A trip we made out West in 1978
9-26-78: Today we were up early and headed down to old Mexico (Mary and Russ Epperly lived in San Diego) It wasn't as dirty as everyone has always led us to believe. We got some good bargains we felt and ate lunch at a restaurant with loads of atmosphere. It was downstairs, a fountain in the foyer. Paper flowers decorated the ceiling and old photographs in gorgeous frames decorated the walls. It even had strolling musicians.
Back to Mary's in the early afternoon where we again lazed around. After supper, we dressed up a little and went to the Harbor Island Sheraton to hear the Guadalahara National Philharmonic, a tremendously good all girl band. They had an excellent banjo player.
9-27: We left Mary Lou's at 7:30 a.m. on our way to Blythe and Mary came with us. We stopped at El Centro, California for breakfast. Judy and Norma had a Mexican breakfast while the other Gringos ate American food.
Our parents had bought a motor home when Dad retired after traveling around for a couple of years, they bought a mobile home and settled at a place out in the desert on the Colorado River called Lost Lake Mobile Home Park) We arrived at Mother and Dad's a little before 1:00. They have done a lot of work on their trailer and it is really lovely. Aunt Liz came down and shortly thereafter Russ Epperly, who had been in Yuma, came in. The party started and never stopped. One of the neighbors had caught some catfish and we had a fish fry.
Judy, Norma, Berta and Marge all stayed at Aunt Marys mobile home and its really nice - very spacious (Aunt Mary and Uncle Ed lived in San Clemente and had this place at Lost Lake)
We went over to 'our place' about 7:30 and Mom and Dad and the Epperlys followed us over and the party continued. (Russ and Mother were great story tellers and they kept telling one story after another) Everyone left about 10:00 and the four of us went immediately to sleep.
9-28: Marge got up about 7, and she and Dad went into Blythe to have the car worked on. It's been missing. The problem was points and plugs and a cracked distributor cap. While they were waiting, Dad took Marge out for breakfast and while they were eating a friend came over and talked to them. Dad never introduced them so the words probably out that he was having lunch with some young chick.
Mary Lou and Russ left about 10:30. She was really a good hostess and we had a good time.
Judy and Mother went into Parker to the store and while they were gone, Georgie Molloy, a friend of Carol and Don's from Pittsburgh came by. He had been visiting a girl friend in Phoenix and came over to see the folks. Dad took Georgie down to Vidal Junction where there is a real Western saloon owned by an Indian Princess. He had taken us there the night before.
In the evening we went to a pot luck that the park has monthly and it was very humid. About 105 degrees and we all thought the humidity was the same.
9-29: We left Lost Lake at 8:00 a.m. heading home. Berta called home last night and Henri couldn't believe she'd been gone five days and only got to Blythe. (Berta lived in San Bernadino)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Three Broads in a Buick 9-22
Our first time in San Francisco - one of my favorite cities. When Mary and Gregg lived in San Jose years later, we had opportunities to go many times.
9-22-1978: This town is too much! We really crowded a lot into one day. We went first over the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a beautiful day in San Francisco but hazy. Took some pictures and drove downtown. Parked down by Pier 1 - The Embarkation Center. Walked across a beautiful plaza with a big sculpture fountain. People sitting around the plaza eating lunch and enjoying the beautiful day.
We walked over to Market St. and got on at the beginning of the cable car line and started for Fisherman's Wharf. We had parked our car in a two hour limit parking meter space and decided to risk a ticket for over parking. The cable car was exciting, up and down hills. A young man on his way back from a job interview, told us which car to transfer to and a little about the city as we rode along.
At Fisherman's Wharf we went first to the Maritime Museum and went aboard a Clipper Ship. It was a log carrying ship and very interesting. We then walked towards the Cannery. The wharf area is just one street stall after another and shops and restaurants. You could spend a week here going through everything. We ate in a restaurant in the Cannery - Ben Johnson's - that reeked of atmosphere. William Randolph Hearst bought a building built in 1609 in England that was a favorite meeting place of Ben Johnson, the English playwright and his friend, Will Shakespeare. It sat in a warehouse for thirty years until the Cannery on the wharf opened and they moved it in and put it together piece by piece. It is really unique. (several times when we returned to the area, I tried to find the place and never could).
After lunch we bought Tee shirts for the kids and looked around then headed to the car by cable car. We got off and walked through Chinatown and when we headed back for our cable car we got turned around and got lost. Finally someone told us to walk to California Street and get on it there. California Street was two blocks away straight up. Marge and Norma decided that walking in San Francisco is not for heavy smokers and fat people unless you can always go down hill. We waited quite a while for a cable car but it never came, so we hailed a cab and headed back to the car.
Back to Emoryville and our motel and changed and then back to San Francisco for our Nightclub Tour. While waiting for our escort, we struck up a conversation with a nice young woman from Washington State. She ate supper with us at the Gazebo Room at the Hilton and on the bus to the Purple Onion, she met a single fellow so along the way we lost Laura. The show at the Onion presented Rebecca Reardon and Chuck Cline, both pretty good singers. Then they took us to Treasure Island and we could look back at the city by night. It was breathtaking and , of course, none of us remembered to bring a camera.
Next stop, was Finochios, where every act was a female impersonator. All three agreed it make us feel uncomfortable, but it was interesting.
We got home about 1:30 and everyone was tired. We decided we had seen quite a lot of San Francisco.
I forgot to mention that from Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown we rode on the back of the cable car. Marge and Judy loved it. Norma had reservations!
I googled the singers at the Purple Onion, neither of them are still singing. Ben Johnson's is no longer in business, not sure about Finochios, the Purple Onion still exists.
9-22-1978: This town is too much! We really crowded a lot into one day. We went first over the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a beautiful day in San Francisco but hazy. Took some pictures and drove downtown. Parked down by Pier 1 - The Embarkation Center. Walked across a beautiful plaza with a big sculpture fountain. People sitting around the plaza eating lunch and enjoying the beautiful day.
We walked over to Market St. and got on at the beginning of the cable car line and started for Fisherman's Wharf. We had parked our car in a two hour limit parking meter space and decided to risk a ticket for over parking. The cable car was exciting, up and down hills. A young man on his way back from a job interview, told us which car to transfer to and a little about the city as we rode along.
At Fisherman's Wharf we went first to the Maritime Museum and went aboard a Clipper Ship. It was a log carrying ship and very interesting. We then walked towards the Cannery. The wharf area is just one street stall after another and shops and restaurants. You could spend a week here going through everything. We ate in a restaurant in the Cannery - Ben Johnson's - that reeked of atmosphere. William Randolph Hearst bought a building built in 1609 in England that was a favorite meeting place of Ben Johnson, the English playwright and his friend, Will Shakespeare. It sat in a warehouse for thirty years until the Cannery on the wharf opened and they moved it in and put it together piece by piece. It is really unique. (several times when we returned to the area, I tried to find the place and never could).
After lunch we bought Tee shirts for the kids and looked around then headed to the car by cable car. We got off and walked through Chinatown and when we headed back for our cable car we got turned around and got lost. Finally someone told us to walk to California Street and get on it there. California Street was two blocks away straight up. Marge and Norma decided that walking in San Francisco is not for heavy smokers and fat people unless you can always go down hill. We waited quite a while for a cable car but it never came, so we hailed a cab and headed back to the car.
Back to Emoryville and our motel and changed and then back to San Francisco for our Nightclub Tour. While waiting for our escort, we struck up a conversation with a nice young woman from Washington State. She ate supper with us at the Gazebo Room at the Hilton and on the bus to the Purple Onion, she met a single fellow so along the way we lost Laura. The show at the Onion presented Rebecca Reardon and Chuck Cline, both pretty good singers. Then they took us to Treasure Island and we could look back at the city by night. It was breathtaking and , of course, none of us remembered to bring a camera.
Next stop, was Finochios, where every act was a female impersonator. All three agreed it make us feel uncomfortable, but it was interesting.
We got home about 1:30 and everyone was tired. We decided we had seen quite a lot of San Francisco.
I forgot to mention that from Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown we rode on the back of the cable car. Marge and Judy loved it. Norma had reservations!
I googled the singers at the Purple Onion, neither of them are still singing. Ben Johnson's is no longer in business, not sure about Finochios, the Purple Onion still exists.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Three Broads in a Buick 9-21
This is a continuation of a trip, Marge, Judy and I took in the Fall of 1978. This was our first time to see the Pacific Ocean and the West Coast.
9-21-78: Everyone slept late this morning and after baths and packing we went to the laundromat and did a couple of loads of wash. Someone we met, told us the drive on the California side of Lake Tahoe was well worth seeing so we took it and it is beautiful. Mountains covered with tall narrow pines and a small river running through. The water absolutely sparkles and some parts of the Lake are a beautiful turquoise blue. We passed Squaw Valley Ski Resort and saw men in kayaks practicing for the Olympics (you didn't see many kayaks in Illinois at that time) Lake Tahoe is a beautiful lake with a lot of gorgeous homes around it. The road twists and turns. Marge is having nervous spasms because occasionally we see a sheer drop on one side. We stopped at Johnnies Restaurant for lunch. We're on the way to Frisco now on Rt. 50 that takes us to the very top of Echo Mountain and then down. It's gorgeous.
Well, we finally made it to San Francisco. We got here about 5:00 p.m. We stopped at the Holiday Inn in Emoryville, which is about ten minutes outside of downtown. Someone suggested it to us as a place to stay. We have a magnificent view of the freeway from our room! We drove over to the city in the evening, it looks really neat. Drove along the pier and through downtown. We came back across the Oakland Bay Bridge which is really something. On the way over all six lanes of traffic were going to San Francisco and since we couldn't see another bridge, we wondered how you got back. We found out. There's a bottom layer to go back (such 'hicks' in the big city). We ate supper at a Dennys Restaurant across the street and it took hours to be waited on. We met a nice older Negro couple who sat next to us and laughed and talked with them for awhile (we all had the same waitress) (Things have not changed much in 34 years, service is still bad at Dennys Restaurants - in fact I avoid them whenever. I don't think it's politically correct to call someone a Negro these days and that "older" couple was probably younger than we are now. Ah well, it's all about perspective).
Back to the motel and when we got into our room, Marge turned on the lamp by the window to sit and read, the bulb crackled and broke and our room went dark. (she had blown out the fuses in a third of the hotel) We sat in darkness until the lights came on again. We called home tonight and everyone is fine. Today is Leah's 21st birthday. (When Judy had called Bill, he was all doom and gloom, Michelle had a cold and somebody else had measles. Judy hung up and told us what he had said and started to laugh and she said: "And I'm out here and there's nothing I can do about it!" and she laughed some more). I love my sister!
9-21-78: Everyone slept late this morning and after baths and packing we went to the laundromat and did a couple of loads of wash. Someone we met, told us the drive on the California side of Lake Tahoe was well worth seeing so we took it and it is beautiful. Mountains covered with tall narrow pines and a small river running through. The water absolutely sparkles and some parts of the Lake are a beautiful turquoise blue. We passed Squaw Valley Ski Resort and saw men in kayaks practicing for the Olympics (you didn't see many kayaks in Illinois at that time) Lake Tahoe is a beautiful lake with a lot of gorgeous homes around it. The road twists and turns. Marge is having nervous spasms because occasionally we see a sheer drop on one side. We stopped at Johnnies Restaurant for lunch. We're on the way to Frisco now on Rt. 50 that takes us to the very top of Echo Mountain and then down. It's gorgeous.
Well, we finally made it to San Francisco. We got here about 5:00 p.m. We stopped at the Holiday Inn in Emoryville, which is about ten minutes outside of downtown. Someone suggested it to us as a place to stay. We have a magnificent view of the freeway from our room! We drove over to the city in the evening, it looks really neat. Drove along the pier and through downtown. We came back across the Oakland Bay Bridge which is really something. On the way over all six lanes of traffic were going to San Francisco and since we couldn't see another bridge, we wondered how you got back. We found out. There's a bottom layer to go back (such 'hicks' in the big city). We ate supper at a Dennys Restaurant across the street and it took hours to be waited on. We met a nice older Negro couple who sat next to us and laughed and talked with them for awhile (we all had the same waitress) (Things have not changed much in 34 years, service is still bad at Dennys Restaurants - in fact I avoid them whenever. I don't think it's politically correct to call someone a Negro these days and that "older" couple was probably younger than we are now. Ah well, it's all about perspective).
Back to the motel and when we got into our room, Marge turned on the lamp by the window to sit and read, the bulb crackled and broke and our room went dark. (she had blown out the fuses in a third of the hotel) We sat in darkness until the lights came on again. We called home tonight and everyone is fine. Today is Leah's 21st birthday. (When Judy had called Bill, he was all doom and gloom, Michelle had a cold and somebody else had measles. Judy hung up and told us what he had said and started to laugh and she said: "And I'm out here and there's nothing I can do about it!" and she laughed some more). I love my sister!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Three Broads in a Buick 9-19
9-19-78 We left Cheyenne at 6:30 local time (The wind had blown so hard that night that it blew off an outside door into the motel) and headed for Salt Lake City. We didn't see much of Iowa as it was dark and rainy but Nebraska is desolate looking. We could tell we were going up but all you see is slight hills and scrub. In Southeastern Wyoming, there are no trees just hills of yellow grass, cows and telephone poles and an occasional oil well.
We started getting into snow at the Lincoln Monument on I80. The highway was wet and lots of spitting snow. Elk Mountain and a lot of the other high mountains are snow covered. We're about 180 miles from Salt Lake City. It's 2:15 pm and we've checked into our motel - Motel 6 - $18.00 for the three of us. The hotel is an el cheapo. Black and white TV - which you pay extra for. (as I remember there were only two towels in the room and we had to pay a little more for a third towel)
About 20 miles before Wyoming ended and for about twenty miles into Utah there was a lot of snow on the ground - about 2 or more inches, it was really beautiful but the highways were clear and dry. Utah is the most beautiful state. About 25 miles out side of Salt Lake City you start down a winding road that has to be one of the Country's most spectacular drives. High mountains and at this time of the year, red and yellow bushes on the sides of these green hills partially covered with snow. It was gorgeous. Salt Lake City is in a valley surrounded by mountains
We toured the Temple Square area. It was beautiful. Lots of gorgeous flowers and monuments. We took the tour (Of the Visitors Center) under protest of Judy but Marge and Norma enjoyed it. The history is different but interesting. One of the guides told us about a shopping center called "Old Trolley Square" so we visited it. It's made from an old trolley barn. Lots of interesting shops, very unique. We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory.
9-20: Norma woke everyone up early and we headed for the great Salt Lake. When we arrived it was still dark. So we drove back to the airport to have breakfast. By the time we finished eating it was light enough to see the lake and mountains around them. It's a big, big body of water. We could see mountains in the distance and it took a long time to get to them. We stopped for gas at Windover, Nevada, just over the border. Gas is expensive out here - $.69.9 or $.70.9
We stopped at Battle Mountain, Nev. for gas and added a quart of oil. They had a crummy little roadside park where we ate a sandwich. (we had a cooler for drinks and sandwich makings) Marge had a chocolate attack and Judy stopped so we could get some candy bars. Battle Mountain is about center state. The mountains are all in the distance and they don't look real. I looks like someone has painted a back drop for a stage set.
We got into Reno and found a room at the Six Gun Motel. While Marge read, Judy and Norma went down to the swimming pool and jacuzzi. Nice and refreshing!
We saw on billboards that Andy Williams last night at the Nugget Casino was tonight so we made reservations. When we came in we slipped the maitre de' a five and he gave us a table center in front of the stage. We had a great meal and visited with the people sitting around us. The show started with a comedian named Steve Blustier. He was cute and his jokes were mediocre. Gave an impression of being a nice Jewish boy from next door.
Andy Williams portion started with a huge screen showing him from a little boy on and then from the back of the room, he came singing "Moon River" He came right by us and down to the stage on Marge's side of the table. She reached out and touched him as he went by. He put on an excellent show, a lot of variety - a good two hour show. Shirley MacLaine was in the theater and Andy introduced her. She is their next performer. Our evening at the Celebrity Room with tips, drinks, meal and show was $23.40 each.
We spent time in the Casino at the Nugget, had an enjoyable time and were home about 11:30.
We started getting into snow at the Lincoln Monument on I80. The highway was wet and lots of spitting snow. Elk Mountain and a lot of the other high mountains are snow covered. We're about 180 miles from Salt Lake City. It's 2:15 pm and we've checked into our motel - Motel 6 - $18.00 for the three of us. The hotel is an el cheapo. Black and white TV - which you pay extra for. (as I remember there were only two towels in the room and we had to pay a little more for a third towel)
About 20 miles before Wyoming ended and for about twenty miles into Utah there was a lot of snow on the ground - about 2 or more inches, it was really beautiful but the highways were clear and dry. Utah is the most beautiful state. About 25 miles out side of Salt Lake City you start down a winding road that has to be one of the Country's most spectacular drives. High mountains and at this time of the year, red and yellow bushes on the sides of these green hills partially covered with snow. It was gorgeous. Salt Lake City is in a valley surrounded by mountains
We toured the Temple Square area. It was beautiful. Lots of gorgeous flowers and monuments. We took the tour (Of the Visitors Center) under protest of Judy but Marge and Norma enjoyed it. The history is different but interesting. One of the guides told us about a shopping center called "Old Trolley Square" so we visited it. It's made from an old trolley barn. Lots of interesting shops, very unique. We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory.
9-20: Norma woke everyone up early and we headed for the great Salt Lake. When we arrived it was still dark. So we drove back to the airport to have breakfast. By the time we finished eating it was light enough to see the lake and mountains around them. It's a big, big body of water. We could see mountains in the distance and it took a long time to get to them. We stopped for gas at Windover, Nevada, just over the border. Gas is expensive out here - $.69.9 or $.70.9
We stopped at Battle Mountain, Nev. for gas and added a quart of oil. They had a crummy little roadside park where we ate a sandwich. (we had a cooler for drinks and sandwich makings) Marge had a chocolate attack and Judy stopped so we could get some candy bars. Battle Mountain is about center state. The mountains are all in the distance and they don't look real. I looks like someone has painted a back drop for a stage set.
We got into Reno and found a room at the Six Gun Motel. While Marge read, Judy and Norma went down to the swimming pool and jacuzzi. Nice and refreshing!
We saw on billboards that Andy Williams last night at the Nugget Casino was tonight so we made reservations. When we came in we slipped the maitre de' a five and he gave us a table center in front of the stage. We had a great meal and visited with the people sitting around us. The show started with a comedian named Steve Blustier. He was cute and his jokes were mediocre. Gave an impression of being a nice Jewish boy from next door.
Andy Williams portion started with a huge screen showing him from a little boy on and then from the back of the room, he came singing "Moon River" He came right by us and down to the stage on Marge's side of the table. She reached out and touched him as he went by. He put on an excellent show, a lot of variety - a good two hour show. Shirley MacLaine was in the theater and Andy introduced her. She is their next performer. Our evening at the Celebrity Room with tips, drinks, meal and show was $23.40 each.
We spent time in the Casino at the Nugget, had an enjoyable time and were home about 11:30.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Three Broads in a Buick: 9-17
Several of you have told me you like my travel stories so I thought I would blog one I wrote down in 1978, when Marge Lee, Judy and I drove to California and back. A lot of changes in thirty four years. I hope you like it.
September 17, 1978: We left Norma's at 6:04 p.m. to take Keith (we were driving Marge and Keith's Buick) and Joe home and so that we could pick up Marge's swimsuit. It was 6:12 when we came by the State Bank in Washington. First stop was at Kickapoo Interchange to pick up a package for Aunt Liz from cousin, Bob. Now we're on our way. (Traveling West on I74) Money's been sorted into appropriate envelopes (We all contributed to envelopes for motels, food and gas) Norma is driving.
Just into Iowa we stopped alongside the road and Judy and Norma changed places inside the car as no one wanted to get outside in the rain. It's been raining since the East side of Galesburg. Stopped in Coralville for gas and supper at 9:00. Judy's still driving. West of Des Moines, Judy began talking on the CB to a driver named "Snuffy" His alternator was out on a brand new truck, 19,000 miles and he asked us if we'd be his 'back door' to Omaha. Police know when something is wrong and they go easy on a trucker if he has someone behind him. We enjoyed his conversation. Told him that "Gypsy Lee (Marge) was afraid to talk on CB. Before the night was over "Gypsy Lee" and "Snuffy" were CB pals. When he left us at Omaha we all said "Good by, Snuffy" one after the other and when we finished one very sexy voice came out of the night saying "Good by, Snuffy"!
We stopped at Sapp Brothers at Omaha for gas and coffee about 2 a.m. When we got back in the car and were pulling away, we heard a scraping noise and Judy got out and noticed the muffler was hanging low. There were two trucks in the garage and we had to wait until one was done. Two hours later, with Judy and Marge pacing and Norma dozing, we were ready to pull over the 'truckers pit'. On the door was a sign that said: "Basic ramp fee $6.00". Judy pulled the car over the open pit and when the mechanic went down under the car to check out the trouble, Judy walked right down behind him to check on his work. The clamp had come off the muffler, he wired it up front and back so it would stay put and charged us $5.00 total. About 4:15 a.m. and we're back on I80 going West.
As we pulled out on the highway, we got a CB call for the 'westbound car from Land of Lincoln. This was "Great Dave" who stayed with us to Cozad, Nebraska as our 'front door'. He was an electrical supplies salesman and said he'd just gotten up to go to work. He told us there had been a tornado at Grinnell, Iowa that killed 6 people traveling on the Interstate.
Next stop was Gotheburg, Neb. for gas and Marge started driving and Judy got a much needed rest (Judy did most of the driving on this - or any trip - she prefers to drive) We stopped at Paxton for breakfast and Judy refused to wake up. Marge's breakfast - $2.16, Norma's $1.85, huge portions.
We stopped at Cheyenne at 11:30 Mountain Time and got a room at a Regal 8 Motel for $19.64. Nice room and clean. We took showers, turned on the telly and promptly fell asleep and woke about 6:00 p.m MT. We drove to downtown Cheyenne, saw the capital building and ate dinner at the Mayflower Hotel, very old west atmosphere. The wind has blown hard all day and we heard there is snow between Cheyenne and Salt Lake City.
September 17, 1978: We left Norma's at 6:04 p.m. to take Keith (we were driving Marge and Keith's Buick) and Joe home and so that we could pick up Marge's swimsuit. It was 6:12 when we came by the State Bank in Washington. First stop was at Kickapoo Interchange to pick up a package for Aunt Liz from cousin, Bob. Now we're on our way. (Traveling West on I74) Money's been sorted into appropriate envelopes (We all contributed to envelopes for motels, food and gas) Norma is driving.
Just into Iowa we stopped alongside the road and Judy and Norma changed places inside the car as no one wanted to get outside in the rain. It's been raining since the East side of Galesburg. Stopped in Coralville for gas and supper at 9:00. Judy's still driving. West of Des Moines, Judy began talking on the CB to a driver named "Snuffy" His alternator was out on a brand new truck, 19,000 miles and he asked us if we'd be his 'back door' to Omaha. Police know when something is wrong and they go easy on a trucker if he has someone behind him. We enjoyed his conversation. Told him that "Gypsy Lee (Marge) was afraid to talk on CB. Before the night was over "Gypsy Lee" and "Snuffy" were CB pals. When he left us at Omaha we all said "Good by, Snuffy" one after the other and when we finished one very sexy voice came out of the night saying "Good by, Snuffy"!
We stopped at Sapp Brothers at Omaha for gas and coffee about 2 a.m. When we got back in the car and were pulling away, we heard a scraping noise and Judy got out and noticed the muffler was hanging low. There were two trucks in the garage and we had to wait until one was done. Two hours later, with Judy and Marge pacing and Norma dozing, we were ready to pull over the 'truckers pit'. On the door was a sign that said: "Basic ramp fee $6.00". Judy pulled the car over the open pit and when the mechanic went down under the car to check out the trouble, Judy walked right down behind him to check on his work. The clamp had come off the muffler, he wired it up front and back so it would stay put and charged us $5.00 total. About 4:15 a.m. and we're back on I80 going West.
As we pulled out on the highway, we got a CB call for the 'westbound car from Land of Lincoln. This was "Great Dave" who stayed with us to Cozad, Nebraska as our 'front door'. He was an electrical supplies salesman and said he'd just gotten up to go to work. He told us there had been a tornado at Grinnell, Iowa that killed 6 people traveling on the Interstate.
Next stop was Gotheburg, Neb. for gas and Marge started driving and Judy got a much needed rest (Judy did most of the driving on this - or any trip - she prefers to drive) We stopped at Paxton for breakfast and Judy refused to wake up. Marge's breakfast - $2.16, Norma's $1.85, huge portions.
We stopped at Cheyenne at 11:30 Mountain Time and got a room at a Regal 8 Motel for $19.64. Nice room and clean. We took showers, turned on the telly and promptly fell asleep and woke about 6:00 p.m MT. We drove to downtown Cheyenne, saw the capital building and ate dinner at the Mayflower Hotel, very old west atmosphere. The wind has blown hard all day and we heard there is snow between Cheyenne and Salt Lake City.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
My Sad Tale
So Thursday morning about 6 a.m., I thought I would go out and water the plants on the patio. We have had no rain for so long and one of the pots was looking very dry. As I walked out the back door, I remember thinking that I should probably get my cane but decided I could get stability from the hose! Stupid thought! Walking toward the front of the house - west side - I twisted my ankle and fell flat on my back. I laid there for a couple of minutes, sat up, cursing a little. Several cars went by. No one stopped, I guess fat ladies sitting in the front yard is an every day occurrence! This neighborhood is full of early morning walkers.... but not that day.
I got my bearings and scooted back over the mulch to the patio, turned over on my knees - not a good thing to do (fake knees) - and sat on the patio. Was able to stand, finish watering the plants, but couldn't get the hose put away neatly - Jeff, the landscaper came later in the morning and did that for me.
My ankle was starting to swell, so I called Diana to tell her I wouldn't be in to work out and she said to put ice on the ankle for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Well, I tried that but that only works if you have someone to fetch ice.
I was sitting in the Computer room, foot on the ottoman, thinking maybe I need to go into assisted living, to old to live alone, and the phone rang. It was sister, Judy. She said hello, and I started to cry, feeling sorry for myself. Well, if you know Judy, she didn't let me off the phone until I was laughing and feeling better about things. As the day progressed, the swelling increased and I couldn't put any weight on my foot at all. I called my friend, Phyllis to see if she would come and close up my house for the night. She sent her daughter, Angela and family, Brian and 4 year old, Gabe. Gabe fetched bottles of water for me, and brought me a cup of M & M's from the Bubble Gum Dispenser in the kitchen. What a sweetie! They shut windows and doors and locked me in for the night. Brian - and Gabe - stopped again on Friday to check on me. I had hobbled into the Computer Room and got my Desk Chair on wheels and wandered around the house on that after I used my cane to move rugs. The only problem was I couldn't get into the kitchen, the grout lines between tiles prevented that. I knew I was going to need help, brother, Dick and Karen were in Florida so I called for help from the daughters. Lora came down, Friday evening and was my 'fetch it'. When Brian called on Saturday morning, he said to start walking on my foot. Brian is a Pediatric Intensive Care nurse so Lora assured him she would make sure I did. And I did! It hurt like hell but with Lora along side we got through. She cooked for me and as the day went along I felt strong enough to ride over to Washington where she trimmed up the Gravesite, we stopped to wish Marge, Happy Birthday and spent a few minutes at Phyllis and Bill's so Lora could see the layout of their house - she and Randy are getting ready to build a new house. I was exhausted when we got home - this series of chemo has left me with no stamina.
After Mass, this morning, I sent Lora home, the swelling has gone down a lot. She left after watering the yard one more time. I am able to get around with a cane. My friend, Jean left a wedge shaped pillow to keep my foot raised in bed. Love it!
So what have I learned from this experience:
A hose does not give you stability no matter what your feeble brain thinks.
Do not wear sandals to work in the yard. Wear more stable shoes.
Carry your cell phone in your pocket when you go out to work in the yard.
People are amazing and soooo helpful.
and
Best of all, for the third Sunday in a row, a daughter was with me at Church. Bill Calliss joined us as well. Life is good!
I got my bearings and scooted back over the mulch to the patio, turned over on my knees - not a good thing to do (fake knees) - and sat on the patio. Was able to stand, finish watering the plants, but couldn't get the hose put away neatly - Jeff, the landscaper came later in the morning and did that for me.
My ankle was starting to swell, so I called Diana to tell her I wouldn't be in to work out and she said to put ice on the ankle for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes. Well, I tried that but that only works if you have someone to fetch ice.
I was sitting in the Computer room, foot on the ottoman, thinking maybe I need to go into assisted living, to old to live alone, and the phone rang. It was sister, Judy. She said hello, and I started to cry, feeling sorry for myself. Well, if you know Judy, she didn't let me off the phone until I was laughing and feeling better about things. As the day progressed, the swelling increased and I couldn't put any weight on my foot at all. I called my friend, Phyllis to see if she would come and close up my house for the night. She sent her daughter, Angela and family, Brian and 4 year old, Gabe. Gabe fetched bottles of water for me, and brought me a cup of M & M's from the Bubble Gum Dispenser in the kitchen. What a sweetie! They shut windows and doors and locked me in for the night. Brian - and Gabe - stopped again on Friday to check on me. I had hobbled into the Computer Room and got my Desk Chair on wheels and wandered around the house on that after I used my cane to move rugs. The only problem was I couldn't get into the kitchen, the grout lines between tiles prevented that. I knew I was going to need help, brother, Dick and Karen were in Florida so I called for help from the daughters. Lora came down, Friday evening and was my 'fetch it'. When Brian called on Saturday morning, he said to start walking on my foot. Brian is a Pediatric Intensive Care nurse so Lora assured him she would make sure I did. And I did! It hurt like hell but with Lora along side we got through. She cooked for me and as the day went along I felt strong enough to ride over to Washington where she trimmed up the Gravesite, we stopped to wish Marge, Happy Birthday and spent a few minutes at Phyllis and Bill's so Lora could see the layout of their house - she and Randy are getting ready to build a new house. I was exhausted when we got home - this series of chemo has left me with no stamina.
After Mass, this morning, I sent Lora home, the swelling has gone down a lot. She left after watering the yard one more time. I am able to get around with a cane. My friend, Jean left a wedge shaped pillow to keep my foot raised in bed. Love it!
So what have I learned from this experience:
A hose does not give you stability no matter what your feeble brain thinks.
Do not wear sandals to work in the yard. Wear more stable shoes.
Carry your cell phone in your pocket when you go out to work in the yard.
People are amazing and soooo helpful.
and
Best of all, for the third Sunday in a row, a daughter was with me at Church. Bill Calliss joined us as well. Life is good!
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