And where was I? What was I doing? I had the great good fortune of spending the summer with a family in Arlington, VA. I raised my own money to make the trip with matching funds coming from my parents and grandmother. It took a whole year to plan, save, and prepare. That summer I also traveled to Newark, NJ to visit and friend, and New York City to visit my sister, Erva, who was a student at NYU.
I took a lot of pictures. If you don't think the Clean Air Act had any affect, all you have to do is look at these pictures of Washington, DC and New York City to learn the truth.
The Capitol Building from the Washington Monument
The White House from the Washington Monument
The Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument
The Lincoln Memorial
The Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial
My sister, Erva, in front of the Lincoln Center, NYC
Erva at the top of the Empire State Building
Me at the top of the Empire State Building
Macy's and Gimbels from the Empire State Building
From the Empire State Building
Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry
The Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry
Me on my last day.
You wouldn't know from this post there was turmoil and tension happening all over the US. San Francisco was a kind of counter balance to what was happening elsewhere in the US. Just during the months of June, July, and August there were race riots in Tampa, Buffalo, Newark, Minneapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Washington DC.
The Six Days War occurred at the beginning of June. At the end of August the American Nazi Party leader, George Lincoln Rockwell was killed in Arlington, VA.
Yes, these times are very trying, but I have to believe there are young people out there who have experienced something good and wonderful this summer. We survived the '60s, we can survive these times too.
Being Thankful
Today I'm thankful Hurricane Harvey didn't dump a lot of rain on us. I know others in Texas are suffering. But this is the extent of our "damage."
What are you thankful for? Were you around for the Summer of Love? If so, share a memory! If not, would you have liked to have experienced it?
Hello Bish, I was around for the Summer of Love albeit on the other side of the pond. I was nineteen in 1967 engaged to Terry and planning a wedding. The furthest we got that year was to Brighton (UK) but I was dreaming of San Francisco and longing to wear flowers in my hair! We did get there, but it was many years later when flower power had waned (mores the pity!)
ReplyDeleteI’m thankful to hear you are all OK, and praying for all those who have not been so lucky.
England in 1967... what a scene!
DeleteThat was really hazy all right. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThe youth of that time grew up and matured, so we can only hope this generation will do the same.
I think every "older" generation worries that the "younger" generation is at best flaky, at worst doomed.
DeleteIt is paradoxical that during the Summer of Love there was a hideous war raging. And look at the gray stew we breathed into our tender lungs. What great pictures of you and your sister being young and in New York.
ReplyDeleteYup, that's the point. Despite the turmoil good things were happening.
DeleteI turned eleven in November of 1967 and so, I lived the whole hippie era vicariously through my sister, who was (and is) six years older than I. In 1982, I traveled to California to research a project that, although set in what was then the present, heavily referenced the events of the 1960s. I visited San Francisco and sadly found it unfriendly and far-removed from the way it was during the Summer of Love.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are some smoggy shots!
The last time I was in San Francisco was about 1982 as well. I didn't find it unfriendly, but certainly it wasn't the same place as in the '67. It's called the Summer of Love because it only lasted for the summer. They even had a funeral to put it all to rest. Too many kids were showing up with no place to live, no money, no food... it got ugly real quick.
DeleteI can definitely see the difference with how hazy it was.
ReplyDeleteI loved your message about being able to survive these times, too.
Thanks, Chrys.
DeleteHi Bish - wonderful reminiscences ... being on the other side of the pond life was slightly different - but similar - though I wasn't as brave as you ... I think it was Greece and Italy at that sort of time in my life. Smog - that I can see ... clean air does make a difference doesn't it ... fun to see you both enjoying NY ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou know, Hilary. It wasn't about be brave at all. It was that I was (hard to believe) barely aware of what was going on around me. I was a naive kid. I suppose my parents may have been concerned, but that didn't stop them from allowing me to have the experience of a life time.
DeleteSan Francisco has changed a lot for the better since 1962 and all we have to do is Watch the first Columbo pilot, Prescription Murder. The smog was amazing back then. We've changed so much as humanists and the planet is healing. I hope we continue to make it so.
ReplyDeleteThe smog was terrible everywhere! As for the planet healing... my biggest concern is the amount of plastic in the ocean. Plastic does not biodegrade it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces which they are now finding in organisms that live at over a mile deep. If we don't do something about our love for the convenience of plastic we will kill ourselves and severely damage the planet.
DeleteGod bless the EPA, but their power and work shouldn't be cut back. We'll have a return to those days of smog without them.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I agree, Janie.
DeleteThat's cool you still have the pictures of that trip, makes it easier to share the memories with others.
ReplyDeleteWe've changed so much as humanists and the planet is healing. I hope we continue to make it so.
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