Vanco II

Salba found Vanco II in 2009. The house was at the trash-littered bend of a twisting neighborhood street, just off the 210 freeway. Boarded up. Despair. Fate and a wrecked economy sent these folks scrambling into the unknown distance. Mattresses and clothing lay scattered about. Old tires. Old dreams. Both just as useless. We rode it for a few weeks. The neighbors actually were pretty cool to us once they got over their initial suspicion.

The neighborhood moved into the future slowly. Paint was applied. Lawns refurbished. Moving trucks rumbled the sleepy streets. One day I drove over and was surprised to see work trucks in the driveway. The plywood was off the windows and people scurried in and out of the property. I pulled to the side and watched the activity. Through the front door– which was open – I could see workers cleaning and painting. The pool was being upgraded… I felt a twinge of sadness and hope at the same time. We lost a good pool but maybe the future would be a better place for people to live. No more wars and lies. No more economic down turns. No more political bullying and deceit. I shifted the truck into gear and smirked. I was hopeful…  but I wasn’t betting on it. Thanks to Zach Petschek for the images. Skate- Ozzie