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