Old Vacation Memories by my Brother.

David:  I came across the paper I had turned in for credit at a class I took in Orlando and will convey portions of it that expressed some childhood memories:

"Every year, from my early youth to about the age of sixteen, my adventuresome parents planned a family vacation with the thoroughness of Generals preparing to invade some country.  I am sure that the only time they could discuss these grand ventures with each other was when they were alone in their bedroom, laying in bed, dreaming up places to take our large family.  Our home was very loud and confusing, like a hen house after the fox had entered.  So, the only reasonable and quiet time they had together was when we were all fast asleep like silent angels!"

"My parents never failed us, but took us to wondrous places within our home State of California, such as State and National Parks, where we marveled at the vistas and nature at its best.  And, we traveled to many other beautiful locations or interesting sites along our route.  Many were of a historical nature, such as the many Missions established by a Spanish Father when California was a Spanish possession.  We started in Tijuana, Mexico and traveled up the coast of California to Santa Barbara's Mission. I, myself, enjoyed seeing the Mission at San Juan Capistrano and watching the nesting swallows along the shoreline cliffs."

"They often took us to theme parks, like Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm in Los Angles, or the original Santa's Village in the San Bernadino Mountains, or to Pacific Ocean Park near Long Beach.  Places where we were all heard shouting: "Holy cow!" "Gee Whizz!" and "Oh, my God, I can't believe it!"  Repetitively!" 

"They traveled in our Red and White Pontiac station wagon (un-air conditioned), loaded with kids in the back, to old "Ghost" towns in the middle of hot deserts, which were once hubs for gold and silver mining strikes.  They did this to acquaint us with the glorious past of our State and to show us the difficulties and hardships the people lived in the 1800's.  I remember we were all moderately impressed and otherwise uncomfortable in the heat.  How my parents kept their sanity amidst so many quarrelsome and whinny children still amazes me!"

"My older sister Paula and I took up seats opposite each other, to feel the wind blowing on our faces, as we traveled down the highways.  We pointed out all the funny signs placed along the roads promoting shaving products from "Burma Shave," and read them to our brothers and sister who could not read.  we read them because they were funny and witty, and amused us.  We repeated them to the point our parents yelled at us to stop or they'd kill us!  We also read the signage telling of  the many eateries ahead that offered 'foot long hot dogs', '32 flavors of ice cream', or 'Waffle house's, and pestered our dear father to make a much needed stop!  I believe he ignored us because he would have had to file for bankruptcy before reaching our destination!"

In the early 1950's, our band of gypyies would begin our summer vacations, after mother would pack the station wagon and make the back into a bed, and loaded us up in the car.  Dad always wanted to leave our home S.F. around 8-9 PM.  He did so as to avoid all the distractions and fighting coming from behind him, while mother sat up front to make sure Dad took the right route and keep him awake!

 

Rossah was the baby then.  Joel was about five; Paula was almost ten, and I was about eight years of age.

This marked some of my earliest memories of visiting mother's family in the San Bernadino area.

 

Uncle James and aunt Thelma lived in S.B. with their two sons, Roger and Lenois.  We also visited Aunt Bell and Uncle Jack who lived in Yuccypa (?) with their two daughters and two sons.  And, then there was Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Bob, who lived in Loma Linda, with their two daughters and a son.  It was a large crowd when everyone was together.  All our cousins were about the same ages, so we had someone to play with.

 

Uncle James was a cabinet maker back then and I believe he had his own business.  Uncle Jack was a Union official for a Teamster's union for carpenter's.  Originally, he was a carpenter, but lost some fingers on a table saw and had to find other means to provide for his family.  And, Uncle Bob played baseball for a Dodger farm team in Redlands, California.  All the women folk were homemakers.

 

Seems to me that when we traveled to Uncle James home, and arrived there, a reunion of sorts took place.  BBQ was the menu of the day and when we finished stuffing ourselves, us kids were parceled out to the various relatives to house us.  Paula usually went to stay with Aunt Bell's.  I stayed with Uncle James.  Rossah, of course was with mother and Dad.  And, I think they tied that 'Pepi" kid up to a tree in someone's front yard, or they boarded him at the local pound if his rabies shots were up to date!

 

While we were in Southern California, our parents and inlaws often went to theme parks, the Orange Co. Fair, or to lakes in the S.B. mountains.  I remember on time, going with Uncle James family to Baja California.  We went to the market place in Tiajuana to shop, then to Rosarita Beach to swim in the ocean.  It was there that Aunt T. was embarrassed by a bunch of young men gawking at her, so we left and headed down to Ensenada.  Mother loved the artist in leather there, so Dad bought her a lovely pocketbook from one of the peddlers there.  I believe we spent the night in Ensenada, but before we bedded down, we had a meal.  Later, we had to find medical assistance for Rossah, as she had gotten very sick.  We found out the milk she drank was not pasturized, and raw milk didn't agree with her.

 

The "lighting storm: event took place, as we were returning home to S.F.  We were still in Southern California.  It was pouring rain like cats and dogs, and lighting strikes where everywhere.  Something we were not used to seeing.  The loud booms unsettled all of us and a lighting strike of a power line, sending it crashing to the ground didn't help much either!  It was whipping around and sparks were coming from it, so you can imagine the excitement in the air (not to mention what was loading our underpants), but Dad kept right on going.  Maybe, he knew we were grounded inside our car and was safe?

I don't remember a trip to Texas?  That must have happened after I left for the Navy!  Hope this will suffice and will help quell your curiosity?  Love, Drew