Bill Brewer
From San Carlos (Sheet Metal Worker)
I walked horses at Del Mar to cool them out. Most people probably haven’t been kicked in the gut by a horse. It’s quite painful. I would walk them on the backstretch, not the paddock area. The jockeys and handlers all wear flak jackets now. Back then they didn’t. I was so bruised, I had to sleep on a pillow for three months. It was a colt that was two years old. It was injured and hadn’t been to the track in 12 days. It decided to run and took off. I got what they call a cow kick.
John Riddle
From Downtown (Poker Dealer)
I rafted over Lava Falls in the Grand Canyon. Twice. That’s the biggest rapid in the U.S. The first time I went, the guy was telling me not to scout it, just hit it. I missed the hole. The second time, I was told to let the raft fill with water to help balance it out. I was given some advice on how to do it, and it all seemed to work out.
Angie Andrews
From Texas (Salesperson)
I walked past John F. Kennedy Jr. a few different times. I was looking for him and didn’t realize I was walking right by. I was also at a dinner that Henry Kissinger was at. I wanted him to sign my program but wasn’t sure how to approach him. I called my friend, and he walked me through it. He told me to get a program off the table and approach him calmly and ask him to sign it. [Kissinger] wasn’t signing autographs, but his son took it and told me to follow them. And he ended up signing it.
Kim Terlecky
From Poway (Legal Assistant)
I climbed the Great Wall of China. That was in November 2006. It was a trip with my mom and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. There were these really steep steps you had to climb. I only did 20 of them. It was a cold morning, and I felt like I was getting frostbite on my nose. They gave you these cards if you got to the top. They also would take pictures of you wearing a samurai costume if you wanted.
Sophie Partridge
From North Park (Restaurant Manager)
I picked grapes on the coast of Croatia. I have a grandmother there. A relative is a priest. In 2000, a group of 13 of us went. And their monastery has its own vineyard. So there were 13 of us, all Americans, picking grapes. It was pretty fun.
Helen King
From Santee (Retired Nurse)
I’ve done two things that I’m proud of. I had drinks with Marilyn Monroe at a swanky Hollywood party at a mansion in Beverly Hills. Although, I’m not sure if that qualifies as something people haven’t done, as I’m sure many had drinks with her during that time. But I also sang a song with Bing Crosby. Again, it was at a party. There were a few famous people there, and at 4 a.m. everyone broke into song. There was one point where just he and I were singing to a crowd of 20. It’s one of the thrills of my life.