One of the things I remember from the fifties that I really miss, is visiting Yosemite National Park. It was so much less crowded back then, and enjoyable.
In fact, all of California was in that category.
Chester
The whole durned world was in "that" category. Wish it still was. We just have too many people in this world.
All the environuts complain about air and water pollution but what they should be complaining about is people pollution because people cause all the other pollutions.
Joe McCarthy is the senator who went after suspected communists in Government, Hollywood, and Acedemia in the 50's.
In many instances, Joe McCarthy knew what he was talking about.
These are examples of what we called "pulling units". Besides the well service rig itself, there was nearly always what we roustabouts called a "dog house", which was a small (usually about 12' x 12') shed constructed of heavy-gauge metal, where the workers could take breaks, eat meals, sleep, etc. It was a rough life and the hands worked hard but in those days, it was usually a job almost anyone could get in the oilfields. It was considered an entry-level internship for oilfield workers who hoped to move on to the more prestigious positions of roughnecks and/or drillers, where the money was much better.
But after a couple of years working at this, I decided the oilfields weren't for me and then joined the military, where I spent the next 25 years. I might have earned more money in the oilfields but it is dirty, dangerous work that can easily get you killed. (Of course, so can the military 
)
Most of my male relatives worked in and around the oilfields all their lives, But unless you work your way up into the higher and more responsible positions at companies associated with the oil business, there are no retirement/pension plans. Whereas my military pension, coupled with Social Security, provides a very comfortable living for the wife and me. We'll never be rich but we're far better off than millions of other people in this old world.
Course like I said the other day, wages back then were around $1.25 per hour for ordinary working people. (which was most everybody in my part of the country)
I remember my very first job - my step-dad used his influence with some local oilfield types to get me a job as a roustabout on what they called a "pullin' unit" when I was about 14 (in 1952). The task of a pulling unit was to keep producing oil wells in good mechanical condition (so they'd keep producing with no problems). I was paid 95 cents an hour and as a rookie roustabout, usually drew the worst shifts (what they called the graveyard shift, from midnight until 8:00 AM
Man, have times changed - just out of curiosity, I googled the term "pulling unit" to see what it would bring up. Found this ad wanting workers for a pulling unit (apparently they now call 'em workover rigs) in NM and west Texas that starts hands at $19. an hour. And based on experience, they can earn up to $24.50 per hour. If plain old roustabouts can earn that much nowadays, no wonder oil is selling at $140. per barrel.
Check it out.........oh, for time travel. 
More nostalgia!
Course like I said the other day, wages back then were around $1.25 per hour for ordinary working people. (which was most everybody in my part of the country)
I remember my very first job - my step-dad used his influence with some local oilfield types to get me a job as a roustabout on what they called a "pullin' unit" when I was about 14 (in 1952). The task of a pulling unit was to keep producing oil wells in good mechanical condition (so they'd keep producing with no problems). I was paid 95 cents an hour and as a rookie roustabout, usually drew the worst shifts (what they called the graveyard shift, from midnight until 8:00 AM). But in two years, I saved up enough to buy my first car at the age of 16 (which was when we could get a driver's license back then). It was a '47 Ford convertible coupe. I was the envy of all my friends in school and naturally, had my pick of the gals too. Those were the days.
Thanks, Jim. Brought back some good memories.
I liked the manners, morals, movies and music of those days much more than what we have today.
Some of my favorite Fifties music was Rhythm & Blues (Coasters, Drifters, many others from the old Atlantic label) and Doo-Wop. Plus, naturally, Elvis, Bobby Darin (remember "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover"?) and their like.
My favorite TV shows were the old Westerns, such as those Keith has posted on the board, and "The Honeymooners" with Jackie Gleason.
And there were some wonderful films released back then - almost all without a single cuss word in them.
Life was much slower and much, much simpler. There was no political correctness, no kids killing kids in school, teenage pregnancies were almost unheard of, people didn't lock their doors (either house or car) and gasoline never cost more than a quarter a gallon, often less. Ah, life was blissful then. 
