Inez Lucretia Parsons Ashcroft
Oregon Journal
Among my treasures is a little brown K & E Mining Transit Book like Daddy used to keep so many notes in. It is the diary of our trip to Hood River, Oregon, in the summer of 1951. The first paragraph is in mother’s hand. The remainder is in mine. That is probably because I was in Logan attending college and the family picked me up there. … I thought perhaps you would like a copy. Some of you were so young you would not remember many events, but this may stir some memories of things as they were that year. The financial journal is in the back of the book in mother’s hand. I thought it would be more meaningful to add it to the close of each day’s account, so that is what I have done. Anne A. Judd
May 24th left at 7:55 A.M. Breakfast at Wasdens. Lunch given us by P.K. Edmunds. Mileage reading 841. Beautiful day. Arrived Logan 6:30 P.M. Hyde Park 7:30 P.M. Mileage 1202. (This was in mother’s hand. You must have told me some other things for I add the following) Joined by the Hazen Cooleys at Nephi for lunch. Stopped at the Springville Fish Hatchery. Called on Joel C. Barlow (former next door neighbors) family in Provo. Stopped in Salt Lake.
Gas – 2.60, basket – 9.16, gas – 3.25, groceries – 4.60
Saturday, May 26 – Kids’ first open air show, “Bomba.” Nuff said. Susan fell on her head and choked herself on wire.
Show – 2.70, ice cream – 1.45
Sunday, May 27 – Dinner at Burkes. Supper at Hansens.
Groceries – 1.50
Monday, May 28
Groceries – 5.00, curlers – 1.50, gas – 3.38
Wednesday, May 30 – Mother got a beautiful sunburn. Family dinner at Toolsons – Binghams, Ponds, Leland and Wanda, Bob, Gretta, Blanche, all
Thursday, May 31 – Mom and Dad had “old gang” party at Lucille and Delmars.
Friday, June 1 – Oh, our aching backs – and chests! Over 40 wheelbarrows of boulders from Aunt Phyllis’. Treats at Steeds Dairy provided rest. Saw Ellen Kleinman in hospital that evening.
Shock absorbers – 8.75, ball game – 1.00, groc 2.00, gloves - .70, lunch & ice cream – 2.00.
Saturday, June 2 – Washing, cleaning, cooking – no union here! At last grandma’s house is clean, the house is full of peanut butter cookies and Don, dad, and I are off to the ball game. Mom and dad went to the B.Y.C. reunion. Susan and Judy set up a lost and found rabbit department for 10 cents a throw.
Groc – 3.00, BYC reunion – 2.00, clothes bag – 2.00, dishes – 2.50, gas – 3.00, paint and soap - .85
Sunday, June 3 – Breakfast at Leland’s. Lucille and Delmar came to see us off – brought cookies. Grandma’s house looks peaceful again. Loading the trailer was exciting – scared calves over the fence. Susan tore her skirt. Mother asked when she did it. Susan said, “When you said move.” Left Hyde Park at 8:15. Toured Pocatello. Stopped for dinner at Idaho Falls near the temple and falls. Reached Yellowstone that afternoon. Saw a bear first thing. Then on to a group of elk and buffalo (3) plus some Canadian geese. A cold, cloudy day. Off again and what geysers! We saw Old Faithful twice and several others, all of which seemed to erupt just for us – one a bit too close – caught Susan, dad and I. We saw Morning Glory Pool and with a pair of iron tweezers we could be rich. The boiling mud pots were fun. Got two cabins at Old Faithful and built fires – lots of snow! We priced Indian jewelry – poor suckers! Fixed sandwiches and went to bed. Mom and dad in one cabin – all of us in the other – Kay, Judy, Susan in sleeping bags on the floor. Marie and I on a bed on the floor. A few stories and sleep.
Gas & oil – 5.20, double cabin – 3.50, groceries - .50
Monday, June 4 – Breakfast in the cabin and packing. Saw Old Faithful make one more eruption and off at 7:40. Beautiful day. Yellowstone Lake was calm, reflected perfectly, and was just beautiful. A black bear climbed right on top of our trailer and provided thrills for the kids. Another brown bear and a couple of elk. Tried fishing, but our equipment was all wrong. I lined us one man’s limit but that ended our luck.
We got a lead on some moose, but didn’t have enough gas to find them. Another bear and lots of elk. Ate lunch at the Lower Falls and saw curley-cews. Left the park about 1:30. Arrived at Idaho Falls about 4:30 and saw Ron Pond. Took some pictures of the temple, found eggs along the river bank, and then found our motel. People saying here parallel us in every way – going to temple, LDS, large family, must economize, stopped off for girl at BYU, etc. Ate supper and had a brief glance of Idaho Falls at night and bed. Marie, Susan and I slept in the trailer, Don outside in the sleeping bag, Kay on a cot, Judy on the floor.
Gas – 3.50, film – 3.45, drinks & gum – 1.00, groceries – 5.26, cabin – 4.00
Tuesday, June 5 – Mom and dad are off for the temple. Breakfast for us and then off for a walk. Cold and rainy, but we managed to walk down around the temple grounds, which are beautiful, and the museum which was horrid! We’re trying the “candy bribe” for behavior. The object is who can still have five pieces of candy left at supper Mom and dad didn’t get out of the temple until 1:30 so we left immediately. Lunch on the road. Trip was enlivened by a series of signs along the road, “Tired? Let Your Wife Drive” or “This Road for Women Only – Men Take Detour.” In the middle of a garbage dump was “Lonely Heart’s Picnic Area..” In a rock pile was “Petrified Watermelons – Take One Home to Your Mother-in-Law.” In a desert section was “No Fishing Within 300 Yards of This Spot.” Others were “Entering Nudist Colony – Remove Clothes Here,” “Do Not Feed or Molest the Coyotes,” “Tourists Must Not Laugh at Natives,” “Indians Must Not Scalp Tourists,” etc. Stopped at Boise at 8 o’clock. Found Vern’s house but he had moved. Found Relia’s (Smith – mother’s cousin) and had delicious supper. Put sleeping bags in basement for girls, made davenport for mom and dad, Marie and I in trailer and Don, Gordon and Eldridge on the lawn. Finally located Vern and Kay at 10:00 and had a good visit. They have a lovely new home.
Gas – 385, temple – 1.85, drinks - .60
Wednesday, June 6 – Breakfast of waffles at Smiths. Good visit and off just before 9. Looked for David Hurren for an hour but no luck. Same luck continued – couldn’t find anyone. Arrived at Hood River around 8. Saw tug-boats and canal of the Columbia. Ate beans at Harolds and then off on a little tour. Saw many of the orchards and our new “home.” Stopped on top of Elliot’s Woods to view the valley and immediately Websters pulled up too. They were showing the valley to one of Wayne’s missionary companions. Same old Websters. Wayne to come home on furlough in August. Such luck! Saw the splendid new church that Harold has worked so hard on. It’s elaborate for the membership. After a new fresh pineapple we bedded down at Harolds.
Gas – 3.05, telegram - .75, food – 2.25, gas – 3.85, groceries – 3.10, supper – 2.55, gas – 2.60
Thursday, June 7 – Breakfast with Ellen and at nine we headed for the new “house.” It was plenty dirty, but after a day of hard labor and 2 bottles of Lysol, we are airly clean. We kem-toned the kitchen and bath. We have two bedrooms, a kitchen, bath, and front room. The couch won’t be too good for entertaining boyfriends, so why worry. Two wood stoves, electric lights, running water, and even a bathrub complete the equipment. Of course we have to sit on wooden boxes, but that’s life! Dad got our first wall plaque – a traffic ticket – and then topped it off with a little chat with a speed cop. The kids found a cat and her newly “laid” kittens, have a rope for swinging through the trees like Bomba, and went swimming with Barbara and Dorothy. They eve found a deep-freeze, but it’s not too usable. The house is situated on top of a hill in the middle of an orchard and the view of the valley and mountain are very good. Now our hair is in the process of a curling and we’re about ready for bed. Tomorrow is a big day.
Groceries – 9.00, tablecloth & pan 2.15, paint – 5.00, mattress – 5.00, license – 4.75
Friday, June 8 – Up bright and early (6) and off to Portland at 7. We stopped by for Uncle Harold, Dorthey and Barbara and off again. The state fish hatchery and the sturgeon came next. We tried to get in the dam to see the salmon on their way up the river but they refused entrance for security reasons. The traffic was terrific. We finally found a parking place and after a mile or so walk came to the parade.
The view gradually improved and soon Susan was on the front sitting row and mom was on the front standing row Uncle Harold risked a jail sentence so Judy, Barbara and Dorthey could see, but we all got the view at last. It was elegant. I hope our colored shots are good. The theme was “Do You Remember?” and the floats were things like the old milk wagon, the steamboat, the first horseless carriage, the development of the telephone, fairyland, birthday parties, the proposal, the first prom, Old St. Nick and his reindeer, Paul Bunyon, the old park band concert, and the like. All the flowers were beautiful – roses, glads, daisies, and even sweet Williams. The parade lasted two hours and there were around twenty bands marched. Hop-a-long Cassidy led the parade and the queen followed. We lost Marie in the crowd, but she found her way home and we started home. After a brief stop at the church farm and lunch at Multnomah Falls (the highest in the world), we continued home. The day has been beautiful and now tonight we should have fireworks on Mt. Hood.
Gas – 2.60, potato chips - .50, groceries – 4.10, dishes – 2.00
Saturday, June 9 – It has begun. We know what true manual labor is. Our first day in the orchards – thinning apples. We start at n7 and quit at 5. Our first tree was a beast. We are in the field all alone, but there is plenty to keep us busy. Our foreman is Mr. Williams and he is very nice. Either everyone was very nice or they were worried about us and checking up cause the foreman, Harold, and even Mr. Webster came out to see us. We were really exhausted at nightfall, but made a quick trip to town to shop. Marie and Don and all the kids went swimming. Preparations for Sunday and we called it a day.
Groceries – 15.70, spoons - .75, hair curlers – 1.00
Sunday, June 10 – Our first day at Church and they must have thought Zion was growing for the Markams (mother’s sister, Bea, and family) arrived also. We met all the people – the Jacksons, Gehrigs, Walks, Websters, etc. – all wonderful folks. After church we all had lunch at Harold’s and then took a trip up to the Punch Bowl and tried for Lost Lake but the road was closed. We did find plenty of dust however. Dad talked in church on the restoration of the Melchezedek Priethood and they called on Uncle Ira too so it was almost a family affair. Supper was held at the Ashcroft Manor for the whole crew. We saw a few fish jump the falls at the Punch Bowl.
Monday, June 11 – Another day of work. It is getting easier. We did 22 trees our first day. Today we did numerous hard ones. Mr. Webster visited us again. He brings us milk every day clear out here too. The view from the orchard is beautiful. We can often see the kids playing in the yard or hear them yell from the tops of the trees. They sleep in until after we have gone to work. After work we all went to Harold’s for supper. The kids went early and got a swimming lesson from Uncle Ira and Lu. Mine came after dinner when the older kids went. We all sang around the piano and had a wonderful time together.
Bread - .75
Tuesday, June 12 – Work again – as usual. The evening took Kay, Don, Marie and I into town to the M.I.A. bowling party. It was fun – we all got a turn at setting pins. Wow, does that stiffen you up. We aren’t the best bowlers in the world with those large balls, but we aren’t the worst either. We all went riding with Alan afterwards until the rest of the family came to town. Then we all went up to Aunt Ellen’s and listened in on the ward teacher’s lesson on reading the scriptures.
Wednesday, June 13 – Again we work – today where they were irrigating and there was mud up to our ankles. They irrigate for three days in one part. Mom took the day off to wash and iron. We do the washing in an automatic set-up in town. They brought us a treat and that tasted so good. They also asked our family to do the program Sunday night. Another problem. Mom and dad took in the adult M.I.A. Party – a wiener roast and ball game at Jacksons’. Don tried fishing the dam with no luck and I searched the whole library for some speech material.
Groceries – 8.60, equipment – 3.50, sweet rolls - .75, laundry – 1.60, plastic - .95, gas – 3.50
Thursday, June 14 – Today must have been our unlucky day. It seems that both mom and Marie took a fall. It was early morning when mom plunged and lit on top of her ladder. Almost quitting time Marie started to fall and so she grabbed a lib and it came too. They were spraying the cherries and what a stink! They have to spray whether there are cherries or not. The spray is $9.00 a gallon and for this small 7 acres it takes almost 20 gallons. They must spray every 7 days. One worm will beam the whole load won’t be accepted. The kids went swimming again and we learned that grandma had fallen and hut her badly. She is now at Aunt Gertrudes’. We sent a letter first thing and dad went down to phone her. Our neighbors here brought us some garden fresh lettuce. It really did taste good.
Bread – 1.00
Friday, June 15 – First thing this morning the foreman informed us that we only work a half-day on Saturdays, I was afraid mama would jump out of that three and hug him. After dinner we drove to town and the kids went swimming while we went shopping. Day also called for a treat of watermelon at Harold’s. We girls came home, cleaned house, washed hair, and worked on our talks, while the men folk went to Portland to get Darrell and have a crab and shrimp Louis. Darrell arrived about 12:30 to begin a summer that I’m afraid will be slightly different for him. He shares Don’s trailer. Pay day today – an accumulated $190.75. (The breakdown was found in another part of the book in dad’s handwriting and was: Theron 44.90, Lucretia 32.75, Anne 39.50, Marie 36.80, Don 36.80.
Groceries – 22.75, shorts, levis, swimming suit – 32.20, Portland – 3.00, treats – 1.40
Sunday, June 17 – Our big day has arrived. After Sunday School, (by the way, Susan sang with the Junior Sunday School and it’s her first day. She about broke her arm off waving to us) the kids came up and ate dinner with us. It was topped off by a bowl of cherries picked from the tree Marie and I found last night. Uncle Frank put in an appearance and so we all went to church. We had a prayer meeting. Mom talked on service, I on tithing, the three little girls sang “A Prayer,” Marie talked on prayer, Don spoke on the welfare plan and Kay gave a brief tribute to Father’s Day. It seemed to go quite well. We had a lot of very nice compliments, After church we alal went to Ellen’s for sandwiches and fresh raspberries. Nice visit with Frank who is on his way to Corvallis to school.
Monday, June 18 – This day we rose early to find that the cats or rats had made way with a bag of cheese and liverwurst and ate half of our ham.
Bread and eggs – 1.60, treats - .55, film – 5.40
Tuesday, June 19 – Another day of thinning. The evening took us to town. Don and Darrell helped clean up the church yard. Marie and I watched them textile paint. The bishop talked about us packing.
Groceries – 2.75, treat – 2.70
Wednesday, June 20 – A really hot day of really big trees. We heard that Aunt May is on her way. We toured the town at evening. Dad helped Harold in the garden. They got peas, cabbage and potatoes. The kids went swimming and we scrubbed floors. A treat of ice-cream for both families and day is done.
Thursday, June 21 – Mother’s day off again. The hottest day yet. The girls went into primary and Kay was elected president of her class. Dad and Don went out to put up hay at one of the church member’s house. He had a ton of skins in his place. They say the cherry-packing place and were served supper.
Groceries – 10.25, supplies – 1/30, laundry – 2.00
Friday, June 22 – Another hot day of work. Helen’s family brought Aunt May over. Frank came too. We went to the Dime-a-Dip church benefit supper. Marie and I took in a movie. This was the day Don picked to be sick in the orchards. What a mess he made. I don’t know if the spray machine or his mess smelled the worst.
Shoes – 11.30, groceries 7.70, groceries 5.00, show – 1.00
Saturday, June 23 – Today I made my driving debut. Down the hill and crashing into the car resting peacefully at the bottom of the hill. Dad and mother took May to Portland but she couldn’t get a bus or train until the 4th of July. Marie went to the church picnic with Vernons. I went to Blue Lake Park with the girls after work. It has numerous concessions and swimming. The boys went fishing and the girls went swimming and to the show. Uncle Frank came again. Pay checks again, Theron 93.96, Lucretia 57.75, Anne 52.75, Marie 49,10, Don 63.40
Sunday, June 24 – Dad went to visit the branch at White Salmon. They almost didn’t make it across th toll bring being as they both left their wallets at home. They raked up 65 cents and with the aid of their persuasive spirit they made it. The branch only has 2 men, 8 women and a few children. I gave the 2 ½ minute talk in Sunday School. Frank came out to dinner and then we went into Uncle Harold’s for the afternoon. Church came next and by then we were completely exhausted.
Monday, June 25 – Working day again. Darrell got sick and went home from work. Don and day put up hay again. I made candy for grandma and Ellen and the girls came up for a visit. We got our first copy of the “Record” and it sure seems good to get some news.
Groceries – 2.50
Tuesday, June 26 – Still sick is Darrell. Is okay when he lays down, but gets dizzy when he stands up! The kids went swimming with the mutual. Mr. Webster came to get Marie and me and took us out to the packing house to meet Mr. Mann. Afterward we had a nice visit with the Joe Higgens.
Gas – 3.00, berries – 3.00, bread – 2.00, stamps – 1.00
Wednesday, June 27 – What luxury! We don’t start work until 8, but we have to go out with dad before 7. We have 10 minute breaks at 10 and 3:30 and work until 6. We get 23 cents a box. There are about 54 packers and 36 sorters. Today Marie did 17 boxes and I did 20. Mom and dad taught the square dances to the M.I.A. and we had 2 full sets. The little kids went swimming or to the show.
Groceries – 10.00, laundry – 2.00, eggs – 1.00, bread 1.00, swimming – 1.00
Thursday, June 28 – The cherry picking started today. It’s poor work. The trees are big and the cherries are thin. The experienced pickers are all quitting – it is so poor. If the trees are too high they can just break the limbs off. I got 26 boxes today.
Gas – 3.50, telegram - .80, paper 1.50, treats – 1.00
Friday, June 29 – Work at the packing house only lasted until noon so we helped in the orchard in the afternoon. We moved to Unit 2 and di some good picking. In the evening we drove to Celilio Falls with Frank and the Parsons. The river was too high to see them fish but the ride was beautiful.
Bread pans – 3.00, treats – 1.00
Saturday, June 30 – Another day of work. Marie went to a sleeping party that night. Dad, Don, Harold, Frank and Darrell went fishing with Mr. Checkitts. Caught 5 small ones. (Pay checks for the week: Theron 57.90, Lucretia 28.95, Anne 59.21, Marie 38.35, Don 57.90
Sunday, July 1 – Vacation for the pickers but no rest for us. Went to church and fireside. Met Khay Smith’s missionary companion and had a nice visit. Kay had a primary program for the folks.
Monday, July 2 – Today Marie and I worked until nine. Cherry picking as usual. Our checks were in – we got 6 cents a pound for the thin ones here on unit 2.
Tuesday, July 3 – Again we worked late. Mom taught a bit of square dancing at mutual. Today was our time and a half day. I got 37 boxes and Marie 32 plus an hours work of sorting each. Sharon came to work today.
Gas – 3.00, gas 3.00
Wednesday, July 4 – We all worked in the morning. Then we took to the orchards until 2 o’clock. After that it was picnic time with the Parsons and Gehrings. We had a delicious lunch by Aunt Ellen and fun and fishing. I took in the movie with Harold’s family but the rest retired.
Thursday, July 5 – Back to slavery. Today must be our day. The folks picked 800 pounds of cherries and I packed 44 boxes of cherries. Marie got sick and had to go home early. It is cloudy and cold as can be. You almost freeze outside. The cherries will be ruined if it rains so everyone hopes for sunshine.
Gas – 1.60, laundry – 2.40, groceries – 9.50, supplies 2.50
Friday, July 6 – Marie stayed home in bed today. I worked late again. Uncle Frank came again. Harold and family had taken Darrell into Portland to catch a bus home so he ate supper with us.
Bread – 1.50
Saturday, July 7 – Today after work the folks picked some cherries for us to have caanned. They can them here for 16 cents (2 ½ can) if you furnish your own fruit. We had a late fried chicken supper at Ellen’s that was delicious. While picking the folks discovered some cherries that were unknown – had been sprayed with arsenate of lead and were given up for lost. (Pay checks for the week: Theron 40.00, Lucretia 23.00, Anne 28.53, Marie 22.88, Don 40.00)
Groceries – 9.00, gas – 2.00
Sunday, July 8 – Rest for everyone today. Kay gave the 2 ½ minute talk in Sunday School. Bishop Webster gave the cherries to the church if they will but pick them. We had fried chicken at Ellen’s again. Marie and I spent the day at Jacksons seeing the fox furs. Church in the evening and hamburgers for all finished the day.
Monday, July 9 – Another day of hard work. I made my record today – 47 boxes. The folks helped the church as soon as they got off work.
Bread & pie – 2.25, gas – 1.50
Tuesday, July 10 – Again work. They closed down until 2 because of worms today. We all helped pick the church’s cherries in the evening.
Wednesday, July 11 – Again work. Today they picked the Black Republicans. The evening was spent in picking cherries for the church and ourselves. The church got about 1 ½ tons. If the people had turned out better they could have had man more.
Gas – 3.00, bread – 1.50, canned cherries – 12.35, tithing – 52.75
Thursday, July 12 – Back to apple thinning. O unhappy day! Don went to Portland with Bishop Webster to sell his fruit. They left at 4 in the morning. Don’s alarm didn’t go off so he got ready on the way. In the evening we went to Hood River bent on a show, but the idea died. I spent it talking to Myrtle while she ironed.
Groceries – 7.00, spudnuts - .60, laundry – 1.60, supplies – 1.00, swimming – 1.00
Friday, July 13 – The last day of work at Stadelmans. We had the morning off so I cooked dinner. After work the company had a picnic –tons of delicious food. We met a group of kids from New Jersey that were on a tour. Their tour cost $895.00 and lasted 8 weeks. One girl had been to Vasar, etc. After we went to the show with the girls – the kids went with Harold.
Bread – 2.15, show – 1.60
Saturday, July 14 – Thinning for all today. We finished the hilly section but there’s still more to be done. In the afternoon we went out and picked enough cherries to trade in as pay for the canning job on our others. The kids had a swim (cheaper than a bath) and took in the carnival. The usual Saturday chores followed.
Groceries – 14.15, eagle badge – 5.00, swimsuit – 5.00, Marie allowance – 6.70, groceries – 1.50
Sunday, July 15 – First off we found 2 buckets of milk. Later discovered that after the Bishop had brought the sour milk he had carried around with him all morning he felt so badly about it he went to town, bought 4 quarts of milk and came clear b back out here and dumped them in our bucket. There was church. Judy said the closing prayer. Then for a change we cooked the dinner and took it to Viento Park. Gee it did tastes good. Marie and I went to choir practice and then church for all. After that we all had another chicken supper at Ellen’s.
Milk – 11.15
Monday, July 16 – On to the Lost Orchard. After a couple of hours we find just what a college education does for one. Dad is now digging ditches. Anyway he now knows the life histories of Joe, (the friendly irrigator), Door, Jack Nylon (cousin of the inventor of nylon), and even Glenn. After work we drove in, picked up the “Record” and then drove out for another pan of cherries.
Bread – 2.25, car serviced – 7.15
Tuesday, July 17 – We finished thinning. What celebrations are in order! Then Joe gave us a big pan of sturgeon so we drove down and cooked supper for all of us. It is a delicious, moist, white meat. The kids took in a movie and we addressed invitations, etc.
Show - .50
Wednesday, July 18 – Dad and Don finished the ditch just before noon. Mom washed and we cleaned house. Then we took in the sawmill at Dee. We saw the sharpen the saw blades, wash the lumber, saw it in sizes, etc. Allyn Wirrick took Don and me riding on his saw and what fun Susan went to the Dr. and found she had infected kidneys. Don spent the afternoon working on the church and we all spent a little time there in the evening. Choir practice and a show for Marie and me.
Groceries – 8.50, laundry – 1.55, eggs – 1.40
Thursday, July 19 – We slept in at last. Then after breakfast, including the blackberries we picked last night, we started for Mt. Hood. We stopped at Sherwood Forest for lunch. At Mt. Hood we rode the tramway which is the world’s largest lift. It runs six miles and carries 36 passengers. Amazing! Then all of us except Judy and Susan took the ski-lift from Timberline Lodge up to the ski-cabin. It goes a mile and has 96 chairs. It got rather cold up that high. The lodge itself was nice, but we were amazed at the numerous “keep off the grass” signs as there was no grass visible. We took a picture of Caheklee Falls on our return trip. Pancakes and rest – dad’s back seems to be bothering him.
Mt. Hood Trip – 12.50, doctor – 3.00, medicine – 2.75, gas – 2.50
Friday, July 20 – Today dad went to the chiropractor for his back. We cleaned and started to pack. After dinner we all turned out to pick the blackberry patch at the side of the cabin. They are just beginning to ripen but we got two cases of large luscious berries. In places they hung oin big clusters – 1 inch long and dark black. We had them canned. The kids all went swimming. Chorus practice in the evening while the rest worked on the church. We got a telephone call saying that Director Driggs died this afternoon. What a shock that was.
Doctor – 3.00, haircut – 1.00, bread – 2.05
Saturday, July 21 – Today dad and Don put some finishing touches on the church. We took the wash to the Laundromat and I stayed in all day and baked. Preparations for the trip went on. We helped mow uncle Harold’s lawn and fix up. Killed four chickens for the trip, made the preparations for Sunday. Week’s wages: Theron 36.90, Lucretia 25.60, Anne 18.40, Marie 17.25, Don 30.75.
Groceries – 8.40, clothes – 3.10, telegram – 1.00, fruit – 3.45, eggs - .70
Sunday, July 22 – The big day is here at last. The church was filled – over 850 present. President McKay gave a delightful sermon and an inspirational message. Other speakers were Bishop Webster, Ben Cardwell, (supervisor), Dr. Franklin West, Mrs. McKay, Smith, (Deseret News Man), President Scott and President McKay. They allowed everyone to shake the President’s hand. Aunt Helen and Uncle Darley were here. They and their friends ate dinner at our place. Then we fried the chicken and had iced watermelon at Gehrings.
Gas – 3.85
Monday, July 23 – Up at 6 and packed. Left Hood River about 8:30. Stopped in Celilio Falls to see the Indians spear fish. They were using nets and had a few about 18” or 2’ long. There was a machine like a water wheel made with nets that they had used, but it is forbidden now. We stopped for dinner near Umatillo, Oregon. Terribly hot today. Uncle Harold provides the comedy with hs handkerchief hat and one eye-glass. We got on the wrong road just out of Cour d’Alene, but recovered after about 10 miles. We stopped at the lake there. It was a grand place. Night found us just outside Sandpoint, so we found a cabin and began to settle. Dad and mother had one bed and Ellen the other. The rest of us bedded down outside. Between dogs and trains our night was eventful. The dogs kept your face moist and the trains were about 20 feet away. There was a coyote too. I don’t know why Harold thought the bed was hard. All he was sleeping on was a broom and two logs.
Gas – 2.55, gas – 3.65, groceries 4.00, pop – 1.00, cabin – 2.25.
Tuesday, July 24 – We were up early, breakfast and on in to Sandpoint where we met Darley, Helen, Richard and Kathy. Now we are a full fledged caravan. With a slight juggling of passengers we are on our way. We stopped at the beautiful Flathead Lake for lunch. It is really different from yesterday’s wheat land. We had a dip in the water and it felt wonderful. Then we drove on. We saw a moose, minus the horns, along the road. We spent quite a bait of time in Glacier Park. It was elegant – so green and yet so much snow and water. The roads were terrible – each time we’d pass a car we’d hope it was a Crosley. The lodge was spacious on the shores of a lake. There are several lakes in Glacier. We saw three grown bear and two cubs. It was evening when we reached Canada. The roads here are never hard surfaced, rough, and discouraging. We got into Cardston about 9:30. There wasn’t an available room anywhere. There is a missionary reunion here and the 3 motels, hotel and all the private homes are full. We finally found a room in a home for Harold’s family, but we camped out. We set up the tent and really folded out, but just in time for we had a thunder storm no less. What a night!
Gas – 3.95, gas – 3.50, groceries – 1.25, dinner – 5.20
Wednesday, July 25 – Today the folks went to the temple. We had a little trouble finding a good shower – in fact we didn’t. We did find some warm water however. The kids helped pack camp and then we walked around the temple grounds, found a playground and shopped. Let them say what they will about Canadian prices, they’re higher on all fresh fruits and vegetables. The rate of exchange is about 4 cents to 6 cents on the dollar. The folks got out about 1:30 so we rolled up. (Aunt Ellen and Uncle Harold received their endowments and had their family sealed at this time – one reason they were so late is that Aunt Ellen went into diabetic shock). The roads were very good into Calgary, but we met the heaviest hail storm I have ever seen and had to stop. We heard later tan one car had to have $400 repairs and another had a hole in the windshield big enough to put your fist through. The hail would bounce on the fields like golf balls. We got a cabin and warmed some soup. Then we drove into town and out to St George’s Park to the zoo and dinosaur park. It is an island (45 acres) and has personality animals. Our favorite was Carmichael the polar bear. He about drowned us the first time he jumped into the pool. He’d jump at you and play like the greatest of all sportsmen. Then there were the peacocks that screamed, “help, help.” Further on there were twenty life sized models of all kinds o dinosaurs. We stayed till dark.
Temple clothes – 2.50, groceries – 5.20, gas – 3.60, motel – 4.00, parks 2.00
Wednesday, July 26 – Pancakes. Uncle Harold locked his keys in his car and Uncle Darley had a flat tire. We went back to the park and had another look. This time we fed peanuts to all the animals and got a special kick out of the monkeys who would beg and quarrel over them. We watched one bear have her bath and were surprised to see that two days ago Alice Ashcroft from Eager, Arizona, was here. And so we’re off for Banff. We are so surprised at the country. It is so flat and green. Only now do we see the beginning of any mountains. The roadsides are thick with wild flowers. All customs are the same. Gasoline is around 42 cents a gallon, but their gallons are equal to 1 1/5 of ours. The Fords are called Meteur up here and the Mercury is called a Monarch. At Banff we stopped for lunch – saw a Canadian Mounted Police all decked out in his red uniform. Every house and cabin is rented to tourists. On to Lake Louise and what a magnificent sight it is. The lodge is large, has a glassed-in swimming pool, and a front slope covered with poppies. This meets the lake which is surrounded on the other three sides by steep glacier slopes. Then what horrid roads through these Canadian Rockies. We put 54 miles behind us and then tried to find a place to stay but no one wanted 16 of us so Harold got a cabin and the rest of us camped by the river – no water, no bathroom, but plenty of mosquitos.
Gas – 3.15, bread - .60, license, Banff – 3.00, gas – 3.00, milk – 1.00
Friday, July 27 – Today we started out with 197 miles of dirt roads. There were no towns – only dust and heat. Uncle Darley had another flat tire but we made it, even if we did only average 20 miles an hour. After lunch in the park at Revelstone we headed on. We spent the night at Vernon in a wonderful court. We washed and ironed and in general cleaned up. The woman who owned it had 13 children so she catered to large families.
Gas – 3.38, groceries – 7.00, shirt – 3.15, gas – 4.-5, cabin & iron – 6.50, milk – 1.00, bread – 1.25
Saturday July 28 – The kids had a lovely beach to play on while the morning chores were taken care of. The roads were good once again and on we went. Still rugged country with parts destroyed by fire. Around the Chillinook the land was like Cache Valley – dairy land with beautifully kept barns and lots. Here we stopped and looked at woolens. They were excellent quality but not much cheaper. We spent the night in Westpoint. Part of us camped out and we women shared a cabin. We took the ferry across the Kelowna Lake – car and all. Also in Cour d’Alene we went across the longest wooden bridge in the world.
Ferry – 1.30, gas – 4.25, groceries – 1.65, treat - .80, groceries – 7.00, camp – 2.25
Sunday, July 29 – Today we went to church at the Vancouver Branch. We gave a Mr. Newman and his son a ride into town. It’s odd that we met them. We happened to notice a copy of The History of the Church under his arm. He is just recently from England and knew Blair Maxfield well. They were surprised when 16 of us walked into church. There were 14 missionaries there so it should have been Marie and my lucky day, but they were all rather dopey. One of them had been to B.A.C. We afterwards drove out to the Stanley Park and had lunch. There we saw our second zoo and a large beach completely covered with people. Then we drove on to Seattle. We lost the other cars just before dark and got caught in a terrific traffic jam. We worried and fretted and final found them just after we’d turned around to go back for them. We stayed at Aurora, just outside Seattle.
Gas – 4.20, toll bridge - .35, rides - .40, gas – 1.00, groceries – 3.40, cabin – 5.00.
Monday, July 30 – This morning it was straight to the wharf where we found a good souvenir shop featuring shrunken heads, etc. We saw a ship unloading, fire boats, big tuna, salmon, lobster, crabs, etc. We went into the aquarium, which was poor for its price. We saw an octopus, sand-shark, etc. – evem a crab eat a small fish. She pinched off pieces and put them in her mouth. We fed Pat, the seal, and she put on quite a show for us. Helen and Darley left us here and we went on to the zoo. After lunch we saw the animals. This zoo was very large and well kept. The bears, lions, etc. had beautiful cages like their natural habitats. Then came the reptile house, primate house, (and did those monkeys put on a show), bird house, parrot house, elephants, zebras, camels, etc. After numerous rides on the merry-go-round, etc., Harold and Ellen left for home and we came back to the motel for a much needed rest. We traded our money in for American – only 6 ¼ cents decrease in value. That evening the older of us took in the movie “Showboat” in quite a theatre. After a brief shopping tour we got our car and left for home. Our car was in a parking lot 16 stories high that parks over 400 cars.
Souvenirs – 5.00, aquarium – 1.00, zoo – 1.00, groceries – 3.00, show – 6.00, cabin – 7.00
Tuesday, July 31 – Today we slept in for a while and then after breakfast we headed straight for the ferry. We took it to Bremerton. The ferry ride was one hour long. The ferry had 3 decks, a car deck, a passenger deck with many seats – glassed in – and a coffee shop, and the top deck. We fed the pigeons and surveyed the ship. A lady asked Don to carry her bags. We drove on down past the Hood Canal and saw all the government ships – aircraft carriers, destroyers, etc. We ate dinner at Tacoma and then drove on to Rainier National Park. It was a beautiful park. We hiked up to the Nisqually Glacier and it was most interesting. You could see the rocks fall and slide as the glacier moved back. It was carrying tremendous rocks, unbelievably large. We fed deer from our hands they were so tame. Then we back-tracked and started out for Helen’s. Near Kosmos we almost hit a train. The road side was tall thick brush. We rounded a curve just as a freight train pulled out of this brush onto the road. We slammed on the brakes and switched back and forth until it seemed like tipping over was inevitable. We stopped about 2 feet from the train. We almost ran out of gas – in fact we coasted for 23 miles and finally were so dead tired that we decided to stop for the night at Gleed.
Gas & oil – 5.35, ferry – 620, toll bridge – 1.25, meal – 6.20, Rainier – 2--, gas – 1.55, dabin – 6.00, groceries – 2.35
Wednesday. August 1 – Today we really did sleep in until 9:30. Then we drove on to Helen’s. We had a delicious lunch and then spent the afternoon visiting. The kids swam. Dad and Darley toured the valley and the rest relaxed. We had Marilyn’s birthday dinner at night – chicken, cake and ice cream. Then came the M.I.A. dance for the young ones. We even had Don cutting a rug.
Gas – 3.50
Thursday, August 2 – After breakfast we took off for another tour. Dad met Dell Woolf and they toured his large dairy farm – had over 200 milking cows last ear. The farm cleared about $60,000 last year. Then we saw his hop field, the asparagus farms, the grape fields and the mint farms. Then we had dinner, the kids went with Kathie to her dancing lesson and we left for home – Hood River, that is! We stopped at Maryhill Museum and saw exhibits of Indian relics, throne rooms, paintings of renown artists, photographs, etc. We arrived home about 6:30 and settled for the night. What a host of mail!
Dad has a note that says “Average spent on Canadian trip - $16.59 per day – 2542 miles – 11 days.
Groceries – 8.50
Friday, Augusst 3 – Today we washed and picked blackberries. We got 5 cases – made 46 cans. In the afternoon we ironed, wrote letters, and other miscellaneous.
Laundry – 3.80, groceries – 11.20, supplies – 1.00
Saturday, August 4 – Another morning of berry picking. We picked 4 cases today but gave one to the Websters. The afternoon involved swimming, shopping and giving me a permanent. As usual, preparations for Sunday.
Groceries – 6.00m permanent supplies – 3.20, cleaning – 3.10, haircuts – 2.00, gas – 4.00, phone – 1.25, fruit – 8.60
Sunday, August 5 – Sunday School and testimony meeting and church at which Dorthey, Barbara, Ellen, Harold, and dad reported on the trip. We tried a couple of blackberry pies. They were just super. Judy was sick, but nothing serious.
Ice cream - .85
Monday, August 6 – A true vacation wasn’t meant for us – everyone’s bored. We cleaned house and bottled 10 bottles of blackberry jam. Then we heard that today they spray and we headed for the patch again. This time we got three cases for the cannery. Dad went to Portland to work on the church farm and the rest of us went to the movie or visiting.
Bread – 1.00, groceries – 9.00, stamps – 1.10, show – 1.50, teat - .50, fruit – 5.20
Tuesday, August 7 0 A batch of Oregon grape jelly first thing and then we’re all off to Portland. We bought the kid’s shoes and Don bright shirts, at last! After a lunch at the famed Oyster House, (made like a ship and in the worst part of town, yet an A-grade restaurant). The kids and men took in a movie. We finished the day shopping and then arrived back to Hood River just in time to take in the M.I.A. talent night with singing, dancing, weight-lifting, funny acts, etc.
Gas – 1.50, dinner – 6.00, clothes – 85.29, shoes – 25.00
Wednesday, Augusts 8 – Another day of sitting around. We decided to work tomorrow at all costs. We helped the Webster girls pick berries. Found several new patches but only got one good full case.
Groceries – 2.50
Thursday, August 9 – Today we began our bean adventure. We rise at 4, eat breakfast and drive to Portland to start work at 6 a.m. We work for L and H Farms. They have 3 units of pole beans unlimited. We picked about 957 pounds today, which about broke our knees and bags. That was 22 gunny sacks full. There were many Negroes in the fields with us. We were the #3377, which meant we were the 3377th people to sign up. We worked until 4 and then a bit extra. When we got home Harold and Ellen had a lunch ready so we drove to the beach and built a fire. The waves lapped in just like an ocean. We explored an old dance hall and really had a wonderful time.
Gas – 1.50, pop - .50
Friday August 10 – Another try in the beans – lousy picking all morning. We are all so stiff we about split in all joints. We got 950 pounds today – decided to rest tomorrow. No excitement.
Gas – 3.00, peaches – 1.75, groceries - .75
Saturday, August 11 – What a day. Marie and I went to Portland on the bus. We shopped all day – found me a coat and then got skirts, blouses, etc. to finish the day off. We went to the opera “Carmen” in the evening at the open-air theatre at Washington Park. It was not so very good. On the way home, I shared a bus seat with Dean Pierce of Logan. We knew many people in common. The family had spent the day picking berries and then saw a show in the evening.
Groceries – 10.00, stamps – 1.25, boxes - ,75, polish - .25, laundry – 2.25, clothes – 100.00, dry cleaning – 3.00
Sunday, August 12 – Sunday School and Church. We learned from Scott Webster what happens to boys who go to bed with hair dryers. He is burned quite badly. We had lunch with the Parsons, including Frank at Dominick Park. The treat again was of course blackberry pie ala-mode. It was really quite cool. It is fall here. After church the adults had watermelon on Parsons’ lawn with Gehrings.
Gas – 3.85, (It says clothes 100.00 – I don’t know if that is a repeat entry or a new one. We didn’t buy any clothes on Sunday, for sure.
Monday, August 13 – Today we readied all our fruit for shipment. Then we all headed for Harold’s. The girls all stayed there while the adults and Don went on to Portland. There they all bought suits and took in the dog races. It seems their luck was good – at least for two races, but they didn’t bet enough money. They could have won $20 on one and $30 on the other. There their luck ended so they quit and came home.
Clothes – 175.00, races – 3.00, show – 1.90
Tuesday, August 14 – This morning mom left for Sunnyside with Frank to teach some square dancing. We find that the pears are ready for pressure but they are trying to stall off to get all the growth they can. The evening entailed M.I.A. progressive party and dance for Marie, Don, and me.
Groceries – 11.00, rolling pin – 1.00, toll bridge - .90, laundry – 1.55
Wednesday, August 15 – Today Dad and Don dug a trench over on unit 5. It was cobbler day for us girls. For lunch we made a cherry one and for supper we whipped up a berry one. Mom got home just before 8 and they taught square dancing. Ice cream with the Gehrings and home.
Thursday, August 16 – More berry pies today – this time with crust without the salt. Washing and primary took the afternoon hours and then we all went for a picnic at night on the beach again. Frank set up his badminton set – it was a full moon and was it nice!
Friday, August 17 – Today is the long awaited day We started in the pears. It is rather enjoyable work, but hot – and does the bag pull on your shoulders. It weighs about 50 pounds with full and that’s a lot It fills up a box and the pay is 12 cents a box. It was poor picking today, but we got 241 boxes. Marie and I saw “Valentine” at night.
Saturday, August 18 – Today our time was cut short. We had to quit before 1 and so we only got 179 boxes. Tis better however. Don, Marie and I went to Portand to the dog races and supper. We aren’t so lucky, however. Mom and dad played Canasta with the Gehrings and Parsons.
Portland – 1.00, bread 0 3.00, milk – 12.00
Sunday, August 19 – Sunday School and then dinner at the Vernons. What a meal! More stuff than any plate would hold. Today was as hot as any day ye3t. We kids went to church and then had watermelon, ice cream and cookies at Harold’s
Ice cream – 2.00, gas 1.50
Monday, August 20 – Again the pears. We got almost 150 boxes before lunch. I went to the doctor with my poison oak. He gave me some medicine to relieve the itching – says there is no cure. I’ve tried everything else from alcohol to Lysol. After lunch we were changed to the barn to sort and stack the fruit. We’re trying to keep the culls below 15%. It’s criminal the pears we have to discard as culls. After 5 we went back up on the hill and picked 64 boxes, Then we took my clothes into Ellen’s to wash the poison oak out. I’m convinced the water up here is plenty soft. We ran about 4 buckets of suds out on the floor.
Groceries – 3.05
Tuesday, August 21 – Today we are sorting again. The barn is getting so full of culls we are afraid the floor shall break. But it didn’t.
Wednesday, August 22 – We spent 3 ½ hours sorting today and then moved over on Unit 2 to start picking. It seems like the trees were so thin that we should have earned more if we had been paid by the hour for hauling our ladders from tree to tree. We picked until about 7 and then Uncle Frank took us to town and we helped him pick a few pears for the church. Their assignment is 3 tons.
Thursday, August 23 – This afternoon we went back to sorting. They wouldn’t give us any work tonight so Marie, Don and I went with Uncle Frank into Portland to the midget auto races at Jantzen Beach. First they all tried for speed records. Then we had races galore. The cars were mostly fords or offies. Mom put up Sharon Baker’s hair in the meantime.
Friday, August 24 – Today dad helped them yard the fruit in from this unit. The rest of us picked but not very pleasantly. After work we washed and hunted a new job. The big church dance was tonight, but not too big. Mom led a couple of mixers very successfully and we watched Mr. Bussie do a Vietnamese Waltz with great dexterity.
Saturday, August 25 – Today we began work at E.R. Pooley Orchards. The trees are nice sized and flat ground. We get at least 10 boxes to the tree. In places they hand just like bananas. We picked over 300 boxes today. Grandma arrived, but so late at night that we only said goodbye and retired.
Supplies – 67.85, groceries – 11.00
Sunday, August 26 – Dad declared that today must truly be a day of rest so we slept in and then headed to Lost Lake for lunch. Uncle Frank went with us. We were practically eaten alive by yellow jackets who were crazy about our meat. We rented a boat and toured the lake – out in the middle you can see Mt. Hood and it is a beautiful sight. We kids took part in church at night so we all attended in a mass. After church we all had a watermelon.
Monday, August 27 – Back to work at Pooley’s but we finished the orchard by 11:30, (160 boxes). Then we went job hunting again. It seemed as if all the orchards had all the help they needed. With the lumber mills shut down all those guys were picking – with their whole families. After several futile attempts we did find a place that agreed to take dad and me. Even with a late start we got 77 boxes of the biggest pears I’ve ever seen. These fellows seem to be real orchard men – every tree is propped, the pears are spaced perfectly, and they really check your work and keep you going. The orchard is by Parkdale, some 16 miles from home and is M.S. Waltons.
Tuesday, August 28 – This morning we awakened to a drizzling rain so we didn’t even try to go to work until about 9. Then we were the only ones who showed up. All the loggers have headed back to work and the rest are familiar wih Oregon rain. We tried to work, but it was so wet that we had less pep than usual. It wasn’t long until we were drenched to the skin and each pear felt like an ice cube. Just after dinner we moved across the street to a 2-acre orchard that was the prettiest we’ve seen. Then one more move took us to a block of old dead trees. In the evening we drove down to the church for some watermelon and then to Harold’s where we showed the pictures that are back and had ice cream, Mrs. Baker gave mom a beautiful slip for helping her with the girls’ hair.
Wednesday, August 29 – Got our Pooley check – 15 cents a box - $70.00. Worked at Walton’s but quit early. Got 260 boxes anyway. They paid us too. Must be mostly local people working here because there is a real difference. The kids and folks drove down to Harold’s t say goodbye, and Marie, Don and I were honored guests at a party at Jacksons. After games we had a delicious dinner of Chinese food that Virginia Wakamatsu’s folks prepared for us – chow mein, rice cakes, and bean cakes. We ate with chop sticks and had a real time. Final goodbyes to Bishop Webster and the rest concluded the day.
Thursday, August 30 – We made all the final packings and left Hood River by 7:20. At Celilio Falls we bought a salmon from the Indians. Stopped in Arlington to get it iced. Spent the night outside Glenn’s Ferry. Could only get one room but managed to get by by using the floor without unloading the trailer.
Friday, August 31 – The lack of comfort made it easy to roll out about 6 this morning. We drove on to Twin Falls for breakfast. We saw the sun rise about 7 times and it was bright red. We got to Hyde Park about 1 p.m. The house looks real empty with Aunt Phyllis and the furniture all gone. We left the trailer and drove up to Gertrude’s. We cooked the salmon and had all the family except Phyllis present. We showed the pictures. We all looked around the corn cannery in Smithfield.
Trip home – 46.00
Saturday, September 1 – I left this morning for Salt Lake where I met Barry and came on to Cedar City. The folks, I understand, spent the day visiting the different families.
Sunday, September 2 – Arrived home at 3 p.m. Seems like we’ve truly found Zion again.
We started the trip with the mileage at 841 – we finished with 9731
Our pay for picking pears on Unit 1 was $67.86
Our pay for picking pears on Unit 2 was $61.25
Our pay for picking beans was $46.00
Our pay from Deach was $79.20 (could this be the 2nd pear place where only dad and I worked?)