DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

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Nile Kinnick correspondence, June-August 1942

1942-06-29: Page 03

- 2 -
MIAMI BEACH
We found our room to contain three single beds, two dressers, a
swell shower, and a large, roomy closet. Depositing our luggage
we took the elevator into the basement where the mens locker room
was located. Changing into our swimming trunks we strolled out
for a swim, either in the pool, or in the ocean. The layout was just
as you see in the movies. Around the pool were many tables and chairs
occupied by men and women sipping their drinks and sucking at their
weeds. On the beach, and,also, around the pool were several
small, square shaped tents with a marquee where the the "vets" lolled
in the shade. For the moment I thought I had stumbled into a Zionist
convention, but closer observation revealed a few other Aryans in
the neighborhood. Man, what a parasitic existence;such artificiality,
such boredom, etc, etc., but, also, what a fine setup for three Naval
Cadets to take it easy before reporting in at the station. We swam a
little, tossed some quoits, and just sat soaking up the sun and watching
the hard looking businessmen and tired looking women enjoy their luxury.
I wish George might have been along. He would have expressively described it all as being "plenty neat". For his benefit I must relate
one other incident. There were some weights ont he beach and some of
the dandies were struggling without much success to get the heaviest
above their heads. So old Sandow, just for the hell of it, strolled
over and waited until he got the all clear signal, then spat on his
hands, rustic that he is, and seized that 155 lbs and snatched it aloft
with precision and dispatch. Of course, now that young Hero is "rasslin"
100 lbs sacks of sugar, I presume that such a feat would be ducksoup for
him also. About 5:30 we went over to Miami proper for something to eat
and a show. In every block would be two or three stands selling fresh
fruit juice of all kinds---pineapple, orange, cocoanut, papaya, lime,
lemon, etc. You can guess that I didn't pass up very many of them. After
supper we saw Fred MacMurray and Rosalind Russell in "Take a Letter" or
something like that. Found it quite good. Everything is dimmed out
down here after eight oclock. Only every other street light on one side
is lit, and that quite dimly, and cars must drive with only their parking
lights on. I found it somewhat difficult to pick my way back to the hotel,
not being too familiar withthe streets and buildings. After reading a
little while I strolled out behind the hotel, by myself. It was a grand
night. The Moon was full and bright, the palm trees around the swimming
pool swayed in the fresh sea breeze; I walked down to the edge of the
beach, stood with one foot up on the concrete wall, and drank it [not the ocean!!]
all in. It was wonderful, the wind, cool and invigorating, the waves
running endlessly up the sand, here and there a light blinking down
south a mile or so. It was a night for romance, love and affection,
and I had a pleasant longing for a woman full and fair, but it was not to
be, so I slowly wandered back to the hotel and up to bed. Our room
was on the lee side and didn't benefit from the breeze off the ocean, but
it was quite comfortable sleeping anyhow. We are due to report in at the
air station at Opa Locha sometime tonight. Then it will be a rigorous
schedule again, but not without its interest and fun.
I have addressed this letter to you because of the things that I am
going to say from here on. They will be of interest to the whole family,
yes, but only you will be able to understand completely and share with me

Saving...

- 2 - MIAMI BEACH We found our room to contain three single beds, two dressers, a swell shower, and a large, roomy closet. Depositing our luggage we took the elevator into the basement where the mens locker room was located. Changing into our swimming trunks we strolled out for a swim, either in the pool, or in the ocean. The layout was just as you see in the movies. Around the pool were many tables and chairs occupied by men and women sipping their drinks and sucking at their weeds. On the beach, and,also, around the pool were several small, square shaped tents with a marquee where the the "vets" lolled in the shade. For the moment I thought I had stumbled into a Zionist convention, but closer observation revealed a few other Aryans in the neighborhood. Man, what a parasitic existence;such artificiality, such boredom, etc, etc., but, also, what a fine setup for three Naval Cadets to take it easy before reporting in at the station. We swam a little, tossed some quoits, and just sat soaking up the sun and watching the hard looking businessmen and tired looking women enjoy their luxury. I wish George might have been along. He would have expressively described it all as being "plenty neat". For his benefit I must relate one other incident. There were some weights ont he beach and some of the dandies were struggling without much success to get the heaviest above their heads. So old Sandow, just for the hell of it, strolled over and waited until he got the all clear signal, then spat on his hands, rustic that he is, and seized that 155 lbs and snatched it aloft with precision and dispatch. Of course, now that young Hero is "rasslin" 100 lbs sacks of sugar, I presume that such a feat would be ducksoup for him also. About 5:30 we went over to Miami proper for something to eat and a show. In every block would be two or three stands selling fresh fruit juice of all kinds---pineapple, orange, cocoanut, papaya, lime, lemon, etc. You can guess that I didn't pass up very many of them. After supper we saw Fred MacMurray and Rosalind Russell in "Take a Letter" or something like that. Found it quite good. Everything is dimmed out down here after eight oclock. Only every other street light on one side is lit, and that quite dimly, and cars must drive with only their parking lights on. I found it somewhat difficult to pick my way back to the hotel, not being too familiar withthe streets and buildings. After reading a little while I strolled out behind the hotel, by myself. It was a grand night. The Moon was full and bright, the palm trees around the swimming pool swayed in the fresh sea breeze; I walked down to the edge of the beach, stood with one foot up on the concrete wall, and drank it [not the ocean!!] all in. It was wonderful, the wind, cool and invigorating, the waves running endlessly up the sand, here and there a light blinking down south a mile or so. It was a night for romance, love and affection, and I had a pleasant longing for a woman full and fair, but it was not to be, so I slowly wandered back to the hotel and up to bed. Our room was on the lee side and didn't benefit from the breeze off the ocean, but it was quite comfortable sleeping anyhow. We are due to report in at the air station at Opa Locha sometime tonight. Then it will be a rigorous schedule again, but not without its interest and fun. I have addressed this letter to you because of the things that I am going to say from here on. They will be of interest to the whole family, yes, but only you will be able to understand completely and share with me