Three Broads in a Buick 9-23

Our first trip to the West in 1978.

9-23-78:  Everyone slept until about 8:00 a.m and we got ready and "left our hearts in San Francisco" but took everything else we had brought or bought from this pretty city.
       We headed down Route 1 along the coast.  The ocean is beautiful.  Just before Santa Cruz we got out and walked out on a beach and waded and took pictures.  We drove Route 1 for awhile but everyone was driving slow, slow, so we headed over to 101 where it was four lane. (Judy wad driving,  Judy does not have a lot of patience with slow drivers.  Thirty four years later, when I was in Florida in February, Judy still does not have patience with other drivers, period.  I love my sister, Judy)   We stayed on there until the road for San Simeon, the Hearst Castle.  When we got there, they were not taking any more tours for the day.  It really looks impressive up on that hill - maybe next time. (I toured it many years later with daughter, Mary.  Very impressive inside as well).  We spent the night in Thousand Oaks.
       The road along the ocean is interesting as there's quite a few farms along the way and a lot of vegetable fields.  It is not uncommon to see cattle grazing along the oceans edge.
 9-24:  Up early this morning.  We drove to Los Angeles, got off at Beverly Hills and drove through and looked at some of the beautiful homes.  Then on to Disneyland.  We all enjoyed it - very well kept and lots of things to see and do.
       Judy liked the Haunted House best.  Marge says it's a toss up between the Haunted House and Small World.  Norma like the whole thing.  We saw several shows.  Not many lines.  Altogether a nice experience.
       I forgot to mention we stopped yesterday at two missions.  Soledad which had the most magnificent
 roses.  Later we stopped at San Luis Obispo, which was beautiful.  There was an art show in the mission plaza.  We really liked it.  Pretty gardens, just a nice place.
      We arrived at Marge's sister, Berta's home about 4:00.  We visited with her and her husband, Henri, and during our conversations, she decided to come back to Illinois with us.  So while Berta got ready to go, Henri, told us about his importing business.  Very interesting. (Henri, was a very charming Frenchman, who kissed our hands when we were introduced.  He spoke with a charming French accent, and we were mesmerized.  Did I say he was charming?)
       We got to Aunt Mary's about 8:00 that evening and we all went up to the San Clemente Inn for drinks and to listen to their friend and favorite singer, Denny Tyrone.  While we were there a Mexican fellow asked Berta to dance and while they were dancing he fell down.  Needless to say, Berta was quite shocked and everyone at the table nearly collapsed laughing.   (Berta was a pretty, tiny blonde)       
9-25:  The next morning we drove down to the Capistrano Mission which is lovely and has such a peacefulness about it.  (In 2001, when we were stranded in California because of 9-11, a visit to sit in front of the tabernacle at San Juan Capistrano, was where I found peace) We ate lunch at Capistrano and headed down to San Diego to visit our friend, Mary Lou Epperly.
       Mary's house is really pretty.  All of the California house we've been in are nice, Berta's, Aunt Mary's and Mary Lou's.  We really just relaxed and stayed home.  It was a pleasant experience to be in a house instead of a motel.