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Cross Country TripJune 20th to July 31st, 1975. |
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These accounts were written by my sister and my mother during the summer of 1975. Original spelling, punctuation, grammar and style have been preserved as they were written, although surnames have been obscured. Additional editorial comments [in green] were appended by myself in February, 1999.
[I was 9, my sister was 14. I remember the trip fondly but, funny thing, fourteen-year-old girls apparently do not like being cooped up in a car with their family members for six weeks at a time. In nearly every photo of my sister she wears a look of weary disgust.
My father was in charge of taking the photographs during the trip. My sister, evidently because she got good grades in English, was charged with documenting the trip on paper. I was supposed to use my artistic talents to preserve the experience in drawings. I think I managed to turn out maybe three illustrations, one of them being of our pop-up trailer, before losing interest. None of them survive. I didn't find out until years later that my mother had kept her own journal of our travels.
Our vehicle was a 1973 Ford LTD, beige over copper, pulling a Coleman Valley Forge tent trailer. On the side of the trailer there was a vinyl sticker outline of the continental United States. As we crossed the country, we filled in the spaces one state at a time.]
June 20th Lee-Ann wrote: We started out this morning at about 8:00. The V----s and Mrs. B---- came to say bye. We were just about to leave, when Mom's glasses broke, and Daddy had to go to B----'s to get the garage key, so he could fix them. [The V----s and B----s were our next door neighbors at the time. Shortly after we left Woodstock, the V----s moved to Boulder, Colorado. We'll come across them again later in the summer.] We went all the way through Pennsylvania, and now we're at Leisure Lake Camp in Ohio, near Youngstown. We didn't get here till almost 6:00, so we traveled about 10 hours. What fun! (ha ha) They have a lake that's really more like a pool, with a dock, diving board, and two slides. Daddy took Scott to go swimming, while Mom and I went to a store in the camp to get a few things. [My given name is Scott. I changed it to Christopher in college.] We'll probably go to bed pretty early after dinner, because we have to get up early tomorrow morning to head for Kentucky. Mom wrote: Left 10 of 8- almost an hour later than we wanted to. Mostly straight driving- N.Y. to Penn. to Ohio. Stopped for lunch at about 1 P.M. I drove for 2 hrs. Reached camp grounds (Leisure Lake Camp) about 5:10. Beautiful weather all day. Had hamburgs for supper. Ate outside. CM [my father, Charlie] + I took a walk around campsite. Scotty went swimming twice. Went to bed about 10:30. Went right to sleep. Scott woke up in the middle of night + kept everyone else awake for a while. Will have to separate Lee-Ann + Scott at night. Watched some T.V. + read. [I remember I woke up complaining that Lee-Ann was on my side of the bunk and we ended up kicking and punching each other until someone turned on a light. Turned out it was actually me who was on her side.]
June 21st Lee-Ann wrote: Today we started at about the same time as yesterday and traveled for about the same amount of time. Now we're in Horse Cave, Kentucky at a KOA camp. It was really hot today and we went swimming in the pool. It didn't help much though, because it was as warm as a bathtub. After everyone showered and washed their hair and dried it, we went to Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. We bought some stick candy there, and then we went to the Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. We'll probably go to bed pretty soon. We have to get up early again tomorrow to go to Mammoth Cave. We'll probably take the 2-hour tour and maybe go to the wax museum. Mom wrote: Got up 6:45. Ate breakfast- got ready to leave campsite 8:10. Another gorgeous day. Stopped for lunch in Ohio. Very hot! ("Before the people got accented" so Scott says. I drove through Cincinnati- lots of traffic- four lanes around the city. Glad to get out of it. Entered Kentucky in P.M. Prettier than Ohio. Towards end- Ohio got very flat- lots of big farms. Got to KOA Campgrounds about 5:30. Sites very close together. We were close to showers though. Got set up, went swimming, took showers, washed hair, then went to Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. Liked Kingston's better. Went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. Dried towels. Went to bed fairly early. It was almost too hot to sleep. Scott woke up with his leg hurting. Finally everyone got back to sleep. [I've suffered from weird leg pains for as long as I can remember. My parents used to tell me they were growing pains, but since I still get them today, I tend to doubt their diagnosis.]
June 22nd Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we went to Mammoth Cave from our Kentucky campsite. We took the unguided 2 hour tour. There were talks every 15 minutes about different things in the cave. Among some of the things we saw was Fat Man's Misery, a very low narrow passage. Also, at one point we had to climb 138 stairs most of which were in midair. After the cave, we went to The Mammoth Cave Wax Museum. There were figures of many famous people in history in all sorts of areas, such as: movies, politics, The Bible and sports. We traveled about 2 hours to get to Nashville, Tennessee. We're staying at a KOA campground and it's still very hot. Tomorrow we plan on going to Opryland USA. Mom wrote: Woke up early. June 22, 1975 Sun. Ate breakfast, took camper down. Left about 9 A.M. Had to turn watches back last night on hour- different time zone. Visited Mammoth Cave on 2 hr. historic walking tour. 300 ft. underground at lowest point. Barely made it through "Fat Man's Misery"! Enough to make you start another diet! Left M. Cave about 11:45. Went to Mammoth Cave Wax Museum which took an hour. Very interesting. Sure is hot! Ate lunch enroute to Nashville. Arrived at KOA Nashville about 3:30. What a great campground! Went swimming- showered- washed hair- cooked hotdogs for supper. Read for awhile. Slept the best so far. Called Bev.
June 23rd Lee-Ann wrote: Today we took a bus from our campsite at 10:00 and went to Opryland. The first thing we did was take a train ride around Opryland to find where everything was. We went to 4 shows during the day. "This is my country" (country western music), "I hear America singing" (variety of music), "Grand Ole Opry" (country western), and "I've got the music in me" (rock). We went on a lot of rides including: train ride, skyride, raft ride, roller coaster, tin lizzies, Flume Zoom, and the Disk Jockey Ride. For dinner Scott and I had pizza, while Mom and Dad had seafood. We went to a lot of souvenir shops and looked around. We got a few postcards there. At 8:00 we took the bus back to the campground. Mom wrote: KOA Nashville, Tenn. Got up about 7:30. More time this morning. Didn't have to take trailer down. Cooked eggs + spam for breakfast. Left on 10 A.M. bus for Opryland, U.S.A. What a surprise that turned out to be. Absolutely beautiful place. Shows all over the place. We saw 4 of them. Roy Acuff + the Smoky Mt. Boys was the feature attraction on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Along with the 4 Guys. Took lots of rides, ate lots of food, looked in some shops. Totally exhausted by the time we got back to KOA. CM + Scott went swimming and Lee-Ann + I took showers + washed our hair. Read for awhile. Went to sleep about 11 PM.
June 24th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Nashville this morning and headed for Memphis to visit Mom's cousin, Bev. We got there about lunchtime. She had 3 kids. Ronda, 10, Michael, 6, and Becky, almost 2. We ate lunch and talked awhile and then in the afternoon we went swimming at the club they belong to. We came home about six and had spaghetti for dinner. Then we went on a tour of Memphis. During the tour we saw Danny Thomas Boulevard, and Danny Thomas' Children's Hospital. We crossed the Mississippi and went into Arkansas. On the way back, we saw the place where Martin Luther King was shot, and Elvis Presley's house. All we saw was the front gate. Mom wrote: Left KOA about 8 AM. Woke up very early, couldn't get back to sleep. 4 hr. drive to Memphis. Arrived at Bev's 11:50 AM. Caught up on some news, ate lunch. In p.m. took kids and went to the Moose Club swimming. CM + I went grocery shopping. Had spaghetti for dinner. Toured Memphis- saw Danny Thomas Children's Hosp, motel where Dr. Martin Luther King was shot- there is a glass enclosure around the door with a wreath. Also walked up to Elvis' gate at his house! Very fancy gate- with wrought iron figures of guitar players. Bev said he might be there as he had just come out of the Baptist Hosp. in Memphis last week- something about one of his legs. Got back to house close to 10 P.M. Had coffee + coconut cake. Did all our laundry. Finally got to bed 11:45. Slept fairy well. Had a couple of weird dreams.
June 25th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Bev's this morning and arrived in Slidell, Louisianna early this afternoon. We were going to go swimming right after setting up, but ended up not going until after our dinner of Hamburger Helper. Mom, Scott and I went to the pool, while Dad went to the store to buy a fan for the trailer. We thought of buying a heater, but ended up with a fan because it's been very hot and humid. After swimming, Mom and I went to take showers and wash our hair. When we came back, Dad was back. He and Scott were swimming in the pool. We all decided to go back to the trailer. There we dried our hair and then we turned in for the night. Mom wrote: Got up 7 A.M. Ate breakfast. Packed up + left Bev + Ron's 8:45. Long 8 hr. trip to New Orleans. I drove for a couple of hours- through Jackson, Miss. which was a little hairy. Thought we would never get to our destination. Think we are all overtired. Scott now has a nice cold. Reached Holiday Inn Travel Trailer Park in Slidell, La. Got set up, fixed dinner. CM went to buy a fan. The kids + I went swimming. Then took shower + washed hair. By the time we got settled down, it was 10 P.M. Tomorrow we are taking a bus tour of N. Orleans.
June 26th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we went on an 8 hour bus tour of New Orleans and the surrounding town. We saw a lot of interesting things. The tour started at 9:30 A.M. On the way to New Orleans, we went over the longest bridge in the world continuously over water. It was 24 miles long and it took half an hour to cross it. In New Orleans we saw a lot of beautiful old houses with large yards and courtyards. Mom and I decided we'd like to live in a house like that. We had 2 hours on our own in the French Quarter. We walked into a lot of interesting shops to look at souvenirs. At 4:30 we got back on the bus and we were taken back to the campground by 5:30. Mom wrote: Got up 7:30. Ate breakfast. Left on tour 9:30. Mr. Murphy was our tour guide. Saw lots + lots of things around New Orleans. Old houses, new houses, big + little. All kinds of schools, churches, hospitals, state + city buildings. Stopped in City Park for a rest stop. Had some ice cream + it poured while we were inside. But it didn't rain too long. We went over the longest continuous bridge over water (24 miles) the Causeway. Last Aug. 1st three sections were knocked out by a ship passing under. By Aug. 8 it was fixed. We were allowed 2 1/4 hrs. in the French Quarter. We ate lunch- not outstanding but expensive enough (seafood). Did some shopping. I got 4 prints of the F.Q. CM got a tee shirt- L-A a bracelet, Scott a toy tanker. [No, it was a tank, not a tanker. I promptly broke it.] We also bought some Pralines- yum! Did some more touring. Got back to campsite 5:35. Took a fast swim before thunder started. L-A + I took showers + washed hair. Fixed hotdogs for supper. We got a little rain + a lot of thunder. Cooled it off a little.
June 27th Lee-Ann wrote: We got up this morning at six o'clock and started for Texas by 7:30. We are staying at a Holiday Inn Trav-L-Park. We were caught in a storm, so our campsite looked like a small lake. Scott went wading in it while we set up the trailer. After setting up, we went sightseeing a little. We saw the San Jacinto Monument. To get there, we went on a free ferry, with the car and all. After that, Dad and Scott went on a tour of the U.S.S. Texas, while Mom and I waited in the car. After dinner at Burger King, we went home. Mom and I showered and washed our hair. Then we went back to the trailer, dried our hair, and everyone went to bed. Mom wrote: Got up 6 A.M. Left 7:20 A.M. Rode most of the day 400 miles again. I drove for a couple of hours. Between Beaumont + Houston, Texas we got a real heavy rainstorm. You could see it coming for quite a distance. Got to a Holiday Inn Travel Park about 3:30. Sprinkling while we set up camper. Still hot + humid. I am bitten up- legs, ankles. Every time I step out of the trailer, I get a few more. We went across the San Jocinto River in a free ferry + visited the San Jocinto Monument. It is huge. Scott + CM took a tour of the "Battleship Texas". L-A + I sat in the car. Then somehow or other we took a wrong turn + ended up in the middle of Houston. Finally, out of desperation, we stopped + ate at a Burger King, (about 7:15). When we finally got back to camp, figured out we have covered 65 miles since setting up! Called Howard + got directions to Dallas. Showered + washed + dried hair.
June 28th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we started from Houston to go to Dallas to visit the P----s. Rhonda is Scott's age, and Harris is my age. They have a really beautiful house, but they don't like it and are going to move. Mom and I just can't understand why. In their game room, they have a ping pong table and a pinball machine. We've all enjoyed playing with it. It is only about $100.000 and we'd like to get one, but there's no place around us to get one. For dinner we had barbecued chicken and it was delicious. After dinner it started to rain. We could see it coming for miles. After dinner we made home made vanilla ice cream. Tomorrow we plan to go to Six Flags over Texas. Mom wrote: Left 8:30 from Houston. Drove most of the day. Stopped for lunch along the roadside. [It should be noted that these roadside lunches were almost all alike -- lukewarm cherry Kool-Aid and sandwiches that bacame stale the moment they were removed from their wrappings and exposed to the hot, dry air. Between bites we were kept busy waving away flies.] I drove for about 1 1/2 hours. CM took over because it looked like rain + it sure did pour! But by the time we got near Dallas, it was nice again. We got to P----'s about 2:30. It was so great seeing them again. Caught up on the news. Toured their house which I loved + they don't. They have it up for sale. Ate BBQ chicken for dinner. Did laundry, watched some T.V, talked! Bed about 10:30- I was very tired.
June 29th Lee-Ann wrote: We went to Six Flags today and we had a really fun time. We got there about 1:30 and stayed until about quarter of 11. We saw a couple of shows, but mostly we went on all kinds of rides. Not everyone went on every ride, but here's what we went on: Scrambler, Mini-Mine Train, Mine Train, hot rods, bumper cars, Crazy Legs, Log Ride, Slide, boat ride, a train ride, and at the end, Harris, Mr. P---- and I went on Big Bend. It was a really gigantic roller coaster. Harris and I wanted to go on it, so we persuaded Mr. P---- to go with us. I sat with him and Harris sat alone. It was really fun, and when we got off we could hardly walk. Mom wrote: Didn't sleep very well- too warm but didn't get up until after 9 A.M. Ate breakfast, took shower + washed hair. Left for "Six Flags Over Texas" about 11:45. Stopped a couple of places- got there 1:30. Walked about- started on rides- ate- saw a show- more rides- more eating- started raining about 7:45- 8 P.M. But we still went on more rides + ate more. Went on Big Mine Train- wild! Twice!! Then since we were soaked anyway, went on Log Ride + got even wetter. Howard, L-A + Harris finally made it on Big Ben. That was enough for everyone. Left + got back to their house 11:45! Put kids to bed, took a bath + washed + dried my hair. Totally exhausted but a great time was had by all.
June 30th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we left P----'s and traveled all day to get to White's City in New Mexico. We're really getting into the west now. There's lots of dry, flat land with a lot of cactus and things like that. White's City is really small. There's hardly anything here. We ate in a Dairy Queen and then we went into the Curio Shop next door. Scott bought a miniature liquor bottle (empty) ["Hillbilly White Lightnin'! Bottled in Bomb," with a crude drawing that's supposed to represent a hillbilly being struck by lightning while answering the call of nature in ye olde outhouse], Mom bought a small painted pottery vase, and one for Mrs. B----. I bought a fidget stone. Then we went back to the Dairy Queen for ice cream. After that, we went back to our campsite. We meant to get to bed early for once, but as usual it didn't work out. It was 10:30 before we got to bed. Mom wrote: Really slept last night. Got up 7:30. Did some more laundry. Ate breakfast. Left 9 A.M. Sure hated to say good-bye to Faye. She is an absolute doll. Have to send her a card from San Francisco. We will be traveling most of the day- destination Pescos, Texas + possibly all the way to Carlsbad- 550 miles! In one day. We ate in a Dairy Queen that was a little different. I had sirloin tips which were good but the noodles underneath were terrible. CM had a combination Mexican plate + everything was extremely hot. There was also a cup of tomato mixture with hot peppers. That stayed on the table. We went through the curio shop then back to Dairy Queen for ice cream. We stopped in a campsite in White's City, New Mexico. Went to bed about 10:30. In another time zone (Mt. time) but didn't change clocks.
July 1st Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we went to Carlsbad Caverns and went on a walking tour of about 3 hours. We didn't have a tour guide, but we had radios with recorded messages that started every few minutes. About halfway through the cave, there was an underground lunchroom, where we got some candy bars to hold us till lunch. In the afternoon we got to El Paso, Texas. After leaving the trailer at our campground, we went to Mexico. We left the car in the U.S. and walked across to Mexico and looked in a lot of shops. Scott got a nice belt with his name on it, Mom got a torquoise ring, I got a birthstone ring. All poor Dad got was an emptier wallet than before. [I remember having the belt made, but what I remember most is that my parents wouldn't let us have anything to eat or drink while we were in Mexico, and it seemed like we were there forever, and it was so hot! I think they finally broke down and bought me a popcicle (perhaps a Bomb Pop -- remember those?). They must have figured that was safe enough.] Mom wrote: Set clock for 7:30- of course it was really 6:30. Took camper down. Went to Carlsbad Cave. It was about a 3 hr. walk. The cave is indescribable. Utterly beautiful + breathtaking. But I was glad to get back above ground. We were down about 860 feet. They have a lunchroom down there, too. I'd hate to work down there all day. Ate lunch on the way to El Paso. We passed El Capitan- went back across to Texas. Reached El Paso about 3:00. Then had to find KOA which was about 15 miles outside El Paso. Set up camper. Went back to El Paso + crossed into Juarez, Mexico. It was kind of scary but also interesting. Everyone trying to get you to buy or go into their store. Finally, Lee-Ann got a ring, Scott a leather belt with his name on it + I got a torquoise ring. We had to pay 2¢ a piece to get back out. Then had to go through and declare what we bought. Finally left, stopped at store for steak, went back to KOA. CM + Scott took a swim while L-A + I took showers + washed our hair. CM cooked steak outside + we had a great dinner. Washed dishes, got kids to bed. We went to bed about 11:30. Boy, did the wind ever blow! Thought a couple of times, the camper would go over. Finally got to sleep.
July 2nd Lee-Ann wrote: Today we drove until 3:30, when we reached Benson, Arizona. We went to a campground there and left the trailer while we went to do a little sightseeing. First we went to Boothill Cemetary, where all the "bad guys" were buried. We read some tombstones, and then went to Tombstone, an old western town. We went to the OK Corral, where the famous fight between the Earps and the Clantons took place. Then we went to the Bird Cage Theater. It was very small, but it had a lot of old things in it to look at. We went in a few shops, and in one we bought pebble candy and red hots. Then we went back to the campground, and were in bed by 9:30. Mom wrote: We didn't hurry this morning. CM fixed bacon + eggs- Left campsite 9 A.M. I called Aunt Lena last night + told her we couldn't be in Phoenix for another day. There are some things to see in El Paso. We passed back over to New Mexico very soon after leaving El Paso. Ate lunch along the way. Decided to stay in Benson, Ariz. at KOA. The nearer we got, the darker it got. We had already gone through one shower after lunch (when I was driving). We visited "Boothill Graveyard". Read some of the tombstones. The wind was fierce. Still sprinkling. Went to "Tombstone Arizona" + toured OK Coral where the great famous gun battle between the Earps + Clantons took place in 1881. Walked along Main street where there are saloons, etc. like years ago. Also went through "The Bird Cage Theater". Very interesting. Went back to KOA + set up in the rain. Found out this was the beginning of monsoon season. Tucson had flash floods today- we also went that far today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? That's where we are headed- Tucson + Phoenix. Bought some books in KOA store. Took showers + washed hair. In bed 9:30 + read.
July 3rd Lee-Ann wrote: We got to Phoenix about 2:30 today. We're staying with Mom's Aunt Lena and Uncle Fred. They have a dog named Buster. He looked just like Lassie from the minute we saw him, except he's smaller. Aunt Lena made a lot of the things around the house, and they're really nice. For instance, she made a lot of lamps out of egg cartons and marbles, and picture frames out of plastic containers and hypodermic needles. Sometimes she sells some of the things she makes. [I can not believe I don't remember that!] For dinner we had lemonade and sandwiches and ginger cookies. It's really hot here, because we're not used to it. It's probably going to really bother us tonite, and worse still, Scott and I are using sleeping bags. Mom wrote: Got up 6:30. Left 7:45. Headed for Phoenix. Stopped at Saguaro National Monument to see all the old saguaro and other cactus. Noticed everyone was just going to work- it was supposed to open 8 P.M. + we had 8:45. Heard someone talking to a trucker + asking about the time. We found out Ariz. was still on standard time, which means we got up 5:30! It took about 45 min. to 1 hr. to ride through Saguaro. Then went on our way. We stopped for gas in Tucson + the guy talked CM into air shocks because the trailer was riding lower all the time. It would only take 15-20 min. Baloney! After they got started, they didn't have the correct shocks so had to send someone to another Exxon for them. And hot! Yuck! We were there over an hour. Finally left 11:30. We didn't find a rest area to eat until almost 1 P.M. By then, I had a bad headache. After we ate, felt better. Arrived at Aunt Lena's about 2:30-3 P.M. Caught up on the news. Ate supper. Scott + L-A bathed. Vic + Wanda came over for awhile. It was nice seeing everyone again. Went to bed a little after 10.
July 4th Lee-Ann wrote: We're still in Phoenix with Aunt Lena and Uncle Fred. Mom, Aunt Lena and I went shopping nearby. Mom and I went to a bookstore and got a bunch of books and magazines. But we've got to be careful while reading in the car. We have to make sure we look at the scenery once in a while, or Dad'll have a fit. After dinner, one of Mom's cousins came over to see her. Aunt Lena's son Don and his wife Donna. After talking a while, they left to take their kids to the fireworks. Also, Donna's 2 nieces who are visiting. It shouldn't be so hot tonite because Mom and Dad have a fan, and Scott and I got our fan from the trailer. Mom wrote: Well, we've been gone 2 weeks today. Seems like we've covered a lot of ground. Got up about 7:15. Took shower, washed hair. Did 2 loads of laundry. Aunt Lena, L-A + I went shopping. Bought a dress + a few other things. When we got back, CM + I went shopping at the largest shopping center in the world. A lot of the stores were closed because of the holiday. Bought a pink blouse + some other things. It sure was hot. 103° at 5 P.M. We leave for Gallup, N.M. tomorrow morn- + it should be cooler there. Ate dinner. Don + his new wife, Donna, came over for a little while. Scott + Lee-Ann bathed. We were in bed by 9:30 or so. Took the fan so it was much cooler + shut out the chiming clock.
July 5th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Phoenix at 7:00 this morning. Our destination was Gallup, New Mexico, but we stopped at a few places on the way. The first stop was Meteor Crater in Arizona. It was enormous, 3 miles in circumference and 579 ft. deep. After the Meteor Crater we stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park. Mom and I bought some petrified wood. Also in the Park was the Painted Desert. Scott and bought small bottles with colored sand in it, and Mom bought one for Mrs. B----. For herself she bought a paperweight with sand in it depicting a beautiful mountain scene and clouds. We didn't get to Gallup until about 8:00 P.M. Mom wrote: Got up 6 A.M. Packed up + left 7 A.M. We had a nice stay with Aunt Lena + Uncle Fred. Headed toward Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon at Uncle Fred's suggestion + it really had some beautiful red rocks. Then coming back up the road that wound to the top, the view was great. The route reminded us of Palenville Mt. Went on to Meteor crater (Ariz.). Kind of interesting. Then on to Petrified Forest which was very interesting and beautiful. Wanted to buy all of them. We did get a few souvenirs- petrified wood- polished- a sand picture paperweight. We got into a storm before too far along P.F. Some of the things we got wet seeing. After P.F. went on to Painted Desert which was spectacular. CM took lots of pictures. We didn't get to Gallup, New Mex. until 7:00-7:30. Time was different again. Got set up, made pancakes for supper. CM, Scott + I took showers + washed + dried hair. Bed about 10:00.
July 6th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Gallup this morning at 7:30 and arrived at Mesa Verde National Park around 11:30. After eating lunch and setting up the trailer, we started driving around the park looking at ruins and things. Mostly we just looked and took pictures, but we went into the largest ruin, Cliff Palace, which had over 200 rooms. After looking at a few ruins, we looked in a couple of souvenir shops and the museum. At about 9:00 tonight, after I took a shower and Mom did the laundry, we went to join Scott and Dad at a campfire and talk. The talk was about why the Indians left Mesa Verde. After the talk, we came back to the trailer to go to bed. It's cold now and will probably get much colder tonite. Mom wrote: Slept great last night. It was much cooler. Got up 6:30 (new time). Beautiful day. Left 7:30. Headed for Mesa Verde in Colorado. Went through Navajo Indian Res. Got to Mesa Verde Nat. Park about 11:30. Set up trailer, had lunch. Toured the park + saw lots of cliff dwelling ruins. It is very hard for me to accept the time element involved. CM took lots of pictures. The scenery was great. We walked down to "Cliff Palace", the largest of the cliff dwellings. They really are neat. We got some rain- just enough to make us haul out jackets + umbrellas. Stopped at shops, couldn't afford a piece of pottery made by Indians I would have liked- $25. One of the woven blankets I looked at was $75 but they are beautiful. Made dinner. L-A took shower while I did laundry. Went to campfire for talk on why Indians left Mesa Verde approx. 1300 AD + also saw some slides. Went to bed 10:00. It is cool for sleeping.
July 7th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Mesa Verde early this morning and arrived in Grand Canyon National Park at about 12:30. We ate lunch and then started to drive around the rim of the canyon. After driving part of the way, we got on a shuttle bus that stopped at each point around the canyon. One stop where we got off was Hermit's Rest, where we got some soda and bought some souvenirs. All through the afternoon, it was raining in various places, and once while we were waiting for a bus, it began to hail. Before we went to bed, a really bad thunder and lightning storm started and it doesn't seem like it's going to stop. It was raining so hard we had to go to the bathroom in the car. [Yeah, ha ha. We all had a good laugh over that line.] Mom wrote: Got up 6:30. Little cooler this morning. Left 7:35. Headed for Grand Canyon. Stopped at Four Corners- Ariz., Utah, N. Mex., + Colorado. Got to Grand Canyon National Park about 12:30. Were surprised to find a vacancy left. Set up, ate lunch. Started tour of Grand Canyon. It is unreal. Very big + very beautiful. Could see Colorado River + rapids from some lookoffs. Took a shuttle bus around the West Rim- stopped a few places, CM + L-A took pictures. Last stop Hermit's Rest. Went through curio shop. Got back on bus- could see the rain start across the canyon. Soon it caught up with us. What streaks of lightning we saw over the Canyon! By the time we got off one bus to transfer to the final bus, it was hailing! We had to wait for the bus + as it started raining harder, it came. And then it poured! By the time we got back to our car, it had stopped. Stopped at the Gen. Store for salad. Made supper. About time for the campfire talk, it started raining. CM went anyway. Was back shortly + said he was going back to the point where we were this P.M. to watch the sunset. It looked pitch black out there to me. Wrote some postcards.
July 8th Lee-Ann wrote: Last night there was a long thunderstorm that seemed to go on forever. This morning we left to head for Las Vegas. We got there and we're staying in a Holiday Inn. It'll be heavenly to stay in a motel for once. It's steaming hot here. We didn't go anywhere today, but just stayed in the airconditioned room. Scott and I ate dinner in the room because Mom and Dad are going to go to two shows tonight. They probably won't get home until about 2:00 o'clock or 2:30. Scott and I will just stay in the room until they get back and watch TV. We've got candy and cookies and Dad got us soda for later. Mom wrote: Good grief, thought last night would never end! The thunderstorm raged from 8 P.M. until 1-2 A.M. And lightning all over! Windy, too. Couldn't sleep very well. Kept thinking the camper was going to blow over or something. In the morning the sun was shining again like nothing had ever occurred a few hours before. Left about 7:30. Drove to Las Vegas. Very hot. No place to stop + eat as we weren't on Interstate roads. Finally before the Hoover Dam we found a spot- ate most quickly as it was boiling. We heard flash flood warnings out for Las Vegas again today + tomorrow. We missed last week's. Got to Las Vegas about 3:00-3:30. Stayed at Holiday Inn. Went to dinner show at MGM Grand Hotel. Boy, do they ever pack you together! The Prime Ribs were good. Talked to 2 Eng. students on 6 wk. tour of states. Very nice. Other couple from Ill. + Fla. Hellen Reddy + Ruth Buzzi were the stars. Very enjoyable. walked up to the Stardust (what lights!) (farther than we thought). Saw the midnite show- "Lido". Absolutely spectacular! Costumes most elaborate + beautiful. Took cab back to Holiday Inn. Cabdriver most rude because CM asked for change + threw money out the window at us. Went to bed about 2:30-2:45. Also viewed Hoover Dam.
July 9th Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we didn't have to get up until about 9:00 o'clock. That was really nice. We went to the restaurant in the bottom of the motel to eat breakfast. Mom and I both had large pancake breakfasts. Mom had New York cherry compote and I ordered Pennsylvania blueberry pancakes. Neither of us could finish the last bites. After breakfast we went to Circus-Circus. We played a lot of games but we didn't really win very much. We also watched the side show acts. When we walked around looking for lunch there was no place that kids could go. Finally we went to a McDonald's. Then we went in some souvenir shops. Walking to the car, it was 101°. Mom and Dad are going to another show tonight. Mom wrote: Got up about 9 A.M. Ate breakfast at motel. I had pancakes with cherry compote + whipped cream! Started out tasting good but became sickening after a while. Took kids to Circus-Circus. Had a lot of fun playing all their games, didn't win much of anything. Left to find some lunch- ended up downtown where there isn't any place geared for kids- finally went to McDonald's for a snack- service was terrible. Hot, hot, hot weather! Drove around looking for shopping centers. Spent most of the afternoon riding around. Went to White? Tower for pizza which was delicious. Back to motel. Took shower + washed hair. Went to Hilton, Silver Slipper (smoky) + Ceasars Palace. Lost all my nickles in the slot machines. CM won $6. Back to motel about 11:15. Tired. Bed about 12.
July 10th Lee-Ann wrote: We got up early this morning to start for California. We were going across the desert the whole time we were traveling. [I remember the shimmery mirages. Cool.] We were starving after a while, but couldn't find any place to eat, so we had to wait until we got to the campground. We're staying at a really nice campground called Vacationland. The only bad thing about it is the spaces are very small and only about a foot apart from each other. This afternoon Mom and I did laundry and then Dad and Scott took a swim. After that, everyone took showers. After dinner, we had ice cream and watermelon. We were in bed about 9:00 when the fireworks at Disneyland started. We went outside to watch until they were over. Mom wrote: Got up 7:00 A.M. Ate breakfast at motel. Left 8:30-8:45. Headed for California. Went across desert. Such desolate country. And hot. Couldn't find anyplace to eat so waited until we got to campsite. The freeways are something else! You can have them. We were very close to Disneyland. Set up camp- did laundry, ate lunch, went grocery shopping. Scott + CM went swimming. L-A and I took showers + washed hair. Ate light supper. Watched fireworks from Disneyland at 9 P.M. Went to bed 10:30.
July 11th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we spent all day at Disneyland. We stayed for over 12 hours and went on 18 rides! We walked from the campground to the Disneyland Hotel. From there we took the Monorail which let us off in Tomorrowland. The first ride we went on was the Submarine. It went all around a lagoon and showed all kinds of fish and seaweed and clams and things like that. One time we saw a bunch of mermaids and a few sharks and octapusses. The ride took about 10 minutes and was a lot of fun. The next ride we went on was Matterhorn bobsleds, a roller coaster that wound through Matterhorn Mountain. The last hill splashed through water. During the day we went on 16 more rides and shows. Mom wrote: Got up about 7:30. Walked to Disneyland Hotel to catch Monorail to Disneyland. Went on Bobsled + Submarine rides right away. Their ticket system is a real pain. End up spending a small fortune. Went on 18 rides altogether. Most of their rides were surprising once you got on them- very elaborate + good. Pirates of the Carribean was very good. So was Haunted Mansion + Space ride. Ate a lot during the day. It got quite hot in the P.M. Did some shopping. No one felt much like eating supper. Stayed long enough for the fireworks at 9 P.M. At 3 P.M. we watched Disney on Parade. The floats + costumes were outstanding but it sure was hot watching it. L-A + I got Minnie Mouse shirts + Scott got "America On Parade" shirt. Tried them on when we got back to Vacationland. If mine shrinks, I'm in big trouble! And hope Scott's does- it was way too long. Everyone's feet hurt but we had a good time anyway. Bed about 10:30.
July 12th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we left around 7:30 and started along Big Sur. We were hoping to get some really good pictures, but it was too foggy to see much. We were very disappointed. We didn't go very far along Big Sur before we stopped to look for a campground. The first two we stopped at were full, but then we got a site at Lime Kiln Beach. We have water but no electricity. The site is really nice. It's very big with mountains around and a stream running past. Before dinner, we took a walk down to the ocean and had a good time trying not to get wet. We didn't do too well. It's very cold and we're going to put on the heater soon. Mom wrote: Got up 7 A.M. Left 8:15 to go toward Big Sur + San Francisco. [As we were leaving Los Angeles my sister and I spotted the Hollywood sign. "Daddy, stop! Hollywood! Go back! We're missing Hollywood! Daddy!" I still don't quite forgive him.] Don't know how far we will get. Traveled on freeways quite a ways. Yuck! Started up Big Sur. There was fog on the ocean so the view wasn't as good as it should could have been. Windy roads. Couldn't view Hearst Castle because all the tours were booked for the day. This was 2:30 P.M. Rather disappointing + you couldn't get anywhere near the house- it sat way up on a high hill. Started looking for a campsite but the first couple were full. Finally found one at Lime Kiln Beach (Lucia, Cal.) Water but no electricity. Rustic with beautiful stream running between campsites. Walked down to beach + watched Pacific Ocean. Kids had a great time trying to beat the waves and not succeeding. L-A + I took showers. Couldn't blow my hair dry- didn't look too great! Cooked supper. Read. Bed about 9:30. It was kind of cold. Slept in my clothes.
July 13th Lee-Ann wrote: We're going to have to use the blankets and the heater again tonight. We're in San Francisco now. We started out along the rest of Big Sur this morning. It was still too foggy to see much. We got to SF to find out there was only one campground in the whole city, but we got a place. After we set up, we went on a 49 mile scenic tour, but had to stop because the directions weren't too good. Some of the things we saw were the crookedest street in the world, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf. We stopped at Denny's for dinner about 8:00. Mom wrote: Got up 7:15. Still foggy. Left camp about 8:30. Still couldn't see much of the ocean. First time I haven't needed sunglasses starting out the day. Where's sunny California? We are going to San F. for 2 nights. Finally started up the rest of Big Sur- still very foggy + cold + windy. Took a 17 mile ride around Monterey Penn. Stopped to see sea lions + seals + birds. Very cold + windy. Reached S.F. about 3:30. Foggy- couldn't see very much. One campground in whole area but we got a spot. Left for 49 mile ride around San Francisco which we finally cut short. The directions weren't the best. We saw some steep hills, Telegraph Hill. Like all the houses- they look so neat + clean but small. Went on the Crookedest Street in the World. Saw trolley cars + street cars. Some great views. Then by the time we went back over Golden Gate Bridge, the fog was really back over everything. We stopped at Denny's to eat dinner (near the campsite- Marin). Freezing cold. All climbed in bed with blankets to get warmed up. Bed about 11 P.M.
July 14th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we're still in San Francisco. We got up early and started more touring. We parked the car and rode cable cars or walked to get to places. First we went to Chinatown and went in some shops there. I got some sealing wax and a stamp, and Scott got a kit to make paper airplanes. After we finished at Chinatown we went to Fisherman's Wharf. We ate dinner at Fisherman's Grotto. The food was very good. When we went back outside, it was very cold, but we got some ice cream. We must have looked kind of strange eating ice cream with chattering teeth. Before going home, we stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things and now we're going to bed. Mom wrote: Slept in as much as possible with garbage being ground up 6 A.M. Got hot during the night- took off blanket, sweatshirt + finally socks! Read for awhile. Got up 8:15. Took shower + washed hair. Ate breakfast- CM fixed pancakes. Did laundry. Left to go tour S.F. Freezing! Rode cable car. First time we were in the back platform going up hill. Fun. Went to shopping center. Ate lunch at Sutter Gold's. Then went to Chinatown. Really enjoyed the shops there + wish we could have stayed longer. Grabbed (literally) cable cab. L-A almost didn't get on- and I was hanging on the outside for dear life. Had to make sure my fanny didn't get caught on cars going by! Went to Fisherman's Wharf. Ate at Fisherman's Grotto. Very good. I had delicious scallops. Had long cold walk back to car. (We finally had to park at the marina). Went grocery shopping. Back to campsite about 9:15 P.M. Bed about 11 P.M.
July 15th Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we got up early to start out for Yosemite National Park. We traveled for a while and were getting a little hungry when we arrived at Yosemite at about 12:30 or 1:00. We got a site in the Pets Only Campground, even though we don't have a pet, because it was the only campground in the park with sites available. After we set up, we ate lunch. Then we got on a free shuttle bus to ride around the park so we could decide what to do tomorrow. We only saw a little of the park, but already it seems very pretty. We went in a gift shop, but it was very expensive, so we only bought postcards. We've eaten dinner, and now we'll probably get ready for bed. Mom wrote: It started raining before we got up. Up at 6:45. Took camper down in rain. Left 8:30. Head for Yosemite Nat. Park. Rained for quite a ways. Arrived Y.N.P. 12:30- Almost didn't get a spot. The campgrounds were full. Ate lunch. Took shuttle bus to camp visitor center, store, gift shops. Bought a few things. What we've seen of Yosemite is beautiful. Will do more sightseeing tomorrow. Falls are pretty- and high! Got back to campgrounds 5:45. Fixed dinner. Read. Had to make sure all food + cosmetics were stored in trunk of car because of "bars"!! Hope they bother someone else + not us. Scott had a good time playing with the kids next to us. Bed about 10:45.
July 16th Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we got up, not too early, to start looking around the park more. After breakfast, we got in the car and started driving around the park. We were gone nearly all day. We saw some really pretty scenes and took a lot of pictures. I used nearly a whole roll of film. One of the nicest things we noticed was that all the lakes and streams were very clear and pretty. We took a tour of the Mariposa Grove, a forest of giant sequoia trees. We were in an open tram and didn't take our jackets, so we were freezing, but we saw some interesting trees. The Clothespin Tree is struck at the base by lightning every eight years. Mom wrote: Got up 7:30. CM made bacon + eggs. Had to wait quite a while to pay for another day because they were starting to paint the booth! Finally left about 9:10. Rode around Park- CM + L-A took lots of pictures. Every spot looked beautiful. The sun was shining nicely- until we got on the tram to ride about Mariposa Forest (sequioas). It got colder + colder. Sun disappeared. But the trees were great. Ate lunch. Took ride up to Glazier Pt. That also was breathtaking. We found our camper with the binoculars. Got back to campsite about 5:15. CM went to store + to get gas. Ate dinner about 6:45. CM bought wood for fire later- and popcorn. No bears got us last night although I woke up a couple of times with the barking of dogs which made us wonder! Enjoyed fire. Bed 10:30.
July 17th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Yosemite this morning and we're now staying in Carson City, Nevada. It's the state capitol, but we can't figure out why, as it's very small. We were looking for the center of town, and before we realized it, we had passed it. Well, anyway, we drove to Lake Tahoe nearby, and drove around it. It was very pretty. It was so clear, and the mountains in the background were covered with snow. We ate dinner at Scotty's Pancakes, but Scott didn't have anything, because he doesn't feel well. After dinner, we had to go grocery shopping, do the laundry, and take showers. We didn't think we'd finish everything, but we did. This's been a very busy day. Mom wrote: Got up 6:40. Left 7:35. Went through 2 hrs. more of the Park. Saw snow! Ended up in Carson City (Oasis Trailer Haven). 1 shower! Car isn't working very well at all. Can hardly make it up hills. CM tried to have it looked at in Las Vegas but no-one would make time. We went to visit Virginia City- interesting town, should have spent more time there. Stopped at Scotty's Pancake House for supper- wasn't very good. Shouldn't let a name influence you! Went grocery shopping. Had ice cream. Everyone took showers + washed hair. Since we were parked right next to Ladies room- I decided to color my hair. Waited 'til dark- had L-A stand guard + make sure coast was clear!! Funny- we were laughing so hard. But I sure was glad to get it done. It felt + looked terrible. Went to bed 10:30. Read 'til 11:30. Scott up sick all over step 1 A.M. Then Spanish? people started talking + banging things next to us. Thought they would never go to bed. [I could have sworn it was White's City, NM, I was sick in, but perhaps it was Carson City. I remember we were right close to a bathroom, which was no help because it was occupied when I ran to barf. However, I remember it as being daytime and I remember blowing my chunks all over the concrete outside the bathroom door and thinking that if the person inside stepped in it it served them right for not letting me in. So maybe I was sick at both campgrounds.]
July 18th Lee-Ann wrote: We didn't leave Carson City until after 10 o'clock this morning, because the car hasn't been going as fast as it should lately. So Dad took it to a garage this morning to get it fixed. When he came back, we started out for Elko, Nevada. We wanted to go all the way to Salt Lake City, but it was too far, so we went halfway there. When we got there, they put us in a little tiny space. We were about 2 yards away from the trailer on one side, and one yard from the other. While we were eating dinner, some people came in, in a huge Greyhound bus made into a mobile home. Everyone was staring as they came in. For only 2 people and 2 dogs they had that huge bus. Mom wrote: CM got up 7 A.M., left 7:30 to take car to Ford dealer. I got up 8:15. Ate. Scott still not feeling well. Threw up again. [Ah, that will be the mysterious "second chunder"!] CM got back 9:40. Car (poor thing) was running on 5 out of 8 cylanders. One sparkplug + three sparkplug wires were replaced. Left 10:10. Car sure running a lot better. Headed for Elko, Nev. (1/2 way to Salt Lake City). Stopped for lunch. Road just keep on going forever. It got so a curve in the road was exciting. And when we saw a train- WOW! Very boring + desolate country. Did see some snow on mts. Reached KOA campground 5:15. Squeezed into tiniest space ever. Pretty sunset. L-A + I took showers + washed hair. Don't know why- it was so hot in bathroom after getting out of shower. Scott didn't eat much, still doesn't feel well. Gave him some aspirin + put him to bed. We went to bed about 10:30.
July 19th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we drove to Salt Lake City. We got here about 1:00. We're staying at Cherry Hill Campground. Actually, it's a cherry grove with sites between the trees. People staying here are allowed to have all the cherries they can eat, so we've been having a great time climbing the trees, and now we have a huge bag full of cherries. This afternoon, we went swimming in the Salt Lake, after we went to Temple Square. The lake was really fun. You can float around with no effort at all. But when you put on a shirt or wrap a towel around yourself, it feels like sandpaper. [I was unable to float because I kept panicking, afraid I would swallow a stomach full of that awful salty water. And no matter how far we walked from shore the water never got much deeper than our waists.] After dinner, Mom and I did laundry, then we went back to the camper. Mom wrote: Got up 6:40. Little chilly. Left 7:30. Going the rest of the way to Salt Lake City today. CM had to remind us that this is the 2nd day of the bazarre. Mean! [In our neighborhood of Zena, NY, the local volunteer fire company held an annual bazaar every July. We were regular attendees, and sometimes we even worked the booths.] Saw the Salt Flats for the first time. Miles + miles. You can have them. I'm beginning to long to see some normal green grass + trees. Reached Cherry Hill Campground about 12:30. Nice campground- among cherry trees + you could pick all you could eat! The kids were having a ball climbing the tree after them + boy, were they good. Ate lunch. Went back to Salt Lake so Scott, L-A + CM could go swimming in the Salt Water. It was awfully hot. I waded out- yuck- we were all a salty mess. Earlier in the afternoon we walked around Mormon Tab. Church a little bit. Went back to campsite- CM + Scott went swimming in pool while L-A + I took showers + washed our hair- then so did CM + Scott. Went out to dinner. Then grocery shopping. Then L-A + I did the laundry. Everyone tired out. Bed 11 P.M. Read.
July 20th Lee-Ann wrote: We left Salt Lake City early this morning to start for Grand Teton National Park. We got there about 1:00 o'clock. We were afraid that the campground would be all filled up, but it wasn't. We were eating our lunch, and looking at a black cloud some distance away, when the wind started blowing. We grabbed all the stuff from the table and ran to the trailer with it. But a lot of things blew away, like some cookies, potato chips, paper plates and cups. It started thundering and lightning, but we got in the car to look around the park. We couldn't see much and it was too gloomy to take good pictures. We went to the Visitor Center and the lights went out. We did see a female moose in a marshy field. [We learned that shouting "Hey you!" is a pretty effective way to get a moose to turn around and pose for your camera.] Mom wrote: Got up 6 A.M. Left 7 A.M. for Grand Teton. CM may change route a bit after Yellowstone. Took 6 hrs. to get to Wyoming + Teton Park. Campground we wanted was full so we ended up at Gros Ventre. Got set up (1 P.M.) started eating lunch + along came a storm. We grabbed everything except tablecloth + bolted for the camper. The wind blew our food off the table. It hailed big hailstones, thundered, lightening + finally rain. After awhile it let up and + we took a ride around. Saw a she moose, lots of snow on the mts. Very pretty scenery here. Stopped at gift shop and grocery store. Cooked supper. Mosquitos are terrible! By the time everything was cleaned up, it was almost 9:30. Bed + read. Lights off 10:45.
July 21st Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we left Grand Teton at about 7:00. We were headed for Yellowstone National Park, about 100 miles away. We left early so as to make sure we could get into a campground with showers. We got there about 9:30 and got into the campground we wanted. After we set up, we started driving around to see a little of the park. We saw some geysers that were interesting, but some of them smell really awful. [Like rotten eggs -- high sulpher content.] We saw Old Faithful go off twice. The second time we weren't sure it was going to go off, because it had a lot of false starts. But eventually it did go off. We got back to the camper around six. Mom and I took showers, then we had supper. Mom wrote: CM got up 6 A.M. I got up 6:15. Left 5 min- to 7. Beat our own record. On our way to Yellowstone. Hope we can get in the campground we want. Yep, we did. Got there 9:30. By 11 A.M. campground was full. Did a little touring of the Park. Saw some geysers. Very interesting + some very smelly! Had a little rain + then by midafternoon it was very hot. Saw old Faithful go off twice. Impressive. Lee-Ann + I took showers (paid) + washed our hair. Felt good. Made supper. Scotty went to campfire with people in back of us + their little girl Jennifer. He got back 10:45. Had heater on as it was a little chilly. Read. Bed 11:15.
July 22nd Lee-Ann wrote: This morning we got to stay in bed until 7:00 o'clock. Dad made bacon and eggs for our breakfast. We saw some more geysers, but we began to get tired of them because we'd seen a lot of them, and also because they smell absolutely awful. We saw the Mammoth Hot Springs. They were different. The way they built up into levels, of terraces, was the minerals in the water deposited along the way until it was built way up. We went through the Northern Entrance into Montana for lunch. We walked 1/2 a mile to see Artist's Paint Pots, but it wasn't worth it. On the way back, it started to rain, and we had to run for the car. We drove back to the trailer then, and had dinner. Mom wrote: Got to stay in bed this morning until 7 A.M! CM made bacon + eggs. Left to tour park 8:30. Saw lots of geysers, hot springs, falls, elk, moose, deer. After a while couldn't stand the smell of geysers. Made me feel sick. Lots of pretty streams + flowers. Crossed over to Montana at Northern Entrance to park so we could say we've been in Montana. Also saw Mammoth Hot Springs. That was very different. Terraces. Toured for (8:30-7:30) 11 hrs. Everyone very tired, hungry + headachy. Finally got back to campground about 8 P.M. Had supper. Boy, did it get windy! Got a little rain. Also a little chilly. Bed about 10 P.M.
July 23rd Lee-Ann wrote: We were traveling all day today. We got up around 6:00 and left around 7:00 on our way to Mount Rushmore. After lunch, Mom drove for about 3 hours. Then just after Dad started driving again, he got stopped for speeding just outside of Moorcroft, Wyoming and had to pay a fine of $13.00. [Cheap!] We finally got to the Holiday Inn Travel Park, where we had reservations, at about 6:30. We set up the trailer and then went to the Miner's Cafe in Keystone, for dinner. Then we went into a couple of stores. I got a new fidget stone and Scott bought a slingshot. We went and saw Mount Rushmore all lit up and we were very disappointed in Lincoln. He looked like he had a flat head. Mom wrote: Got up 6 A.M. Left 7 A.M. Will be traveling all day. Some pretty country through Wyoming. Windy + hilly- lost time. Stopped for lunch about 12:30. I drove almost 3 hrs. Just after we switched drivers, CM got stopped for speeding outside Moorcroft, Wyoming. Had to pay $13 fine. Finally got to Holiday Inn Travel Park about 6:30. Sure was tired. Set up. Went to Keystone to a cafe for dinner. Looked around a couple of stores. When we got back, I took shower + washed my hair. Had to wait in line a long time. CM took shower also. The kids went to bed. We went to bed about 10:30-11 P.M. Also saw Mt. Rushmore at night.
July 24th Lee-Ann wrote: This morning when I got up, I went to take a shower while Mom did the laundry. That was finished at about 9:15 and we left for Mount Rushmore. It looked much better by daylight. Then we went to Keystone and looked in some shops there. We went in The Taffy Shop and bought a box of taffy with assorted flavors. Then we drove to the Badlands. It reminded us of the painted desert. All along the road, we kept seeing signs for Wall Drug, and we got wildly curious, so we went there. It was really more than a drug store. It had all kinds of things and it was huge. We got some groceries, then went back to the campground and made dinner. Mom wrote: Got up 7 A.M. L-A took shower- washed hair. I did laundry. Done by 9:15. Left to visit Mt. Rushmore by daylight. Very impressive. Wish we could have gotten closer. Then went to souvenir shops in Keystone. Then on to Badlands. Rode around there for quite awhile. Reminded us of the Painted Desert. We kept seeing all these signs for Wall Drug in Wall, S.D. Decided to stop on the way back + they certainly have just about everything. Had to stop for a few groceries. Made dinner about 7:15. Didn't do much except go to bed early- about 9:30 and read.
July 25th Lee-Ann wrote: We left this morning at about quarter of eight. We went along the Needles Highway. Partway along it we started onto another road where you were supposed to be able to see wildlife. We saw a huge herd of buffalo. They were on the road, and on all sides of us. That was the only wildlife we saw. We're in Cheyenne now and they're having Frontier Days. We're staying in the overflow of Greenwood Trailer Park, and we don't have hookups. After dinner, Mom and I took showers. The we went to pick up our tickets for tomorrow's rodeo. While we were downtown we watched a square dance, and went into some stores. We went back to the campground at about 10:00 o'clock. Mom wrote: Got up 6:45. Didn't hurry quite as much as usual. Left 7:45. Went along Needles Highway. Have changed our plans a bit. Will be heading toward Cheyene today. Hope to see the Rodeo but it sounds like it is the big event of the year so probably won't get in or find a campground. Couldn't get in KOA but got in overflow area of Greenwood Trailer Pk. Not the best one we've stayed at. No hookups. Got there about 4:30. Fixed supper. L-A + I took showers + washed hair. Showers were not too great but guess they did the job. Went over to pick up tickets for the Rodeo tomorrow. Then went downtown + looked around a bit. Watched some square dancers. Went in some shops. Scott got a cowboy hat. [I did?] Got back + went to bed about 10 P.M.
July 26th Lee-Ann wrote: We got up this morning about 6:00 and we had pancakes and sausages for breakfast. Then we got a new space with hookups. After we set up the trailer, we left for the Frontier Days parade. It was an hour and a half long and really good. They had a lot of horses in it [and street sweepers, to clean up after the horses]. A lot of the bands in it were from other states. After the parade, we went and parked the car at the rodeo. We ate lunch and then went to the rodeo. We weren't general admission, so we had shade, but were way over at one end. When the rodeo ended, we went to see "The Return of the Pink Panther." It was very funny. After the movie, we went to Big Boy for something to eat. Mom wrote: Got up 7:00. CM up 6:30. Fixed sausage + pancakes. Took camper down + put it up at hookups. Left for parade about 9:20. Suppose to start at 10 A.M. Saw parade. Lots of horses! Lasted 1 1/2 hrs. Went + parked at Rodeo. Ate foot long chili hotdog. Pre-Rodeo show started 1 P.M. Couldn't see much as people kept coming in to find their seats. We were under cover but way down on one side. Enjoyed it anyway. Roping steers, calfs, bronco riding, races, + wild horse ride! That was really good- + funny. Kids went on 2 rides. Had to take them off of Skydiver because Scott wasn't big or heavy enough to hold stay on + he was on the floor [No, actually I was on the ceiling, staring through the flimsy wire mesh at a four-story drop!]. Drove into town + went to the movies + saw "The Return of the Pink Panther" with Peter Sellers. Funny. Then we were hungry so stopped at "Big Boy" to eat. Got back + no electricity. Office had turned it off for some reason + said we weren't suppose to have it. Used it anyway as we had paid for it. Went to bed about 10-10:30. CM had to go find some ice. Somebody in the park must have been having a good time as they were very noisy + setting off fireworks. Went to sleep in spite of them!
July 27th Lee-Ann wrote: Today we didn't have too far to go. Just 100 miles to Rocky Mountain National Park. When we got there, they gave us a tent site. It was too small for both the car and the camper, so we pushed the camper up to the level part by the picnic table. We found out later it wasn't supposed to be there, but they let us keep it there. After we set up, we toured the park. We went up Trail Ridge Road, a narrow, windy and dusty road. It was cold enough at the top for snow to still be there. We had a good time throwing snowballs in July. [A pair of photgraphs taken by my dad shows us hanging out by a wall of snow and ice. In the first one my sister and I are marveling at the novelty of snow in July while our mother looks on from below. The next shot shows our mother trying to shake the snow out of the front of her shirt and bra while my sister and I chortle demonically. It's the only photo where Lee-Ann looks like she's having a good time.] For dinner, we went to Estes Park and got Kentucky Fried Chicken. Later we had a fire and cooked popcorn. Mom wrote: CM got up 6:30 to take a shower. I got up 7:30. L-A took shower + washed hair. Left 8:15. Just going to Denver- 100 miles to Rocky Mt. Nat. Park. Tired- didn't really care about going to R. Mt. but after we got there, I was glad we did- it is beautiful. Mts. are gorgeous + air clean + clear. Stayed in Moraine Campground. They expected us to put the camper + car both on a tiny space which really slanted! We put it up on the level which didn't go over too well. We toured the Park most of the day- went up Old Trail Ridge Road which is dirt- narrow + windy. Lots of fun! Threw snowballs when we got near the top. L-A got one right down my front! That was cold!! Highest elevation was over 12,000 feet. For supper went almost back to Estes Park + got Kentucky Fried Chicken. Mmmm good. Met Tim + Gayle (and 10 mo. old Travis) from Witchita Kansas. Had a fire + popcorn. Bed about 10:30.
July 28th Lee-Ann wrote: We left the Rocky Mountains this morning about 8:20. We drove 50 miles to Boulder and got there at about 9:30. We're staying at a KOA campground. Mom tried to call Mrs. V----, but she wasn't home. Then we went to take our showers. When we got out, we tried again, but still no answer. Finally we called Mr. V---- and he said they'd come see us tonight. They came at about 6:30. We waited till Dad and Scott took their showers, and then we went to V----'s house. It was really nice, but they're not sure they like it. It looks really nice, especially since they've only been there a week and a half. After having dessert there, we left at about 10:00 o'clock. Mom wrote: Got up about 7 A.M. CM made bacon + eggs for breakfast. Beautiful morning. Packed up + left for Boulder 8:30. Arrived KOA campground about 9:30. Got set up. Tried calling Audrey about 10 A.M. Couldn't get her. L-A + I took showers + washed hair. Ended up with cold water. Enough to work you up. Tried Audrey a couple more times. CM took car in to Boulder to have oil changed + wheels alighned (sp). Started laundry 11:30. Finished 1:15-1:30! Pain in the neck. And it was steaming hot. Tried A. again. Finally called Jules. He didn't know who he was talking to. Going to come look us up in the evening. We rode around Boulder for a little while. Went back + ate supper. V----'s came about 6:30-7. It was so good to see them. Audrey is very homesick. Can't blame her. They waited while CM + Scott took showers. Then went over to their new house which was beautiful. Of course, they think not. They've only been in 1 1/2 wks! Jules is very close to IBM + they have a terrific view of the mountains. Spent the evening with them. I finally got ahold of Wendy's sister, Joy, + talked to her quite awhile. Very nice. Felt almost like I was talking to Wendy. Left A. + J. 10 P.M. Very tired but still read 'til 11:15.
July 29th Lee-Ann wrote: We're really started home now. We got up this morning at 6:30 and left at 7:30. We traveled 500 miles and are staying in Abilene, Kansas. We went through another time zone, so we lost an hour. Mom wrote: Up 6:45. Left 7:30. Don't know how far we will be going today. Probably about 500 miles. Just rode all day. I drove about a total of almost 4 hrs. Split up. Lost 1 hr. due to time change. Seems like we weren't ever going to stop. Stopped at nice rest area in Kansas- except very WINDY! Had to hold on your bread + everything. Also very hot. Finally got to Safari Campground (Abilene, Kansas) about 6 P.M. L-A + I took showers. Took turns watching Scott in the pool. Don't know if it was worth the effort, it was so hot when we got out. CM took a swim + then a shower while I made spaghetti. Then the wind came up again + we thought we would get rain but we didn't. Went to bed + read for awhile- about 9:30.
July 30th Lee-Ann wrote: We left this morning at 7:00 and traveled until 8:00. We only traveled 12 hours though, because we lost another hour. We're staying at a KOA campground in Cloverdale, Indiana. Mom wrote: CM got up 6 A.M. I got up 6:15. Left 6:55 A.M. Another day to just ride. A hot, long day. Went through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois + part of Indiana. I drove about 4-4 1/2 hrs.- 2 hrs. at a time. Ate lunch. It bothered me to drive today- in my neck + shoulders + right knee. Lost another hour going into Indiana. Stopped at KOA in Cloverdale, Indiana. A very nice one. Fixed dinner. Got there about 8 P.M. Looked around store. Bought stuffed animals for Jenny + Becky. Had ice cream. By the time we got everything cleaned up + the kids to bed, it was 10:30. Read until 11:15-11:30.
July 31st Lee-Ann wrote: We left Cloverdale early this morning, and drove until about 7:00 when we planned to stop at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. But we were only 4 hours from home, so we kept driving, and got here about 1:00. Mom wrote: CM got up 6 A.M. I got up 6:15. Boy, was it still dark! Decided it was easier to get up when the sun is shining in your eyes. Left 6:55 A.M. Another day to travel all day. Went through the rest of Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia + into Penn. Drove for 2 1/2 hrs. before lunch. Ate lunch in Ohio. Drove some more in the P.M. Got to Harrisburg, Pa. at 7 P.M. Charlie said- "Want to go the rest of the way?" There were 3 quick yesses! Grabbed a quick bite to eat. [I remember getting dinner in a gas station or something like that. We got sandwiches and such out of a machine and I thought that was pretty darn neat, even if the food wasn't so great.] I drove us through Scranton in the dark- what a mess! Had such a headache by the time CM took over. We arrived back home at 12:30-12:45. Good to be there- went right to bed.
revised 19990422 |