It was late December 1971, Christmas Break when my parents, myself and a gal friend of mine where on a trip to Disneyland.
We were just hitting the pass going down into LA when an announcement came over the radio about the killings and the Manson Gang. I'm not sure but I think the trial was happening at that time. We had just pased a sign pointing to the Spawn Ranch.
I don't think I've ever been so scared to be some place I've wanted to be as I was then. I kept looking up into the hills, expecting to see something/someone. What tricks the mind plays on you.
I wished I could of been back home, riding my horse, anything then being where I was at that moment.
I won't ever forget that trip nor the happenings of the horrible Manson family. I have read Helter Skelter, I've seen the mini series with Steve Railsback. Yes!!! He is a twin to Charles Manson for sure! Everytime I see Mr Railsback in a movie, I think of his role as Charles Manson.
Speaking of Manson, I've been past San Quenten (sp) prison too where he is serving out his life sentance.
What was even more of a surprise is to learn that Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys knew him. I was an avid Beach Boy fan then too. I believe also that Doris Days son, Terry Melchner(also friend of Dennis Wilson's), knew Manson and had been a visitor at the house. I have the White Album of the Beatles. I had just received it for Christmas that year and listened to it just before we left on the trip. Then when Abbey Road came out and I saw the pictures of the Beatles, Paul being barefoot, the rumors being passed around that Paul was dead.
It now seems so long ago in terms of time but whenever I hear something about Manson, it comes back so clear, of course, I was just 17 when that happened.
I often think about the poor families of the victims and what they have had to live through. Also the babies and little children who were born at the ranch. Hopefully they grew up having a good life and are in good care.
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