SLO SWAN SONG

Born in Hollywood, California - when Black and White TV was relitively rare in homes.   Most of the cars on the "new" Hollywood freeway were American made.  Moved to Sherman Oaks when a lad of four.  Attended Dixie Canyon Elementary.  High School was Ulysses  S. Grant.  School mates were Tom Selleck, Micky Dolenz (The Monkeys)  although I did not know them.  College, well tried it for a couple of years at LAVC; but as a working photographer it was hard to pass up assignments and attend class.  So I dropped out.  

Went to war in Vietnam.  

​After the war, came back to the San Fernado Valley for a year or so and desided to give Alaska a try.   Worked in advertising. Ended up a director/producer for the local ABC TV station in Anchorage, KIMO.  Returned to California and moved to San Luis Obispo.  

All and all, spent most of my life in Southern California.  That was then  -  The best times to be there.

From about the early/mid sixties, the Golden State started to tarnish.  Took me awhile; but finally realized  the Golden State was turned into a gulag. The progressive liberals have succeeded in taking the once great State and flushing it out the sewer pipes to the sea!  
Today the RED STAR makes a lot of sense!
I left.  May not ever return.  

Last month sold the last property I had in San Luis Obispo.  I have my memories when the Central Coast was, for the most part, an unknown gem to be enjoyed by a few.  Now today, SLO as it is called, is just another liberal anti-business pustule  that was  once a great place.  It's crowded with drive time traffic problems.

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Memories.  Lots of wonderful memories.

One  of the great excusions is Poso Saloon about an hour north of SLO.  Over the years many a ride  for lunch.  As you can see from the themometer below,   best  to visit in the Spring , Fall or Winter.

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​For a great day at the beach go down to Avila Beach.  Short fifteen minute drive from SLO.  For breakfast, lunch or dinner try the Custom House in Avila!

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Did a lot of living while in California.  The best place to have spent the early/mid years.  Riding the bikes in the mountains and the deserts, sailing the coast and Lake Tahoe, skiing Mammoth and Heavenly, scuba diving off Avila and the Channel Islands, rock climbing and repeling the great local climbs in and arround SLO, kayaking and of of course flying all over the State.  Cant tell you how many times would fly over to Harris Ranch for breakfast; or up to Morgan Hill for a good meal.  Heck I remember one night talking to a guy that had never been to Tommy's in LA for a burger.  So we jumped in the 210T and an hour later rented a car at Van Nuys airport and drove to Tommy's in downtown LA.
​That's it, about three hours total back in SLO.   The most expensive buger I have ever eaten!

Those were great times to be in LA.  Used to go to Sunset Bulivard spend a few hours at WHISKY A GO GO listening to The Doors, or Johnny Rivers.  Go down to the Golden Bear for folk music.  Spend the summer days on the beach of Malibu or Santa Monica.  

Learned to fly at....wait for it -  Coffin Air Service.  Back then you had to do spins to get your license.  We did them over the Glenn View Cemetery!   My instructor was Hank Coffin and in his seventies.  Great pilot and wonderful instructor.  I soloed under eight hours and was fifteen years old.

Great memories!

Below:  Sailing Lake Tahoe.  Diving of the Channel Islands, Riding th California desserts.
Riding and camping at Alabama Hills,  Rock Climbing, Kayaking the coast off Shell Beach.

Above:  Skiing Mammoth Mountain and "teaching" my son to fly.

​Set aside the nit  wit (communist) politians and California is a beautiful State.  In my opinion the most diverse in what it offers of all the States.   I mean you can really ski in the morning and have dinner at the beach the same day!

Allow me to reminisce .  I have had a blessed life living in California.  

Spent the last morning waiting for the dawn at Pismo Beach.  Left an hour after this photo was taken.
Goodbye Kalifornia - Good Luck!

California - is in my soul.   There is beauty.  There are to be had great and wonderful memories.

And if you are to live there; you will have high blood pressure and learn to swear like a China Sailor when dealing with the State government and many of the local dictators too  -  SLO is one!

​Go there for the beauty and   - - - -  the Assembly and Moonbeam!

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See You DownThe Road