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On Thursday, the 23rd of June, 1999, at 5:30 pm, June and
I boarded a Northwest Airlines jet headed for California. We
were as excited as a couple of newlyweds, and that takes a
lot of doing for us as we have been married for 58 years.
After an enjoyable, uneventful flight, we landed at the San
Diego Airport. After securing our baggage and renting a Hertz
automobile, we headed North for Mission Viejo and our dear
friend and host, Tommy Mitchell.
Some 75 miles later, we arrived at his beautiful palace at
26041 Concho in Mission Viejo which was to be our home.
It is situated on the 15th hole of the Mission Viejo Golf
Course which Tommy created. What a spot!
We found Tom in a familiar pose in his couch opposite a
huge portrait of President Bill Clinton. He presented each
of us with a half dozen darts and the opportunity of using
them to the best advantage on said portrait. June did a
remarkable job in her effort and was applauded by our host.
Tom Mitchell is the bosom buddy of June's cousin, Charles
Stanley Cleveland. They were in the Navy together in the war
to end all wars and have been constant companions and
friends ever since.
We spent a wonderful day just relaxing and meeting friends
and family. June enjoyed the fruit trees and she snapped me
in front of a beautiful tree on the Golf Course on his back
lot.
The next day, we drove down to San Diego and returned the
rental car. We stopped in to visit Kelly Heidkamp at the
charming King Griffin Art Gallery in La Jolla and she showed
us some of Mark's art and a fancy hall tree that her mother
Pat had created. We talked for quite a while, reminiscing, and
finally took our leave.
Tom was gracious enough to let us have a party for Stanley,
his family and others and we went over to Costco and bought
out the place. The first to arrive was June's cousin, Stan.
Karen Bierbower, Tommy's daughter was next - what a beauty!
We then greeted, Stan's Grandaughter Allisa, his friend Jean
and his daughters Janet, Jackie and Carol. They are all beauty
pageant material. June has a had continuing relationships with
Janet and Jackie and enjoyed the opportunity to see the other
girls again after a long absence.
On another beautiful day, we drove up to Garden Grove to
see my second cousin Marlon and his wife Jewel. They had
the flags out for us and we had a great time talking with them.
Jewel showed us around the house and June remarked about a
particularly attractive tree.
On June 28th, I took the train to San Diego for the Lions
International Convention. It was really a thrill riding the
train - it had been a long time since the last time I had been
on one.
I met my buddy, Harvey Lindberg and his bride Shirley at
the Clarion Hotel and, joined by Art Jackson and his gal, we
all walked over to the parade. It was fantastic. I think it was
the first time that Russia or Poland had been in the parade and
I was astounded by the huge group from Sri Lanka. I was
proud as the Swedes walked by in huge numbers.
Then came Minnesota!! It was exciting and they all looked
so great! We saw:
Governor Jack
soon to be Governor Bucky
PDG Tom
Lorraine
PCC Ross
and many others including our PCC John and Eileen from our
vantage point on the curb seated next to Joyce from Colorado.
Had a great time with Harvey, just like our experiences in
Winnipeg a few short weeks ago. He is a great Lion and fun
to be around. We were stopped by Ingemar Andersson, a
Swedish Lion, who took our picture and told us it would
be in a European Lion's Magazine. Wow! We visited all the
booths and picked up material on the upcoming convention
in Hawaii in 2000. We saw a bunch of brass as we left to
board the bus.
We enjoyed a nice meal at the hotel and I left to catch
my train for Mission Viejo. We were treated to many fine
meals by Tom and Bucky, especially at our Italian Restaurant
in Laguna Hills. They are truly wonderful people.
Tom chauffered us to the station in San Juan Capistrano on
the 1st of July and we boarded the train for Santa Barbara.
We passed through the Glendale Station on our way and
it brought back many old memories.
We were greeted in Santa Barbara by two of the sweetest
people in the world, my second cousin Art Larson and his
wife Joy. They took us to Brophy's on the beach for lunch.
June really enjoyed it as we all did. On the way to the car we
noticed this dog enjoying a snooze, doesn't he look comfort-
able?
Visiting with the Larson's is a royal treat. No one prepares
food or keeps house like Joy - get a load of this setting.
Joy had a "Christmas in July" dinner with all the trimmings!
Wow! She is unbelievable! Here are some typical shots of
life at the Larson's:
Art in his favorite chair
dining
before breakfast
Front yard
TC (The Cat)
Daughter Arthea
House across the street where a movie with James Coburn
was shot.
We were always joined by my beautiful cousin Mildred
Schill, Art's sister. She is a doll!
While staying with the Larson's, beside the wonderful food
and hospitality, we were introduced to many of their friends
and relations and we got into some of the really fancy and
expensive places in California. For Example: Mildred's step
daughter Alma & Tom Powell's home. Tom and Alma are
Antique experts and have a remarkable collection. Mildred
showed us some of her handiwork - needlepoint.
The Carswell's
Betty & Dr. Bo Carswell are shown here with Arthea.
Betty with her Lions.
Lois & Dave Franks' $10 million palace on top of a mountain
in in Santa Barbara. We enjoyed a delectable pot luck lunch
and watched the fireworks from there on the 4th.
June and I by some of their sparkling bougainvillea.
Sunday, July 4th, we attended church with the Larsons and
Mildred and later we were entertained with a luscious dinner
and 4th of July Celebration at Valle Verde where Mildred
resides. On July 5th, we were again entertained by Mildred
at a barbecue where June became acquainted with a lady
whose name was June and whose husband was Glenn. Small
world!
Early on the morning of the 6th of July, we left for Portland.
We stopped for breakfast in San Louis Opispo. We were
unable to eat at the Famous Madonna Inn as it was closed.
We had to settle for Denny's.
June had expressed a desire to see Hearst Castle, San
Simeon, and Art & Joy had arranged this as our first stop.
It was a sight to behold! The outer swimming pool was a
showplace surrounded by sculpture so expensive you
wouldn't believe me if I quoted some of the estimates we
heard.
I will not take the time to describe the splendor of San
Simeon. Suffice it to say that Wm.Randolph Hearst was
fabulously wealthy and his home reflects the fact that he
bought whatever he wanted - price no object. He entertained
lavishly and was host to all the big names of the 40's and
50's. Everyone should see it! This is a view of the guest
house.
We had a nice picnic prepared by Joy, enroute to Lodi.
We continued on to Carmel, another spot June wanted to
see. Ocean Blvd. was intriguing and June wanted her picture
taken there.
We stopped in Lodi, California for dinner at the lovely
home of Alice and Jim Adkins. Alice is Art's niece. We were
royally treated by the Adkins. Jim has a fantastic garden, I
have never seen such wonderful vegetation. Art swiped a
huge tomato, the first of the season and you should see
the care he gave it until he finally ate it in Portland. We met
their Children, Alissa, Scott and Rusty and thoroughly
enjoyed ourselves. We were treated to a great picnic in the
patio. It is so exciting to meet new relations!!
We drove to Coos Bay, Oregon, where Art had lived as a
boy. It is a quaint little village on a bay and we loved it.
We were privileged to be able to visit the Emersons in
their beautiful home in a ten acre forest glade over the city.
We took these snapshots:
Mildred, Bob, Glenn, Barbara, Art & Joy
Glenn, Barbara, Bob and June
ditto
Mildred
Bob & Glenn
with son Dennis & Grandson Denny
Bob & Mildred
Dennis and his family live adjacent to his dad in a sylvan
cottage paradise.
Among the many stately trees on the property, we found a
myrtle tree which is native to Coos County. It is found in
only two other places on earth: Israel and neighboring
Curry County. Thank you very much Emersons for a warm
welcome, tasty dinner and a wonderful afternoon!
We arrived at approximately 1:30. We checked in at the
Hilton Hotel in Portland and after getting our luggage in
order, we drove to Dan and Kathy Cooper's home for a
reunion. We were greeted by Kathy, who was busy prepar-
ing a meal for a house full of people. She was so gracious
even though she did not know most of the people invading
their home. Plus, she and Dan were leaving the next morning
for Europe for a month. Thank you so much Kathy and Dan!
To show you a few:
Mildred with Dan & Kathy
Jeanette, daughter Joyce with son John
Elton & Frances
4 male 2nd cousins
Mildred, Harry, Ron, Frances, Elton,
Art, Delores and Glenn
Elton, Mildred, Myrt & Delores
Art, Mike, Donna and Betty
Dan & Mildred
The Whole Gang!
We had a fabulous time at this gathering of the clan. Ron
was, as usual, the life of the party with his jokes and magi-
cal maneuvers. I love this guy and his lovely gal, Lynne. We
have had wonderful times together. Ron brought his brother
Harry, and it was great to get to know him. Harry is a retired
airline pilot. He also had his daughter Annette! and grand
daughter Andraya with him.
Elton John was there and you could tell he was having a
great time. He had his friend Marion with him. Frances
Miller was there with some of her family as was Delores.
These two sisters are truly nice to be around, I love them.
There were so many, but I think you will see that when you
look at the pictures. It is a wonderful family.
The next day we drove over to Frances' home, but nobody
was there so Art & Joy, Mildred, June and I rode around the
part of town where they had lived. We saw Ellen Kibbey's
home and the church Art & Mildred had attended. We could
tell that it was a delight for Art and Mildred as they oohed
and aahed at each corner.
We then returned to Frances home and found everyone was
back. I got this shot of Frances in her beautiful back yard.
Ron and Lynne brought out some old pictures that I had not
seen before. They were wonderful old shots and they promised
to send me copies of many that I had picked out. I have to
digress a little. My Grandmother Augusta, had traveled to
Washington in the early 1900's to help Mathilda and Christina
with their Board & Room operation. My dad had become
lonesome, and hitch hiked out later to be with his mother.
I had told June that the most wonderful thing that could
happen was to find a picture on this trip of my grandmother
and dad.
I knew that someday I would find just that.
Now, lo and behold, I found in Ron's collection, a picture
of my grandmother and grandfather with his three children!!
My dad at about 14! I couldn't believe it and here it is!! I have
nothing like it! It is like, heaven sent. Thank you so much,
Ron.
We had a delicious meal and took this group shot.
That afternoon, we said a tearful "until we meet again"
and departed for Minneapolis on Northwest Flight #398.
Our door is always open!
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