Noels, after reading your post, I cannot help but think of the stories I've grown up with in a family who has been here since 1916. I've often wondered what it must have been like to live along the left coast during the early years of the last century.
dood,
I can't go back that far
but I got to San Diego when WWII was in full swing and everyone had to keep their shades drawn at night for fear of Japanese submarines seeing the light. The town was filled with Sailors and Marines ready to go to war. We had barrage balloons all over the city and there was netting over all the roads near the Consolidated aircraft plant where they built B-24's day and night. I watched P38's dog fight over the skies all the time and that's when I decided that's what I wanted to do, too, but I was still too young then. But I could buy 2 great hamburgers and a malted milk shake for lunch for 75 cents!! And a city-wide bus and trolley pass for a week was also $1.00, so I traveled San Diego high and low during the summers off from school. I also used to spend days roaming the San Diego Zoo (now World famous) for a Quarter... And we had lovely, clean beaches on the Coast where swimming was a joy (and free). But we had to sacrifice during that war, too, not like Iraq... gas was cheap but you couldn't buy much - it was rationed, like 10 gallons a month as I recall unless you were an emergency worker (lots of them
) No butter, little real meat available and chocolate was unheard of... Fabrics were scarce and families who were still together had hard times getting things they needed (but most of the men were gone off to war). But the defense industry kept lots of folks going and well paid! I've forgotten a lot, but I remember all the good things...
San Diego has grown through the years, but I still love that town! It's too bad it's so expensive living there now and that wild fires have taken over the country sides. I envy those of you who live there and wish it were me
Sorry if I hijacked this thread, but dood, you got me going... And Garrett, just interjecting a little personal history about California...
Noel