I grew up in Larkspur. Mr Giddings lived on Magnolia Ave, across the street from LCM. He was a ham radio operator and his house was like a train signalling museum. He knew everything about the Western Pacific RR and we spent many afternoons listening to him go on about all of the various trains running all over Marin. He tried to lead a campaign to modernize the WPRR right of ways and connect Santa Rosa to Sausalito with light rail. Of course NIMBY forces assured the right of ways turned into bike paths and the tunnels were closed. He was way ahead of his time.

As kids we would ride our bikes to Hutchinson Quarry and play in the gravel pits and float logs in the pond. Then play in the construction site when they built the shopping center. Victoria Station was super cool as a kid, the building was made out of rail cars. Steak and seafood. Reserved for very special events.

Larkspur was a great place to grow up. Listen for the 5pm fire whistle to head home, otherwise you could do whatever you wanted after school. Carefree.