img01--SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964

img01--SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964
Originally uploaded by Lance & Cromwell

A SHORT STORY ABOUT THE GREAT TIMES ON THE STRAND

Of all of the photos I have discovered by browsing the Flickr photostreams, this photo is one that captures the essence of my youth.

The Monica Hotel was one of my haunts in 1960. While I was not old enough to sip cocktails, I did so without questions about my age. It was a very happy bar and I enjoyed sitting at the bar watching the beautiful people passing by. It was air-conditioned and the longer I sat inside this bar, the more joyful my mind and imagination became.

If the viewer will not the left side of the image, the old Merry Go Round on Santa Monica Pier is visible. I do not recall too much graphiti in the 60s, but I do remember many chic and sexy young people like the gal ad guy passing by.

It was a time when a few words of conversation could strike up an interesting transient relationship. Yes, those were the days.

In the far distance, one can view the Mountains where Malibu was located on PCH at the end of the pennisular range of mountains. I never worried about riding a bike, thus the sign meant nothing at all to me, I always had transportation, transient as it was, whenever the party or parties ended for the night or morning.
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img01--SANTA MONICA 28 March 1964
Photo project for state college photo journalism class back in 1964.

Uploaded by Lance & Cromwell on 16 Mar 09, 6.36PM PDT.