I grew up in rural North England and was lucky enough to visit family in California throughout my childhood. This song reminds me of my first trip, driving around California for 3 weeks 😊
South bound on PCH into Ventura. Been there done that many, many times. Oh so many years ago my brother and I would go north on PCH to Oxnard/Ventura and launch his boat so we could go out and fish the Channel Islands. Miss my brother and those times.
Thanks for sharing this. My wife and I walked the 35 mile stretch between Santa Barbara and Ventura this past summer. Two days, camped in Carpenteria...game changing experience for me. Beautiful
What a great love story, I am from Cali as well, lost my husband 6 mos ago after 46 year's together!! Ventura Highway was the best, priceless and my 4 grandkids are the best, all the best to you and sorry about the loss of your wife!!
I’m 59. Grew up in Huntington Beach, Los Angeles and Riverside County. This song always reminds me of my late mom. When I was little my mom always played the radio and Gordon Lightfoot songs always played
Ventura Highway Chewin' on a piece of grass, walkin' down the road Tell me, how long you gonna stay here, Joe? Some people say this town don't look good in snow You don't care, I know Ventura Highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go, I know 'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air, in the air Wishin' on a falling star, waitin' for the early train Sorry boy, but I've been hit by a purple rain Aw, c'mon Joe, you can always change your name Thanks a lot son, just the same Ventura Highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go, I know 'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair
I think my wife, now in heaven, put all this together to remind me of the LOVE we had travelling Ventura Highway. We met in high school in 1972 in Santa Monica and went to UC Santa Barbara together from 74 to 78. We went back to Santa Monica on weekends on Ventura Highway. So I know every off ramp every overpass. This song played on the radio; replayed with this video it kindles memories as a gift from my wife in Heaven. Together We had five kids and (now) ten grandchildren. She passed away two years ago.
Love the beauty of the song, but the actual though of that road scares shit out of me. Outside of my Big City, the United States is a creepy, lonely place.
On a drive to Ventura earlier this year on the 101 playing this tune the weather was occasional showers and at the same time when the line I've been hit by purple rain came raindrops hit my windshield and because the sun was still shining too it gave off a purplish tint from refraction of water droplets. Not kidding. Pure synchronicity.
I hope that one day I could go back to California and drive again in Ventura highway (101). I love USA, my country (Philippines) could've been one of US states but due to selfish politicians it never gone to fruition 😢
