Cleffie's Apartment

 At some point in the early 1990s my grandmother moved from California (where she had been living with my parents) back to Michigan. She rented an apartment in Watervliet, in the building which had been the hospital (where both of my brothers and I were born). It had been converted into a senior-citizen apartment building, called Tri-City Village.

Ruby and Oma Dell

I'm not sure when these pictures were taken. Mom and Grandma (Cleffie) apparently made a trip to Arkansas to visit Cleffie's sister Ruby, and Ruby's daughter Oma Dell. 

PHOTOS: In the top picture are Donald (Oma Dell's husband), Ruby, Cleffie, and Oma Dell. These pictures were taken at either Oma Dell's house or, more likely, Ruby's apartment in Searcy, Arkansas.

They were making strawberry shortcake. It was probably springtime when the local berries would be ripe. There is a strawberry festival in May every year in Bald Knob (10 miles from Searcy) Arkansas.

Oma Dell and Wathada were always very close cousins, even though they didn't live near each other. They both loved strawberries.

Sea World

 Pictures from when Red and Wathada and Heather and Billie Jo went to Sea World in San Diego.

(Billie Jo is Heather's mother -- my brother John's first wife.)

Medieval Times

One of the fun places my parents took me to on one of my visits to California was Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, in Buena Park. The tables are rustic -- with benches instead of chairs. The food is served medieval style, without utensils -- garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, and herb-basted potato (wet wipes are provided). Everyone gets a paper crown, color-coordinated according to which side of the tournament arena you're seated in -- which "team" (knights, jousters, etc.) you are rooting for. The king and courtiers are seated above one end of the arena from which they announce various parts of the competition. It's really a lot of fun. 

It's not a good venue for taking flash pictures, as there is a plexiglass shield between the audience and the dirt-floor arena. (Some of these pictures were taken at Buena Park, where we were seated in the front row or two. Some of them were taken from farther up in the stands when Alan and I went to Medieval Times in Florida.)

Miscellaneous Travels with Red and Wathada

Here are some pictures from other trips Mom and Dad took.

I don't know where they were or what was the occasion for these pictures. Looks like they took the camper, but are all dressed up for something. I have some pictures of a wedding they attended, for some people that I don't recognize. This might have been on that trip...?

These pictures are of Mom's cousin Buck and his wife Judy and two of their children (Tracy and Tammy, I believe) at the Queen Mary.

These are pictures of a friend of my mother's from her junior high school days. Peggy's family moved away and they vowed to stay in touch. Mom wrote a whole bunch of letters, and she received several letters from Peggy -- always asking why she didn't write back! ... Years later, Mom decided to try to find Peggy (using the sleuthing skills she developed while researching family history). It was a long hard effort, but she did FINALLY track her down. It's still a mystery why Peggy never received any of Mom's letters. They were sent to the correct address, that has been confirmed. Peggy thinks her parents, or maybe her brother, discarded the letters for some reason. (People can do strange things for inscrutable reasons.) Anyway -- Mom and Dad made a trip to Tennessee to visit Peggy and her husband in 2005, and these pictures are from that trip.

With Lester and Cleffie

 My Burford grandparents lived in Arkansas when my parents were living in California. Grandma would spend most of every winter staying with Mom and Dad. Papa would only spend a month or so in California, and then would go back to Arkansas. Here are some pictures of some places they went.

I don't have any idea where this lake was. Somewhere in California, around the Los Angeles area, I assume.

According to AI this is the city hall of Pasadena. I don't know why they would have been there, and AI is notoriously inaccurate, so... idk

Trips With Bernarde & Eileen

 My folks made a couple of trips with Dad's brother Bernarde and his wife Eileen. Some of these pictures were taken in California, and some were taken on a trip to the New England states.

San Francisco

San Diego

et al

NEW ENGLAND

Trips with Heather

 These are pictures of one or two camping trips Mom and Dad took with Heather. (I think it's two different trips, but I'm not really sure.) Heather is their granddaughter -- my brother John's daughter.

And...

Catalina Island, Part Two

Refreshments

Boardwalk

Bay

Casino and hotel

Airport

Beach

Downtown Avalon

Wildlife

Here's what AI has to say about Catalina:

Catalina Island, located 22 miles off the Southern California coast, is special for its Mediterranean-like climate, 42,000 acres of protected wilderness managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, and the charming, car-free city of Avalon. It offers a unique mix of exotic wildlife (like bison), historic landmarks such as the Catalina Casino, and crystal-clear waters for diving and snorkeling. 

Key highlights that make Catalina Island special include:

Unique Transportation: With cars restricted, the island is best explored by golf cart, bicycle, or hiking.

The Interior & Wildlife: Over 85% of the island is protected by the Conservancy, offering rugged, scenic backcountry where wild bison, bald eagles, and the endemic Catalina Island fox live.

Avalon's Charm: The main town of Avalon is known for its Mediterranean atmosphere, with the historic, circular Casino building, the Pleasure Pier, and the Catalina Island Museum.

Water Activities: Renowned for its clear water, the island is a premier destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tours.

Two Harbors: A quieter, rustic village on the isthmus of the island offering a more secluded experience.

Rich History: Formerly a smuggler's cove, a Union military outpost, and a playground for Hollywood elites, the island has a deep, colorful history.

Specialty Food/Drink: Known for the signature "Buffalo Milk" cocktail (containing coffee liqueur, banana liqueur, creme de cacao, and vodka). 

Catalina is frequently visited via ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point. 

Catalina Island, Part One

 Catalina Island, 1994 -- my last trip to California

The Queen Mary. She is permanently docked in Long Beach, and this is where the launch point is for shuttles to Catalina Island.

It's 22 miles from the shore to Catalina Island. A really fun -- and really windy -- ride.