My last trip to Calipatria was "memorable". I was assigned to "strike duty" with PacBell. My task was to visit each central office in the Imperial Valley including Holtville, Calexico, El Centro, Imperial, Calipatria, Brawley and Niland. I worked trouble tickets and made certain the building was secure. Just as I entered the fenced area around the Calipatria CO, an "ag" plane flew by and I was hit with some pesticide overspray. I was able to unlock the door and get inside the office. I collapsed on the floor for almost 4 hours. It was about 4:30 AM when I mustered the strength to stand up and call the control office in San Diego. No problems with the office. I still felt pretty bad. The all night mini-mart was open. I purchased a Coke and mentioned my experience. The cashier said that was common. Some people are very sensitive to the organophospates. Yup. It was 1989, so calling home meant walking around to the back of the building to use the pay phone. I dialed home to share my experience with my wife. About that time, I heard what sounded like leaves blowing in the wind on the ground around me. Nope. It was a solid carpet of cockroaches. Ewww! Yuck!. Had to shake them off my tennis shoes. That was my last visit EVER to Calipatria.
The day improved by 5:30 AM. I arrived in Niland and enjoyed a plate of chorizo and eggs at the "Good Food Cafe". That's still a favorite watering hole.