So we were sitting at the picnic tables at Veterans Park. thick fog swirling around. the Ranger comes and asks us if we have reservations and I say no, we are a writing class from CSUMB.

He asks some more questions and finally says that this site costs $50 to use but I won't charge you today. What? Parks are free I think but I am wrong.

The city is in such desperste straights that they are charging to sit at a picnic table in the city park.