Shelter From the Storm

Saturday, June 3, 2006

Apt title for this news article from the Long Beach Press Telegram.

"A portion of the historic band shelter at Bixby Park — sandwiched between Ocean Boulevard and Broadway, between Cherry and Junipero avenues — was crushed by a 75-year-old felled tree during a strong wind and rainstorm Feb. 19, 2005."

Thought the new wire fence was erected as part of the cities ongoing effort to get the homeless to move out of town. Remember that storm. Well, actually can not say that I recall that storm exactly, so many storms, the winter of 2004/2005. Do recall walking around the park, looking at the felled trees, browned, hardened, palm fronds littering the ground & streets. Gather them off the road, to make piles on the grass. Remember being out during the tornado. Sleepless night, but fun, always liked storms.

Something magical about the forces of nature.

Slept on the bandshell a few times. Once when I got caught in a storm enroute from Belmont Shore area to downtown. It started pouring, as I walked through a residental neighborhood, no where to get in out of the rain. Do consider, trespassing, "what will they think" if the owners catch me standing by their garage or an apartment building parking ramp? Kept walking, shoes soaked, unable to avoid puddles, anymore. The street/curb water was like a swiftly running brook. Would try to jump it, but often landed a bit short. Soggy, wet feet. Not to mention the rest of me.

The bandshell spots are owned; I no longer care. I ask politely if this is anyone's spot, before I grab a 3' space against the wall. The people do not talk to me. I doze off, not caring if anyone tries to rob me. Wake up to wet. Leaks in the roof, have water running down the walls and I am now sleeping in a puddle. Every inch of dry spot is taken by someone. Some keep sleeping thru it all. The thunder & lightning displays, the howling wind, sheets of rain being blown, first away from us, then straight into the shelter. Try to sleep sitting up, with my back against the tiny section of wall that isn't a waterfall. "Morning" is my constant mantra. Eyes so tired, unable to sleep, "morning, morning, morning". Not that there is anyplace dry to go when it gets here. But at least I can go in a restroom, change into dry clothes. The good news about the lousy weather is very few people are out and about at the beach and bike path, so I can spend boring hours holed up in a restroom.

No matter where I go in Long Beach memories of the past return. As mentioned in my Bixby Park post, used to live in this neighborhood. Even when I did moved elsewhere, I still spent time in the area.

Postscript: Link to quoted article titled 'Shelter From The Storm' no longer active. There were often articles saying a water sprout was seen somewhere. The PT would explain the difference between a water sprout and a tornado. I spoke to several people who said they saw them and they totally disagreed with the PT's assessment.