Location: 417 Frazier Ave. Goodyear Heights: Akron, Summit Co. OHIO

Starting to PORTLAND, OREGON with the COOPERs.

We left COOPERs at 2 pm it was raining but didn't last too long. Everything started out fine, until we got to FREEMONT, O. then we got lost from the COOPERs. We thought they were ahead of us and they thought we were ahead.

They waited for us in BOWLING GREEN and we waited for them in BRYANT, OHIO for an hour. We decided to eat supper there and sure enough they came along.

We found a place to camp in KENDALVILLE, INDIANA, in a city park, Slept real well except for a few trains and cars.

Drove 207 miles Friday Had breakfast, started at 7 am. Everything fine. We ran into rain about 1 pm. It rained hard until about 6 o'clock. We lost about 100 mile. We saw two wrecks. One with a tractortrailer and car. Three aged poeple were killed. They were on theri way to a funeral.

There are lots of farm animals, cows, pigs, sheep and corn everywhere.

The wheat is still standing due to so much rain. It looks like it might mildew. We have only cooked one meal so far, our breakfast, the first morning.

We stayed all night with Bertha's cousin, Mr. & Mrs. HOFFMAN. Had a nice evening. Got up at 5:30 this morning. They were up and had a good breakfast for us. We were ready to leave at 6:30 am.

But is nice driving, the countryside is nice but nothing much to write about.

We are stopping at a trailer park in VALENTINE, NEBRASKA.

We fixed our supper here at camp. Had bacon, baloney sandwich, jelly, fruit cocktail, cookies, coffee...a pretty good dinner. We ate in COOPER's trailer. Then we packed our lunch for tomorrow. We have electric in the trailer tonight. The bugs are rather bad. we prayed and stayed out for awhile. Dad is already in bed, so I guess I will follow, as we want to get an early start in the morning.

Started out at 9:10 am, not so early, but will make good time if it doesn't get too hot. We are now on our way to the BADLANDS, BLACK HILLS, S. DAKOTA

Took some nice pictures driving through here. The roads and parks here have been imnptoved a lot since we were here 11 years ago. There are lots of people from everywhere with all kinds of traveling gear.

We ran into rain and thought we may have to get a motel tonight. BUt is has stopped raining, we found a road-side park. We put our camp up along side the road and went to bed at 9 pm. Lots of trucks going by. We are getting a little used to them now and can sleep pretty good.

We are camping at UPTON, WYOMING.

We left UPTON at 5 am, drove 20 mile and had breakfast at GILLETTE, WYOMING.

Bertha & I had oats with cream, juice, toast and coffee.

I guess Dad was hungry by the breakfast he ate. 2 eggs, sausage, fried potates, toast and coffee. I thought he was going to join the farmers for the day, but he said, no.

We started up the BIG HORN, MTS. The roads are so narrow. I didn't remember them being like that when we were here before. THe scenery is beautiful when you can take your eyes off the road long enough to look.

We stopped about halfway up at a park and had our lunch.

Then we left the COOPERs and drove for quite while until we came to a fork in the road. Both roads led to CODY, WYO., but instead of waiting for them to catch up with us, we drove on and of course, we took the wrong one. We didn't think so until we had driven quite a way and then it was too late to turn back, in fact, we didn't see any place to turn around.

We thought we would all get to CODY anout the same time as we had planned on doing some grocery shopping before we went into YELLOWSTONE. BUt yje road we took had more steep turns on it so we didn't make as good time. But as they were having car trouble all the way up the mt. we didn't think they would get there before us. But they did. They thought we were away ahead of them so did wait in CODY to find out. I guess we got there about 5 minutes after them and we waited on the corner in the hot sun for two hrs. so we wanted to get to YELLOWSTONE this eve, so we got our groceries and went on, thinking they must of had car trouble. We asked te Ranger at the entrance if they had seen a trailer of their type going through. He didn't remember but said we could leave a note at the Ranger Station in the Park if they stopped to inquire.

We did all of that and thought we would stay at Fishing Bridge Camp over night, thinking they might come through. But Ralph thought we were ahead and would go on to MADISON JCT. to the camp grounds we had planned on. When they got there and didn't find us they were worried. But I don't think as much as us. We were pretty sick and blaming ourselves for not waiting at the fork in the road. Everything turned out OK.

As we started out the next morning for MADISON to find them. They were there. Ralph was out fishing

We spent a couple of hrs more going back to the east end to pick up our trailer and come back here to camp. It rained all the way back, but it stopped shortly afterwards so we set up our camp. We had the trailer all set up and I was inside getting things straightened up. Dad said he would pull the car away, but he forgot to unfasten one of the chains from the bumper. It pulled the trailer and bent one of the legs pretty bad, but Dad got it straightened out real good. We are all set up it is really nice. COOPERs ate supper with us in our camp. We had fried potatoes, onions and hamburger cakes, tomatoes, tapioca pudding and coffee.

The river runs right in front of our camp, so Raplh and Kelly have gone fishing. We can look through our glasses and see them. They caught 5 and Ralph had a couple from the night before so we will have them tomorrow.

The bears are all around getting into the garbage cans and up on people's tables and taking their food. There isn't much to do but try to chase them away, but they are not afraid. A big Brown Bear came up to our tent and stuck his head in. We didn't have any food for him to get into, so he went on. I just stood there. I don't know what I would have done if he had came on in.

Bertha & I went to the Camp Fire Meeting and heard the Ranger talk about the Geysers.

We really had a full day and are ready to go to bed.

The men have gone fishing so Bertha and & I got dressed up and went to the little museum and read about the history of YELLOWSTONE. The men are home for an early lunch. We are going to take a trip around the park and take some pictures.

We went to YELLOWSTONE CANYON really some beautiful views then on to NORRIS JCT. and took some (pictures of) geysers and boiling springs. GEBERS RIVER and VIRGINIA CASCADES. Then to MAMMOTH JCT. and saw MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, then to P. Office to see about mail there wasn't any.

I took a roll of film in to mail I asked for a nine cent stamp to put on it. The lady at the window said it would only cost 3 cents. She said are you sure the film is in the can. I said yes I am sure. I went out to the car. Before we got started, the lady came out and said we had better look to make sure. She was right. We had forgot to put the film in the can. She waited while we changed. I think she was pretty nice to come out and tell us.

On our way back from MAMMOTH, we ran into rain and then it started to hail. It was an inch or more deep before very long. It was a little dangerous driving on those Mt. roads. I don't think I ever saw hail so hard.

It got so cool we had to put on our heavy jackets. When we got back to our camp, it hadn't rained at all.

We had fish for supper.Very good.

Then we made sandwiches for the next day for our lunch. Then we packed up everything we could so we could get and early start in the morning. We had a grand time in YELLOWSTONE. A nice place to vacation. Bed time.

We spent a coupole of hrs more going back to the east end to pick up our trailer and come back here to camp. It rained all the way back, but it stopped shortly afterwards so we set up our camp. We had the trailer all set up and I was inside getting things straightened up. Dad said he would pull the cae away, but he forgot to unfasten one of the chains from the bumper. It pulled the trailer and bent one of the legs pretty bad, but Dad got it straightened out real good. We are all set up it is really nice. COOPERs are supper with us in our camp. We had fried potatoes, onions and hamburger cakes, tomatoes, tapioca pudding and coffee.

The river runs right in front of our camp, so Raplh and Kelly have gone fishing. We can look through our glasses and see them. They caught 5 and Ralph had a couple from the night before so we will have them tomorrow.

The bears are all around getting into the garbage cans and up on people's tables and taking their food. ther isn't much to do but try to chase them away, but they are not afraid. A big Brown Bear came up to our tent and stuck his head in. We didn't have any food for him to get into, so he went on. I just stood there. I don't know what I would have done if he had came on in.

Bertha & I went to the Camp Fire Meeting and heard the Ranger talk about the Geysers.

We really had a full day and are ready to go to bed.

The men have gone fishing so Bertha and & I got dressed up and went to the little museum and read about the history of YELLOWSTONE. The men are home for an early lunch. We are going to take a trip around the park and take some pictures.

We went to YELLOWSTONE CANYON really some beautiful views then on to NORRIS JCT. and took some (pictures of) geysers and boiling springs. GEBERS RIVER and VIRGINIA CASCADES. Then to MAMMOTH JCT. and saw MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, then to P. Office to se about mail there was any.

I took a roll of film in to mail I asked for a nine cent stamp to put on it. The lady at the window said it would only cost 3 cents. She said are you sure the film is in the can. I said yes I am sure. I went out to the car. Before we got started, the lady came out and said we had better look to make sure. She was right. We had forgot to put the film in the can. She waited while we changed. I think she was pretty nice to come out and tell us.

On our way back from MAMMOTH, we ran into rain and then it started to hail. It was an inch or more deep before very long. It was a little dangerous driving on those Mt. roads. I don't think I ever saw hail so hard.

It got so cool we had to put on our heavy jackets. When we got back to our camp, it hadn't rained at all. We had fish for supper.Very good.Then we made sanswiches for the next day for our lunch. Then we packed up everything we could so we could get and early start in the morning. we had a grand toime in YELLOWSTONE. A nice place to vacation. Bed time.

Its a little cool this morning, but it makes nice driving. Just saw a herd of Elk. They were lying down. They seem real tame and don't mind having their picture taken. We stopped at WHITE SULPHER SPRINGS, MONTANA for gas and decided to eat our lunch by a school house. They didn't have a park here. There is lots of road building along the mts. We had to wait 15 minutes while they moved some rocks.

COOPER's car is still acting up. It won't pull on the hills. It starts to boil then we have to wait until it cools off. 2:34 pm We are going through some beautiful farm lands near GREAT FALLS, MONT. Really something to see for miles and miles a field of golden wheat and then one fresh-plowed ground.

3:00 pm: Just crossed the MO(SSOURI) RIVER at GREAT FALLS, MONTANA. It is real hot now. We are stopping for a frozen custard. Tastes pretty good. 4 pm: FAIRFIELD. Looks like we are running into a rainstorm and it is getting cooler. The rain on.ly lasted about 5 minutes.

We just stopped at a service station to have the car greased. One of the boys straightened out the trailer leg so it is OK now. We just found out there is a Polio Epidemic at BROWNING, the place were going to camp for the night before going on to GLACIER. Don't think we will stop there.

We ate our dinner at the HOTEL CORNELL in CHOCTEAU. MONT. Very good dinenr. We drove 90 mile until we found a trailer park. Nice restrooms and electric light. At KIOWA. MONT. It rained all night but we were lucky to get set up before it started.

Dad got up at 5 am and lit the stove to help dry the tent. Went back to bed and stayed until 6. I don't know why he gets up so early as we weren't going to leave here until the sun came up. We had our breakfast ans packed up the tent. Was pretty wet.

We are on our way to GLACIER. Just twenty miles away. The Mountains are beautiful. Just stopped to take a picture. The flowers along the road are like natural flower gardens. Just about everything in wild flowers and every color.

9:35 am: Just entering GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. Took 3 pictures: DIVIDE MTS. beautiful lake at the foothills. These Mts. are so high, the clouds are just floating around on the top. TRIPLE DIVIDE PASS: 2 pictures, 1 of MT. PASS. We are entering RISING SUN.

Every place we stop seems to be more beautiful. Just going around a cliff facing RED EAGLE MT. We can see ST. MARY LAKE. Stopped for more pictures. We are Right in the Middle of Mts. on all sides. Swimming and fishing are available at some points of ST. MARY LAKE.

Just saw the JACKSON GLACIER and MT. JACKSON 10,033 ft. The binoculars are really nice. It brings everything close enough to tell what it is. We saw some Mt. Goats on the side of a cliff. We just ate our lunch in the car. It was a little too cool and windy.

This is at LOGAN PASS. Nectarines, cookies and coffee. We crossed the CONTINENTAL DIVIDE at 12:30 pm July 26, Sat. Took more pictures and now we are going down out of the beautiful Park and Passing MacDONALD LAKE, 10 mile long. Very pretty sight. A wonderful trip. One we would advise all tourists to see sometime.

It is 2:45 pm: Just went through KALLISPELL, FLAT HEAD CO. MONTANA. A resort town and getting real hot. Just had a frozen custard.

Stopped for dinner at LIBBY, LINCOLN CO. MONTANA [on State Rt. #2] and crossed the border into IDAHO at 7:35 pm. Sat. night: SAND POINT, [BONNER CO.] IDAHO.

We are ready to leave at 7:30 am. After we check the map, we will be on our way to PORTLAND. Quite a long drive for today, but since we [have] a definite place to go, we can drive later if we like. We are just entering the state of WASH.[INGTON] at 8 am.

It is now 2 pm OREGON and real hot over 100 along this COLUMBIA RIVER. This drive was really a bad one, the sun was shining bright all the way from SANDPOINT, which was 76 miles from SPOKANE

From there we took the COLUMBIA RIVER drive. On a cool day, it would have been fine, but there was no place to stop but in the sun. When we got to HOOD RIVER, Bertha and I were just about ready to drop. I almost fainted, but after washing my face with some good cold water, I was O.K.

Then we had dinner and started on our way to PORTLAND. The sun was starting to go down and it was geting nice and cool. The drive to PORTLAND was beutiful. So much different than the other drive, lots of trees and Parks along the way.

But of course the other drive woulld have been much nicer if it hadn't been so hot. We arrived at the THOMPSONs about 10:30 pm. After all the greetings we sat around for awhile, then decided we had a pretty long day and had better go to bed. COOPERs put their trailer up and Betty opened their trailer for us to sleep in.

We got up about 7 am had breakfast. Dad & Ralph and Jerry, Betty's oldest boy, have gone on a fishing trip. They will be back tomorrow. We are doing some washing and then going to the THOMPSON's cabin for the night. They have so many things they want us to see and go to. I am so sorry we will not have the time to take them all in.

Betty, Bertha and I and two of the boys took a drive downtown in OREGON CITY. We went up on an elevator to a higher level and looked over the city. It is the elevator of its kind in the country. We are at the cabin now. Thismis a very beautiful Place Right in the woods. With the river running along the cabin. When we are inside, it sounds like a gentle rain.

I know we will sleep good tonight. The cabin is real modern with elect. water and everything.

We had a good night's sleep, got up at 7:30. had breakfast and got ready to go to MT. HOOD. We had a lovely frive up the Mt. to TIMBERLINE LODGE. We walked up the Mt. a ways, sae the Glacier Ice and beautiful litle flowers growing on the Mt.side.

Then we came down and went through the Lodge where all the people go for skiing. It is a rugged Place on the inside. We had our lunch there and after some more sightweeing, we came back to the cabin.

Then went down along the SALMON RIVER and let the boys swim. Betty and I put our feet in the water. The men came back from their fishing trip, tired but caught some nice fish and had a good time. We came back to Betty's and had the fish and new corn for supper. We wrote some cards and after we see some pictures, we will call it a day.

The men came back from their fishing trip, tired but caught some nice fish and had a good time. We came back to Betty's and had the fish and new corn for supper. We wrote some cards and after we see some pictures, we will call it a day.

We took another trip over some more mts. took a picnic lunch but when we got ready to eat in a nice Park by a river with beautiful Pine trees, we found out we had forgotten our coffee, so we just drank water, instead.

Then we got on a road where they were grading. We backed into a ditch and had to (be) pushed out.

Then we had to drive along side a deep cliff. We all thought we might go over any minute, but we didn't.

We didn't get to the lake we planned on because some of the Mt. Roads don't look so good. And after the experience we had, we weren't too anxious to try. But we all had a good time.

We stopped on the way back and saw some of the most beautiful Begonias I have ever seen.

Morn at THOMPSONs 7:45 am. We sure hated to leave the COOPERs and start on by ourselves. But I guess we will have to.

We stopped for gas and was on our way at 8 am. TOLEDO, OREGON 10:45 am 121 mile we reached the coast at NEWPORT 138 mile at 11:15 am. It is real foggy. We are getting close to coast.

We keep passing truckloads of huge logs this is a grand day to drive I have worn my sweater ever since we left PORTLAND. We are driving inland at present.

We are back on the COAST HIGHWAY driving real close to the ocean will do a little wading in it tomorrow. The huge Rocks along this coast are something to see. We are stopping at a camp here near CRESCENT CITY, CAL. Right along the ocean. The big waves keep washing against the Rocks. It is too late to go out along the Ocean as it is getting dark and we must get our camp set up.

We got up at 4 am this morning. Just a little early but we have over 400 miles to drive today.

We are going through REDWOOD STATE PARK. The trees are so tall we can't see the tops of them.

They are really something to see and wonder about.

It looks like the clouds are floating just below us. Now it is real foggy again. We are driving along the coast again. This drive through the Redwoods is Wonderful. Dad is going to take some pictures. It is almost too dark, but he is going to try anyway.

We stopped at an eternal tree house, with a 20 foot room cut out of the trunk. It is 3500 years old. There is a gift shop in it.

We are now going through the "AVE. OF THE GIANTS" and the name suits for they are Giants. The beautiful drive is over. It is real hot 100 or more. But there is a nice Breeze. Dad just stopped at a town called WILLETS to get a hair cut. I am sitting here in the car waiting.

We have about 170 mile to SACRAMENTO. We arrived at Miriam's at 7 o'clock. It was getting a little cooler when we arrived. Every one was glad to see us and we were just as glad to see them. We have so much to talk about I will write more tomorrow.

Since Miriam and Gus are having a Party for us tonight, we will take it a little easy today. We did some shopping this afternoon at one of the big Sears stores. We had a nice Party with plenty of music and dancing. There were 65 here including the children.

The lunch was good too with 8 lbs of weiners, several dozen buns, sandwiches, Potato chips, Pickles, Cookies and coffee. Everyone had a grand time.

We packed a picnic lunch and drove 100 mile to state line into NEVADA where a lot of big gambling places are. We stopped for awhile and played the slot machines. But no luck. We saw Janey {WORKMAN]. She is a waitress in the restaurant at one of the big clubs. She was surprised to see us. Two of the grandchildren are visiting Miriam. We didn't see Bob as he is stationed at Ft. BRAGG which is quite a long way from here.

We got back home about 7 o'clock.

We did a big washing this morning then went to SUTTER'S FORT MUSEUM. Quite interesting and very old.

We came back home, packed our supper and went to the AMERICAN RIVER in the truck. The kids and Gus went swimming, but the rest of us just took it easy. Miriam did a little panning for gold. There is always a chance of fiding some. On the way back, Dad bought a couple of Watermelons. They were the best I have ever eaten.

We didn't so much today, but took the kids swimming; and then Miriam and Dad and I went shopping.

By the way, it has been over a 100 degrees every day since we have been here. Which is why we didn't do more sight-seeing.

Dinner is over and Dad is starting to pack up as we are leaving in the morning. I must get busy and help him. I sure wish we could stay longer, but time does not permit.

We are on our way again. We have about given up the trip to see Harry and Dorothy on account of the heat.

We drove 161 mile from SACRAMENTO and are now in YOSEMITE PARK. Lots of winding roads. The Mt. Range is Spectacular, really beautiful. Stopped and had our lunch by the road. We are going 5 mile off the Main road to see the grove of Big Trees. The GUSSLEY GIANT. The age is supposed to be 3800 years old, Height 209 ft. Basic diameter 374 feet, Circumference 96.5 ft. dim of first large limb 6 ft. 95 ft above the ground. We also (saw) YOSEMITE FALLS 2425 feet; BRIDAL FALLS 625 ft. NEVADA FALLS 594 ft. and VERNAL FALLS. A solid sheet of crystal water 80 feet wide at the crest with a drop of 317 ft. The whole Park is really something to see.

We stopped at a Trailer Camp 20 mi south of FRESNO, CAL. Very nice place a nice lake but the water is too cold to swim so we will take a shower instead. Awful noisy with big trucks gong by all night.

We are driving through TIPTON, Caly., the Cotton Capitol of Caly. It is nice and cool and cloudy this morning we had a light shower last night. But the tent was all dry when we packed up. Rt.

99 is a nice 4-lane highway all the way over the Mts. to LOS ANGELES. We haven't decided whether we will go to HOLLYWOOD or not. We visited an old mission in SAN BERNADINO. Didn't go inside but went thru the gardens and ate our lunch there. Real pretty place.

We saw lots of Oil Wells Right along the highway by the PACIFIC OCEAN at BAKERSFIELD & LONG BEACH.

We passed a lot of tents and shacks along the beach. It looks as though some of the people don't have any other home. More oil wells on both sides of the Highway. If the oil wells in TEXAS are any more numerous than these, they must be a sight to see. We will be going through part of TEXAS on our way home so will compare.

We saw Rows of trailers with a room built on along the nicer part of the beach I guess people rent them for the summer or maybe all year. We did go to HOLLYWOOD & BERVERLY HILLS. Such beautiful homes and Flowers everywhere. We passed the UNIVERSITY OF S. CALIF. It is a very large and beautiful place.

Then we went on to SAN DIEGO. Harry & Dorothy were very happy to see us because we told them on the phone from Miriam's that we weren't coming because of the heat.

It got a lot cooler and when we arrived in S. DIEGO it was 75 degrees which was grand after the 100 D. we came through a couple of hrs. before. After dinner Barbara and her husband & baby stopped to see us. The baby was born on July 4th. A real cute little girl and they are very proud of her. Then Harry took us for a drive to see San DIEGO at night really beautiful. S.D. is real Hilly and you can look down over the city and the water. I think I would like it here best if we decided to move West. There aren't any mosqitoes here.

This is Fred's Birthday. We didn't have a special card to send him but we hope he will forgive us this time. We went from here to DISNEYLAND. This is some place for kids and adults alike. Just like the movies and T.V. the Main thing is Money. There are lots of free things, but most places are 35 and 50 cents. We were here about 3 hrs. Wish we could of stayed all day, but time does not permit.

We are going to ARLINGTON CITY to see Nancy & Jonnie MYERS. We had a little trouble finding them. They were so surprised to see us and seemed very happy to have some one from home. We took some pictures of the children and then one of Nancy & Jonnie and the new baby 7 wks old. He weighs 6 lb not very big. She had twins but the other one lived two days. We could only stay a couple of hrs as we wanted to drive a few more miles before night.

We drove quite a few miles before dinner. We stopped at a nice air-conditioned Restaurant. Had a good dinner at VICTORVILLE, CALIF. We are stopping at a trailer park in BARSTOW for the night. Hope to get an early start in the morning.

Just crossed the Border into NEVADA 7 am. Nice and cool now seeing lots of cactus and tumbleweed. Arrived in LAS VEGAS around 7 am. Saw lots of beautiful Motels and clubs along the strip. We only stayed about an hour here. A good place to loose your money. There are a lot of poeple doing it. We are on our way to HOOVER DAM. Some rugged country around here. We just saw the DAM. Really a wonderful job of engineering. We took some pictures and bought cards.

Arrived at the GRAND CANYON Sun eve. This is such an immense thing that no words can ever describe its Vastness. Took a few pictures this eve.

It rained real hard last night and I am sure a lot of people got wet because there were a lot of them sleeping on the ground. I am glad we had our trailer. We drove all around the Park today taking Pictures. We are going to stay here tonight, too.