There’s a small window of time in Lake Havasu City when a stroll down the sidewalk along the Bridgewater Channel showcases generation gaps.

From left, Lori Ullenberg, Barbara Callies, Janet Cummings and Karen Ashbaugh watch as a younger generation enjoy the sun and atmosphere of Lake Havasu Saturday. Jackie Leatherman/News-Herald Photo.

Winter visitors sit on benches along the beach watching as a younger era lets off steam from college studies during spring break.

But the span of decades between the two age groups doesn’t interfere with their obligations to have fun and enjoy the sun.

WINTER VISITORS

“It’s great to be young, I wish I was again. They are drinking in the morning. I start maybe at noon,” said Mike Simkanin, a winter visitor, laughing.

The Simkanins said it was their first time visiting Lake Havasu City during spring break and they weren’t expecting the size of the crowd that they saw partying along the Channel.

“Not to be critical,” said his wife, Pat, “… I think the young ladies have sold themselves short and they don’t get the respect from the men. … They are going to turn around twice and be the same age we are.”

Maryetta Andrews has been coming from her home in Minnesota to live here for decades. She said at first there were “very few” spring breakers, but when MTV showcased the city as a spring break destination in 1995, the crowd started booming.

“They seem to be having fun,” she said. “I remember being young. I love young people. I like to see them having fun.”

And a row of women sat on a bench Saturday watching the younger partiers.

“I love it. They have a lot of energy, which you feel their energy,” said Janet Cummings. “You never know what you are going to see.”

SPRING BREAKERS

“It makes me wonder what they were like when they were our age,” said Caitlin Hay, a spring breaker from Oregon.

Several of the younger visitors said they have been partying with winter visitors during night at a bar on the Channel.

“Some of them actually party with us,” said Nate Valverde, from Tempe. “At Kokomo’s there was an old guy in a cage.”

Ashley Layton, a spring breaker from Tempe, said, “I feel l like my grandparents are watching me,” when the winter visitors stop to look.

But her friend, Jackie Steiner, said she “loves it.”

“They are just kickin’ it,” she said. “I want to be like that when I’m older. These (older guys at Kokomo’s) were rockin’. I hope I can be them when I’m older.”

James Retherford, from San Diego, said, “it bothers me that they won’t join in” with our partying.

But his friend, Ryan Daley also from San Diego, really summed it up.

“It’s hot,” he said. “It turns me on.”

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com