occupied by at least two men, and that's how we happen to be doubling up. As I told you on the telephone this noon, I didn't report in until we’d come here, left our baggage and had lunch - Then I went to Com Twelve in the Federal Bldg. and went through a fairly quick procedure except for the arrangements as to my professional books [did you get that all right? They’re to be sent right out from Monterey Express Office as they are, without recrating, so you can forget about them] - was told that I could probably go out tomorrow via either clipper or a POZY Coronado (huge Navy flying boat) and that I was to telephone in at 1115 to find out. My valpack is simply picked up here a the hotel by the Navy (I'm changing to khakis, by the way, before I go), leaving [pg 4] me with no problems of luggage. - Lastly, I was sent to the District Medical Office for vaccination and tetanus shot. When I got back here, wanting to start a letter to you, I was disappointed to find Campbell and Dudley decently enjoying a couple of drinks (Dudley, who spent a year in the Aleutians and determined thereafter to be prepared for anything, had 5 or 6 pints of the best bourbon in his valpack) and I could not avoid becoming engaged in conversation, in the course of which I picked up more individual information about Army and Navy both. Dudley has a 3 year old boy, Campbell an 8-weeks-old-today girl - the latter on $78 (private hospital and Navy auspice), the former $21. Eleven pm - they've just returned, announcing that they have been “screwed, blued and tattooed” - actually they took a turn about the Officers’ Club where it seemed the hostesses were grabbed off early in the evening and hung on to, stopped for a drink in the smart Cirque Room where a couple of gals on the make cast “aching looks” in their direction - so they decided to come back here and relax, which they are doing quietly now. [pg 5] They are very easy men to get along with - have been drinking casually sever since we got in, and show no signs of being any more than pleasantly relaxed by it; not tight at all. With that Dudley hands me a drink to sip as I write (Bourbon and soda). Before we had dinner in the Birch Room downstairs awhile ago (a pleasant, unpretentious dining room - I had some delicious fried oysters and potatoes, having had fruit salad at noon) I took them across the street to the Top of the Mark for one drink and a look at the city just at sunset. I was a little sorry to have gone with them; it was a letdown without you, and as luck would have it we were ushered to the same seats as last time. I want that to be our meeting place and shall not go there again otherwise if I can politely escape it; not just for symbolism's sake but because I don't somehow want to. Am not quite used to this pen yet. I like it - it's a sturdy pen - but it's not - as flexible as your green one and is still a little awkward, especially [pg 6] when I have so much to say that I write fast. This afternoon I [?] and bought myself a pipe. It's a nice, chunky little one with a nice grain and finish and a thick walled bowl with flat surfaces and rounded corners - different from any I've had. I did not make any telephone calls this evening I just felt too tired until about an hour ago, when it was rather late. Tomorrow about 1000 I'll see if I can get Joan U., Mrs. May, Fran's mother if possible, Mrs. Cogswell. Have been trying not to write anything to make you feel any worse than you do, dearest, by reminding you of our happiness together in the past week especially - but I just can't help saying how much I love you, how well I know by now just what you’re going through - do take care of yourself and Wendy, daring, and remember: if I've been (in a manner of speaking) on my way out all this time we've been married, I'm now on my back to you! Try to [?] that, and to let your love be stronger than your grief. Goodnight and God bless you, Warren
