1976: Tapes from California ~ An Introduction

Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, Vancouver Island - March 1976.

Welcome everyone to the new blog for my forthcoming book, a memoir titled 1976: Tapes from California. As many friends, family and acquaintances can attest, "Tapes" is a detour from my previous two works, John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches and Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985 Admittedly, it's a bit frightening venturing away from authoring a book about a subject that is familiar to me and thoroughly rewarding. It's also scary to write about a personal story while attempting to understand the emotions that mirrored the experiences we encountered and revelled in. However, in keeping with the tradition of writing about the retro erotic film era, my new book is a reflection of the same rebellious fortitude that was at the very core of the birth of the renegade industry during the late 1960s. That resilient spirit lingered throughout the 1970s decade and reached its pinnacle in and around 1976, when I set out for new horizons just after turning 18.
     "Tapes" explores the highs and lows of a 6 month road trip I made with a friend to British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and back home through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It was an extraordinary, life altering journey for two teenage girls thirsty to experience 'real life' as we youth hostelled, hitched rides (2400 miles in all), and took planes, trains and automobiles to get to where we wanted to go. The title of the book is inspired by a song written by one of my most beloved folk heroes, the late, great Phil Ochs.
     The evolution of this project is currently being composed derived from a journal I'd kept during the trip, and also from my friend's personal diary. I am blessed beyond belief that both of us had the foresight to document so many of our experiences and episodes during our travels. I am reconstructing our encounters and the people who were a part of our journey to the best of my memory while using the books to chronicle our timeline and to help keep me on track.
     I have to extend huge gratitude to my friend and travelling partner, Jan, for holding on to many of our precious memories in the way of photos and memorabilia - many of which will be included in the book.
     In the weeks to come, I plan to share excerpts and a few select photos.

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