As is often the case hearing a song will bring back memories and recently I heard the 1969 hit “Let The Sunshine in” by the Fifth Dimension from the musical Hair. Actually it was part of a medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine in” and it was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and certified Platinum with over a million in sales.
The song was an exuberant, feel good tune and when I heard it the other day it was a perfect fit. It was a sun drenched day and it was as if someone in the universe had shouted “recess” for all to hear!
On the coast where I live February is not necessarily known as a head to the beach type month like the summer months are. The highways and beaches are generally fairly quiet and storms are frequent, but in this case you could say it just happened to be a perfect scenario for a party. President’s weekend was beginning and suddenly the highways were crowded with people heading for the sunny beaches, the restaurants and motels were overflowing, and coastal dwellers used to the quiet of the off season were shaken awake by eager people out having a blast.
The normally empty parking lots and turnouts to the beaches and beach access roads were packed. The beach across the river from where I live looked like the beach in the middle of July or August. People with colorful clothing, beach gear and happy canines were frolicking about like kids on a school field trip. I watched in amazement as the sleepy little shops suddenly were filled with curious beach goers.
The Village Market was overflowing and the biggest motels in town were hanging out the No Vacancy signs. It was great to see. My village is a tourist driven location and a shot in the arm to the economy during mid-winter is very welcome believe me. Like ski resorts that live and die with snow or the lack of it; a beach town needs sun and fun to make ends meet.
Today as I sit writing this the sun has disappeared once again, the clouds are back, the drizzle will begin soon and the local work force is catching their breath after working their fannies off but there are smiles all around. It had been a wonderful “recess” for what appears to have been a whole lot of Oregon and Washington residents and as the chorus of “Let The Sunshine in” echoes off of the coastal hills I can feel the good times of sunny days!
To reach Rick Schultze email: yarick@pioneer.net