February 16 -17, 1947

Sunday February 16, 1947

Leaving at 8:00 Thru Sinclair - the home of Sinclair Refinery.  Drove from 8:30 to 9:30 in fog.  Laramie, Wyo.  Thru Laramie Mt. range, Elevation 8,835 south east of Laramie.  Took a picture by “Tree Rock.”  This tree haas been growing out of this solid rock since 1868.

Ate dinner at Cheyenne.  We sure wish the stores were open.  This is a truly western town.  About 5 mi. our of Cheyenne we came to W.H.R. ( Wyo. Hereford Ranch) so of course Roy & D had to drive in having seen “Visitors Welcome.”  We took a couple of pictures of the $100,000 bull.  

Saw 4 deer up over a hill at ranch.  Got a cabin at Ogallala, Nebraska $4.00 (Not so good)

Monday February 17, 1947

Postcard dated Feb. 1947 

Dear Geneva:  Stayed at Ogallala, Neb. last night. we should almost make it home today altho that’s farther than we have gone in any one day yet.  We went to a grand concert at the Morman Tabernacle (that’s the dome shaped b’l’d’g.)  the temple is for Mormon only (and only good one).  Heard and organ concert and 2 Metropolitan opera stars and the movie star Miss O’Driscoll.  Proceeds went to “March of Dimes” our tickets were $1.20.  Weather and roads still fine.  Mother

Leaving at 7:10 (but we change time pretty sone so it’s about 8:10)  Lots of cattle.  Lots of alfalfa around Gothenburg to Kearney.  Took a picture of D. by oxen and covered wagon.  Had dinner at Grand Island, Nebr.  Stopped at Lyons, Neb. for an hours visit with Guy and Mollie S. (Sanford probably a first cousin to Roy)  Just before we got to Soo City Dwane just have dozed off anyway he said “Say have I got a shirt on?”

Crossing the Missouri bridge at Soo City at 6:30.  Ate supper there.  Home at 10:00 Monday evening Feb. 17.

Expenditures and miles covered

7,110 miles driven

374 gal. gas used average 19 miles per gal.

bought 5 - 10 gal of gas at a time

$1.05 for 5 gal

$2.05 for 10 gal

$2.25 for 10 gal etc

.35 for a quart of oil pretty consistent for the trip

repair costs were not listed in Grandma's little book

cabins $2.50 - $5.00 per night total $80.00

nights with relatives 1 at Aunt Mabel's, 9 at Lillian's, 2 at Ed's, 1 at Carrie's, 1 at Maggie's, 1 at Ted's, 1 at Belle's, 2 at Ebba's, 3 at Ida's and 1 at Ada's.

February 14 - 15, 1947

Elevation 4,319

February 14, 1947

Leaving at 9:10 Couldn’t get oil leak fixed as it was in main bearing.  Will try and make it home.

Brigham

Ogden

Salt Lake City — in time for 35 min. organ recital at Tabernacle in Temple Square.  Wonderful!  Taken for a tour of grounds.  Only Mormons (and not all of them) get into the Temple itself.  They have to have a reference from their “ward” and from the “stoke.”  Went to a concert in the Mormon Tabernacle in evening.  350 voice Mormon choir and 2 Metropolitan guest artist — Jennie Tourel - soprano  John Carter - tenor and Martha O’Driscoll — movie actress and _______________ - who plays on Columbia B.S.  CBS Proceeds of concert went to “March of Dimes”.  

Got a cabin early ($3.50) close enough so we walked to “Temple Square”  Brigham Young laid the city out in 10 acre squares so blocks here are rather long.  Drove out to the lake in afternoon.

Saturday  February 15, 1947

Leaving at 7:00  Went past cement plant.  Sun is coming over the Mts. (all covered with snow.)  Much colder than in Salt Lake City Valley.  (Castle City Mts.)  Echo Canyon  Saw 3 deer.  Took some pictures of Castle formations.  Entering Wyo. at 10:10 Elevation 6,850  Wyuta cafe on line.  Snow fences had really caught the snow.  Higher than fences in places.  Stopped at Free State Historical Museum, at Fort Bridges.  Quite a place, open, but no one anywhere.  First school house, built in 1860, many other log buildings, some older of course, but still in good condition, considering age.  One building of old things - very interesting.

We have come thru hills and badlands today that were red for miles, gray for miles, yellow for miles and now green.  Church butte  - very pretty formation with cathedral like spires with shades of green and tan. Had dinner at Little America.  Have 2 mounted penguins caught by Ad Byrd at the South Pole.

Got car greased at Rock Springs, Wyo.  — coal mining town.  Leaving here at 3:35.  Saw lots of big sheep herds.  Crossed Continental Divide at Creston , Wyo. at 5:20  El. 7,178.  Got a cabin at Rawlins, Wyo for $4.50 (double with kitchen)

February 12 - 13, 1947

Wednesday February 12, 1947 

No cabin available so we stayed in a hotel in Moscow, Idaho last night.  Double beds $5.00 has supper there too $2.80.  Leaving at 7:30.  Rained all night ands still raining this A.M. Quit at 8:00.

Came down the 11 mile long hill (famous spiral drive) into Lewiston, Idaho.  (Clarkston, Wash. across river.)  Lewis & Clark explored and camped there.  Big lumber mill but we did not take time to go thru it.  Had breakfast at Lewiston $1.95.  Came up hill 11 miles, around and around.  Chevee boiled!

Grangeville — and then more Mt. climbing.  Sign we saw:  Warning! icy roads.  Chains needed.  Slow

Raining to beat the band, summit elevation 4,460(?) coming down Dwane counted 9 roads below us.  Twenty miles downhill and actual distance to the town is 5 miles.  

White Bird (town) 75 miles up hill to Mc Call.  Lots of snow here at Mc Call.  Still raining!  Roads have been cleared but still plenty of snow and slush. 

No cabin at Cascade so we went on.  Got to Boise at 9:30 altho our watches said 8:30.  No cabin but we got a room for $3.50 in a tourist home.  

Lots of passes had just plenty of snow.  And rocks and snow balls had rolled down in many places.  Some great big rocks!  Hiway crews must have had to be on duty all night.  We straddled one that was a little too big!

Thursday February 13, 1947 

Postcard dated Feb, 12, 1947

Dear Geneva:  When we left Ada’s yesterday the weather did not look too good & Merle & Lucy were on a side road so we passed them by.  Stayed at a hotel in Moscow,Idaho.  Rained all night.   Feb. 13.

Stayed at Boise last night.  Rained all day yesterday.  Cane through places where there had been lots of snow, roads have been cleared tho.  Came gradually up hill for 75 miles yesterday and then when you get up & over it’s downhill. Chevee boiled a couple of times.  Mother.

Leaving Boise at 8:45.  Didn’t even get into a dime store.  Using our spare gallon of gas — had thought there was enough to get to Mt. Home but nix!

Saw lots of springs and waterfalls in lower Idaho.  No snow today — nice sunshine.  Crossed into Utah at 4:45.  Have seen snow in Mts. but just like spring in the valley all day.  Have seen ever so many sheep and cattle today.  Stopping in Tremonton, Utah — we are leaking oil so will have it fixed in A.M.

February 7 - 11, 1947

Friday February 7, 1947

Leaving Pasco at 6:30.  Saw a coyote just before sunrise close to the road.  Just saw another one. ( 15 min. later)

Got to Ida’s before dinner, had no trouble finding her.  Went with Ida & Elmo to Spokane on Sat.  They took us to Grande Coulee Dam on Sunday.  Such a place! oh the biggness of it!

Ida and Elmo Wright, Ida was first cousin to Selma. They managed the Crooked River Ranch mentioned in 1934 trip.

Monday February 10, 1947 

Leaving Ida’s at 8:15 Ida daughter to Carrie

Entered Idaho at 10:20 got to Sandpoint at 11:15 Had dinner with Ada, then we went to find Clarence fishing on the ice in the bay.  8 or 9 miles  and such a road! Snow & ice & curves! Had to have help twice getting back.  No chains of course!  Had trout and white fish. 

Ada was a first cousin to Roy, her mother (Elsy Alice Arnold) was a sister to Great Grandma (Elizabeth Angeline Arnold) Sanford. Elsy married Joseph Erwin Bracy, he was killed in a mine accident at Red Lodge, Montana and was tried at Belvidere, Neb. Elsy did not want to stay in Belvidere so she homesteaded in Wyoming. 

Ada married Clarence Coulston. 

Postcard dated Mon. noon Feb. 10

Dear Geneva: We are now at Ada’s.  There is some ice & snow here but there has been more.  We are going out to lake where Clarence is fishing thru ice this P.M. Ida & Elmo took us to Grand Coulee Dam yesterday.  That thing is so big  I can hardly believe it after seeing it!  Had a letter from Arlene too.  Don’t expect to hear any more now, as we will be moving everyday.  Plan to try it thru Salt Lake City on the way home.  We find out about roads before starting out.  Mother

Tuesday February 11, 1947

Had venison for dinner.  Left Ada’s at 2:00 after seeing where Kenneth and Bertha live. Gerald in 8th grade age 14, Kenneth 20.  Raining most of P.M.  Saw a porcupine across the road.

The Arnold family history says Ada and Clarence Coulston married August 17, 1925. They had 2 sons, Kenneth born in 1926 and Gerald in 1933. So Bertha must be Kenneth's wife.

February 4 - 6, 1947

Tuesday February 4, 1947

Leaving Ebba’s at noon came on Wash. side to Vancouver across to Portland  rock slide so we had to take a 3 mile detour.  Some Road.  Found Linda’s,  Helen but she could not tell us just where to find their  logging camp for sure, so we went back to Vancouver, down Wash. side of Col. R. (Columbia River) and couldn’t find a cabin until we got to N. Bonneville at 8:00.  Got a nice cabin with kitchen, bedroom, front room, shower, toilet and closet for $4.00.

February 5, 1947

Leaving at 8:30, looked the dam over from Wash. side, crossed “Bridge of the Gods” to Oregon side.  Saw a boat with raft of logs go thru “locks.”

Found Delta and her hubby in bed. Spent about 30 min. there Delta married Jan. 15, 1947. No idea how Delta is related.

Saw  Horse Tail Falls, picture of D & Roy. Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, took picture of Ocean, Bridal Veil Falls, Shepherds Dell, Latourell Falls,  Crown Point Vista House where we turned around & started to retrace the 17 miles to Bonneville,  Which we came up thru so Dwane could see the waterfalls we saw 13 years ago.  Really looked Bonneville Dam and Locks over from Oregon side.

On down the CAl. Hiway thru tunnels, Rowena Loops and on to The Dalles.  Got a nice cabin ( a real home) for $5.00.  We had smelt for supper.

February 6, 1947 

Postcard dated Feb.6 to Geneva

Do you remember this fall? Dwane thought it pretty nice.  It had so much water going over it the spray was hitting the hiway.  We hope to see Clifford S. sometime today. Spent a lot of time seeing Bonneville dam and other places along Col. R. Hiway.  We are in a cabin here at The Dalles, Oregon ―ready to leave.  Love, Mother

Leaving at 8:45 Locks for boats, freighters etc. all the way to Celiolita Falls,  Took a picture here.

on to Pasco, Wash. then across Col. R (Columbia River) to Kennewick, then to Richlands, a gov’t “mush room” town of 20,000, where they work with elements of atom bombs etc.  Still a big military secret too.  Every person in there has sorta signed his life away because they signed papers that if they were found guilty of divulging any military secrets they would receive a life sentence without a trial.  Kay’s mother was visiting there too and so we went back to Pasco and got a cabin for the night. Not too good (3.00) compared with last nites cabin.

February 1 - 3, 1947

February 1st, 1947

After visiting until midnight, we all slept until 9:00.  Had a big breakfast ( or dinner) from 11 to 12.  Left Ted’s at 2:00.  Got to Belle’s at Osewgo at 5:00.Talked to Joy Ondrzeck on the phone from Belle’s’  Dolly “Belle” Sanford Married Carl Englert related to Roy, Max Englert is their son.

Postcard  dated Feb. 1st, 1947

Dear Geneva: we are now at Oswego, getting directions on how to get to Belle’s.  We’re at Ted’s and Mabel’s last night.  Have had lots of rain since getting into Oregon, but it is not too cold.  Love Mom

February 2nd Sunday 1947

Ground Hog Day and the sun came out after raining and blowing most of night.  Went with Mrs. Max Englert (Helen) to a little church (Rosewood Chapel).  Had dinner and had a look Carl’s and Max’s saw mill and at 2:00 we were on the way to Banks, Ore.  Got to Banks at 3:00, found Linda’s house and an old lady in the house said Linda had left on bus for Portland at 2:30.  Decided to go on to  Ebba’s and perhaps find Sam’s at Oregon City on return trip.

Ebba and Linda (first cousins to Selma) daughters of Aunt Maggie and Helen was daughter of Linda.

Got to Sorenson’s about 9:15, after the ride across on ferry at Astoria.  Foggy, rainy weather.  Lots of snow at times thru the mountains.

Postcard dated Feb. 3, 1947

Dear Geneva:  We got to Ebba’s about 9:15 last night.  Came across the Columbia on ferry after dark.  Some snow in mts. Sun P.M.  went to Banks, Ore, but missed Linda by 45 min. she had gone back to logging camp, near Oregon City (near Portland.)  We'll try to find her as we go back that way.   Daddy & Dwane are fishing below Sorenson’s barn this P.M. I went with Geo. & Ebba to a funeral.  Has been rainy but sun is out now.  Will go on tomorrow.  Mom

January 27 -31, 1947

January 27, 1947 

Leaving January 27th at 7:35  More redwoods.  Saw “Trees of Mystery”, Family tree, Elephant Tree, Shrine Tree where music was played: “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer.  This place also had a pulpit and benches.  Beautiful and estimated to be 5000 yrs. old.  Saw more of the ocean on to Crescent City, then the beautiful Smith River Canyon drive.  Saw a little snow over that ridge once in a while elevations 2,435 at Hazelview Summit in Cal.  On into Oregon and only 20 miles from Oregon Caves but road closed because of snow.

Selma, Oregon  Selma, Cal. —towns we passed thru.

Lots of saw mills.  Ate dinner at Grants Pass, Ore.  Got to Eugene about 6:00 but not to Ed’s until 7:00.

January 28, 1947

  

Drove around town Lee’s were over for supper too.  The Kardells all over in the evening.

January 19, 1947

Went thru Plywood Mill.  Leaving Ed’s at 12:15.  Came to Aunt Carrie’s at 2:30.

January 30, 1947

Came to Aunt Maggie’s after dinner.

Aunt Maggie and Aunt Carrie were Great Grandma Lena’s sisters

January 31,  1947

Left about 2:00, went to Salem, Roy & D had hair cuts.  Got out to Ted’s about 5:15 just a few minutes before they came from school.

January 25 - 26, 1947

January 25, 1947

Stayed at Mill Valley, Cal.  ( 4 miles north of Golden Gate Bridge) last night.  Best cabin we have had yet and only $3.50 compared to $5.50 we have paid.   Leaving at 8:35 and it’s really foggy.  Wish we could see the ocean here in the bay but it’s impossible.  Fog either cleared or we drove out of it in a couple of hrs.

At Geyserville we took a 19 mi. side trip to see geysers.  Roads so steep and up grade we had to stop to let engine cool off.  Robins and meadowlarks singing like spring at home.  Feels like April weather.  So many trees look like they are getting ready to bloom.  People complain about lack of rain.

Near the geysers we came to Mercuryville ( a big b’l’d’g. where you could get a bite to eat and a little gas in a pinch) seems like it was at the top of the world.  The lady here showed us 1/2 pt. of mercury (they mine it in the mts. nearby)  This 1/2 pt. was a real lift, so heavy.  In talking to her she told us she had some butter from Garretson the other day! The Si Mortons were friends of hers.

Geysers were steam and you could hear them for miles.  We walked around through them.  So hot in places, our feet were uncomfortably warm.  Steam is piped to houses for heat.  Large mineral bath houses.  Roads away from this place were terrific!  Curves so sharp and narrow I’d call it a 1-way road but we did meet 1 car.  People living here and there throughout the canyon.  The geysers smelled so rotten Dwane gagged and threw up.  Saw 3 deer.  Came past the ranch, home of “Sea Biscuit” (race horse) near Willets.  Picked up a nail and lost the S. D. air in one tire.  Got a cabin at Willits, Cal. $4.50.  Started to rain about the time we stopped.

January 26, 1947

Rained all night  Roy decided to change the tires back and had just taken it off when jack twisted, and car fell down, bent the jack was all, got it bent back but it’s worth less now than it was before.  Leaving cabin at 7:50 Still raining at times.  Foggy at times, spoiling our scenery, which is beautiful, mt. curves, lots of evergreens, big and small.  Rat trap mail boxes.  (A trap on end of pole holds the mail)  Fog all gone.  

Redwoods and more redwoods.  Drove through one.  Restrooms in one.  House in one — ceiling 50 ft. high.  Saw worlds tallest known tree 364 ft.  Some places part of the trunks of trees on both sides of road had been chopped away to make road wide enough.  Thru Eureka, Cal.  most western city in U.S.  Bought a crab at Arcata —(boiled) 65¢ we enjoyed picking his meat for supper, have a cabin just a few miles east of Klamath. $4.00.

Postcard dated Jan 26 - 47

We’re still in Calif. at Willits don’t think we’ll get up to Eds tomorrow we took a side trip t’day to see some steam geysers so didn’t get too far today, hope to see some big redwoods tomorrow  has been real nice so far a little rain tonight 

Dad

January 23 - 24, 1947

Thursday January 23. 1947

Foggy morning.  Leaving Lillian’s at 9:30.  Stopped at Tjunga, Sunland, Cal. for an hr. to visit Mrs. Bertha Kelly, a cousin of Roy’s mother.  Saw snow in the mountains.  Truckloads of oranges, in fact they lost three along the hiway.

Signs: Elelvation 4,000 ft. Lebec, Cal.

5 miles of down grade (6%) ahead: Trucks use low gear.

Divided hiway and good road cattle on mts. so high up they look so tiny..  Grapevine, Cal. 2,000 ft. el. 7 miles from Lebec.  33 to Bakersfield.  Just a few more miles of rugged country and then on the level to Bakersfield.  Lots of Cotton fields, Some being picked, others planted.  Big olive groves.  Ate a late dinner (4:30) at Bakersfield, $2.06.  Bought a 30 lb. sack of oranges from fruit truck for $1.80.  Drove all P.M. in shirt sleeves rolled up.  Rather warm.  Cabin at Earlimart, Cal. $4.50. Nice.

Friday January 24, 1947

Leaving at 6:50  Bales and bales of cotton along railroad tracks.  After driving for 1/2 hour we ran into fog.  Lots of grape farms, olives, fruit and nut trees.  Saw cotton being picked.  Saw large sheep herds, also some cattle.

Postcard dated Jan. 24, 1947  Post mark Selma, Calif.

Dear Geneva:  Left Lillian’s yesterday morning Stayed at Earlimart last night ― that’s between Fresno and Bakersfield, cal.  Will probably be at Oakland or San Francisco to night.  Real foggy here this morning.  Got your letters.  Thanks.  Don’t know what to say about addresses from now on so will probably have to wait & hear from you when we get home . don’t suppose we will stay more than 2 days at any one place.  Love, Mother.

January 19 - 22, 1947

Sunday January 19, 1947

Went to Santa Catilina  Island today.  Left Wellington Pier at 10, arrived at the island at 12:20.  ($4.92)  Took the glass bottom boat ride, the seal rocks trip, the skyline drive and the bird park drive. ($2.26) Around 800 passengers.

Post card to Geneva

We are now about half way on our return trip ( 29 miles) from island.  Have had a grand day.  Wish you could have taken it with us.  Well hope you can take it sometime.  Really was wonderful.  Mom  Daddy sent a box of sea water taffy from island.

Monday January 20, 1947 

To San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico.  This Mexican town was so different than Jurez (across from El Paso) Tijuana pronounced Tee a wana, Jurez pronounced Who arz.  After being in that first town and seeing how dirty and filthy it was I forgot about the sugar and really forgot it today too.  Ran into fog on way home.

Tuesday January 21, 1947

Washed clothes.  Lillian and I had our hair washed and set.  

Went to Cliftons for Lillian’s birthday party.  ($5.38)  They furnished the cake had “Happy Birthday Lillian” on it.  Then to N.B.C. where we watched the Phillip Morris broadcast program.  

Then started home and something went wrong with shift so we came the 15 miles home in low gear.  More fog too.

Wednesday January 22, 1947

Roy got car fixed up.  He says the garage’s here are “hold ups”.  In afternoon went to Exposition Park shopped a little at Sears store in L.A. also Manchester, had rabbit for supper - delicious.  Made plaster - paris plaques.

January 16 - 18, 1947

Thursday January 16, 1947

Went to ostrich and alligator farms and Chinatown.  Met Luella in evening after school.  To “Bit-of-Sweden” to Smorgasbord.  Eat as much as you want to.  The six of us ate $11.38 worth.  Then we went to Chinese theater to a show.  This is a place where actor and actresses have their hand and foot prints and autographs in cement floor at entrance.  Dwane and Luella even looked up Bob Hope’s nose print.

Postcard to Geneva

We went to this circled description on post card 

This world-famous theatre is the scene of some most spectacular Premieres.  In the cement paving of the forecourt prominent starts, both past and present have left their hand and footprints as mementoes to their admiring public.

last night after having a big supper at “Bit-of-Sweden”.  Sorta expensive $11.38 for the six of us.  Tomorrow we are planning on seeing Forrest Lawn Memorial Park, a wedding in  church tomorrow eve.  Catalina Island on Sun. Mon to Long Beach and San Diego.  Tues. evening we we will plan on celebrating Lillians birthday and be going on our way by Wed. or Thurs. I suppose our next stop will be Ed ??? but we will only be there 2 days  Their address is  Eugene, Ore.  842 Bethel Drive.

Friday January 17, 1947

Dwane had his first ride on streetcars and escalators.  We went shopping in L.A. today.  To “Snow Queen Festival” at Gardena Hi - School to night.

Saturday January 18, 1947

Visited Forrest Lawn Memorial Park to - day.  Home for dinner and then to Knotts Berry place at Buena Park, Cal.  We had quite a time visiting the ghost town especially Luellas jail visit, and then the swell chicken dinner and berry pie. M-m-m!  Then to wedding in Lillians church.  Lillian had made the brides dress and the mother-of-the-bride dress.  Both looked lovely.

January 14 - 15, 1947

January 14, 1947 Tuesday 

Left at 6:35 on Tues. morning.  orange orchard right nest to turn.  The big transports and trains ran right by our cabin.  Slept 3 in a bed crosswise.  Acre of date palms  Lots of “date stands” but too early for business.  Desert everywhere except where irrigated.

Around Banning we saw lots of peach and cherry groves, some in blossom.  Also pear trees.

Stopped and visited with Mrs. Eddie Cox and Stella at San Bernardino, 124 9th St.  Found Ed Cox Welding Supply shop but Ed was out and would not be back for 4 hrs.  so we had to miss seeing him.

Got to Lillian’s at 2 P.M. Lovely weather here, but chilly nights, white frost and close to freezing.

Wednesday January 15, 1947

Went to Cal. Luth. Hospital Auxilliary meeting with Lillian to-day.  This town is too big.  I don’t like the long bus rides.  See lots of unusual trees and flowers.  Took a rid ( 6 miles) to the ocean just before dark. Dwane and Roy went with Maynard to League Bowling to-night.

Same picture postcard for both  Geneva and Lena

Postcard  Wed. evening

Dear Geneva:  We sent you an airmail letter this morning but we got another letter from you today so I am really writing this for Dwane.  He and daddy went with Maynard to some League Bowling tonight.  He is busy with school work every minute he has. ha!  We are going to see alligator farm tomorrow.  Took a drive ( 6 miles) down to the ocean just before dark.  Am sending the 3 reels, some pictures (you can take them home when you go) and a good luck charm D. made for you.  D. says not to let everybody wear his V. Master out on Jan. 26th, so you better keep your eye on it.  Mom.

 

Post card Wed. evening

Mrs. Lena B. Nelson

Valley Spring, S. Dak.

Dear Mother: we got here yesterday about 2 P.M.  Everybody is fine.  Weather chilly here at night, almost freezing, has been white frost.  Took a drive down to ocean just before dark.  Tomorrow we are going to Alligator farm and ostrich farm, and maybe Cliftons.  Don’t know what day we go to Catalina Island ― Luella wanted to go there too so maybe Sat. or Sun.  Lillian and I go to L.A. on Friday.  Dwane and Roy went to airport today.  Bouquet of narcissus here on table.  Love, Selma.

January 12 - 13, 1947

January 12, 1947

Left Las Cruces at 7:45 this Sunday morning.  Lovely weather.  Crossed the Continental Divide at 10:00 in western N. Mexico.  Lots of cactus, desert land.  Ate dinner at Safford, Arizona $1.95.  Oleander taller than houses.  Seeing lots of trees and shrubs we never saw before.

Went to Apache Indian reservation.  Took a picture of a few.  We’re supposed to send the picture if it’s any good to Mr. Geo. L Wayne, Globe. Ariz. Gen. Delivery.  He is an Apache Indian that Roy talked to while they (his daughter and wife were with him) waiting to take the bus back to Globe, from the Indian Reservation at San Carlos.  He had been in army and was wearing army clothes (he now worked in copper mines at Globe.) but his wife was dressed typically Indian. 

Saw Coolidge Dam. Stupendous but very little water now.  Oh! the mountainous roads and curves between Globe and Superior.  I almost lost my breath looking into some of those canyons.  Dwane says “keep looking up, and it doesn’t look so bad.”  Came thru a tunnel.  Our engine boiled so we stopped when we got to the top where luckily there was a station, 5,000 ft. elevation.

Hoped to get to Phoenix tonight but got as far as Mesa, by 7:30 and every tourist cabin full so we found a place in a tourist home — a grand place, orange trees lined the driveway $5.00 for a room with 2 single beds, showers etc.

January 13, 1947  Monday 

Had breakfast here too $2.25  Picked some fruit. Left house at 9:45.

Stopped a few minutes in Phoenix — Lots and lots of fruit trees, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and date palms..  We would have loaded up on fruit had we been on the way home but express about doubles the price.

Irrigation is what makes the place grow.  Now a few miles out of Phoenix and all we see is desert plants again.  saw fields of carrots, head lettuce etc. in edge of Phoenix.

Near Aguilla, Arizona met a man, that looked like the pictures we have seen of “prospectors”.  He had a pack burro so loaded, and he was leading him and carrying a gun.  Rather a bewhiskered old guy.

Yellow daisy-like flower blooming in western Arizona a few kinds of cactus seem to have yellow flowers or buds started.  

Crossed the Colorado River and into California.  Were thoroughly inspected at Blythe.  Had to unload and open all the boxes and suit cases.  Had a few Arizona oranges but that was O.K.

Got to Indio and looked and looked but “no vacancy” in any camp or hotel and then just as we were leaving we discovered one little old cabin, one bed $4.00 but here we are — poorest one we’ve had but glad to get it.

January 11, 1947

January 11, 1947

Leaving cabin at El Paso at 8:40 Temp 32°  Bought 4 lbs of dry ice 40₵ to keep the meat for Lillian.

We parked our car for 25₵ on the Amer. side of Rio Grande and walked int Mexico on the toll bridge 2₵ each going in and 1₵ going out.  What a place!  Shops and stands all over the sidewalks and you are begged to come in and look, and buy.  They are very insistent.  Usually come down several times rather than have you go out without buying.  Much cheap labor, for instance these Mexican jackets can be bought there for 5 to 7 dollars and across the line in El Paso they are 16 and 20 each.  Lots of pretty jewelry, table clothes, rugs etc at just a fraction of what we pay here.  You are allowed to take out duty free 25 dollars worth every 30 days.  It was so cold, we just froze, walking around, but those poor Mexican Indians with just old rags, some without shoes, wrapped in most every kind of old thing.  Little fires were built here and there and how they would crowd around to get a little heat.  We finally began to go into some shops.  Found some articles in diff. places with several dollars diff. in price. Our money is worth about 5 times as much Mexican  money  —so most everything had 2 markings Mexican and U.S. prices.  So many candy carts, right out in open, phew!

I wanted to find a restroom so asked a clerk and she told me in a cafe across the street.  It was noon so Roy thot we should try eating too. Phew!  I’ll never forget it.  After seeing their meat markets with meat laying in the windows — I thot I’d order Amer. Cheese sandwiches but it was green and stunk!  Dwane and Roy had ham sandwiches — they ate theirs.  Well we found the rest room and that was horrible.  Long dark corridor, and dirty, ladies and mens side by side and such doors.  I could tell in Mexican which one said ladies.  About 3 P.M. we decided we had had enough so went towards where we saw the Amer. flag waving.  I wouldn’t care to go up those streets after dark.

Drove to Las Cruces and got a cabin $5.50  2 double beds, quite nice but no cooking facilities.

Postcard dated Jan. 11, 1947 

addressed to Miss Geneva Sanford

State College,

Brookings, S.D.  U.S.A.

Box 668

“Hello” from Mexico.  We are having quite a time, but br-r-r! it’s cold.     Mother

January 9 - 10, 1947

January 9, 1947

Left at 7:3- Thurs. A.M.  Seeing lots of oil wells pumping but these do not have towers.  One place a big flame burning at the top of a tall pipe — most likely natural gas going to waste.  All these wells pump by their own power.  Stopped at Dundee, Texas and took a picture where there were 11 timber wolves hanging on fence.  Ears were gone so we decided that must be for bounty.

Saw some more antelope. Lots of sage brush, wheat fields and cotton.  Turtle doves, blackbirds and meadowlarks, wild ducks flying.  Also blue jays.  I’d like to see this country when the cactus and yuccas are blooming.

Red, red soil and its sticky.  Had 11 inches of snow here Anson, Texas  — unusual!  Still a bit of it left.  Dinner at Snyder $1.75.  They said they had had about 5 or 6 in. of snow here.  Started to rain at 2:30 and rained for several hours.

We drove by acres and acres and miles and miles of watermelons today.  They had frozen but the ground was just about covered with them.

Stopped for gas at Seminole (last town in Texas) and Dwane wanted a drink so we asked about water and the station attendant said (in a Southern drawl) “We had 8 below zero — and our water pipes are still all froze solid so no water.”

Cabin at Carlsbad, New Mexico Thurs. nite Jan. 9. $3.00

More oil wells some with towers and some without.  Sometimes we see a big pipe up into air and burning with a big blaze at top.  This is natural gas, going to waste, has to be burned at it is poisonous and settles to ground so has to be burned to get rid of it.

Friday January 10, 1947

Started at 7:45  Terribly foggy.  Froze muddy ground solid last night.  8:00 fog just about gone.  Sun shining.  Just saw some more snow.  Started to Caverns at 9:30 — our tickets were $1.50 each.  Under ten free.  Got out at 1:30  Wonderful place —in fact you are so impressed there is very little talking and that’s low.  241 people went on our tour.  I never could imagine such sights as you see in this cave.  Had dinner 750 ft. underground.  Big dining room, rest rooms, souvenirs, etc.  Saw the bucket that used to take visitors down into the cave.  Talked to the widow of Jim White, the cowboy who discovered cavern.  He died last year.  My watched refused to work underground.  We walked nearly 3 miles in cave and came out on elevator form 700 ft. level.

3:15 back in Texas and more snow, cactus.  Some of these Mts. make my ears ring.

1947 trip to southwest and west coast January 6-8

The travels resume after the war. Roy, Selma and Dwane, 11 years old take a road trip to the southwest, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska.  I wish I had a road map from 1947 before the Interstates were built.  Sadly I do not have photographs of this trip but I did find post cards that were written home and saved which I have included.  Mom was in college at the time and Arlene was teaching in a country school.

January 6, 1947

Left home at 10:30 Jan. 6, 1947 to Luverne, to Soo City, Lincoln at 5:15.  Had no trouble finding Aunt Mabel.  Grand supper and visit with Aunt Mabel, Uncle Murray and Vera at 2917 N. 52nd St.

Aunt Mabel ( Melvina Mabel Arnold ) was a sister to Great Grandma Sanford. Same birthday as Grandma Selma Oct. 2, different year 1879. Married Murray  L. Ross

January 7, 1947

Left at 9:15 Tues. morning.  More snow in Kansas than Nebr.  31° below at Waterville, Kansas last week.  Snowplows widening east and west roads, pushing up big snow banks.

Meadow larks and robins in Kansas.  Saw a robin in Lincoln too.  Ate dinner in Junction City, Ks $1.78.

Lots of oil wells around Newton and Wichita.  Cabin at Wichita $2.50.  Had a fireplace so we made tomato soup, toast, also had cookies, doughnuts and pineapple slice and milk.

January 8, 1947

Wednesday Left Wichita at 7:15  Streets in Wellington slippery — slid into back bumper of a guy ahead of us on the stop street locked bumpers and bent over grill a bit.  Dinner at El Reno $1.50.  Tube repair at El Reno $1.25.  Stopped at Cement, Okla. to watch oil well pump oil, right on the street in town.  Oil wells by the hundreds around  here some of these pumping continually, day and night.  This oil well gives 30 barrels of oil per day.  Pumps both oil and water so has to be treated.  3700 ft deep — 2 inch casing inside where oil comes out of.  A bigger casing outside where 115 lbs. of pressure of natural gas comes up.  This natural gas is used for power lights and heat, but not piped out of the burg.  Roy and Dwane wasted (?) 35 minutes here.  It is now 4:15 P.M.  Lots of cedars in Kansas and Okla.  Scrub oaks in Okla.  Lots of very red soil.  Wheat fields and more wheat fields.  Some cotton occasionally.  Saw a herd of  antelope in Ft. Sill Military Reservation.

Stayed in a cabin at Wichita Falls, Texas Wednesday night $3.00  Cooked supper and breakfast on a small oil heater.

1945 Aug. Nov.

Who remembers playing this at Grandmas?? with the ration tokens

8 / 10 / 45

Fri. eve

1830

Dear Selma: 

I finally got around to writing you after so long a time.  Guess it is better late tan never tho.

I am sorry the report got out that I was wounded as it was a mistake I am glad to say.  I was in the hospital on Opinawa with a strained back and in sending in a report they put my name in as a B.C. (battle casualty) by mistake.  I guess Helen was quite worried but those kind of mistakes are made occasionally.

I sure would like to have some of those strawberries you put in the freezer locker.  Maybe I will be home by next strawberry time I hope.  I guess those freezer lockers are just the thing.

Well since writing you last I have gotten away from the Japs.  I am glad of it because I was getting tired looking at them.  I don’t suppose I will ever get used to the water as I got seasick as usual.  It was worse this time than usual because we had some very rough water.

One nice thing about Opinawa was the fact that the climate was pretty nice.  It was hot here.  The nites are cool however so that helps a lot.

I am now on my 13th month overseas as I boarded ship for Guadalcanal a year ago last Wed.  In some ways it seems a short time and in others a long time.  It will soon be a year since Mom passed away too.

Must close for now.

Love

George

George O. Holm Phm3/e

Co. D. 6th Med Bn.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

11 / 3 / 45

Sat. Nite

Dear Selma:

Well I’m not much closer home but guess I am closer to getting out.  The hospitals in the middle west were full so apparently so here I am in Portsmouth Va. I was rather disappointed but I am a lot closer home than I was a few weeks ago.

I got here a week ago tonite and had a very nice trip as we had first class pullmans.  Best trip I’ve had in the service and I’ve done a lot of traveling.

They really give you a going over here and I have been busy since I got here going from place to place to be examined for this and that.  They have put me on a diet as I only weighed 128 when I left Guam.  I have gained about 5 lbs. since getting back.

I don’t know how long I will be here but it will be at least a month.  It all depends on whether I get a survey or get out on points.

Guess I’d better quit as I don’t have much to write about right now.  Try to write more next time.

Love

George

This ends the WW2 letters which have been donated to the Siouxlnad Heritage Museum / Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls, S.D.