Colorado Honeymoon



Me at Uncle Buell's ranch in Colorado



As you may have noticed in my earlier blog 'Teenage Marriage' we had not a cent left putting on a formal wedding let alone money for a honeymoon in 1950.  For our first anniversary we managed a down payment on a 1952 powder-blue Chevy coup right off the showroom floor.  Our wedding gift from Uncle Buell was a week's vacation on his ranch in Colorado up near Laramie, Wyoming.  And, drive we did, all day, all night and most of the next day only stopping for gas and something to eat.  That was a long, arduous drive from Pomona Valley, just south of Los Angeles to northern Colorado.  Needless to say the trip was well worth it, however the 'honeymoon' became JD's first hunting trip.

The ranch ranged for several square miles, more that 2,000 acres.  My Uncle, his wife and their two young sons had been out to California for our wedding so it was rather like a reunion.  The oldest son, Junior, was close to our age and still in college while Chuck, the younger, was in High School.  They lived in the old log cabin with a sod roof that my Great Aunt, Stella (on my mother's side), and her husband had homesteaded years before and had passed it on to their only son, Buell.  The only other building on the ranch was the original barn where hung the venison dressed and curing.  Although they ran cattle on the ranch, they never butchered beef because it was their sole income which was seasonal due to being snowed in during the winters.  When deer or elk was no longer in season they depended on rabbits, sage-hen, and other small table fare such as trout from the stream.

When we arrived, another couple was just finishing their week long stay.  Relatives of Buell's wife and they were marvelous cooks.  Buell's wife had just enjoyed a week out of her kitchen so it was a happy time for all.  Breakfast was a banquet with eggs, biscuits, rabbit, grouse, venison along with hot coffee and fresh milk from their one cow in the stall by the barn.  The biggest surprise was the fact that all the cooking was done on an old wood stove and this included a light and wonderful Angel Food cake for desert that night that first night baked in our honor.  All electricity was provided by a windmill and of course there was a double-seat outhouse just far enough that you had to plan well in advance your trip to and from.   
          
Of course, there were horses for Buell and the boys to ride fence and they were well mannered. However, Buell's was an old stallion that only allowed him in the saddle.  The horses had free range and Buell's stallion would wait for him at the kitchen window every morning and 'whiney' for him to come out and ride.  To my knowledge, Buell had established his morning ride routine that had created a mutual admiration between man and horse.

I should mention, that when we first drove onto the property, down the winding dirt road after opening and closing the gate. The ranch entrance was off the two lane road that headed on over to Coalmont, a ghost town at the time, named for the old coal mine that had started burning a long time ago and smoke continues to belch from that mine even today.  The first time we got a glimpse of that log cabin, I asked JD:  "Is that a deer or a dog on the roof?"  Sure enough, as we came closer, it was apparent it was indeed a yearling with budding horns.  He pranced over to the closest point to check us out before scampering down the side and jumping off to wander closer to see who we were.  He had been found by Junior after a hunter had shot the mother-doe (out of season and illegal) leaving her newborn a helpless orphan.  Junior brought the fawn home and nursed him until able to eat from his hand. In no time, the deer graduated to dining with the horses and frolicking on the sod roof.  Now Junior and the yearling were the best of buddies.

We were on the ranch for almost a week, the first paid vacation JD had ever had, and he spent every day hunting anything that moved which began to provoke my Uncle Buell.  I passed the word on to JD and he decided to spend the rest of his time just hiking and fishing for trout in the brook that meandered over the property.  I could join in the hiking.  Views were awesome, remember it was Spring, hazy lavender mountain ranges, rolling green hills and valleys, wild flowers everywhere not to mention the variety of birds, rabbits, deer and moose that could be spotted here and there among the Aspen trees.  You could actually see across the border into Wyoming from the far corner of the ranch.  JD said:  "If I had the money I would buy land here in a minute."  Apparently there was land for sale and at a very reasonable price, it's just that we hadn't yet reached that  reasonable income.

The days passed much too quickly. I did have the opportunity to ride Chuck's pinto as she was the most gentle of all.  I had a long talk with her before I climbed into the saddle so we had an agreement that my ride would always be fantastic, which it was.  While at the ranch, Junior and JD formed a true friendship that lasted throughout their lives.  JD's close friend Don also became the third member of this hunting posse that met at the ranch every deer season year after year, after year.  Both JD and Junior have since passed away and their ashes scattered over the ranch property as requested.  Buell and both sons gone, the ranch was cut up and sold.  I will always remember when it was possible for just plain folks to have a piece of nature such as that Colorado ranch.
   

"Aloha!"



1st Hawaii Trip (Me in pink rose t-shirt)

What a lovely greeting "Aloha!"  Everyone I have known has dreamed of an Hawaiian vacation.  I too imagined, even as a child, of one day going to those islands.  I remember painting what I thought to be a scene on Hawaii with bluest ocean, mounds of sand and swaying palm trees.  As my 5th grade teacher, Miss Gardner, watched over my shoulder I added the finishing touch, pineapples hanging from the palm trees.  I was so pleased with the result until Miss Gardner noted, "Jean, pineapples do not grow in trees. They are small plants that grow in rows in a farmer's field."  Talk about having your bubble burst.  I was terribly disappointed that my painting was all for was naught.  Well, one day I would travel to the islands and find out for myself.


You see, I thought I knew all about pineapples in Hawaii.  I had a pen pal as a child.  She was Japanese and lived in Hawaii with her parents on a Pineapple Plantation.  I don't remember her name, and I don't remember where exactly Mother had found her request for a pen pal, but I do remember that after Pearl Harbor we never again had the opportunity to exchange letters.  I do remember my father saying:  "War is not about people, it's all about governments."  I wondered if the islands would still be there after a war.



Finally, with my bridal boutique business doing so well, and my decision to have travel plans other than fishing and hunting trips, I announced to my friend Judy I was flying to Hawaii.  Judy owned a small beauty shop adjacent to my Claremont boutique.  "I want to go with you.  My mother, who I've not seen for years, remarried the island's war hero and has a large house and would welcome us as guests, I'm sure."  Before we even bought our tickets, two other girlfriends pledged to join us, Dona and Joanie, making a four-some.  We put our heads together, set a date, Judy contacted her mother to say "we're on our way" and we bought our tickets to Hawaii.



Judy's mother met us as we got off the plane. "Aloha!" She was wearing the official island 'mumu' ( an ankle length, colorful cotton dress that hung loose from the shoulders).  We each received the official Hawaiian 'lei' of Plumeria flowers and the air was pungent with lovely perfume wafting on warm breezes.  The sun was shining, the ocean and sky were of a matching blue.  And one could see lush, green for miles.  This was truly the Hawaii I had dreamed of.  Judy's mother had made sure that our week stay on the island would be memorable, everything Hawaiian.  We dined on fresh fruits and 'poi' at every meal.  She took us on side trips all over Oahu and the big island of Hawaii, where we walked close to the volcano.  It was a whirlwind of pleasures that made us feel more like children than young ladies on holiday from full time jobs.  What an introduction to Hawaii.

Me in Hawaii on trip with Tes

Since my first trip, Hawaii has become an often preferred vacation destination.  'JD' never cared to use his vacation time for anything but hunting and fishing and had no desire to travel any further than Colorado or Mexico to enjoy his macho endeavors.  I made sure that first 'Tes' then 'JR' (not the names I gave them at birth, but nicknames they now use) accompanied me on Hawaiian vacations, Tes during her first year of college and JR while still in high school. 

While Tes and I spent most of our leisure lying on the beach at Waikiki, we did take a side trip to the black-sand beach on the big island, where we met some scuba divers and had photos taken with their catch of lobsters and an octopus. We also got a chance to eat lunch in the lodge overlooking the volcano and watched the steam coming out.



 With JR I had to be urged to hike totally around the base of Diamond Head.  We also hiked up to the cliffs where you could become air born by holding onto corners of a bed-sheet during a high wind. We took a bus trip to the pineapple fields, were we each consumed a whole fruit at their roadside stand and had sore mouths for the next 24 hours.  Pineapple is best, you see, consumed in more dignified amounts, and along with other foods as well.  A lesson well learned.  Needless to say, back to California, with much stronger leg muscles.



You might know that when I began my divorce, I left stateside and headed for a 'time out' on the islands.  My boutique was doing well under Tes and my manager's care, so my two week intended sojourn became a couple months or more.  Tes, now in college, and JR in High School, kept up the home front, and I just disappeared into the lush green of the islands.  I stayed for some time on Maui, 'the garden island, with new friends and their Australian 'diving' dogs that were wonderful to watch as they dove to the sandy bottom of  the crystal clear ocean to retrieve the object you had tossed.  My soul was healing in all this beauty.



Back on the mainland, Oahu, I was introduced to Connie who was looking for a room-mate, we bonded right away, I got a job as a buyer at one of the department stores on the island and we began our daily routine:  up at sunrise and out on the lawn at Fort De Russey to exercise with Dr. Paul Bragg and his followers.  He was in his 80's then and still managing an easy 50 push-ups per day, as well as swimming laps. Dr. Bragg is famous for his authored health books about vegetarianism and fasting.  Soon I was on this same healthy regime (except for the push ups) and "feeling younger, and healthier" every day.  Paul Bragg said to me:  "You can't expect someone else to make you happy.  First, you have to be happy, then someone else can add to your happiness."  Very good advise.  And it really works.



When I finally returned back to California, tan, healthy and in very good spirits, the first thing the kids and I did was to throw out all the items in the pantry that had non-healthy ingredients and restock with only healthy items and add yogurt, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies along with vitamins suggested by Dr. Bragg.  We owe our good health to this amazing man who lived to almost 100 and played tennis one more time, with his daughter in Miami, before dropping from a fatal heart attack following their lunch at the country club.  His ashes were spread over the ocean at Waikiki along with Plumeria flowers.

         
Of course, there have been many return visits to Hawaii over the years, the stays only mere days at a time, but always a restorative sojourn.  Remember, as you leave the island toss your 'lei' into the waves and you're assured to return and be greeted with: "Aloha!"

Business Dujour

Growing up, my idea of a successful future entailed owning a business.  Certainly my first jobs were as an employee and I was grateful to earn my own money.  I was brought up to give a job 100% effort in any case so that is what I did.  Right out of High School I applied for a secretary position with CACO, Inc. in Pomona. The young couple that owned the mold making business had two daughters, a 9 month old and a two year old, so they really wanted someone who would move into their home, be a part-time baby sitter and a part-time secretary.  My aspirations and their needs fit together like a hand and a glove.

I had learned secretary skills at school (in those days girls were generally trained to be secretaries and/or mothers) and I baby-sat around the neighborhood in addition to having helped care for my baby sister since I was six years old.  And their family included a German Shepherd 'Duke' who made the picture perfect, because I have always loved having furry friends in my life.  The magic of this partnership eventually gave my fiance 'JD' his opportunity to learn the mold making business, which served him well for the rest of his life.  This unique relationship between their family and mine has lasted a lifetime.
 

After 'JD' and I were married, he took on the idea that "man has the job and woman takes care of the house."  Well, that worked for about two months.  Then I had the opportunity to work for 'Dr  Z' the local Dentist who was willing to train me as his Dental Assistant.  I bought a white nurse uniform, white shoes and began my new profession.  This was a two person office so my secretarial skills were still needed and I was a happy camper.  That lasted until I found out I was pregnant.  I took on the idea that "pregnant women should be at home sewing baby clothes and preparing her nest."  'Dr Z' tried to convince me that many women work and have babies, but that idea wasn't congruent with my decision.  I had chosen names for the children in my future while I was just a school girl and now I was on cloud nine.        



I did stay home over the next five years, however I began doing crafts of my own design and wholesaling to local gift shops.  I also began helping neighbors decorate their homes, because they seemed to like my ideas.  So you see, I was always busy thinking of how to make money under any circumstances.  Probably partly due to the fact even my mother had started her own American Flag factory.  Being in a wheelchair herself, she hired other women who had been victims of Polio  The way this all took place is a story in itself.  And, the bottom line was that I was a child born during The Great Depression.  Big impression on me, as I still save string for instance.  Go figure. 

Beaux and Belles



You might have guessed, that as soon as both children were in school, I talked a neighbor of mine into a partnership in the opening of  Beaux and Belles, Bridal & Boutique, in Claremont, California.  This business evolved into two additional locations:  Oxnard and San Francisco. 

Today, the San Francisco boutique is still in operation, however, I sold it to my manager after my 16 successful years and she again sold to the present owner.  I often meet someone who has just recently bought their wedding gown from that San Francisco boutique.                 

Beaux and Belles - Showroom

Before selling the bridal businesses, 'JD' and I had decided to go our different ways after 21 years of marriage (not necessarily blissful, but workable) and we remained friends throughout.  Since I was totally financially independent, it was a clean-cut break that served our family well over the following years.  No regrets on either side


For the following four years as a 'bachelorette' I tried my wings and discovered the wide, wide world of travel and new business adventures.  There would be a whole new beginning,  There is much more to be told, so hang in there.  Life can be a bowl of cherries, just remember to spit out the pits.

Catching a Marlin

The "Jon-Dee II" at anchor at Catalina Island

With the 'Jon-Dee II' outfitted with a pair of 'outriggers' and the distant viewing across the water substantially improved with the 'flying bridge' we were ready to try our fishing skills to bring in our first Marlin.  Now, the way that is generally accomplished is by keeping your radio tuned into the commercial fishing boats who generally mention where they see Marlin jumping.  Then you head to that particular latitude/longitude spot in the middle of the ocean, cut your engines to slow and begin criss-crossing in a pattern for generally hours on end.  During the Marlin season, if you keep a sharp eye out, you will at least see one broaching the water even if you never hook into one, which is pretty awesome.

True that 'JD' was a skinny kid when we married, but he grew into a very sturdy young man and his wavy strawberry-blond hair and hazel eyes got him into some situations that weren't the best, his good looks probably kept him in good stead with family and friends, and me of course.  But, his temper was something difficult to deal with.  He was not physical, but had a vocabulary that was a shocker to me since no one in my family ever showed such anger.  Well, this is just to set the stage for our first ever Marlin.

          
It was just 'JD' and me, a sunny day, a spiffy boat and the sea.  'JD' was in an especially good humor anticipating a first Marlin.  "Now, Jean, you run the boat according to my directions and everything will be just dandy.  I'll sit back with my heavy duty pole and fishing line.  When I hook a Marlin I'll tell you to turn 'port' or 'starboard' and you have to be quick or the Marlin could 'sound' and we'll lose it.  Don't worry if we happen to lose this first Marlin, we can always try again. It's the first day of the Marlin season."



And if you believe all that, just listen to what actually took place.  'JD' did hook into a Marlin pretty early in the day.  He began firing directions at me and I did as he said.  Too quickly he brought the Marlin to the side of the boat. "Cut the engine, grab the gaf, help me get this Marlin on board  Now!"  I knew in an instant that if I missed getting that Marlin on board I would no doubt get thrown overboard and here in the middle of the ocean who would know that I hadn't just fallen overboard?



I, of course, did exactly as 'JD' requested in a timely fashion.  Handed him the gaf.  Guess what?  The gaf went into the Marlin's side and with a fish-twist the gaf straightened out and away swam the Marlin, however still hooked on the fishing-line.  "Get that engine going and turn port. Now!"  Loudly his directives were delivered until once again he had the Marlin close to the teak swim step. "Get on the step and help me land this Marlin. Now!" Of course, I'm not using his actual language in this blog or it wouldn't appear dear reader as you may well understand.      



JD with the Marlin

Well, I had only a split second to make a decision.  I jumped over onto the swim step at the stern and as he reeled in the Marlin the top half of the fish came up along my left side. "Grab that Marlin!" he shouted.  And, that's exactly what I did.  I threw both arms around that 6' 125lb Marlin (compare to me at 5'7" 120lb) and hugged him until 'JD' could pull him on board.  That Marlin twisted and wiggled but I held on for dear life.  I knew that either the two of us would soon be on board or the two of us would be under water.  I did hold on in that precarious position.  'JD' did land the Marlin.  He was a happy fisherman. I was alive and sad to say the Marlin had met his match.  I vowed then and there to never, never go fishing for a Marlin again in my entire lifetime. And, I have kept that promise.  'JD' was proud of his trophy.  I mourned the Marlin's demise.