Disneyland

While we were living in our HUD trailer in Rexburg, we decided to take the family to Disneyland for Christmas. Craig wrote about our experience in his journal:

"We left for California at 1:00 on Christmas Eve Day. We drove for ten hours, reaching Reno, Nevada on Christmas Eve where we stayed at a motel. On Christmas morning we ate breakfast in a Reno restaurant. We spent Christmas Day driving through California, passing orchards, cotton fields, and decorative oil wells, until we reached Coalinga in the evening. We enjoyed a 3-day visit with Aunt Ruth, Uncle Lauren, and family, during which time we returned for the first time in 10 years to my birthplace in Fresno."

(Disneyland Trip 1976)

"On December 28th we left for Huntington Beach, California where our friends, The Riplingers, lived. We had a great time with them. They took us to the beach where I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. I remember gathering up seashells and taking them home for souvenirs. We spent the night at Riplinger's and the following morning it was off to Anaheim and Disneyland!"

"We had a great and fun-filled day seeing and experiencing everything from a ride on Mark Twain's River Boat, to a patriotic program in the Hall of Presidents. from an exciting ride through Matterhorn Mountain, to a relaxing ride in the land of "It's a Small World After All."

(Craig, Pam, Cindy, and Nada at Disneyland 1976)

"We brought home souvenirs galore - from Mickey Mouse hats to candy. Cindy found a $20 bill and turned it in to the lost and found. A few weeks later (after no one had claimed it) the Disneyland officials mailed the money to Cindy in appreciation of her honesty."

"We spent the next day visiting friends and traveling. We arrived home the night of the 31st, just in time for New Year's Eve." (Craig Bowen, 1976)

We were so glad we went, as it was the only grand trip we would have as a family.