6/27/76: No mere words will express what I have seen today. If I die tomorrow, it will not have been in vain. The Pirates of The Caribbean alone was worth a trip across the country. (I went twice!) The haunted house was a little lame and I don't even want to talk about the Matterhorn, but the rest was fantastic! I was shrunk down and injected into a human body, attacked by pirates and African animals, shot off into space and completely gorged with first-rate junk food. What more could you want?

2nd Entry: I am sitting here trying to put it all in order and capture the magnificence of Disneyland in words, but I am stumped. Even the singing bears were cool. I bought a Goofy button and a balloon that has already withered. The line for the submarine ride was ridiculously long, but well worth it. I wonder how they did the ghosts who rode along in our carts in the haunted house? That was the best part of that ride. A hippo charged our boat in the African Tour and man, did it look real! I can see why everyone makes such a fuss about this place. More later.

3rd Entry: I was just wondering how hot it must get in those costumes. Man, I don't think I would want their jobs. Probably all out of work midget actors from The Wizard of Oz.

4th Entry: My sisters and cousin Melinda keep talking about our trip to Marineland tomorrow with my cousin Lisa. They keep calling it Seaworld, and she keeps correcting them, like this:

Patty: Boy I can't wait until we go to Seaworld tomorrow, I want to see the waterskiing show!

Lisa: Marineland. Seaworld is in Florida.

Melinda: Waterskiing? At Seaworld?

Lisa: Marineland! Seaworld is in Florida!

Marlene: I hear Seaworld is more fun than Disneyland!

Lisa: >Sigh<... Never mind.

Okay, so I exaggerated that a little, but that's about how it went.

Today I think we all had a perfect (well nearly perfect) day. The day we had so long awaited --our visit to DisneyLand. We arrived before the gates were unlocked. Then Elaine and her brothers got in line for buying tickets. When we were finally allowed in, Dad, Junior and Elaine handed out the tickets. We then broke up in smaller groups -- but not until Lisa warned us again that we wanted to rush to the ones that would have the longest lines before late risers started arriving -- and that especially meant THE MATTERHORN. She assured us it was the neatest, scariest, fastest, and most popular ride in the park. I decided it wasn't for me -- I am NOT a dare taker, or a rider of wild rides!

As several rushed to line up for the big "mountain" ride Don and I did find what proved to be my favorite ride. We were advised by the ones who knew which other rides are considered to be the rides to get in the line to see the PIRATES of the Caribbean, no less. An animation perfection. The sacking of a city by pirates, real enough to be spooky, but never really terrifying -- what fun!

After we came back into the light from our dark ride in the boat, I decided to go with the girls and Elaine to see all the dolls in action -- all done to the tune of "It's a great world." So many beautiful dolls from so many nations -- I had to ride a second time through on the opposite side of the boat so I wouldn't miss a bit of it.

I guess I must have ridden in every conveyance available to ride on while there, accompanied by whoever was in the mood. We went on a safari; a frontier shooting occurred on one steamboat trip, and then some of us took a train (elevated) around the circumference of this magic land.

Later we got to see the presidents, and the country music bear performers, and even took a ride inside the human body. At noon we met for lunch in a big pavilion type of eating area. Food is a little more expensive than in fast food, but we enjoyed it and, after all, it was a special occasion.

And then we met the costumed Disney characters, shook hands, had our pictures taken, rode in a streetcar type of people mover and watched the parade that performs to keep it fun. I have never seen such a clean place -- college kid types running around in uniforms with brooms to keep everything spotless -- it was impressive.

Next it was time to visit a few shops (or many depending on how much stamina we had). We are taking home a lot of souvenirs -- probably my favorite is the Disney Club Mickey (or Minnie) Mouse ears; I think Lori and Becky will like them and the tee shirts to go along with them.

Then Don and I met Lisa, along with the other girls, So what was the first thing she asked, "Have you been on the Matterhorn ride yet?"

"NO! Of course not -- the lines are too long!!" Don and Junior chimed in that they thought I really should go" as the line wasn't very long right then. And then someone mentioned that Doug hadn't been on it either -- so why didn't he go with me and two of the girls wanted to go, too. Well, who wants to be chicken? I assure you this lady will flap her wings and accept the title from now on!

I went and what a way to add another gray hair to my head! Actually it is a wonder I didn't lose my head. Doug and I didn't do too much talking; we were entirely too busy holding on for our lives -- And do you know we got the most beautiful view of the iron trusses, the bolts and the rivets that held the whole ugly interior of this pretend mountain together. Or else we whipped outside for two seconds to provide some view of screeching humanity to serve as enticement to draw more people to come and risk having their glasses whipped off, which I really was afraid was going to happen

(Doug admitted afterwards that he sure thought his glasses might come off and then what in the world would he do for the rest of the trip?) Well I will say this about it -- I will not be getting in anybody else's way in the line up for the Matterhorn at any future date, no matter who might get an idea that I am an old "fuddy duddy"! And tomorrow -- but not as early -- we will do Marineland.

UPDATE
from Donna

I had enjoyable visit from Donna R this last week. She arrived later Tuesday evening and left Sunday afternoon. She attended insurance classes at Arrowwood, north of Alex from Wed-Friday, spending the evenings with us.

Note to Donna: Thanks for bringing the yummy chicken salad along, Donna! Enjoyed your visit, hope to do it again next time you need classes done!

Friday evening, Lori and Chris arrived from the cities. Jessy arrived from Fargo a little time later. We had birthday cake for Caity and she got to open her gifts from the newest arrivals. Her birthday had been on Wednesday and she'd gotten gifts at that time from the rest of us that are here. So, her birthday lasted a while longer, she wasn't complaining! :-)

Saturday evening, Donna, Barb, Lori, Becky, Caity, Jayce and I went to the L'Homme Dieu theatre north of Alexandria for ANNIE. It was a very good production, very good voices! One of the little girls Becky recognized as being one of the Alex friends children. Caity was rather upset that we wouldn't let her hang around and meet the girl that played Annie. She was a little gal from St. Cloud, did an excellent job. Caity and Becky had gone to an Aladdin play there last year, it was a first experience for the rest of us.

Monday, 4 p.m. at the Johnson farm...

We had a pretty bad storm come through here about 1 or so. Lots of high winds, pounding rain. We now have way more rain than needed, with the flash flood watch still up until 7:30 this p.m.

Our neighbor gal called, she needed Beaver to come and start their generator, their dairy barn was heating up and she was worried about the cattle. Their husbands were gone for the day and they didn't know how to start the thing. I got hold of Beaver in town and he said he'd head over there.

It was a tree in their yard that brought the power line down, putting out our power and theirs, and how many others? She said one also landed on her mother-in-law's car. She said they had lots of damage in the yard. I don't think we had much, not that I can see anyway. I know the tops of our trees were swaying so far over, amazed they'd didn't fall though!

Our power is still out, Beaver started our generator around 3 or so. I was missing my computer, so glad he did :-) Noticed he got his desk cleaned off, while stuck in the house!

UPDATE -- Travelogue
by our grandchildren
Ben, Heidi, Rachel, and Kim

Well, we are getting ready to leave grandma and grandpa's early tomorrow morning. We had a really fun time! Sunday we went to meeting and then went to one of the friend's houses for lunch. Got to play some mean air hockey and a few other games. Then we made grandma and grandpa tacos and some fresh salsa and a fruit salad. Late into the night we messed around with Kim's digital camera ... made short video clips and stupid faces and the likes.

Monday we went to the Battlefield mall and spent our hard earned money to help keep the recession at bay. Then we went to find a place to eat that wasn't one of the billion Oriental places that they have sprouting up all over. (Not that there is anything wrong with Oriental food ... we just didn't feel like eating it!)

We eventually found a subway, the only one in all of Springfield, judging by how long we drove around looking for one! Then we drove around looking for a pool to go swimming, but apparently in Springfield pools are closed on Monday, so we went back to Grandma's and Grandpa's.

We ended up finding an open pool in Republic and spent a couple hours acting as sun worshipers. Then Grandpa had supper for us. Pork chops and carrots in gravy and baked, creamed corn and a salad. All of it tasted wonderful! Both Sunday and Monday we played Rook and we girls played Dutch Blitz -- Ben said we were pretty intense and we probably were!

This afternoon (Tuesday) we are going to try to find another pool to hang out at and tonight there is a deal for us at one of the friends' houses for the young people around Springfield, so that will be fun to meet some new people!

Then tomorrow it's an early start for Colorado for convention. We will start for home on Saturday afternoon and stop half way at a motel (the cheaper the better -- the Roach Motel or the likes) and then get home sometime Monday. Thus far, the trip has been great and the rest should be just as wonderful!

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for letting us camp out at their place! It was wonderful to see you again!

* And so nice to have you visit us. We loved the Taco Supper. And our gardens are spick and span from the working over they got -- we are now weedless! Thanks for all the help and the perfect behavior of loving guests. Grandpa and Grandma.

UPDATE
by Patty

We just returned from NDSU. Dan had his orientation for his freshman year. We also were lucky to find an apartment that we have rented for August 1. That means they can move in at their leisure ... probably a week or so before school starts. They are in South Fargo, in fact just at the junction of I-29 and I-94, so quite easy to find.

Dan got most of his classes that he wanted, but quite spread out, so he'll have ample opportunity to find a studying niche at the campus! They have a wonderful wellness center too, so has another diversion there as well ... lots of weight machines, etc. to try his muscles on! We are so glad they are going to be together ... makes a mama feel a bit better having two of her birds in the same nest, even though it's four hours from home! They are quite excited about the prospect as well.

Rachel has "landed" a job at the Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care. She will start orientation when they return from their adventures in the south country. She will only be scheduled every other weekend, but she's hoping to pick up more hours after that. Hope she likes it. She can maybe entertain us, just as the Howard Lake Nursing Home entertained all of us over 20 some years ago!

We had a tornado in a little town west of us, Buffalo Lake. Caused lots of damage. Missed the part of town with most of the residential area (which comprises about one square block...ha) We were in Fargo at the time and had the weather channel on in the hotel... we weren't sure what was happening back home, cuz you know how the news is... ALL of Minnesota is flooded according to the news report... well we must have drifted off shore, cuz we got just enough and needed it badly... others west of Hutch weren't quite as lucky, though. We saw some very large "puddles" in the fields on our way home.

To any of you contemplating a journey down to Missouri, our kids send very good references for quaint accommodations West of Springfield.... Grandma and Grandpa A's Hotel and Eatery!!! Great food, music and a warm welcome!

Just me,
Pattydee

UPDATE
from Diana (Martin) -- my cousin who visited us on Tuesday.

Arrived home early last night ... terrible storms in our area, but we only had lot of rain here, from what we can see. No other damage. One of my window boxes got washed out.The van gave us some more trouble, but the cooler weather the farther north we got really helped. Thank-you so very much for the lovely lunch and visit. It was so nice to see your place, and meet your grandchildren. Russ really enjoyed Don, and wants to visit again sometime.

Thank-you, again!

Love....Diana