@cpa I of course drove by “your“ iconic fwy sign again today.
I knew it was coming up, but is a sign picture on the fwy going to be better on TACC and autopilot?
I could be bothered after the first five times over a decade.
Seriously, if you take the exit and head south to the present day campus research facility, you will see the vestiges of the once infamous Zzyzx Hot Springs spot that was built by a huckster-cum-radio evangelist, Curtis H. Springer. He squatted on government land after the war and constructed the buildings and baths there. It took the feds and the County of San Bernardino several years in the late 60s to remove him. His pitch was that people could just show up and stay as long as they like for free. He made his money by his proselytizing on the radio and "donations" on site. It is now the home for Cal State San Bernardino (I believe) desert studies institute.
Meanwhile, that exit is also firmly etched in my mind. In July 2008 when gas prices were ~$4.50/gallon, I was heading to Vegas to play in a bridge tournament. I had packed an ice chest (clearly visible--first mistake) with some of my home brewed beer to drink in the evenings after each day's events. I had stopped for some Mexican food for lunch and had two pints of cerveza with my lunch (second mistake.) Earlier that morning, I had my annual appointment with my retinal surgeon, so of course my pupils were dilated and four hours later were still like saucers.
Just as I passed Rasor Rd., I got into the #1 lane to pass a couple of semis. I was driving 71/70 to pass. Next thing you know, red lights are visible in my rear-view. I safely change lanes, and the cop is still on my ass. I pull over, get my paperwork in order to hand to him as he approaches on the passenger side. I had them to him and get a reply, "What are these for?" OK, I say, I'll put them away. "No, hand them over." Done. After his customary checking of my extensive criminal background, he returns and said that I was "hugging the line." I inquired if I committed a lane violation (that is, was I driving on the paint.) No, but have you been drinking? I mistakenly said that I had a beer at lunch in Barstow. He wanted to see the contents of the visible ice chest. I showed him with the unlabeled 22-ounce beer bottles. He thought he had a live one. There was a lot of foul language coming from his mouth during this roadside adventure. You can imagine the names he called me and all the F-bombs he dropped in his officerly discourse, doubtless taught at the CHP Academy. (This guy looked to be about 25.)
I'm ordered out of the car in the blazing heat, ordered to remove my sunglasses. Any request that I made like can I have my back to the sun, officer, or may I put on a pair of tennis shoes (I was wearing flip-flops) were denied. Twelve roadside tests later (never knew there were twelve!) he ambles back to his patrol car for the breath test. I blow three different times into two different devices.....drum roll.... .016. He said I passed all the coordination tests. He asked me if he could arrest me.
Now I knew he was f*cked. I said, "Officer, you will do whatever you want to do. You have a gun. You have a badge." [Then I cited the law about >= .08 versus .06 to .08. So do as you choose because I will be prepared.] I thought I was free, but no-o-o-o. He ordered me back into the car while he returned to his patrol car. Ten minutes later he returns with my paperwork and gives me an avuncular pep talk. I asked the officer why all the hostility toward me earlier, and what is your name and ID #. He told me to beat it before he changed his mind. I assume he was looking for a "drug" expert because of my dilated pupils, but one was not in the vicinity. 4A and all that. Later, a friend who does some criminal defense work said that had I pressed the matter that the Chippies would have had some problems.
I exited at Zzyzx Road and pulled off to view the traffic on the interstate. He never appeared, ostensibly crossing in the median and returning whence he came.
I have no problem with being pulled over. I have no problem with his suspicions. But like many things in life, do your job right, do it professionally, and measure your responses and reflexes to match the situation.
