Honeymoons Create Memories For A Lifetime
By Ruth Lepper

A honeymoon trip is the culmination of the wedding day for many couples; it can set the tone of what's to come in years ahead.

Barbara and France Keresztury chose San Francisco as their honeymoon destination.

"Something very memorable happened on our honeymoon," Barbara said. "Namely, one exciting event at the Top of the Mark (restaurant)…I knew that being married to this man would never be dull or ordinary. And you know what? It sure wasn't!"

While Barbara was visiting the powder room at the restaurant, France decided to take photos of the city. He ventured out on a wrought-iron walkway that encircled the restaurant, high above the city. The waiters thought he had gone out to make it the shortest honeymoon on record, and hurriedly escorted him back inside before dinner was served.

"I rushed over and hastened to explain that the man was, in fact, my bridegroom, that we were on our honeymoon, that we were extremely happy and neither of us was inclined to be suicidal," Barbara said.

Barbara and France moved to Julian, full time, in 1970. Barbara was blessed with 33 years with the love of her life before his death in 1997.

"I have counted the years now to almost 43, because in my heart I will be married to him all the days of the rest of my life," Barbara said.

San Francisco is a popular destination. Betty and Dave Carpenter, of Ramona, went there 56 years ago for their honeymoon. It was the place to go, they said.

And speaking of San Francisco, while Dawn and Ed Glass were married there, they left town for their honeymoon.

"It was your classic getting away from all the commotion of the wedding," Ed recalled. "We spent the first night of our honeymoon at a hotel in Sausalito, overlooking San Francisco Bay."

That was followed by a trip to Yosemite National Park where they stayed for a week in a nearby cabin.

Now the Glasses are hosts to many honeymoon couples who choose to stay at the Butterfield Bed & Breakfast in Julian.

Julian residents Charlotte and Brent Mitchell spent their honeymoon in Bogue Chitto, Miss., visiting Brent's grandfather, who, Charlotte said, "lived out in the middle of 1,000 acres."

Grandpa kept telling her she belonged in the kitchen and not climbing ladders and helping out around the house. It was 1971 and she was wearing a micro-miniskirt at the time she was climbing ladders.

Carol and Darrel Kinney of Ramona, had a whirlwind tour, albeit somewhat confined, following their wedding in Tennessee.

"It was one of those redneck Euro honeymoons," said Darrel. "I was driving a truck so I took Carol to Rome, Ga.; Paris, Tenn.; and Frankfort, Kentucky."

Not everyone takes their honeymoon following their wedding day. Some wait a few years. Shirley and Joe Wells, former Ramona residents now living in Wickenberg, Ariz., were married in Blythe. It was 11 years - and three children - later before their honeymoon became a reality.

"We took off from the hot desert of Blythe in our new Jeepster Commando to the Pinetop Mountain area (in Arizona) for a cool weekend getaway," Shirley said.

"That night we parked in the forest, barbecued a steak dinner, then bedded down in the back of our small Jeepster for a good night's sleep in the cool air. Joe's legs were too long and extended beyond the tailgate. I was curled up beside him, comfy and warm, when all of a sudden a heavy, cold downpour of rain just about drowned us. Joe's legs were soaked and the rain blew into the back of the Jeepster. So much for saving on a motel bill. And getting a good night's sleep!"

By the way, my husband and I went to Disneyland for our honeymoon. n