Monday, January 17, 2011

Bayshores

 Today at 'Days of Our Lives',  being a holiday (no "Comm") --  We had a delicious catered lunch---  while in line Holly (pretty, smart, sweet, --young producers assistant) mentioned I had written a new entry---  and that she was happy with my return---  (I hadn't....) Well, that got me going--  so thank you Holly---

I was born in Burbank 46 years ago today---  My parents lived in Sherman Oaks  in a 'modern ranch' that they had built-----  It's a long story why---  (another post...) they decided to relocate to Newport Beach in Orange County---  I was a year old---

Today, the mention of 'Newport' implies the impression of 'over the top' craziness--  back then, however-- -- it was a good place to raise a family--  and was affordable--  

They found a 1200 sq. ft. house in a development called "Bayshores"--

Bayshores was the first Irvine Company development--  starting in the early fifties--  200 (more or less) houses --  some fronting on Newport Harbor--  It was then a mix of fancy and normal---  For my first twelve years-- it was my reality--  Two beaches are there--  the "swim" beach and the "play" beach--  those terms are still used today---  It was a simpler time--  Being safe--  kids were allowed to roam free doing whatever---  It was an amazing period---  southern California in the 60/70's---  We learned every inch of street and alley there---  our parents were all friends and organized cocktail parties--  I still remember 'chaparoneing' home drunken guests---  (I was ten--).  It was expensive to fly-- so vacations were confined to Palm Springs, Big Bear and Catalina--

Bayshores (and Newport for that matter) has changed--  This happened, maybe in the eighties---  Still, when I return--  There is a thread of what once was---