January 15, 1959
Today was a swell day. We were so glad to see Peggy...the view from their front yard is terrific. We stayed til late just to see the night view. It was really wonderful, in spite of this having been one of the smoggiest days on record. It was foggy all the way down, but yet a lovely day... We stopped to see how all were at the Airstream factory. Pa and Ma Riley invited us to go to the Rally Feb. 12 at Bullhead City.
January 16, 1959 – Los Angeles
We went to San Diego and Chula Vista where there is more family. Leo got a trailer court rented while I was getting acquainted with Maud... It took us 1-½ hours to get home from their house to our trailer here in Downey, and it wasn’t a bad drive. But I’m sure all fed up with this hustle bustle. I can see why we have to stay here, just to see what people are talking about when they talk about Los Angeles and its traffic and freeway...
January 18, 1959 – Saturday
We went to see Lowell’s lots, stopped to visit Lilly’s sister, another of the family, had breakfast with them and arrived home late.
I must read the two books Leo got me, or thinks I need, on rocks.
It was in the 80’s today...Last night it was 48 degrees after being 83 during the day. One of the butane gas tanks needs filling again.
January 19, 1959
Washed a lot of towels, etc. We just rested. Leo didn’t feel too good. We have been eating too much.
Trailer neighbor across the street came over and asked us to watch Wally Byam on Bold Journey on TV. It was very nice. This being the folk who went on to Central America from Mexico City, where we had to leave the caravan, we could remember most of the folks.
Had my first lesson in typing pretty well learned. It is not hard, and I think I’ll make it. It was cloudy and smoggy all day.
January 20, 1959
Made more sourdough rolls today. They sure look good. It’s been a lovely day, warm and sunny all day. Practiced typing also. And did a two line wash. Leo has rested and talked rockology the biggest part of the day. He is studying the two new books he got for me. Leo is going to wash the car, and I think he really is.
January 21, 1959 – Wednesday
Mailed a bunch of cards and letters, and I have all my writing caught up now. We took off for Disneyland and spent most of the day just standing around in amazement at all the things that are crowded into just one scene. I took a number of pictures, but sure don’t expect anything but a real conglomeration of color and activity... You pay for every thing you do there.
January 22, 1959 – Thursday
Chula Vista, California
We had our lunch along the Pacific Ocean, and had an easy drive. It wasn’t bad coming via the FRW Rt. 101. It was pretty. We got to see more of the countryside, as there was very little fog and smog. The farms are in full swing in this part of the country...all planted in celery, tomatoes, and I was told cucumbers. They are covered with white plastic caps and are quite a sight.
January 8, 1959
We went to get our camera and strobe light all fixed up. We had a big trip to Hollywood to pick up the camera lens.
Ordered the awnings for the trailer, and will pick it up tomorrow. The awnings cost us $69.50. That all finished, we started home. The car wasn’t working very well, but managed to do it stopping in driveways and vacant lots, so we didn’t get stranded in traffic. The traffic is terrific here, but not too hard to drive in. They all seem to know where they want to go... The Freeways are fast, and it’s sure a must to have your old car in good working order. Not more than a couple of cars honked in a whole day’s run. That’s wonderful. So different than Mexico. Ha. The one who honks first at a Mexico corner has the right of way, or so it would seem... This was a good day.
January 9, 1959
Leo worked on the car all morning. Once again things had been put together wrong. But after this working over, all that happened to us on this jaunt was that the car stuck in low gear. Well that is not hard to fix. Always one can go someplace in low gear. We picked up our new trailer awning, and we were very pleased. Had them all spread out in the trailer and really looked over. They look very nice. Then I got material to make window awnings...We had a nice and interesting day.
January 10, 1959
On our returning from the KnottsBerry Farm, we both agreed to being really bushed, but sure had a good time. We had the best chicken dinner I have ever tasted. Our dinner cost us $2.25 each, but boy was it good: fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, cabbage, salad, fruit, berry pie, and the best biscuit, butter and boysenberry jam I’ve ever eaten. Well, we took pictures and had a lot of laughs along with a lot of others. There is hundreds of things to see at this wonderful place. We couldn’t begin to see half...
January 11, 1959
Got up late and didn’t do much all day. Leo changed the jets in the car, met a man from Chicago who has a sister in Tinley Park..I did three lines of wash and they didn’t get dry. It was in the 70’s today, but has turned cool this evening. Leo put our new awning up, and my we think it’s pretty. We both visited with people around the park today, and I took a few pictures...
We will move to the Airstream factory sometime tomorrow...
January 12, 1959 – Monday
Airstream Factory, West Coast
I put 60 slides in glass – the Mexico ones. We got moved to the Airstream factory, and all connected to lights, sewer and water, where we will stay til all our pet peeves are all ironed out, such as: the leak in the rear of the trailer, rubber on the doors. We always see friends and make new ones. There have been a number of good people to talk and visit with: old caravanners, No. 6, Pop (everyone calls Mr. Riley) and she is as charming as can be. Then we said goodbye to the Dr. Reeses, as they drove on their way to Florida.
January 13, 19 59 – Tuesday
A busy, busy day by all. I took pictures of the factory and made more sour dough rolls. And did a load of gabbin’...This all is a lot of fun...Also got a lot more of my slides put in glass mounts. Oh yes, some of those newfangled towels - I got 8 towels for 49 cents. So far they look pretty good, and so we have both had a really swell day. Will leave in the morning.
The taco soup is reaaly easy and has gone well every time! I use a 6 qt crockpot, but it can be done on the stove also. Brown 2 lbs of ground meat (I have used turkey and beef). Drain. Put in crockpot. Add 2 packages taco seasoning, large can of tomatoes (26oz?), two 26oz cans of ranch style beans (I have subbed blacked beans, but like the Ranch style better), a 32 oz bag of frozen corn (I have used canned & drained it) and enough water to make fill crockpot (not to the top of course).
and serve with frito style chips, shredded cheese and sour cream (in separate bowl so the can add what they like) ... I have also chopped an avacado for an additional add-in!
It was fun to read of history (Alaska and President Eisenhower) and Knott's Berry Farm and cooking and making new friends as well as keeping the old. Don't they ever get homesick?
January 1, 1959 – Fillmore, California
This is a nice new book to start the next year of new experiences and all their records. Leo and I spent the day at our good caravan friends here in Peru, California. The day was warm, sunny, and the prettiest day since leaving our home in Chicago Oct. 23, 1958. We saw the Rose Parade on TV. They all told us we could see more that way. It was wonderful, and in color it must have been terrific...
Another year has begun. Leo set his watch, with a deeper appreciation than ever before. (the watch once left overnight in a washroom at a garage in Mexico, also in the same city left in the open bed of a pickup truck. Then reported lost on way to be repaired in New York City).
This was a very lovely day...The old car is running a lot better now. Leo has been working on the car – always something wrong. Well, we do keep moving along, so I guess that is something. A very nice day, and we are ready for a good night’s sleep.
January 2, 1959
We had a wonderful drive today...our first trip to California - and to get to see the city of Los Angeles with people who know it so well was a pleasure. Also, Leo and I went to Fillmore and got groceries. Leo got the wrong part for the car, so he cancelled the order and just took the distributor cap...
We have had another nice day. Saw an accident – two cars pretty well jammed up. It’s a pleasure to see all the flowers.
January 3, 1959
Heard President Ike dedicate the new flag and the ceremony of the 49th state, Alaska, all on our little radio this morning. We went to the Tick Canyon where the Grievers catalog writes about its description, and one would never recognize the place by that write-up now. A paved road goes through. The freeway is surveyed through the hills, and there are a lot of nice stones through. Leo sat in the car most of the time, and was not interested... I could have stayed all day...
January 4, 1959 – Sunday
We drove from the north side of Los Angeles to the south. We went about 175 miles, Leo just informed me. We went to see (a friend) that I met in Haiti at Buena Park. Her home was very interesting and quite different. She has a very large collection of cats. Also a flower garden that is quite different than you would see any other place.
We had quite a stop at the Airstream factory, and made up our mind to move once again. We will stay at the factory a few days. ...We got along just fine – missed only a couple turns. The turnpikes are fast, and I would like to travel slower. Saw where the capital records are made, Hollywood, and a lot of places we have heard and read about. We saw many beautiful homes as we drove through Hollywood.
January 5, 1959
Stayed in the trailer all day, wrote a long letter. Received letters from Jane & Vesta, made my dress into skirt. Leo looked for our 3 rolls of film. They weren’t here yet. It rained very hard all day. I found things mildewed under my bed, so must unpack all that space. Made a cake and that’s about all I did all day.
We are having a lot of rain, the first since we arrived here.
Part of our plans are to visit Disneyland and Knottsberry Farm, visit Peg at Torrance. Leo has a friend at the A.C.C. Los Angeles. Visit Lowell and Jane’s lots. Hesperia. Visit James’ folks.
Our new address will be: Chula Vista, California. We will be a week or more in the Los Angeles vicinity yet. We have 7 or 8 calls to make, and some will take all day, like the Atlas Canvas Co. 1743 E. Garvey, So. San Gabriel, California, to get our awnings.
[We really got around, made all the calls we planned, and got all the places looked over.]
“If you were a taxicab driver and you drove 6 blocks west, 2 blocks east, and 1 block south, hold old is the taxi driver?” (your age)
“Can you spell Brandy with 3 letters? Here it is: B – R – and – Y.”
“Why is a Ford car like a bathtub? Because you don’t like to be seen in it.”
“Why is a Ford car like a schoolhouse? Because there is a crank at the head of it.”
January 6, 1959
I repacked a lot of the trailer. Took a long nap and the two cats and little dog came in to watch me for a while. I wrote a letter, but haven’t mailed it yet. We are planning on moving on in the morning. It is nice here – we have enjoyed it.
January 7, 1959
It was nice to see the 1168 trailer come in this morning. They were on the Mexico trip with us, and went on to Central America. So we had a nice visit, and learned much of our friends. They will be at the Airstream factory Tuesday, Jan. 13. We have a date for Monday, January 12.
I replied earlier today, but it might have been while you were typing your new post, so I'll repeat it: Emily has preschool Friday morning, so I have a two-hour period when I'll be home - from 9:30 to 11:30. You're welcome to come then if you'd like.
Hello everyone.
I feel honored that you are still reading and keeping tabs on this post. Thanks for being interested and learning about me and my family. It really means a lot.
Anyway - mostly the same stuff has been happening here, but a lot of updates as well.
One of the biggest updates is that I no longer have an unwelcome hole in my kitchen floor! Very dear friends from the congregation came, replaced the rottenness, replaced the back door, replaced the back siding, poured concrete for a patio area, and are planning to put up back steps soon!! This is big stuff, and we couldn't have done it without them. (That's obvious, since we hadn't done it without them in soooo long.)
But on a down note, my dh is still suffering so much with his ear infection. According to the Ear,Nose,Throat Dr., his eustachian tube had collapsed, and that's why it wouldn't drain properly. Yesterday the dr. said he has a "hole in his ear." Fun times. But he did say he got a little sleep with the new medication - less pain than usual. He's off work now for a couple days, so hopefully he'll be able to feel a little better before going back.
The other news is that I heard from all my children in the last 2 weeks. Yay! I just feel so much better whenever that happens. And my sister is making plans so I can see her this fall. Yay! Now I'm working on switching my weekend to work, getting a replacement for my Newbery book club meeting that Friday, etc, etc. I am planning to be at my in-laws on their anniversary after all! (Remember I didn't get to Texas last year after I broke my shoulder?) I'm sorry my dh won't be able to fly (with his ear), but I'm glad to make plans of some kind. And spend a couple days with my sister - all by ourselves! Wow!
I know some of you are interested in continuing G'ma's travel journal - and I know that the next year holds such things as a car on fire, another trip, etc. So hopefully I can stay with the highlights and not the boring parts - I'll try. It's just that G'ma sees everything as exciting and wonderful. I never knew her to be bored in her life! But in this format I'll try to be more brief for your sakes.
Thanks for reading!
How kind of your friends to help you out like that. I hope your dh gets better soon. Mine is suffering with dizziness lately due to sinus issues. The many, many dead trees lining our streets is not helping. Glad you're going to get to come to Texas!
December 23, 1958
Just passed Caravanner 316 going north... Had car troubles and it was late and dark. The mountain drive was very pretty, and different than many we have taken...
December 24, 1958
We looked for a court here in Peru and found 3, so we took our choice, moved, and are all settled. This is a wonderful country. We surely like the climate. The orange groves are beautiful, and oh what a fragrance. Poinsettia seems to be the most prevalent plant for landscaping, and they are surely beautiful. The holly was absolutely beautiful all over the mountain slopes and valleys.
December 25, 1958
Our Christmas was surely a different one than we have ever had. We spent the day all by ourselves, amidst flowers and fruit trees in full regalia. I took pictures of beautiful roses, poinsettias, and a lot of lovely holly. I got a full fledged dinner and after all this travel, it was a real pleasure to get a nice dinner. We didn’t open presents like we have for many years. But we had a lot of lovely memories, and we had a very nice day. We have enjoyed the temperatures here. Sun and warmer weather sure is welcome after almost three months of rain and very cool weather.
December 27, 1958
A quiet, restful day. Yes, it has started to rain. I washed in my little washer and hung things out anyway. Set my yeast for some rolls tomorrow. We will show our Mexico pictures to Tates this evening. Wrote 9 letters and cards today. Now I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. I put the juice of two pomegranates in a quart of orange juice, and they sure added zip. The day was ended by a very nice evening..
December 28, 1958
Did a big wash today, a stiff warm breeze dried them quickly.
Making sourdough rolls today. It is sunny and warm today.
We took a nice ride... Saw one of the dams. That seems to mean so very much to the people here, as water for the farmland is concerned. Had a nice lunch and rested. I cleaned and repacked a lot of things in the trailer...
December 29, 1958
It is very windy and the dust is sure blowing. Leo fixing the brakes on the car – found one in bad shape. Leo got the car all fixed – brakes, that is.
Sorted a lot of shells, and spent a nice restful evening. Found the back of the trailer storage, clothes hamper, etc. all wet, so opened and unpacked and dried it all out.
Such a wind.
December 30, 1958
Leo has the car at the garage putting on a distributor or something. Another line full of wash on the line.
...I must get my new journal book out, as I’ll be wanting to use it and I don’t know where it is.
They surely are busy with fires here, and it is very dry. They must be pretty bad. We have had a lovely day. ..
December 31, 1958
Today is a record – the warmest day that is on record. We got the old car back home once more. This time the bill was $44.95. So it goes. Also received the nice box from Norma – trailer tags, car tags, and 100 Xmas cards and loads of notes. That really is a big part of Xmas. We didn’t realize our cards and letters could mean so much. Didn’t get to the store tonight, so we’ll have bacon and eggs for New Years Day. We are going to watch the Rose Bowl at Tates’, and have a little lunch there...
Peru? I've been re-reading my diary for 9th and 10th grades. Have decided to type some significant portions and SHRED most of the rest of it! Somewhat fatiguing to relive all that angst!
