In Newport Beach, life goes on
The more things change, the more things stay the same … maybe
Although a resident of Minnesota now, I've been coming to Newport Beach, California, for all my 65 years. My grandparents bought a small beach house on the bay side of the Balboa Peninsula in the 1930s. My grandfather used to catch the Red Car a block from his home and commute an hour or less to his downtown office in Los Angeles. They served him coffee on the morning trip and martinis on the way home.
In a way, not much has changed in the last 6+ decades. The family house is still there and not much altered, although all the other homes on the bayfront sidewalk and been replaced or remodeled. The lot next door is still just sand, although rumors are that it will be built upon soon. The sidewalk in front of the house still provides a lovely opportunity to stroll down to the Fun Zone and the Balboa Ferry viewing the bay along the way.
Yet a lot else has changed. Despite the laidback lifestyle and the many unchanged beach homes, the place reeks with affluence as indicated by big boats and expensive cars. On the cliffs surrounding the bay larger homes have been built where they are allowed.
Come down Newport Blvd. from Costa Mesa and the traffic can be awful on weekends, holidays and during the summer. Smog drifts against the far mountains blown inland by the prevailing onshore winds. During the winter when the Santa Ana winds come, the smog is blown out to sea but can be replaced by dust or the smoke from burning fires inland.
2013 was the driest year on record for southern California. Earthquakes are iminent. Then then there's the projected sea level rise from climate change.
One wonders how sustainable this lifestyle, for better or for worse, can be.
I am torn between an innocent past and a world-wary vision for the future, and it's all wrapped up in this place.
LP
Although a resident of Minnesota now, I've been coming to Newport Beach, California, for all my 65 years. My grandparents bought a small beach house on the bay side of the Balboa Peninsula in the 1930s. My grandfather used to catch the Red Car a block from his home and commute an hour or less to his downtown office in Los Angeles. They served him coffee on the morning trip and martinis on the way home.
In a way, not much has changed in the last 6+ decades. The family house is still there and not much altered, although all the other homes on the bayfront sidewalk and been replaced or remodeled. The lot next door is still just sand, although rumors are that it will be built upon soon. The sidewalk in front of the house still provides a lovely opportunity to stroll down to the Fun Zone and the Balboa Ferry viewing the bay along the way.
Yet a lot else has changed. Despite the laidback lifestyle and the many unchanged beach homes, the place reeks with affluence as indicated by big boats and expensive cars. On the cliffs surrounding the bay larger homes have been built where they are allowed.
Come down Newport Blvd. from Costa Mesa and the traffic can be awful on weekends, holidays and during the summer. Smog drifts against the far mountains blown inland by the prevailing onshore winds. During the winter when the Santa Ana winds come, the smog is blown out to sea but can be replaced by dust or the smoke from burning fires inland.
2013 was the driest year on record for southern California. Earthquakes are iminent. Then then there's the projected sea level rise from climate change.
One wonders how sustainable this lifestyle, for better or for worse, can be.
I am torn between an innocent past and a world-wary vision for the future, and it's all wrapped up in this place.
LP
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