Dona Rae and Luella

In 1956, my mother Dona Rae, who was twenty-four, and her friend Luella took a Greyhound bus from Grand Forks, North Dakota to Long Beach, California. They stayed with my Uncle John and Aunt Caroline, till my mom and dad got married.

The story I got was, Mom, Luella, and Ethel, all from Forest River, ND, were in Grand Forks, ND, in January having a few drinks. Mom and Ethel were going to go to Florida and stay with Ethel’s aunt and uncle. As the night wore on and more drinks were had, Ethel decided she did not want to go to Florida. Drinks later, Mom said, I’m going to go to California. Drinks later, Luella said, I’m coming to California with you. Ethel told Luella, You won’t go, you have a good job here in Grand Forks. Luella went in to work the next day and gave her two weeks notice. After the two weeks, Mom and Luella took a bus to Long Beach, CA.

Dona Rae and Luella
Written by Phil Kane (2024)

Dona Rae and Luella
Took a bus to California
From Forest River, North Dakota
They were, young and brave
They left North Dakota
It was forty degrees below zero
From Forest River, North Dakota
They were, young and brave

Dona Rae and Luella, young and brave (x2)

Dona Rae and Luella
Went to see the ocean
The mighty Pacific Ocean
They were, young and brave
They went to find some fun
In the California sun
From Forest River, North Dakota
They were, young and brave

Dona Rae and Luella, young and brave (x2)

Dona Rae and Luella
Shared liquor-filled chocolates
With sailors on the bus
They were, young and brave
They stopped in Las Vegas
Took a picture of a bow-legged cowboy
From Forest River, North Dakota
They were, young and brave

Dona Rae and Luella, young and brave (x2)

Dona Rae and Luella
Took a bus to California
From Forest River, North Dakota
They were, young and brave
Six months in California
Dona Rae married my father
Nine months in California
Luella married a sailor

Dona Rae and Luella, young and brave (x2)