More Sunlight For March Madness!

Daylight Savings Time is here. In the nick of time if you ask me. With so much trouble all over the world its nice to have more hours of sunlight. Last Sunday was my favorite day of the year. Our politicians screw up many things but moving up daylight savings time was their shining moment. Especially when it comes to the All-American tradition of Spring Break.

I know it sounds funny for a baby boomer to talk about spring break which to many conjures up images of Connie Francis and Fort Lauderdale. In Southern California spring break is redundant. Who needs a break from 72 degrees and hazy sunshine? The people who need a break are those freezing souls east of the Rockies. This has to be their worst winter in decades.
I lived on the Great Lakes for three winters and came home with my California soul craving sunshine. Even in a mlld winter you could go a month without seeing the sun. That was the hardest part for me. I made the drive every March down to Daytona Beach just to see the sun and it was worth every one of the 21 hours it took to get there. In Florida there were college girls and spring training baseball games. Disney World without the humidity or the long lines. Lots of happy people grateful for the sun, watching March Madness basketball games in palapa bars from St Pete to Vero Beach.

I saw the Dodgers play in the latter city and loved the whole Dodgertown vibe. Tom Lasorda driving a golf cart along side a group of fans heading to the ballpark. Sitting on the grassy knoll with served as the outfield barrier before they installed fences. My friend sleeping one off under a tree in the adjacent park and getting hit by a foul ball. Driving back to Daytona and hoping an old friend wouldn't mind if we crashed on his floor. A free MTV concert at the historic bandshell on the beach. Florida in March will always be the epitome of Spring Break.

Back then the only problem was Daylight Savings Time arriving in April, too late for most vacationers. This year it arrived on March 13th, right before the fun starts. St. Patrick's Day, March Madness and of course, Spring Break. Kind of a holy trinity for party people. Unless you gave up partying for Lent. If so, good luck.

I have no such reservations. Upon returning to California twenty years ago, I have kept the spring break tradition alive. Even if its just a three day weekend to get away from the foggy coast, I go somewhere and its always a blast.

Now that flying is such a hassle, I'd rather drive which means I can bring everything I need to have a good time. Beach chair, boombox, food and drink. Minimalism for maximum fun.
Last year I did spring training in Arizona. The new Dodgers ballpark is nice but lacks the funky vibe of Vero Beach. Its way out in the boring suburb of Glendale. I preferred riding the Metro trolley to the A's ballpark in Phoenix and getting in 9 holes at Rolling Hills Golf Course! Right across the street from the stadium. Something I couldn't do in Florida when it was still standard time.

This year I'm going to Las Vegas. There won't be any baseball games but there will concerts, hot tubs and girls. Did I forget March Madness? The greatest thing about this wonderful month? That's why I'm going to Sin City, to watch the action in the sports book and make some money betting on the games. This year is special because my alma mater made it to the Big Dance. That's right, the UCSB Gauchos take on mighty Florida in the first round. Chances are they won't be playing by the time I get to Vegas, but its spring time, and hope springs eternal!