Monday, March 16, 2009

Spring Break 2009

Just catching up on things, noting the wonderful turn of the weather and more kids for spring break today, the few migrant birds and hummingbirds that have passed through, and mundane things like that.

I learned that Spring Break was invented in 1983 at the old Sandy Retreat hotel (which became the Mira Mar), where there parking lot was used for rock 'n' roll bands. The gathering was started by a bunch of Valley kids, not out-of-area college students. In 1984 the Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughn played there. Gosh, that was only 25 years ago. Steve Hathcock has a great story about the history in the last issue of the Coastal Currents local newpaper (sorry, not online). He has a rather amusing ending about Dionysus and how since ancient Greek times, people have been celebrating spring.

It's a break in things right now, as Lori and daughter head to Mexico for goodies and her boyfriend is checking out driving on the beach. Work has been quiet so I'll have to give them a jingle in a while. But it's definitely an "open door day," a good one too.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"It's a break in things right now, as Lori and daughter head to Mexico for goodies and her boyfriend is checking out driving on the beach."

who is Lori's boyfriend?!!...... :^o)!

Sam said...

Hopefully not the owner of Sea Ranch, Dirty Dave, he's worse than Dirty Al. I think she likes Dirty Sam OK tho'.

Anonymous said...

Sam, not to be picky, but the first Spring Break that I experienced was in the year 1983 and there were many college kids from outside of the area.It was quite established as a happening by then. I remember very fondly one particular girl from UT and talking with her on the beach during SB of '83 like it was yesterday....

Sam said...

Anon,

there are very few islanders left who know the pre-1983 Spring Break on the island, perhaps about 30 in addition to the hundreds of travelers. I think it's important to document that stuff for the sake of history and by gosh, we have a history committee now!

And I agree, did the local write-ups and articles mess up because Spring Break really started in the 70s?

But aye, I agree, 1983 seemed like it was yesterday. Have any info, bring it on! Hard to believe, my boy born the is now 25 years old.
sammie