Day 26: LA Harbor
The family unit drove to LA Harbor to see the old stomping grounds and to have ceviche for lunch in Mexicanville. Let’s find some real industrial landscape and get away from all this English. LA Harbor is a sight to behold, with all the huge ships, bridges and cranes. We had lunch at an old fast-fish joint with a huge marine life mural painted on it. Sure enough, the counter girl couldn’t even talk to me, but giggled instead. The ceviche was great. The fish taco better. Down the block we saw a guy on a cool chopper bicycle ride up and rest at the corner. Neat to see a macho latino guy think a bike is cool. Seconds later a car pulled up, gave him a big wad of cash and zoomed away. Ah, all that style, just for business.
We checked out my old marina nestled between the oil refinery and cranes. More run-down, it looked like to me. I see some young guys hanging out by the gate and tell them I used to live there and ask to have a look to see what it’s like these day. One guy says “It’s where boats come to die.” They laugh, and we chat awhile, they’re living and adventuring there themselves. We head on in. There are quite a few homeless people living on their boats, it appears. We see one lady passed out amid a mountain of trash on a boat. But there are still a few interesting, quirky boats that look like adventures might be brewing in them.
Kent later tells me that slip-fees have gone down through the floor, which is why homeless people can sprawl on old barges. I wonder if my old boat is around there somewhere. I hope so. I meant to look for it on this trip, but no time. Not for anything really. Just little dips here and there. We have to roll, and say goodbye to K&J.
