California

Many trips to California with different sets of kids. Started with the first group of four. Chris, Lindsey, Liz and Tom. Marg lived in San Diego then and we went to visit her and to spend time on the beach. We rented a beach house. Grandpa came along on this trip. He also invited our friends the Rosses. Made for a large group. Riley was about two, so we had a whole cadre of children.

They loved it. Swimming in the ocean, climbing on dunes, barbecues. Many activities. The kids’ moms had told me that they were not to come home with pierced ears or tattoos. OK, I said. But I did make sure that each of the kids had a henna tattoo before we left. It went away in several weeks.!

We also toured LA on a trip. Went to La Brea tar pits, saw the Hollywood Bowl and the Rose Bowl stadium. Toured the stars’ homes. Of course, never saw any. Went to the Planetarium and the Hollywood Hills. Always good things to do in California.

After Marg’s family moved to Ohio and she started teaching, her kids school vacations and hers were on different schedules. Enter Uncle Steve. He lived in California. I would take Riley and Ella for Uncle Steve Camp whenever they were on a break. We would fly from Ohio, rent a convertible and spend a week or so with Uncle Steve. Great times. He lives not too far from the ocean. However, it is a steep hill, so every morning I would tell the kids to take what they wanted for the day. Because we were not going up and down the hill.

When Uncle Steve could take time off, we would get in the convertible and ride around. Sometimes around LA and other times up the coast. We went into the mountains around Santa Barbara and stopped at the police station which was the filming spot for the kids’ favorite show...PSYCH! Of course, It was not filmed there and the police thought the kids were crazy.

One time we went to a Lakers game that was fun. Sat close enough to see the players well.