Saturday, August 31, 1929 - Seattle, Washington

I was up at seven o’clock this morning. We had our breakfast, cleaned the house, and got packed and at ten caught the ferry back. Mr. Fisher was waiting for us at the landing. First we went to their house, then Mr. Fisher took Mom, June and I to Cousin Clara’s for lunch (Pop was downtown). On the way there we stopped for a short call at Aunty St. Clair’s sisters. We hadn’t been at the Thompson’s long when Pop got there. Phil and Jim went home to lunch but Betty had gone to see her sister so we missed her. We left there about two thirty when we went downtown where we met Mr. Tilbury and family and later the Fishers. We all went to Mr. White’s house for a picnic supper, four families of us. First we went swimming in Lake Washington. Then we had a wonderful supper on the lawn. After supper there was singing and talking among the old timers. We followed the Fishers home and are staying with them again tonight. Lake Washington is a wonderful place to swim, cold at first but delightful after a while.

Friday, August 30, 1929 - on an island in Lake Washington

We had breakfast about eight this morning. After breakfast we dashed downtown to get June and Jean Fisher down to the show on time. Then I went this time with Pop to Mr. White’s office to meet Mr. Tilbury. Then we went to Zuker’s to meet Mom and Mrs. Fisher. It was about eleven then and we waited and waited and waited. They didn’t show up until about twelve thirty. While we were waiting Mrs. Tilbury and the gang of kids showed up and later Mr. Fisher and June and Jean. Just before Mom and Mrs. Fisher got there, Mr. and Mrs. Tilbury and the kids went on. Mrs. Fisher was so slow that Mom missed her appointment so when they got there we went right to lunch. After eating we went to the store and Mom was fitted and then we collected supplies to take with us to the island. Then we dashed to the ferry so we wouldn’t miss the four o’clock ferry. We’re staying at Mr. Curby’s (another of Pop’s old friends). We had our supper outside. The men went back to Fisher for a good old fashioned bridge game.

Jane's Notes: This time they must be staying on Mercer Island. A bridge to Mercer Island was built from the Eastside in 1923. However to reach the island from Seattle required a ferry ride. The floating bridge from Seattle was completed in 1989. Mercer Island is the only island in Lake Washington.

Thursday, August 29, 1929 - Seattle Washington

Pop had a date at eleven thirty in Seattle this morning so we had to catch the nine o’clock ferry. We were up and ready to go at eight so we sat around and talked for half an hour. Al and Ellen went back home on the same ferry. We saw Tom on the Ferry and we visited with him about ten minutes between ferries at his house, then we looked in on Ellen for about the same length of time. When we got to Stanwood we had a blacksmith job that had to be done on the car. That took about half an hour so it was twelve thirty when we got to Seattle. Pop went up to Mr. White’s office to meet Mr. Tilbury but he hadn’t come today so we went to lunch. After lunch Mom had her coat pressed. Then we went to Zukers (a store) where we met Cousin Clara. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping with her. I have a new dress and Mom an outfit. Cousin Clara went home and we met Mr. Fisher (an old friend of Pop’s) and went to dinner. Then we went up to his house (where we’re staying tonight) and met his wife and kids.

Wednesday, August 28, 1929 - Washington

I have been very lazy this morning. After breakfast I read for awhile then everybody got collected and we started on a trip to see Deception Pass. It was a lovely ride and beautiful scenery when we got there. After we got home I flopped on the couch and read again until lunch. After lunch and the dishes I came up and wrote a letter to Myrabele and then read some more. Later I went down and took a bath then I mended some stockings and repacked my suitcase. By that time Uncle Ed was home (we got glimpses of him several times on our trip) and it was time for supper. After the dishes, everybody bundled into coats and sweaters and I went with Uncle Ed and the rest in our car. We went down to the southern part of the island where there was an Army post and saw the view of the bay. On the way back we saw one of the few remaining block houses. After we got home Uncle Ed told us some entertaining stories. Aunt Blanche is a dear. She is so gentle and sweet. Ellen is very much like her. Al, her husband, is regular!

Jane's Notes: They must be on Whidby Island. Deception Pass has a bridge now, built in 1934. And the Army Post she is referring to must have been Ft. Casey. It was placed on inactive status in 1935.

Tuesday, August 27, 1929 - Washington

After breakfast and dishwashing I played the radio and read until the rest were ready. They collected hooks and such. We went down to a beach and got a boat and went out into the channel. Ellen, June and I each had a hook and Pop rowed. We were out two hours. It was twelve when we got back. June had caught three salmon trout and I had caught one. Before lunch was started Tom and his wife came. After lunch and the dishes I read a while and then came up to the room and wrote some letters. I guess I spent a good part of the afternoon up there because when I got downstairs Uncle Ed had come home and supper was almost ready. There was talking around the supper table until Tom and Ethel had to leave. Then the dishes were done and afterwards there were stories and music. I don’t know what time it is now. I think Uncle Ed is a darling. He’s an Englishman and has had more experiences than a story book hero. There has been talk of Mom and June and I coming here for Christmas.

Monday, Aug 26, 1929 - An island in the sound - Washington

Betty (the youngest Thompson) was going to work at eight and we wanted to have breakfast with her (the others all left much earlier) so we got up at seven. After breakfast and after Betty had gone June and Pop went downtown. While they were gone Mom and Cousin Clara talked and I read. Clara & Edgar, are Mom’s cousins. Their children are Dorothy, Katherine and Betty. Dorothy and Kate are married. Pop and June came back at about twelve and we got loaded into the car again and started to this island where Aunt Blanche (my father’s sister) and her husband live. All their children are married. We stopped at Everett for lunch and got to the ferry a little before three. Ellen, the youngest, lives at that side. Her husband and Tom the middle one and another man run the ferry. Ellen came over with us to the island. When we got there there was much excitement. Between talking supper was finally prepared and Uncle Ed came home. He is a darling Englishman. After dinner Pop gave a long talk about our trip and we showed them pictures.

Sunday, Aug 25, 1929 - Seattle, Washington

When we left here this morning we went to Yakima. As we entered the town we saw a fruit stand and Pop stopped. He got about a dozen tomatoes and a huge musk melon. As we left the city we started up a barren gorge and when we looked down into the river every so often we would see fishermen. Beyond the next town we entered the pine woods and it was beautiful. Everything was fine until we hit the Sunset Highway that every person from Washington brags about as the most beautiful and best road in the US. Then everything was all wrong. The scenery was beautiful but the roads were terrible. We just struck one detour after another from there until we hit the pavement about forty miles out of Seattle. We bought sandwiches and had our lunch among the big pines and it was really quite romantic. We had planned to get to our destination in Seattle at one thirty or two and it was five thirty or six. We were visiting the Edgar Thompsons. Three girls and two boys all older than I am. Much talking and remembering tonight.

Jane's Notes: Mom hasn't learned her flora and fauna yet for the Northwest. If they were 50 miles east of Seattle, they were out of the pines and into the fir trees.

Saturday, Aug 24, 1929 - Sunnyside, Washington

As usual our early start consisted of getting started at eight but we had the best of roads all day so we made fairly good time. We got into Huntington at five to nine only it was five to eight because it was Pacific Time and we had to set our watches back. This fore noon we went through Backer, Oregon and I knew it was Myrabelle’s home so I didn’t want to go thru without seeing her parents. We saw the Palmer Bros. Jewelry Store and went in. We met her Uncle, Father and youngest brother who is the perfect image of her. Bill (her brother) took us over to the house and we chatted with Mrs. Palmer a while. Pop said altogether it took an hour and ten minutes but we gained an hour so it was alright. We had lunch at a lovely New Cafe at Le Grand. In the afternoon we ferried across the Columbia River. Washington has her desert we discovered this afternoon but it didn’t become unbearably hot. We stopped here tonight.

Jane's Notes: All those folks they knew over the years from Manila just keep popping up on this journey. Must have been quite an eclectic community.

Friday, Aug 23, 1929 - Payette, Idaho

We might have been in Oregon tonight. We had to decide between this town and Ontario but this had the better hotel. In less than two weeks we will be in one little apartment in Eugene and I’ll be glad, too. We were going to try for Baker, Oregon today so Pop wanted to be started at seven. It was eight before we were actually on the road after breakfast and gas. We expected from the map to have pavement all the way to Seattle but we had several patches of gravel, one 50 miles long. All morning we traveled thru beautiful irrigated land but this afternoon it was all desert except for a few irrigated valleys. In one of the little towns Pop picked up some fruit and some hot dogs and hamburger sandwiches and we had our lunch alongside the road just out of Boise. We had some more sandwiches and we finished up the fruit for supper the same way. In Boise I half expected to see Jack’s and Alice’s Buick because that’s where Jack’s Grandmother lives and they undoubtedly visited her on the two month honeymoon.

Jane's Notes: Remember Jack for the Manilla part of the diary?

Thursday, Aug 22, 1929 - Pocatello, ID

After we had had breakfast this morning we met the man (Mr. Wisdon) that we ate supper with last night. After talking to him a while we went down to the cabin and got loaded up. The first thing we did was to go into the little town that used to be an army post and Pop drew a check. Then we got some gas and started up the hill where the beautiful springs are! We had to go back past the lodge to go to the buffalo corral. We saw the show herd and one elk that I took pictures of. Between Manmoth and the West Gate I saw several beautiful scenes in spectacular such as the Golden Gate, the Glass Mountain and Falls and much beautiful scenery in general. Just outside the gate is the town of West Yellowstone. We stopped at a cafeteria here for lunch. The first part of our trip was thru a forest reserve which was pretty and the roads fine but after we left there the roads weren’t so good. They were better than Montana roads however but they were almost as dusty. We’re tired tonight and hot. An old fashioned hotel and chinese cooking. Somehow they don’t fit me just right.

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1929 - Mammoth Springs Lodge, Yellowstone N. Park

Before we started this morning we got a box of cube sugar to feed the bears because we were told last night by the lecturer that we would meet the most today. Tonight our box (a big one) is almost gone. The first thing of interest that we did this morning was to cross the continental divide twice going in the same direction on a narrow one way road. Gorgeous scenery. At West Thumb we stopped at the store a few minutes and then went on to the Lake Lodge. It was a beautiful ride along the lake shore. After I got the pictures we left at Lake Lodge we went out to Canyon over the road we had traveled before. We stopped for lunch at the Canyon Camp. There were three bears that we photographed and fed. Then we went up the canyon to see it and the falls. More beautiful but not as grand as the Grand Canyon. Then we went on to Dunraven pass. It was a long steep hill going up and down we stopped at Tower Fall Junction and saw the falls and fed bears. I think they are the most beautiful falls in the park. It was another up and down mountain road with beautiful scenery. From there to bed right after supper. I’m dead!

Jane's Notes: I've acquired a guide to Yellowstone published in 1932, not long after they were there. It's pretty amazing. There were so few roads and none of them paved. It's interesting the change in attitude these days. They don't hand out sugar and encourage feeding the bears.

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1929 - Old Faithful Lodge, Yellowstone Nat’l Park

After breakfast this morning I left some films to be developed and then we went down and got loaded up. Again I’m not going to describe anything. The first thing we encountered were the Wind Volcano and the Dragon Mouth. Interesting volcanic formations. We didn’t stop at the canyon because we come back that way tomorrow. We went across to Norris Junction. We stopped on that road and the Cascades. Beautiful and rugged. From Norris we went down to Old Faithful where there is another settlement. On the way we stopped at all the geyser basins. Each one is different and full of new things. As we neared Old Faithful we didn’t stop as it was near noon and we had all afternoon to go back. We had lunch at Old Faithful Inn where we had a letter from the Fergusons. We were waiting for O. F. to erupt when the ground started and we rushed over there as it all is active once a day. We came back and saw Old Faithful. Later we saw the giant and the castle erupt which was quite unusual. All afternoon we visited pools and geysers. After supper we heard the “Sermon On Th Mount” at Bear Feeding Grounds and then an illustrated lecture on Y.N.Park.

Monday, August 19, 1929 - Lake Lodge, Yellowstone National Park

Today’s ride has been thrilling beyond all description. I’m not going to attempt to describe it because even the most eloquent author couldn’t give you an accurate picture of it. Until we started up the canyon about three o’clock we traveled thru desert. For the first part of the morning it was uninteresting and like that that we went over yesterday. Then we started to climb some of the barren hills and we came right down into a basin (Elk Basin) among the slopes. In the center of the basin was a Standard Oil Co. that operated the year around twenty four hours a day. We climbed out of there and then down into a beautiful green irrigated valley that was surrounded by desert and where the town of Cody is situated. We had lunch there then followed main canal when suddenly two walls appeared and we started up a beautiful rocky canyon. At the end of which is the Shoshone Dam, the second highest in the world. Beyond the dam is a lake. From there to the entrance to the park was the Garden of the Gods and a much larger scale. From the gate to the Lake Lodge is straight up on one side and straight down on the other mountain road. We got to the lodge just in time for supper. It’s a lovely place (the lodge). College girls waitress (I’d like to work here next summer). After writing a few post cards went to bed. We’re tired.

Jane's Notes: The interesting thing is she did work at a National Park in college but I don't know if it was the summer after her freshman year or after her sophomore year. I haven't transcribed the next diary yet so I don't know.

Sunday, August 18, 1929 - Billings, Montana

This certainly has been a hot dusty day! We managed to leave Glendive at seven this morning. When we left Aunt Daisy presented me with a huge bag of pop corn because I had expressed a desire for some last night. That’s Aunt Daisy. All the forenoon and part of the afternoon the roads were terrific. It’s a wonder one of us hasn’t a sprained back. The road was full of holes that you couldn’t see and we just bounced from one side to the other. And the dust! I didn’t eat much for lunch because for the last few days I haven’t had any appetite and I’m getting disgustingly fat and that’s the only word for it. We wanted to get to Codie, Wyoming tonight but the roads were so bad we decided not to go on tonight. We got here at five, got rooms and had our supper and now to write some letters when June finishes with the desk and then to bed.

Saturday, August 17, 1929 - Glendive, MT

This is our one day with Uncle Joy and Aunt Daisy. I didn’t remember them much from the last visit but I certainly think they are darling. Mom had some washing to do this morning so that’s what we did. Aunt Daisy has an electric washer so it wasn’t any work at all and there was such a dry wind that by the time we got everything hung up the first ones were ready to iron. We set up the ironing board in the living room and got some of the things ironed before lunch. At eleven fifteen I washed my hair. It was still a little damp at lunch but it certainly dried quickly. After lunch I went to our room and started to sort and pack. That was after the dishes were done. About three we went downtown. We did some errands and then went into the store where Aunt Daisy’s niece is that I played with last time. From there we went on to the swimming pool. We didn’t stay in long because it was cold. Then we went downtown again to do some errands that we had forgotten. I finished my packing when we got home. Faye (Aunt Daisy’s niece) had supper with us and her mother and father called afterwards.

Friday, August 17, 1929 - Glendive, Montana

We planned to leave Bismarck at about eleven so there wasn’t any particular hurry in getting started this morning. We had breakfast and left the coffee at eight. We went into Wilton and first went to Uncle Charles’ store to look around and I got some shoes. Then we went to Dave and Alma’s and had a short visit there and then went on to Bismarck. We went with Arthur and Grace (his wife) and Russell (his son). First they showed us the town and country club. After all it isn’t so small. Then they took us back to their house and we had some water melon. By the time we did get started it was twenty to twelve. We crossed the Missouri and had a good lunch in the next town. The drive today has been terribly hot and terribly terribly dusty. It was so thick that after a car passed you couldn’t see the hood. We saw lots of badlands and took some pictures. We got to Glendive at seven but it was really six because we had gotten into mountain time. They didn’t expect us until tomorrow.

Thursday, August 15, 1929 - Out of Wilton, ND

Grace and I slept on a swing on the porch. The porch part was lovely but the swing wasn’t so hot. I liked Grace some but she kind of rubs me the wrong way. Ester is a peach and as cute as can be. I was terribly lazy all day today and I guess Grace was rather discussed with me because I didn’t want to do anything. Right after we had washed the breakfast dishes and made the beds I picked up a magazine and started to read and I read right up until lunch time. As soon as the dishes were done Grace wanted to go in swimming but I put her off by saying we would have to wait an hour. Well we did and I read then I made a pretense of getting started to go in but finally I just told her I didn’t want to go in. Mom tho’t I was sick because I never turndown an invitation to go swimming. But that just showed how tired I was. About four thirty I went out in a boat fishing with Pop. He caught one then I caught two and Clarence and I fixed them but they weren’t much good. Talked after supper.

Wednesday, August 14, 1929 - Out of Wilton, ND

It was about eight when we got started. June and I were just dying to cook in the kitchenette but of course we couldn’t. It was quite cold when we left this morning but the weather was quite warm before noon and we about roasted. The roads were pretty dusty and we were tired. The scenery was just barren rolling plaines so the ride altogether wasn’t as pleasant as it was yesterday. We had our lunch at a little town not very farm from Bismarck. We got into Bismarck at about two thirty or three. I expected it to be bigger than it was. We went to a gas station and Mom called up her cousin Arthur. We went up to his office and then to his house. June and I were feeling so dirty that we changed here before going on to Wilton. Mom rode with Arthur and we followed. We went to the house. Aunt May was the only one home. Pretty soon Uncle Charles came home. The rest were out at the cottage on the lake. Later we all went to the lake. We had supper at seven thirty and later I took a dip in the lake.

Tuesday, August 13, 1929 - Fargo, ND

We rode all day today. We wanted to be on the road at seven and we sat down to breakfast at six thirty but they took so long to get our breakfast that it must have been eight before we finally got started. We went North from Solon to within a few miles of Superior and then detoured around and almost got lost. It took us from then until six to get across Minnesota. And I never saw so many lakes in all my life. There are supposed to be 10,000 in the state. And all along the road there were great patches of first golden rod and the a purple flower and then they would be mixed. It was gorgeous! The day was cloudy and so cold that we had to put up all the windows and put on our coats. In the morning we had a flat and later in the afternoon we had a soft tire that we had to change. But in spite of all that we certainly enjoyed the trees, lakes and flowers. Because we got in early Pop, June and I went to a show. It wasn’t much good. The shorts were tho’. We have a darling dump with a kitchenette in connecting with a elevator.

Monday, August12, 1929 - Solon Springs, Wisc.

We spent today out at Uncle Ed’s and Aunt Carrie’s again. Uncle Ed was frying the bacon when we got there and he had the pan cakes all ready to put on. It was about ten when we finished this morning. After breakfast Mom and I washed the dishes. Then I read the paper for awhile and later wrote a long letter to Helen and sent her some pictures. At about two June and I suggested swimming. We went to Island Lake in our car. It isn’t very far from the place. We took Pat (Uncle Ed’s collie) with us. June and I were the only ones that went in. June and I swam over to the island and back. It surprised me that June could make it. It was a long swim. On the way home June and I and Pat rode on the running board because we were wet and dripping. After we got dressed we helped get supper. We had it outside again like we did last night. It was light enough. After we finished we took some pictures. Uncle Ed and Aunt Carrie came in with us and we had some ice cream.

Sunday, August 11, 1929 - Solon Springs, Wisc.

Today we spent with Uncle Ed and Aunt Carrie. Mom came in to wake us at eight thirty but I don’t know what time it was when we got out there but I do know that between talking and getting breakfast it was eleven before we were thru. I had six big pancakes. Aunt Carrie is well physically but she certainly isn’t mentally. After breakfast or lunch June and I roamed around the place. We got to poking around in their old house that’s just clear full of old old antique furniture that Aunt Carrie won’t sell. I found two picture frames that I’d give anything for. About three thirty we came back into the town park by the lake and watched the boat races. The place was so crowded with people that I didn’t want to go in swimming. We went back about five. Uncle Ed fried us some chickens for supper. I helped as much as he would let me. We looked at pictures after supper and came home about eight.

Jane’s Notes: There is a little drawing on this page of a bottle with XXX on the label. I wonder who she thought was drinking? Aunt Carrie?

Saturday, August 10, 1929 - Solon Springs, Wisc.

Well, we planned to get started at seven this morning and we were just a few minutes behind what we planned. We said good-bye to the Moar family in front of their house and then went on to LeRoy. There Mom made a five minute call at a drug store to see one of the friends she missed at the picnic. On the way to Minneapolis this morning we went thru Austin (where some of the relations live) and the town where Carleton College is. (Grace & Ester Howe are going there and where all the MacGinnis’s went) We telegraphed Mom’s Cousin Harry that we would be there by noon. We were late by two minutes. They live in Minneapolis and Aunt Eliza is with them. We stayed for lunch with them and it all took so long that it was two thirty before we left their house and three before we got out of the cities. After we got onto the state road going north in Wis. we certainly had beautiful scenery on both sides of us. Uncle Ed had told us to come to the Rex Hotel so we did and we found him and Aunt Carrie. He saw to it that we got something to eat (chicken) and about nine thirty we went to look on at the dance next door. I enjoyed looking on but I’d hate to be a wallflower.

Friday, August 9, 1929 - Lime Springs, Iowa

This certainly has been a day! Cousin Lena told me to be over sometime before ten thirty. I tho’t that would be easy but I didn’t wake up until quarter to ten and Cousin Lena and Larry finely came after me about ten thirty. Larry certainly is handsome. We went out to Wild Wood where the picnic was to be. I met people and helped until about eleven thirty. I went home with Mrs. Hail. Just as we went out the gate the folks arrived from Lime Springs. I came out a little bit later with Marie and a friend of hers. Soon as we got back they had lunch ready. Lucile and Gwen got out there for about a half an hour after lunch. I took a bunch of girls into town and we got some ice cream lollypops. As soon as we got back we went swimming. We stayed in two hours. Lavida came out while we were in swimming. Soon after we got out we saw Dorothy Wells. From then on until supper time I was playing around and talking to the different people there. We certainly had a wonderful time. After supper we went for a row. At about seven thirty we started home. Many pages to write.

Thursday, August 8, 1929 - LeRoy, Minn.

We were to start back to Lime Springs at eight but as usual it was much later when we did get started. We were twenty five minutes past. It took me just an hour to drive home. When we got there we were welcomed by the whole family but Uncle Gilbert. First I went downtown with June and Beth and when we got back I went thru my suit case and sorted out the things that I wouldn’t be using to be sent to Eugene and then I got dressed. I had my lunch a little ahead of the rest of the family because I was to meet Lucile in front of G.W. Moar store at twelve thirty. At one she drove up. We went back to LeRoy and sat on their porch for awhile and then went over to get Lucile Spencer. She looks just as natural as ever. We went swimming out at Wild Wood (old town) then came back and got somethings to eat and picked up another member of the party (Marion Hail) and we went out again and had a picnic supper just the five of us! Fun! Then we went skating out at Oak Dale clear on the other side of town. After that at ten thirty we almost went swimming. again.

Wednesday, August 7 - Decorah, Iowa

I don’t know what time they had planned to get started but anyway it was after ten when we did. I did quite a bit around the room before we went and I don’t know what all Mom was doing. I drove all the way over without any mishaps and I enjoyed it heaps. I stepped right up to fifty before I realized and Pop said forty five is fast enough! Take that! I made good time getting here. Mom and I went into the kitchen with Aunt Mable and talked while she got dinner and what a dinner we did have. And of course I stuffed myself but what can you do with all the wonderful food passing right under your nose and I couldn’t be impolite. After lunch I read when I wasn’t playing with Kenneth and Maryann until about four thirty when we took Mom and Aunt Mable to call. Then we (June, Evelyn, Pop and I) went down town. I got some stockings and Pop and June had their hair cut. After we got home Aunt Mable got supper into shape. Afterwards we went to a ball game. Then home, more reading and to bed.

Tuesday, August 6 - Lime Springs, Iowa

They were just eating breakfast when I woke up this morning. June didn’t wake up until after everybody was thru. I washed the dishes and then ironed and I ironed right up until I had to set the table. Pop, June, Glen and Beth were going to the big circus in Waterloo and they had to have dinner at eleven so they could get started at eleven thirty but it was twenty to twelve before they finally got started. After they had gone I got dressed and Mom, Aunt Mable and Uncle Gilbert had lunch. While Mom and Aunt Mable were getting ready I did the dishes. It was one thirty when we finally got started for LeRoy. We first went to the Lappeus farm where Mom wanted to visit her cousins but they weren’t home. We went on thru LeRoy to the cemetery. On the way back into town Mom stopped and saw somebody. Then we went to see Cousin Lena. We got my mail. We saw Lucile Hall and Gwen and they took me out to Wild Wood where we saw Larry Brown (Cousin Lena’s son) He recognized me right away. We came back after having supper at Cousin Lena’s. They were eating when we got home.

Monday, August 5, 1929 - Lime Spring, Iowa

Monday is the washing day! I was going to help but I woke up so late that by the time I had finished breakfast it was all in the washing machine. While they were hanging up the clothes I was writing and such. Vernita had even started to iron before lunch. After lunch we washed the dishes. Just as we finished Uncle Gilbert’s sister came over to call. We sat in the room where June and I sleep and talked and showed things out of the trunk until five o’clock. All of a sudden it was time to hustle around and get supper. I did some ironing before supper and a little after. Then I started to mend but Vernita and I got stalled looking at stacks of pictures of hers. But I finely got my mending done. I had planned on doing all kinds of work today but there really wasn’t much to do.

Sunday, August 4, 1929 - Lime Springs, Iowa

We woke up early enough to get an early start but there was so much to do that it was eleven thirty before we got started. There were dishes to do and I had to iron my dress. And before we started Aunt Mable and Uncle Gilbert had to call on somebody they knew. We were going to Decorah where Uncle Wilber and his family are. It was almost one before we finely got there. There are four kids in that family and we brought an extra one with us three cousins. So there was quite a house full of kids. We had lunch right away. There was a lot of talking after lunch so it was about three before the dishes were begun. Then a party was organized and we went to see the famous Ice Caves that has baffled wise men. We found ice but no reason why it should be cold. On the way home we went by the park. When we got home we did a lot of talking and then had supper. We started back about nine and then it was ten before we got home. And it’s cold. You don’t see me sitting up tonight.

Jane's Notes: today Decorah, Iowa is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County. The population was 8,127 at the 2010 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highwat 9 and U.S. 2, and is the largest community in Winneshiek County. The main street probably looked a lot like this except for the age of the cars. 

Saturday, August 3, 1929 - Lime Springs, Iowa

We left Vernita about eight thirty. She had gotten breakfast for  us and started us toward home. It took us an hour and fifty five minutes to get here. We drove right up to the house and honked. Aunt Mable came right to the door. We saw Glen come running up the street and then we met Beth. The new member of the family that we hadn’t seen before. She is the most precious doll I have ever seen. Pretty soon Aunt Mable started dinner and we ate in the kitchen and talked. After lunch June and I wiped the dishes. After they were done I read while Mom and Aunt Mable talked. I read most of the afternoon until supper. After supper we all (the kids and Pop) got packed off to the show. As if we didn’t want to go. We saw Bebe Daniels. After the show we went to the store and saw Uncle Gilbert. Then we came home about ten. At about ten thirty I finished my book. It was Heather Morris, “My Best Girl”. I don’t have any idea what time it is now.

Friday, August 2, 1929 - Waterloo, Iowa

We planned on going over three hundred and fifty miles this morning so we had to get a fairly early start. It was a little after eight I think. Frank showed us how to get out of town without having to go back into town. After much maneuvering we got on the highway U.S. 20 which we followed right into Waterloo. We traveled on pavement all day long and all the afternoon we traveled in open flat country. We had lunch in Freeport at a YMCA cafeteria. After lunch we started climbing hills but I don’t know what hills they were. About three thirty in the afternoon we were coming up over a hill and we saw a woman trying to pass a truck but she couldn’t get by! Pop set the brakes but the pavement was wet and we slid (it had rained during the morning). We had a head on collision. Except for the bumper and a hand guard we weren’t hurt but her car was smashed and the woman sitting with her hit the wind shield and was badly cut. We were delayed over an hour so we only got this far tonight. We found Vernita’s store, picked her up, had supper, and are staying with her.

Thursday, August 1, 1929 - Evanston, Ill.

After much preparation and packing we finely get started at ten after many adieus and kissing. It was only twenty some odd miles but it was all thru city and it took us almost two hours to get there. We went to the Roy’s. Ollie is Mom’s cousin and Frank is an old friend, LeRoy friend. They have three children, Marion, six weeks younger than I am and two sons fifteen and twelve. We had lunch and after lunch Mom and Ollie did the dishes but they talked so much that it was four thirty before they finished. Marion told me all about Ames where she’s going to school and June was entertained by the two boys. And Pop slept. About five Frank came home and we all went upstairs to dress. We all went out to a country club for supper. It was a lovely dinner. Afterwards Pop, Frank, Marion and I played bridge while Mom and Ollie talked and June and the boys entertained themselves. After we got home we sang all the songs they had and then played games and such until we were too sleepy to do anything but go to bed.