Coronado Farewell on Segways

Because that's how we roll…


We were a few minutes early for our meeting in front of Barnes & Noble at Grossmont Center, and Pennie took advantage of the moment by visiting Starbucks. Chase Meyer was the first former The UPS Store #2869 employee to arrive. Chase had recently become a San Diego County Sheriff, and he described some of the more physical aspects of his training. Soon Tami Colton-Grenier, Jessi Barrer and Linda Hopkins pulled into the parking lot. As greetings were exchanged, Tom asked the group if they had any idea what the surprise was that he had planned as their farewell activity. None even ventured a guess.

The four piled into Tami's CR-V as she informed Chase that he would be driving. They followed Tom & Pennie out of the parking lot and then west on Highway 94.

FAN (Former All-Star Noriko Singler) was in Japan and unable to participate — we all missed her.)

Soon the caravan was driving over the Coronado Bridge which offered a spectacular view of the harbor on this clear sunny morning. We parked near the Coronado Ferry Landing and crossed the street. The group was standing in front of the Segway of Coronado storefront and suddenly realized what the activity would be. Immediately Tami and Linda were on their cell phones calling home with the excited news of our adventure.

Norm, the proprietor of Segway of Coronado, informed us that we were about 30 minutes early, so we walked around the corner to Tartine, a French bistro, and enjoyed pastries and coffee.

At 11:30-am, Jeff, our instructor and guide, began the training session on the two-wheeled Segways. The group donned safety helmuts and slowly conquered their fears as they learned how to mount, balance, roll, stop, turn and go up and down driveways. The process took about 30 minutes and soon Jeff led us across 1st St toward the bay, with Norm following behind.















After a group photo at the Old Coronado Ferry Landing with the amazing San Diego skyline in the background, the group proceeded single file south along the scenic walkway toward the bridge. Tami momentarily lost control near the Marketplace but soon was on her way again with Norn nearby.

We stopped for a few minutes at a mini-pier as a fisherman grabbed his pole and pulled a small sea bass out of the water. Then Jeff turned off the speed control on each Segway which meant we were now free to zoom along at speeds up to 12 mph, instead of just 5. The increase in speed was definitely exhilarating as we rolled along the bay, attracting the gazes of folks walking, skating or riding bicycles along the walkway.

We passed Tidelands Park and paused underneath the bridge as Jeff gave us information about the bridge, Navy Seals and other interesting tidbits about the bay. Golfers stopped and stared as we rolled along a narrow pathway next to the Coronado Golf Course.

We crossed Glorietta Blvd. and continued on the sidewalks in front of the historical mansions and beautiful homes. When Jeff mentioned we were going to continue on Margarita Ave., some in the group thought he said we were going for Margaritas, but alas, it was not to be.

After touring more neighborhoods, we returned to Tidelands Park where we were encouraged to "off-road" anywhere we wanted on the grassy fields. Everyone raced off in all directions on the rolling grass hills, but this momentary free-form riding was over all too soon. We slalomed back onto the scenic walkway toward the Ferry Landing.

Jeff and Norm guided us back to the storefront and our Segway adventure was over. We waited a few minutes as Jeff printed copies of our group photo, a nice touch. As we returned to our cars, Tom was presented with Thank Cards from each member in the group.

Tami, Chase, Jessi, Linda and Noriko — my former employees, and now my forever friends.


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