“Good habits formed at youth make all the difference.”
— Aristotle
It was a wonderful place to be. The sun was warm and brighter than Oregons.
The air smelled of flowers, warmth and eucalyptus trees.
Eucalyptus trees looked different than Oregon trees.
They have white trunks and tiny pointed leaves..
and they gave off an odor much like "Vick’s Vapo-rub."
They also reminded me of ghosts.
Life was good..even on school days..
I had a bicycle, best of friends, rich imagination and freedom to wander wherever and whenever it pleased my fancy.
This freedom was only hindered slightly by my two younger siblings.
(Being the eldest, I was put in charge of their safety) .....but..do-able.
If not in school... We would be off on adventures.
Adventures like exploring the SantaBarbara Botanical gardens,
or the Old SantaBarbara Mission..
or hiking up into the hills that surrounded the City.
Most often we would walk the 3 miles or so to Stearn’s Wharf ..
A magical structure jutting out into the Pacific Ocean with all the smells and dangers and opportunities any child would find irresistible.
We where always looking for Danger...like Snakes, lizards,
Pirates or even kidnappers.
At least, that is what comes to mind as I write this.
Diamonds and Gold were high on our priority list.
We would be gone all day, without food or water.
If we couldn’t find water we would simply knock on a strangers door and ask for it.
This was during the late ’40s and early ’50s...
Perverts hadn’t been invented yet.
and food never seemed to be an issue,
at least for me.
(I still feel that way about food.)
Another favorite destination was the Museum of natural history..
A fascinating destination where we could experience all our imaginative druthers.
Yes, Life was good.
As I write this, I can still smell SantaBarbara.
I can feel the warmth and squinty-eyed weight of the suns
Overwhelming presence.
The tired and hot muscles.
Thirst.
The eagerness of always looking around the next corner for adventure and escape from danger...
and always the chance of treasure.
A great place for a 10-year-old boy. :)
db 8/5/2019
79°F Clear
9490 SE Tarnahan Dr, Happy Valley, OR, United States
