Santa Barbara Beach Finds

[DavHut]

Bonito, clams on Tin Can Beach, man you are bringing back memories. I havent heard the term Tin Can Beach in a long time....

I look forward to hearing yor story, friend.

 

[awhitster]

I thought I had a rough start. My Daddy told me a crow pooped on a stump and the sun came out and hatched me, but yours has that beat to heck..

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I was a military brat. I have been around, but not on the west coast. My roots are in the West Virginia hills and that is where I plan to move back. I read your start in life, Bill. A hard beginnings and the experience we receive from life build character. I guess that explains why you are such a character, Bill and keeps this forum interesting. It sounds funny to talk about my past. I sound like my grandfather. The "old days you know". My dad made $27 a week in the early 50's. We lived in a one room shack with a coal stove for heating and cooking. Life is much better now as far as being easier, but I wander if our kids lost some of that character. The house hasn't sold yet, so back to work I go.

 

[John D.]

Uncle Willy,
I have always said "Every person's life is a best seller if they just knew how to put in into words." Why don't you write your life story? I will buy a autograph copy or two, myself.
Your Friend,

 

[Uncle Willy]

The kids today have lost a lot. They don't know what real life is all about and they are far from being prepared for hard times that are coming soon. I see where now they have figured out a way to milk all the Yuppies out of more money - pre-pre-school for three year olds, only $220 a month. The Yuppies are already lining up.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

You know I have thought about that but who would believe it.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Here's the rest of it with a happy ending. The hospital let my dad sleep there and eat in the kitchen for free. When we all left the hospital we had nowhere to go, no money, no transportation. So my folks walked for over sixty blocks around St. Louis trying to figure out what to do. Finally they came upon a Salvation Army mission, swallowed their pride and went in. As always the SA was right on the ball and put us up in an apartment and stocked it with food and all the necessities for me, except a crib - so my very first bed was a dresser drawer and I was happy as a clam with it and in it.

Mom could have contacted her dad but she had run away from home with my dad which didn't set to well with grandpa so her bull headed pride kept her silent. But somehow the word got to my grandpa and he made a hot trip to St. Louis, bundled us all up and took us home. One of the first things out of his mouth when he arrived, " Ain't no grand child of mine sleeping in no damned dresser drawer."

And that was the adventure of my birth. Many more were to follow in coming years. I have learned a multitude of things in my journey through life. By the time I was about 14 I had been in all continental 48 states, Canada, and Mexico.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah Tin Can Beach ( amply named ) was a long time ago. Remember the Pike and the rip roaring times one could have their or the amusement park at Santa Monica? And the days of when in the middle of the day you could drive 120 MPH on the freeway without worrying about traffic. Only thing to worry about was the Freeway Patrol in their hopped up cars.

I remember they nailed a guy one morning doing 110 MPH on the Golden State while shaving with an electric shaver plugged into the gigarette lighter. He told the cops he was late for work.

Bill

 

[awhitster]

My mom said she used a banana box to haul us around in the car when we were babies. Kinda like an Okie car seat.

 

[Uncle Willy]

To each his own. Whatever works. Bet it didn't hurt you a bit.

Bill