Ten White Trucks

I am easily amused.

I am also among the least observant of individuals to walk the planet. Having been tested for such things (because I was curious), it has been determined that 87 percent of the population is more observant than I am. I would probably not make a very good detective.

But this particular observation was so obvious, that even I was able to pick up on it.

Yesterday as I was driving to Orange County from San Diego on my way to work in my white 2007 Toyota Tundra (which I am currently comparing to the Nissan Titan), cruising through the vast environs of Camp Pendleton along the not so scenic Interstate 5, I noticed that there were some white trucks in front of me. Nothing organized. Not all part of a fleet. Different makes, models, and sizes. And actually one was an SUV. But white trucks nonetheless.

Then I noticed more in my rear view mirror.

So I started counting. Ten white trucks (including my own)!

Actually, statistically, that is probably not all that improbable. White is one of the most common (still) of all vehicle colors selected. And trucks make up a very large segment of all vehicles sold. But still... ya gotta admit... kinda weird.

Speaking of Camp Pendleton... that reminds me of something. Back in a minute...

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Ahhhh... another urban myth brought down.

Recently, a former marine who had been stationed at Camp Pendleton told me that Pendleton was actually privately owned, and leased to the government. I found this rather incredible, but he seemed pretty certain of it. I had been meaning to check it out on my own, and was just reminded of it so I did. This is what I found on the Camp Pendleton Official Website:

In 1841, two brothers by the name of Pio and Andres Pico became the first private owners of Rancho Santa Margarita. More land was later added to the grant, making the name Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, and that name stayed with the ranch until the Marine Corps acquired it in 1942.

I don't really care who owns it. I'm just glad it's there. If it wasn't, urban sprawl would encompass California's coast from San Ysidro to the south to Pacific Palisades to the north - a distance of over 150 miles!

I'll write about other mundane stuff another time...