Past Meets Present

My nephew Christopher, incoming freshman at UCSB.

As I drove down Highway 101 my past intersected with my present. The bend at Gaviota revealed oil rigs off the shore, the smell of the sea and eucalyptus, then Refufio, El Capitan. A pelican making his survey. Shock of hot pink boganvilla.

Brian finds Chris the right board.

I passed Winchester Canyon Road -- a place I must not return to emotionally, physically forbidden. It was an orange cone zone, detour available on the next exit. I decided to pass on that trip down memory lane.

The ugly building that used to hail passers by, formerly The Ruby Begonia, a restaurant that more resembled a prostitute, still stands at the last exit out of town.  A new name, a new owner, but the same old place. Someone should really burn the place down and put up somthing grand in its place.

The Funk Zone east of Anacapa St.

I am here for a happier purpose than a trip down memory lane. My nephew will start his Freshman year at UC Santa Barbara next week. I am to acquire a surfboard for his graduation present, a promise of fun in the sun. The experience a pardise such as this should offer.