March 8, 2022
As I was driving home from shopping, I drove past an old cruising spot. By this time of day one could have looked down the street and easily seen at least six to seven cars parked by the sidewalk.
Looking to the end of the road one would see a levee with at least two to three guys circling back and forth across it like vultures.
Today as I drove past, I saw not one car down that street; not one soul pacing the levee.
I couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy as I drove past. There was a time that I would at least drive to the end of the road for old time sake.
Today I figured,"What's the point?"
I just wanted to get home. I was out running errands and was ready to relax.
Inside my heart however, was this mixture of reminiscence of all the hot times I had; blended with great sadness of things just not being like it used to.
Days of the levee were wild.
My initiation into cruising the levee goes back to 1992. I was 21 years old. There was this phone line that charged an arm, leg and your first born a minute to engage in phone sex with other horny guys looking to get off. Sometimes there would be the chance that both parties would be interested in meeting up.
My very first experience with another guy came from this chat line. He was my first male experience. He actually introduced me to cruising.
One day after we got together we started talking about the whole gay scene which I had no clue about. That's when he told me that later that night he was going to go cruising and asked if I wanted to come. I heard of the term but wasn't familiar with it. I agreed and he picked me up later that night.
Although we hooked up a few times prior to this, I really didn't know much about this guy. I must admit I was getting quite nervous when he kept driving and the location was getting more secluded and dark. We finally got to the end of the road.
"What is this?"
"This is the spot where guys cruise. Just over that levee are guys everywhere doing all kinds of stuff. This my friend is the place to be," he said confidently.
"I don't see anybody out here."
He laughed,"That's because we're in the car and not up there."
He pointed to the gravel road leading up to the levee.
Just as he said that a guy walked across, slowed down and looked right into the car. Another guy walked up and stopped as if he was waiting for us to get out of the car. One by one guys started coming up from the other side.
The sight was quite unnerving for me.
The guy that I refer to as My First saw that I was somewhat uncomfortable. For some reason he thought getting me out of the car would make me feel more at ease. As we walked toward the gravel road there were young guys, old guys, really cute guys and some not so great looking guys.
There were a lot of really short shorts, tight jeans with obviously no underwear and guys in sweats with a lot dangling.
My eyes were intrigued but I still didn't feel comfortable. As we got up to the other side of the levee there was little to no light but I could definitely hear the voices and movement in the bushes and the scuffling of rocks.
That adventure lasted no longer than a few minutes as I asked My First if we could leave. He was very accommodating and drove me home.
My next experience with the levee would be years later in 1997 when out of curiosity if I could even find the place sparked my drive.
By the following visit, I had my own transportation. I also decided to check it out more during the beginning of sunset when there was plenty of light. I felt much safer. I still didn't do anything with anyone but this time I watched as guys were blowing each other.
It really wasn't until 2001 when I blossomed sexually.
2001 - 2012 was my peak. The levee's traffic started becoming less and less when I was starting to explore my sexuality. But it was still popping enough to have some good times there. Now its just a place for the unhoused to build there tents.
After numerous sweeps and arrests along with an increase of police patrolling; the place changed.
Ironically the cops don't patrol as much now that the cruising activity has seized. But the homeless has basically turned that area into a tent city.
On one hand I am glad that the unhoused have a place they can dwell in a somewhat safe environment. I just really missed the hot times that were had there and it is no longer a beautiful site with all the garbage around. But like the saying goes nothing stays the same. And so goes the days of the levee.
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