I have known my friend Jane since junior high. She loves to drive and explore, but her husband doesn’t like road trips. She wanted to drive up the coast to Vancouver, B.C. and I was chosen the lucky traveling companion. We were gone 2 weeks and had an amazing time – too many to include in one blog, so welcome to Road Trip Part 1.

Our first stop, on May 8th,  was the town in which I was born – Susanvile, CA in Potter’s Maternity Hospital. In operation until 1973, the home has been relocated twice. In the original location which is now a Rite-Aid, a plaque has been imbedded in the sidewalk commemorating its legacy. Jane and I wandered around town in the general vicinity of where we were told the building now stands. We recognized it from an old picture in the Susanville Historical Society records.

A lovely lady named Angie resides there, and she was kind enough to show us around the house and grounds. Much of the interior rooms remain the same, so she was able to show me the exact room where my mother gave birth to me.  This was exciting for me as my parents moved to Los Angeles when I was 6 months old. My only visit since was over 40 years ago. I really don’t remember anything about the people or the town. It is still pretty much a small town even though the Lassen County  records are located here.

A visit to the Historical Society didn’t reveal too much information on the history of Potter’s Maternity Hospital but I did sign the page marked “Potter’s Babies” where previous visitors have signed their names and dates of their birth.

I added mine to the  list…………. Barbara Diane Smid, June 26, 1941!!

We ate dinner at a local place recommended by Auto Club tour guide and the lady at the Historical Society — Lassen Ale works at the Pioneer Saloon. I had a delicious Monte Cristo sandwich – not seen on many menus anymore.

Stayed only one night and then it was on to our next stop in Ashland for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Part 2 coming up.