Vacation

Right after getting back from Trek we were to leave for vacation within 2 weeks. We were excited as we had decided that we would spend two weeks in Southern California. We planned on going to do some genealogy work by going and takin gpictures at some cemeteries as well as visiting with our friends and family.

We got there on July 13th. We tried to contact Grandpa Raul to make arrangements to see him and come to find out just 2 days before he had left and gone to St. Louis, Missouri. He came back before we left and so we had sometime with him. Wish it had been longer but it was good to see him.

We went to Pomona Valley Memorial Park and found the graves of many in Justin's family. We wanted to find the stone nouse that his great great grandfather had built but no one knew the addess. Then we drove out to Riverside National Cemetery across from March AFB. I took pictures of Uncle Mike Leyva and my cousin Kent Blaine Allen. I was so glad to get those pictures as now I can get memorials listed on Find A Grave. While in San Diego we took the time and went to the County Recorder and got a copy of Mike's death certificate. Grandpa Raul never said what happened to Mike and with the military time frame an off number of 5 years it bothered us. Mike must have lived in San Diego as he was in the hospital at Scripps La Jolla. He had died of pneumonia and the seconary cause was AIDS. I figure that he had pneumocystis pneumonia which is the common form that patients contract. We do not know how it was contracted. He also had a liver disorder that caused unusual growth of the liver. Mike is a mystery for Justin as he never knew him. I know that Mike was honorably discharged as he is buried in a military cemetery and if he had received a dishonorable discharge that would not have been possible. Just wish we could know more. One thing we are happy about is now we have had Michael do the first part of his temple work and Justin will now be able to finish it.

I tried to meet up with a friend from when I was a teenager but we were unable to do so this time around. I will try to meet up with Karen later this year. It wou;d be so good to see her as we have not seen each other in 30+ years.

We spent extra time with Susan and Tony Vargas which we LOVE doing. Then had some extra time with Bonnie & Dave Martin in San Diego. Bonnie is having a hard time adjusting to having to be in the office every day now. The company that she works for was sold and before she worked most of the week at home. Now she works Monday through Friday 8 - 5. It is a hard adjustment but she is glad to have a job. Jared her son left for his mission to Boise, ID on September 1. Bonnie and Dave are now empty nesters.

It was hot the first few days...106 when we were at the cemeteries.....Not fun. It was good to relax and enjoy. We love Southern California but do not want to live there. We really feel that we are to be in Washington as we feel that the Lord has a plan for us.

I hope to go back to do some more visiting but on my own at the beginning of November. It was fun to visit but we were really glad to be home.