Mississippi

      My family developed a summer retreat in Mississippi near Bay St. Louis which is close to the Kingsley House Camp.  I rode the Honda 50 between the two locations. 

      One morning, I was on an outing with my parents. We came upon an accident that just happened. The overweight redneck had fallen asleep at the wheel in the early hours. He hit the bridge abutment at highway speed. The car careened down the embankment packed with family members.  I asked my folks to stop to see if I could help. I climbed down the embankment peering into this carnage.  The injury to his chest was a crush wound.  His breathing was gurgled.  I could tell he had severe internal injuries as well.                                 Everyone was moaning and groaning. There was nothing I could do. The ambulance would be here in minutes. I elected to leave the scene and let the professionals handle this world of pain and injury. A rescuer never pulls people out of a wreck unless there is imminent danger.
     Our fishing camp was nothing more than a mobile home on a small property on a canal that led to more canals. In the South, drop a fishhook in most any spot will get you something to eat. This was my party spot for hot dates. Sandy and I discovered sex and other essential skills. She wore the most complicated outfits complete with a girdle that made getting to the sex difficult.

     I took a job at the YMCA in New Orleans East as a lifeguard and swimming instructor that carried me into my first year at college. Jack T. took the job as well. Jack was a rescue swimmer for the Coast Guard.   Benton B was a champion swimmer and diver who also worked this summer job.   He would finish his day with one of those spectacular dives. He was perfecting his one and half twist with a somersault entering the water without a splash.   I had a lot to learn about body mechanics before I could ever do things like Benton.  He was another rich kid that had nothing to worry about future wise.   His parents were country club members with all the toys that go along with that lifestyle.  I had nothing but the desire to do great things for people. This was the summer of 1969.               The New Orleans Pop Festival was about to happen on that Labor Day weekend. Going to this Festival with Rick S. would turn out to be the most delusional moment in my life.
     If you never have been to one of these drug festivals ..er...music festivals, be prepared to be around people who are there for other reasons besides music appreciation.  The festival was swarming with undercover cops. Many people were incarcerated. There was no tolerance for bad behavior then. Michael Bear was one of those arrested.