Summertime Memories - from 1941!
That’s my mom on the left…
(No, I wasn’t alive in 1941,
so these are not MY summertime memories…)
I was doing some “house-cleaning” recently. But I didn’t get much accomplished because I bumped into a vintage wooden scrapbook from my mother’s summer vacation with three girlfriends - back in 1941!
She recorded every day of her 2-week, 4,317-mile journey in a typewritten, “Diary of My Trip Out West,” and saved all her photos in a wooden souvenir scrapbook from Yellowstone National Park.
Souvenir scrapbook from Yellowstone, and Mom’s typewritten diary
Perhaps one of the most exhaustive travel journals ever! Four young women traveled, on average, more than 300 miles per day! I love her comment under Weather: “A few showers, but not enough to dampen our spirits.”
Mom was meticulous with her typewritten journal and carefully-printed photo captions. The black & white images are still sharp, 84 years later!
Some of her more interesting entries:
– Tuesday –
“Got a fairly good start this morning. Did not last very long though, because Agnes killed a dog just before we got to Waterloo. We spent some time there getting the headlight fixed, which was broken during the accident.”
– Wednesday –
“Saw our first real cactus when we reached Chamberlain. Drove in the desert for many miles. No sign of trees or houses for a good many miles. The land here is worthless, nothing but cactus and sage grows on it.”
– Thursday –
“Spent the day in the Black Hills. Also visited Mt. Rushmore and climbed 900 steps to the top and stood on Washington’s and Lincoln’s head. A tiresome trip up to the top, but well worth the effort.”
– Friday –
“Took the Needles Drive out of the Black Hills and really enjoyed the drive. The scenery along this part was really beautiful. This was by far the prettiest part of the Black Hills. Entered the state of Wyoming. I did part of the driving today. Although the mountains were the highest we’ve seen so far and the scenery breathtaking, we were tense throughout most of the drive as the roads weren’t very good and had no barriers on any of the curves. A good many times we held our breath and prayed for the best. But Agnes managed to drive out safely and we were very much relieved.”
– Wednesday –
“Visited the capital building in Cheyenne. Also saw the governor of the State. He is very good looking – the State seems to advertise that fact, too.”
Images of Wyoming Gov. Nels H. Smith (He’s VERY handsome!)
And, her final entry:
“All in all, I had a very nice trip. The girls were swell and game to do most anything anyone suggested. I’m afraid Congressional action on the draft bill, and my longing to see Leon* again, somewhat made me feel blue at times, but outside of that, I had a grand time. I must admit, I was glad to get back home.”
p.s. “Leon” is the man she would marry; the man who would one day be my father.
So…Wherever your summertime travels may take you – enjoy every moment. And, please consider documenting your experiences somewhere more permanent than on Instagram! (Your children and grandchildren will thank you!)