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Lucky Little

Off we go, with a stream of others on the highways going west.

The Stoned Ponies, Donovan, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Beatles, The Way to San Jose, tunes kept us moving on down the road, all 6 of us in an old beat up station wagon. At that time I was still unaware of the directional force. We just happened to drive up the coast highway to check out the canneries in Monterey the very same day that the Monterey Pop Festival was being set up for the first time. I had no idea that I was walking into the very heart of an historic event.

Obviously we parked the old wagon and walked on the grounds. No cops, no vendors, no lines, no taped off areas, no tickets, no ids, just a lot of grass (both types), a big stage with its awning, a couple hundred white wooden slatted chairs set up and some booths with natural and organic goods and art. They even provided a large space, which was actually a large empty eating hall, for those with no campers or tents or otherwise place to sleep.

We just walked in and found a space and put down our mat and bags. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. This was the most beautiful thing I could imagine. Happy, wide-eyed, open minded, pretty, kindred spirit, enjoying every single thing around me I walked around as those I was in a magical kingdom. No worries, no judgment, no fights, no frowns, no insecurities, just a pure positive vibe, a resonance with the environment and all within it. The people were beautiful, long hair, on everyone, laid back, colorful, radical clothing, smiles and lots and lots of smiles. Frequent smiles and eye contact with strangers whom one encountered signaled joint ideology, connectedness, acceptance, or typically they both were enjoying a nice pot high – out in public no less! Remember I was a fresh out of Kentucky girl, having lived briefly in Houston, Texas and now here I am on the Pacific Coast with lots of cool (cool really meant something back then) individuals, happy people, bands…….and smoking pot in public! If his meant I was a hippie then call me that because I was happy with it.