Alfonso and Frances on their Wedding Day in Carson City, Nevada,
August 21, 1955.
FUN IN BISHOP
During those years in the Valley, she dates Alfonso Alexus Alt. Al, or "AAA" for short.
She falls in love with this "on the job trained" engineer, who is also a budding entrepreneur. Al has
found a tungsten mine in the mountains above Bishop, California, that he is sure is the
"mother lode." So in the summer of 1955 they get hitched in Carson City, Nevada, and with the kids move to Bishop. There they found a 50 year old house that Mrs. Shivley had died in and left her ghost behind to haunt the place and us. Al and Carl rewired and revived the structure. And though odd things would go on, and stuff would disappear, it was a happy home.
Each day Al and Frances would hop in the Willey's pickup truck and go up the mountain to the
"Chipmunk" mine. In pursuit of ore, they would blast dynamite, break boulders, and look for tungsten with black lites to make it glow in the dark. In between, they would chase away the coyotes and torch scorpions.
Karen, Carl, Jimmy, and Joanie
On The Front Porch of the Bishop House With Inyo and Her Puppies, 1957.
For relaxation, Al and Frances would frequent the Beacon. Where they would dance and shake the dust off from the mine. When there was free time we all would go fishing on Bishop Creek or up in the mountains at Lake Sabrina. And as kids we are loving every minute of it. Carl was an athlete, and serious student, Karen was Ms. Popular, and Jimmy when he wasn't playing in the fields, actually got good grades. And Joan, Al's daughter (see her page) gave us an appreciation of the arts.
They never did strike it big, but a good time was had by all. Our four years in Bishop had a lasting influence on all of our lives. And of course it where Carl raised his family, and has lived for the last 30 years as the town Vet.
Frances, Friend?, And Alfonso
Inside The Chipmunk Mine, 1956.
Alfonso and Frances
In Front of "5701 Norwich Ave", Van Nuys, California, circa 1962.
BACK TO THE VALLEY....
When school let out for the Summer of '59, we headed back to the Valley.
Carl had graduated from high school, and Al and Frances had started a new business.
They owned an auto body repair shop in downtown L.A. and success was smiling upon them.
Our home in Van Nuys was about 200' from our first cousins house, the LeGassicks, which was on Lemona Ave. We all spent a great deal of time togeather during those years. Karen and her cousin Sue were best of friends as was Jim and his cousin Greg. Also Al and Frances hung out with all the Lemona Ave. Gang.
When they weren't working one of their two jobs, they were partying or going to Mexico. Several of the Lemona gang worked for the Dodgers, including George and Marge LeGassick and Frances, and well just about all of us at one time or another during the baseball season; mostly selling souviners from the stands that our Uncle George LeGassick had built. These were the glory years for the Dodgers, they won the World Series in '59, '63, '65, and lost, but played in'66.
Frances' and Al's Classic '57 Caddy
Karen at the wheel.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS?
These were the Glory Years for Frances and Al as well. All the "adults" worked hard, played hard, and spent hard. And they say us kids were the spoiled generation, who rebelled against the material excesses of our parents.
More to Come!
Karen , Jim, and Lori In The Backyard
Of Van Nuys House. circa'62
Karen and Frances Hamming It Up At Dinner On The TV Trays. circa'64
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