Once Roland finished building the house his job was finished. We decided it was time to travel around California, check out job opportunities, look at the availability of land and houses, and see how we felt about each area.

First we took day trips to Ramona, where Roland’s aunt Helen lived. Then to San Diego, Escondido and La Jolla. All were lovely areas. The flowers in La Jolla were magnificent. We traveled up the coast to see old Spanish missions:

The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of 21 religious outposts; established by Catholic priests of the Franciscan order between 1769 and 1833, to expand Christianity among the Native Americans northwards into what is today the U.S. state of California. (from Wikipedia).

We also took the children to Knott’s Berry Farm.

It would be two years later, July in 1955, before Disneyworld would open in California. It was the only Disney Park that was supervised by Walt Disney as it was being built.

We also looked at land around Los Angeles. We finally decided it was too expensive for us at $10,000 an acre. However,  it would be worth millions today.

After viewing all the sites and real estate within a days drive of our parked trailer we finally decided to hitch up the trailer again and head north toward San Francisco.

It took a day or two to shop and get the car and trailer ready to go, as well as the children and us ready. Early one  morning Roland hooked up the trailer to the station wagon, we climbed into the car and took off after breakfast with Florence and Harry. We headed up Route #5. First stop would be Bakersfield.

Wait ’till you hear how that went!!

NOTE: There is a blank section in our journal here. So I’ll fill in what I remember.

We packed up the trailer and the car, said goodbye to Uncle Edwin, and took off for California. As I recall it was a very long one day drive so maybe we stayed somewhere for one night. I don’t remember. But finally we arrived at Florence’s house and met her new cowboy husband. He looked exactly like a cowboy should look, tall, skinny, sun darkened face and a big smile for us.

Nancy (Helen’s daughter) Florence, Cowboy Harry (holding Lesley), and Roland (holding Sandy)

Florence and Harry had their own small ranch with a few horses. Harry insisted that Roland and I try out riding their horses. We did our best. Roland ready to gallop off.Jane not far behind.

We had a great visit with Florence and Harry, whom we liked very much. We parked our trailer at their ranch. From there we took side trips around southern California, Escondido, San Diego, Ramona, and more.

Roland found a job building another small house. He was in charge of a group of Mexicans. The first day they were pouring the cement foundation. When he came home that night he said, “All I knew how to say in Spanish was agua and mas agua.” (Water and more water). He thought the job would last about one month.

Lesley loved the ranch but became quite worried when Harry showed her a huge hypodermic needle he was using to give a horse a shot. She was afraid it was for her, but was very sympathetic when she realized it was for the horse.