Wanting to share some of my childhood memories with our granddaughters, we headed to Balboa Island for a stroll down Memory Lane. It was a day everyone fully enjoyed. New memories were gathered and lots of fun was had.
We moved to Orange County in 1970 when my Dad got a job with the Irvine Company managing the Newport Marina. His office was in a little building located right before the bridge that takes one onto Balboa Island.
This little Island's history is a rich one and can be read here. For me, it was a destination for a Sunday funday or just a place to stroll when you needed something to do. To share this place with the next generation made me so very happy! Almost every dock has one of these darling boats attached to it. Duffy Electric Boats are incredibly popular for cruising around the Island and their history is an interesting one. The boats were invented by Marshall “Duffy” Duffield in Newport Beach, when he was a teenager. In 1966, Duffield combined a golf cart battery with a secondhand motorboat to create the prototype for the Duffy Electric Boat. Four years later, he opened his first shop. In 1971, Disney World ordered 25 boats. How very, very cool!What I appreciate about them is the clever names each one has been given. I do love clever!
For me, the Island is one of discovery. There are so many unique aspects to find. Cool mailboxes, doors adorned with beautiful wreaths, and a plethora of weathervanes that keeps you constantly looking up!
Lurking around every corner is a surprise to be discovered!Every now and then one comes upon one of the original beach cottages from the 1920s. Nestled between two massive McMansions, it harkens back to a time I would have loved to have been a part of.
Fading sandcastles were a true delight to discover. This one's message was just extra sweet... "Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud!"This one reads, "Diligence is the mother of Good Luck!"After exploring the Island we took the ferry over to the peninsula. The ferry ride has always been a highlight of any visit here and it did not disappoint. Again, a history lesson ensued. Joseph Allan Beek, while still a student at Pasadena City College, was enchanted with the area, and became one of Collins’ salesmen. Joe Beek played a crucial role in the development of Balboa Island, and spent a lifetime devoted to it. In 1919, Joe got the first contract for a ferry between the Island and Balboa Peninsula. In 1920, the first car was pushed across the bay (for 10 cents). In 1922, Joe Beek got a 15 year franchise, using the ferry boat “Joker”, which could hold two cars. That franchise has continued until this day, with three 64 ft. boats that can carry three cars. He later served as Secretary of the California State Senate until his death in 1968. What a guy!%20(Medium).jpg)
We ended our Balboa day with a visit to the Fun Zone (c. 1936) for Balboa Bars and a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Balboa Bars were created on Balboa Island in 1945. There is a huge debate as to who really invented them but it doesn't matter. They are still delicious 80 years later!
As for the Ferris Wheel, it has been at least 45 years since I've ridden it. What a fun ride it was.Like everything here, this ride has history. Purchased in 1936, the Ferris wheel is a used 1918, 45-foot version bought from a Seattle company. It is not considered "original" in the sense that it is the same Ferris wheel that was there when the Balboa Fun Zone opened, as it has been rebuilt and significantly renovated over the years. However, it is still considered one of the oldest operating Ferris wheels on the water in California and remains a key feature of the Balboa Fun Zone. And it was thrilling for us to ride. What memories (new and old)!“To paraphrase one of the greatest philosophers
of the twentieth century, Winnie-the-Pooh:
you don’t know you are making memories,
you just know you are having fun.”
― Meik Wiking
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1 comments:
A walk down memory lane for me. The first 30 years of my life involved many days on the Newport Peninsula and Balboa Island. My paternal grandparents had a tiny, original cottage house a block from Newport Beach (will try and find a photo for you) The ferry, Balboa Bars, the pier, so many memories there. Thank you.
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