Postcard postmark 2:00PM July 24, 1929:

Morning
Colorado Springs
Wed. 24^th July
Are starting to see the Seven Falls, from there going on to Denver. Will send you a letter later. Am feeling fine.
Mama

Letter postmark 11:00AM July 25, 1929

Colorado Springs
Monday eve. July 22/29
At camp.
Dear Arlyn,

Lola is writing to Cile so I will to you.

We certainly have been having a fine trip and everything has been going fine. Have had one flat today, is all we've had, and Herines had to have her points sharpened. She gets very thirsty and has to have a drink often. I am feeling nearly all right now so don't worry about me.

The roads in Kansas are the finest I ever saw. Just about as good as paved, but in Col. about like Okla.

We staid in Syracuse last night in a free camp. We saw irrigating ditches all along the road after we got into Col. and the finest wheat, corn, alfalfa, beets, and other crops. Everything was so green and prosperous looking. The only place that looked dry were the hill grazing grounds and the high hills. The soil are thin is almost white. When we got on toward the mountains we went along stretches of hills. We got the first sight of the mountains about six or eight miles this side of La Juanita. There we got on lower ground for miles and didn't see them again until we got nearer to Pueblo. The mountains looked just like a low blue bank of clouds at first. It was Mt. Blanca we saw first. Pike Peak was further off and was hid by the clouds. As we got closer it became clear, a blue haze hung over it all the time.

When we got to Pueblo we drove around thru town a little. We saw some Indian pueblos over on a gray hill but didn't drive around by them. The road from Pueblo follows along on the east of the foothills all the way to Colorado Springs. High hills on our left with the blue mountains peeking at us over them most of the way with Pike's Peak just behind them sticking its head up above the others. It looks white like there may be some snow on it. Then on our right is a beautiful green level valley with homes and crops growing. The road is up on the side of the foot hills all the way and paved part of the way. They are paving it all the way and our road was right along where the men were working. It is a good road and is of crushed rock I guess. After we got closer here we cleared the foot hills and there the mountains looked like they were just a mile or so away over the valley but of course, the were lots farther. They have trees clear to the top. Pike's Peak they say is about ten miles and we can only see the top. We are going to Marito tomorrow and get as close to Pike as we can. I don't think we will go up it. I feel a little light headed from the altitude and am afraid I couldn't stand to go much higher, and anyhow it costs $6.00 each. It would cost two dollars each to go in our own car. We drove around thru the town some before we came to camp and every time I caught a glimpse of the mountains thru the trees. They looked just like a big bank of blue black clouds. The streets of Colorado Springs are so level as Okla. City or more so. It is paved or mostly and lots of big trees and the greenest grass and great big buildings and beautiful residences.

We saw lots of cactus growing on the hills before we got to Pueblo and thousands of yucca. We crossed the Arkansas a half dozen times and it was nearly dry until we got closer to Pueblo it had lots of water. I think it was drained some where for irrigating. At Rocky Ford I only noticed one field of muskmelons but I guess there were lots of them.

When we were coming up from Pueblo we ran into lots of water standing in the road from the rain. It is thundering now and I must stop and help get our cots under the tent. It is real chilly. I will write more tomorrow.

Wed. 12:30 Denver
We just got here a few minutes ago. Had to have something done to the car. We wont be here long tho. We left Colorado Springs about ten o'clock. Yesterday we went to see the Garden of the Gods, the Cliff Dwellings, and Cave of the Winds. Went all thru the cave. Yesterday afternoon it rained and we went to camp and staid there the rest of the day. It cost us 25 cents a night for a camping place and it was nice place with water and restroom handy. We staid for two nights. This morning we got up early and went to Seven Falls. That was wonderful. I climbed up all the stairs and went half way up the side of the mountain. Helen Hunt Jackson's grave is supposed to be up there. I got too tired and came back. Lola and Carlyle were wondering around some other place. Didn't get to see only the top of Pike's Peak. We couldn't get closer to it without going up it and didn't want to do that. When we went to see the cave we went up and down and around narrow places. It sure was thrilling. We could see away way down into the canyon when we were up there. There is a house up there and an arched door leads into the cave. A guide took us thru. It is electric lighted all thru and cement floors. I certainly was tired when we got back. It cost a $1.00 for that, $1.00 for the Cliff Dwellings and 50 cents for the Falls. The Falls was the most wonderful of all, I think. It was natural. They couldn't change that and the drive was wonderful thru the canyon road. The road is paved all the way.

It is 72 miles from Colorado Springs to Denver and in one place we went up high where we could see for miles and miles but most the way is was between ranges of the foothills and the mountains. Always the mountains at our left. It was beautiful scenery and most of it farms. Before we got to Denver there were big fields of wheat and alfalfa and other crops. It looked line river bottom land. You couldn't see the mountains there for the big trees.

We didn't stay long at the Ford plant and now we are at a big public market getting something to eat.

Boulder-4:45 evening.
We are camped by a roaring stream at the foot of a mountain. I learned later that is Boulder Creek. It sure does race. I went down and washed some of my cloths in it. Lola and I went up the mountain before dark. I didn't get half way but she went almost to the top and of came back loaded with some plants. Little spruce trees and ferns. I got some pine cones. A man and woman are camped by us who are from Beatrice Neb. They know Uncle Rush well and the girls. They say Lois's man is no account, that he lets his two sisters support him. Tomorrow morning we are going to visit Boulder Falls. The camp boss says it is more wonderful than Seven Falls. Then we are going on up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. The camp boss gave us some maps and told us how to go. We cross the Continental Divide there and will go thru snow. I'll mail this letter and begin another and write a little each day.

When we went to see the Cliff Dwellings, and Indian woman and three children came out at the museum where we were and danced. She drummed and groaned a song and they danced. They were painted and had bells around their waists. A little two year old was with them and he danced, too. He was as cute as could be. There was every thing Indian at the museum. They had two skeletons that were found at Mesa Verde. The skin is dried up on one and it had some hair on its head. I must quite and go to bed.
Love,
mama

Postcard postmark ??:???? July 29, 1929
Monday July 29^th
We missed seeing this house (picture on back of card). We may still yet tho, are waiting at the (unreadable) for Carlyle to get the car gone over. Met some Durant (Oklahoma) folks yesterday and want to go to Yellowstone with them today. Went to Saltair, the Lake bathing back yesterday. It is 10 mi. from the city. I am filling fine now. I will mail you a letter in a few days. Haven't had time to write since we got here.
Mama

Letter postmark 5:00PM July 30, 1929

Granby Col. July 25, 1929
Thursday eve. After supper
Dear Arlyn,
You remember the "poem" the bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. The other side of the mountain was that he could see. But we saw lots more that just the other side. We are not out of the mountains yet, tho. They are on both sides of Granby. It was just about the middle of the state and is a little one horse place on the railroad. We left Boulder about eight and stopped to see the Boulder Falls. They are wonderful. They don't fall as far a Seven Falls but they fall with greater force, I believe. I picked up some rock with yellow glints in it and we got some mud that had yellow specks in it. I just suppose it is what is called fools gold but it was an old mine just above on the cliff. We saw lots of abandoned mines and houses tumbling down and old machinery. We came north and west thru the Rocky Mountains National Park and Estes Park is in the Rocky Mountain Park. The Park is a forest reserve.

Estes Park is quite a town stung along in a lovely valley just as we begun to climb the mountains. I can't begin to describe that climb. The road went up one side for a while then a hairpin turn and we went back the way we came only way above. One place a sign said that was the sixteenth curve. Then we would go down and then up again. One sign said we were too mile above sea level. We kept going up up after that till finally we came to the timber line and I picked up a little stone there. We had to let the car cool a while. All t his time we could see snow. Before we came to Estes Park Lola took a picture of some peaks and Carlyle took one of Long's Peak. It didn't have very much snow that we could see but it was the highest. Then as we climbed higher we got above the snow and Carlyle took a picture of one just across a deep canyon. It sure was thrilling looking way down hundreds of feet. We went around short curves some places too narrow for cars to pass and we didn't know when we would meet some one but there were wide places to wait for cars to pass. After the timber line was passed it wasn't very far to the Continental Divide. A flag staff with a flag on it was on the ridge. There was a bank of snow on our right against a ridge just before we got there and all along below us was snow. There were a lot of cars and people there when we got there. Some of them went down on the snow and played in it. There was a path that led on up on a higher mountain. Some people went on up there to see farther. The coming down on this side was about like going up. The road went back and forth on the Mountain side till we got to the bottom of the canyon. Then the road was level and as good as paved road except in a few places. There are the most beautiful flowers all along the road. M must close and go to bed.

at Granby still) Friday morning before breakfast.
It frosted last night and we slept with cold feet. This seems to be surrounded with mountains. It is not low here either. We can look away down. This camp has a lot of little cottages with names over the door. One is Sneak Inn. Another Drop Inn, Come Inn, Run Inn, Drive Inn, Tumble Inn, etc.

Fri. eve.
We are camped at maybell, a little place about 295 miles from Salt Lake. I forgot to tell you about the lovely homes in among the mountains that we saw yesterday. Before we came to the forest reserve and a few miles out of Estes Park every little nook and corner had a pretty house and beautiful grounds, but as se got into the forest reserve there were fewer houses.

We thought we were nearly down out of the mountains yesterday but we kept on coming down today. The road zigzagged down the mountain side for miles. One place were the largest ferns I ever saw. Acres and acres of them as far up and as far down as we could see, and for miles along the road. They were a yard high I know. I wanted to pull one but Carlyle wouldn't stop. Yesterday we were in a mountain rain a way way up in the mountain. Lola said the drops were bigger because we were up where they were made and they hadn't worn small yet. We were right in the cloud. We stopped as the falls for a while but then went on in the rain. Before we got to the Divide for miles we could see the flag on top. The top of the Divide is a rather flat place and there was a cabin with a stove and lots of wood to burn and toilets for men and women. A woman told us a month ago the snow was 26 ft. deep there. It was shoveled away, down the mountain side I suppose. That is why there was such a big bank there. Lola got a handful of snow when we stopped at the timber line. It was dirty and full of specks. Looks like it ought to be clean away up there don't it? There were toilets for men and women all along the mountain climb. They were called comfort stations. The government is very thoughtful.

Today we passed the most beautiful flower gardens up on the mountains, made by mother nature. The ground was just covered with red and blue and white and yellow. We gathered some lovely blue and white columbines and blue fuchsias and lots of different colored geraniums and some flowers that looked like lilies but we didn't get any of those, and lots of other kinds. Lola dug up some roots of some of them and is sending them to a neighbor of hers and some spruce and fir to Lucille.

We stopped at Hot Sulphur Springs today and tasted some of the water. It was real warm. Just a little too warm for a bath I think. Then at Steamboat Springs they have several. One is soda and one is sulphur and bromide. The sign said Lithia water. I don't know if that means all mixed together or not. The soda spring boiled all the time but it was cold. They had a hot spring there too, but we did not see it. A man told us the reason it is called Steamboat Springs is because before they built the bridge is gushed out by spurts and sounded just like a steamboat but they blew the cap off when the dynamited for the bridge. There are the most little animals line bushy tailed rats or squirrels. They run in front of the car. At Seven Falls at Colorado Springs there were dozens of little chipmunks. They wont allow one to hurt them. They come right up to you and look as saucy. They feed the donkeys near the back where they are and they are as fat. We saw them all along thru the mountains.

I guess I've told you all I can think of of interest so I'll wait till we get to Salt Lake City to write more. You can let Percy and Cile read my letters and you can read the ones Lola writes to them. Keep them so I can have them to refer to.

Sat. night, Salt Lake City
We got here about six and drew in at a camp. We pay 50 ct a night here. We all took a bath and put on dresses, except of course Carlyle.

We got a glimpse of the lake as we rounded a turn form the canyon but that is all. We'll see the sights tomorrow. We have had a rather hard day and need the rest. The country is a high arid rough country for miles and miles covered with sage brush and some places sage can't grow very well. Then there were low stunted pines that were big and think at the bottom and about as high as three or four year old peach trees. It is too dry for them to grow. We thought we were nearly off the mountains but finally we came to or passed on our right high white ridges. These were dome as white as chalk , some of them, and then as we came along they were darker. We came now and then to little valleys with a house and a field or pasture. After we got to Green River we saw beautiful country and fine farms. Green River is a large stream. The people irrigate all along. We saw so many ditches. Everything is such a deep green and the alfalfa grows so tall and smells as sweet. We kept thinking we were about thru the mountains when we'd begin to go down then up and then down again. We crossed Strawberry River and there was a Strawberry Peak. Then we came to a Strawberry reservoir up among the hills. It was a big lake. It must be several miles around it. Then we came to Daniels canyon. We climbed for miles it seemed. A sign said "Altitude 8000 ft. The head of Daniels Canyon 14 miles thru" and it certainly was a canyon. We went down and down and kept on coming down until finally we got out. We came to a nice little town, Heber, and struck a paved road or oiled gravel rather. We came thru some more canyons down of course and saw the lake. It looked like it was higher than we were. We came to this camp and stopped for the night. Now I am going to bed. There are so many things we see that I can remember to tell about when I get a chance to write.

Monday eve. July 29, Salt Lake City
The first thing Sunday morning we drove to town and hunted up the temple. No one is allowed to go in it, the temple, but the high officers. A guide took us around and told us about things then took us in the tabernacle and seated us then gave a talk and the choir sang and we heard wonderful pipe organ. We went into the museum. They had mummies taken from the Mesa Gerde Cliff Dwellings. One was supposed to be a medicine man from the things found with him. The skin is dried and stretched over the bones. The hair is still on and a mustache, too. He was lying straight but the others were lying with feet drawn up. There was a small baby skeleton too. There were so many things. They had a wagon the first brought. I think it was one Brigham Young rode in. I can't begin to tell you all we saw, but we didn't get to go near thru it. The Temple, Tabernacle, Museum and other buildings had a high cement wall around them. They have a carved statue in the grounds sculptured by Brigham Young's grandson. It is fine. It represents the Pioneers and the seagulls that saved them from starvation. Their first harvest was being eaten up by the mountain crickets. They prayed to the Lord for deliverance and the seagulls came by the thousands and ate the crickets and saves the grain. There are thousands of seagulls on the Lake. They are sacred to them and protect them. There is an island on the lake where they breed. There are gray ones and white ones. The water was just thick with them when we were there. They make a funny noise like laughing. Lola and Carlyle went in bathing. The water is 22% salt they say. Carlyle didn't get it off good when he took his shower and it dried on his ears and neck. His bathing suit is stiff with the salt.

We went into the State house. It is a fine building, finer than ours. They have quite a museum in it, too, like all State Houses. We visited the woolen mill and Lola got a sample of wool in different stages.

Salt Lake City is built on a plain in between ranges of mountains. The lake is sixteen miles west of it and there is salt marches for several miles before we get to the lake. West of the Lake it is desert. There are several good sized islands in it. One is called antelope island where there is a large herd of buffalo that was sued when the picture, "The Covered Wagon" was made. Some times the water gets so low that they can ford it out to this island. We saw an island, it looked line a mountain not very far out that I suppose was the one. The lake is 40 x 70 miles.

(Tuesday 30^th)
We left Salt Lake yesterday about 2:30 and got as far as Preston. The roads are good most of the way. We had pavement part of the way, most of the way from Salt Lake to Preston, Idaho. The roads are better in Utah than in Idaho tho. The Mormons are thrifty people. They have fine farms and towns all thru the mountains. The valleys between the ranges are beautiful and green. They irrigate and they irrigate all thru Idaho where we passed, too.

We came north thru Ogden, Preston, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls and then turned east a few miles north of there and came to the Teton Pass. We climbed up the side of the mountain till we were 8429 ft. alt. The roads were so narrow sometimes we could hardly pass a car. We passed snow on the side of the mountains. This is the Teton Range of mountains and about 40 miles I should think south of the south line of the Park. We had to come south for about 30 miles to get thru the pass. This is Jackson just east of the Pass. It is called Jackson's Hole because it is in a hole in the mountains I guess and bandits and Indians sued to have this for a hideout, and I can see how they could hide in these canyons. I just suppose we will have to climb out again up the side of the mountain. We are going by Jackson's Lake. This is the Teton range of mountains and was just added to the Yellowstone Park. A man told us tonight that they had a big opening today adding it to the Park. They say it is wonderful around Jackson's Lake and fish abounds. Carlyle is planning on catching some fish. I will stop and go to bed. I'll send this letter tomorrow. I will get a map of the N. Western states and mark our route so far and then you can follow us as we go.
Lovingly, Mama
Jackson is in Wyoming.

Added in the margins:
(on page 3)Percy gave me fifteen dollars when I started. I don't have very much left. I had to get some things before I started.
(on page 13) Wed. morn. At Jackson Hole - It is raining a little this morn. I am awful light headed this high altitude. We had a flat yesterday the second since we started. Pretty good! Carlyle didn't feel well last night. He (continued on page 14) was on too much tension yesterday on those high drives I guess. It is hard on a driver and the altitude affects him, too.

(This ends this letter, the longest of the bunch, 22 hand written pages.)

Letter postmark 6:30PM August 6, 1929

Yellowstone Park July 31, 1929
About six O'clock

Dear Arlyn,
Well we are in the Park at last. We left Jackson about 8 O'clock. It was raining when we started and rained most of the day. The woods were good all the way nearly all the way up the high plain until we got close to the Park line then we went down for a while and up again but no hair raising climbs up the mountain side. Jackson Lake is a beautiful lake. It is not near a large as Yellowstone tho. The road passes along one side of it. It was raining as that we didn't stop, but the mountain scenery across the lake was grand. The mountains were high and had snow on them. It looked like it was snowing up there while we were having rain.

We entered the Park about 11:15. There is a fence of great long cedar or spruce log and a big log for a gate. A sort of roof with a telephone and a box where the guide pamphlets are kept. A ranger was there to let us in and receive the $3.00 that we have to pay to get in. We hadn't gone more than a mile or so till we saw a small brown bear climbing a tree very unconcernedly. A few miles further a big black bear was sitting by the road watching cars go by. The road follows the lake for a long ways. We came to a lodge and a store and eating house. When we got in sight of the place we saw smoke we thought and supposed it was a camp, but when we got there it was geysers. That place is called Thumb because it sticks out from the main lake. These geysers are not so very large. These are the Thumb Paint Pots, the Boiling Pots, and lots more, and the water is boiling. It will cook eggs for it is too hot to bear the hand in . The boiling pots are big pools close together. The biggest are three or four feet high. There are dozens of pools of hot steaming water. The paint pots are white and pink and yellow mud that bubbles up just like mush. It has built a wall around itself. There are a dozen or so in a space about 40 foot square. I can't tell you all about them. After we started on we came to some more and one little one puffed up out of a little hole. It made a queer puffing or thumping sound and some black stuff was piled about it. We followed the lake around to Lake Lodge and found a camp they called the fishing camp. The first thing I saw was two brown bears running around among the tents. There must be a hundred or so camps here. There are tables, cement fire places with iron rods across to set the kettles on, water and a house with toilets, a store and all the wood we want to burn if we go hunt it, but it is scarce. There are so many here that it is about all gone but the big rotten logs. They will not allow any trees cut down. A bear just came thru the camp and cleaned out a garbage can. He loped along close to us. This is certainly a tent city in among the tall straight trees. They are so tall you almost have to lie down on your back to see the top. I went out awhile ago to get some limbs to burn and went down to the lake and dabbled in it. Back where the geysers ran into the lake it was warm. Carlyle got himself a fishing tackle, a line and reel too. I hope he catches us some fish to fry.

Tower Falls, Wed. Aug. 1^st
We started from Lake Lodge about eleven O'clock and went to see the Yellowstone Falls. They are wonderful. The upper falls are 109 ft., the lower 308 ft. We went where we could see down the canyon, Artist Point. It is 1200 ft. deep and 2000 ft across. There were places, Inspiration Point, built where we could go way out and look down. Down, the river looked like a little creek but it was 100 ft. wide they said. We are at Tower Falls camp now. It is not as good as the one we were at last night, Fishing Bridge. We don't have things so nice here as last night and it is raining, too. Coming here we took the road over Mt. Washburn. It goes clear to the top but we didn't drive quite to the top. Lola walked up. The elevation is 10,346 ft. There is a lodge with stone and wood. She said it is about a mile from there we were parked. Carlyle wouldn't go up either so we waited in the car. It rained and was cold and the wind blew. I hope we wont go up such places any more. We went up long grades so steep it seemed the car couldn't make it and you could see for miles down. It the car would start rolling she would go a mile or so if nothing was in the way. It was a great sight but it made me so nervous I didn't enjoy it much and the rain and clouds hindered the view. We were away above snow. I thought the would turn to show but it didn't.

I am seeing so many sights I get bewildered. The bears are very friendly in this camp, too. Lola got four snap shots of one this morning. One she got was standing up. I saw some folks feeding one this evening. He is a great big fat fellow. When the man held up a biscuit the bear sat up so funny on his haunches, almost like a child and caught the bread in his mouth. They gave him a can with a small opening in the top, that had caked sugar on candy in it. It was funny to see him try to stick his paw in it but he couldn't get anything. He's throw it around and try and try. Finally he started off and a man took the can and got the pieces out and he sat up and caught them in his mouth. He was very nice like a nice big black dog. They call him Rosy. They have a community singing at these camps. I guess I'll go over and listen. They have a lot of logs laying in rows like seats and the people sit on them.

Ellison Montana Sun. Aug 11^th
It has been several days since I could write. We passes out of the Park yesterday about 3 or 4 O'clock, out the west entrance. I saw Old Faithful spout up in the air. We didn't get to see any of the big geysers. They don't go off very regularly but Old Faithful goes off about every hour. I saw it three times. I can't tell you in a letter what all we saw. All the geysers and pools were hot. Most of them hot enough to cook an egg. I washed my hands in these and they were hot enough to scald. We saw so many. One or two where small lakes and as clear and green or blue. They would boil and some spouted way up six or eight feet and steamed all the time. Old Faithful spouted a hundred feet or so, and had built up a cone at least 25 or 30 feet high maybe more than that. It looked like it had been made out of cement. I saw one deer as we were coming along. We came thru Bozeman. That was staid last night. We sure will be glad when we get thru Montana. It is dry and arid and dusty. We came over a continental divide in coming to this place since we left Helena but it was not very high. We crossed the Missouri River twice today near Three Forks. It is called that because the Jefferson and Madison Rivers join there and make the Missouri. It is so windy and dusty and dry we can't keep clean. Mr. and Mrs. Steiwig, the folks from Durant that we met in Salt Lake City are traveling with us. They are going the same route we are. They are going to visit some friends in Cal. And if we don't lose them we'll make the whole trip together. I am sitting out here and writing by the headlights and is it sold so I'll stop for this time. I don't know where we will head for. We wanted to go thru the Glacier Nat'l Park but there are no roads as I guess we can't go thru it. I am glad we can't for I want to get to Theo's.

Tuesday Aug. 6^th
We got to Spokane last night about 7:30. We had to change time again here. That is the second time. We changed when we got into Col. so we are two hours ahead of you. The roads thru Mont. Are bad, rough and dusty. The part we came thru is arid. Not many fertile valleys. We all decided we didn't want to live in Montana. We came from Bozeman right on to Spokane. We staid a Elliston all night tho. We traveled 321 mi. yesterday. Lola and Steiway's wanted to go to Seattle but the time was getting short and we may just go on to Portland down the Columbia. That is the way I want to go and we may and then go on to Seattle and then back down.

When we got into Idaho the roads were so much better than in Mont. ?We passed the Cour De Alene Lake when we were way up in the Mountains. It is in Idaho. We came thru a canyon and over a mountain from Cour De Alene. It is a beautiful town right in the canyon. It is a mining town, Copper and I suppose gold and silver. We saw the sluices and mining buildings. The Cour De Alene River runs thru it and into the lake of that names. We climbed the mountains away above the lake nearly its whole length and it is a big lake. It looked as big as Yellowstone.

We wont get out of this town until after noon. It is that now I guess. We are at the Ford Plant having the car greased and looked over. Be sure and write to me as Theo's and send me what money you want to send me. We will be there in a few days now. It has been so cold ever since we have been in the high altitude. I mostly froze come nights.
Lovingly, Mama.

Postcard postmark 10:30AM August 8, 1929

The Dalles, Thursday, Aug. 8^th
Dear Arlyn,
We are just ready to get started. Staid here last night. We saw such view nearly all afternoon yesterday. Feeling fine.
Mama

Postcard postmark 12:30PM August 9, 1929

Salem, Oregon, Thurs. Aug 9^th
Dear Arlyn
We are just ready to start. Staid here last night. Expect to get to Theo's tomorrow. This place is in the throws of American (unreadable) convention. Are afraid humans will get scared at the (unreadable) So unreadable to get out, mama

Postcard postmark ?:???? August 11, 1929

New Pine Creek, Oregon, Aug. 11.
Dear Arlyn, We got here at Theo's this morning. I thot I'd find a letter from you. We'll leave about next Sat. so write if you haven't. Having a good time. They are all well. Have a real nice home. Will write a letter in a day or so. Mama

Letter postmarked 7:00PM August 15, 1929

New Pine Creek, Org.
Thursday Aug. 15/29
Dear Arlyn,
I have been so disappointed that I have not heard form you since I got here. I was so sure you would have a letter for me here when I got here. I haven't hear from any of Percy's either. We got here Sunday morning for breakfast and will have to leave about Sunday or maybe Saturday. Theo's were all well when we got here. They are real well situated here and have a comfortable house pretty well furnished. The church furnished it all for them. The house is old but looks very well on will when it is painted. They have the paint all ready whenever they can get at it. I believe Theo had a pretty good thing here. He gets just what they can give him which is from about $60 to $75 a month I think and then there are lots of gifts that are not counted. One woman gives them a gallon of milk a day. Theo worked in the hay last week to help out a man.

There was a forest fire just before we came, it was still burning a few miles south of here on a mountain. We went over on a mountain close to there yesterday and saw some of it. It took everything some folks had and destroyed lots of trees. But lots of them can be sawed up into lumber if it is done this winter before the sap comes up in the spring. There is a big saw mill close that escaped the fire.

It is awful dry around here. They have to irrigate. Goose Lake has gone completely dry. There is nothing but the bed left. It is a big lake when there is water in it.

We are going to take our lunch and go up in the mountains to where there are some lakes. Where we went yesterday we could see a large lake bed. It was called Surprise Valley. It is nothing but dry gray sand for miles.

Night before last a couple came at two o'clock in the might to get Theo to marry them. They were from somewhere in Cal. And same up here to get married. The mother and sister were with them. Theo went to another town 22 miles away to preach a funeral day before yesterday. They had no preacher there. They gave him six dollars and the fellow he married gave him two, a notary's fee. There was a woman died here in town but another man will preach the funeral tomorrow.

This place is right at the foot of some mountains but they are not very high. It is such a dusty place around here. Theo has a garden a ways from here that he irrigates. I went with him one day. He has some of those sugar beets. They are good and sweet. Better than the other kind.

This seems to be a live working church. There are about 80 members. We went Sunday morning and night. Theo did will and preached good sermons.

I must close. It is cold this morning but will get hot after while.
Love,
Mama
I have a little more time and find I didn't tell you about going "into" Theo's homestead. It is into for we went into the forest and staid in it till we got there and then were right in the middle of it and in a little canyon with water running in the creek. The road is awful crooked and sideways and up and down, too. We thought we'd never get there but it didn't seem near so far coming out. We camped in the yard. The cabin was dirty and dusty and it was nice outside.

I have written to Percy and Cile so you can take this letter and go over there and let them read yours and you can read theirs. The folks are ready so I mush close.
Love,
Mama
I hope I'll get a letter from you before I leave here with some money for I haven't any left. I need some to get cards and souvenirs with.

(added in margin) Theo has nice little children. The baby is just like he used to be and looks like him but Lois M. and Bill are Goodwins. David is a cute little thing Bill hips.

Postcard postmark 8:00PM August 20, 1929

Redding Cal. Tues Aug 21
Dear Arlyn, We are this far on our way home. I was so disappointed that I didn't hear either from you or Percy's. I though sure that you would write anyway. I don't know whether you are sick or well. We were at Theo's from Sun. morning till the next Sun. morning. We had a good visit but not a tenth long enough. They are getting along pretty well and like the people. Theo gave me a little money and will return your letter to me if it came there. I hope you are well. I am felling very well.
Lovingly, Mama

Postcard postmark 5:30PM August 23, 1929

San Francisco Cal. Friday Aug 23./29
Dear Arlyn
We just got here and are having the car checked over. Camped across the bay north and came over in a ferry this morning. Don't know if this is the same ferry or not. Hope you are well. Am getting anxious to get home. Wish I could hear from you. We camped in the Red Woods night before last. Bringing some home.
Love, mama

Postcard postmark 6:00PM August 26, 1929

Riverside Cal. Monday Aug. 26
Dear Arlyn
We staid at Earl Earl McAnnich's at Los Angelos last night. Went to the Reir last night and saw the waves. Haven't more time.
Love mama

Postcard postmark 11:30AM August 30, 1929

Socorro N. Mex. Aug 29
Dear Arlyn
We are getting home as fast as we can. No, we are not going to Carlsbad. Won't have time. When we were in Los A. we saw the Graf Zeppelin come in. Forgot to tell you before. We will get to Durant about Sat. if nothing happens to prevent. All are well.
Love, Mama

(The following letter is not part of the letters from the trip west. It is dated on April 4, 1942 and postmarked April 6, 1942. This is just before her death and could be the last letter she wrote to anyone, I cannot be sure. It is in two parts, the first is addressed to my sister, Mary, in response to a note Mary had sent her. Mary was just over seven years old at the time. Letter to Mary, first.)

Hilltop House April 4^th /42
Dear Marylyn:
I enjoyed your nice little letter. You are learning real fast. Do you like to have mumps and measles? I am glad you are over them. Now you wont have to fear them anymore. Marth's kitty, Tarbaby, had a mess of four kitties. She was very proud of them and Dorthy's horse, Cute-enough, had a beautiful little boy colt. She wouldn't let us get near at first. She laie her ears back and turned her heals toward us so we had to keep away from her baby, but she is better natured now, but the colt blazes away at Uncle Pat when he bothers him. Uncle Pat has 90 little white leghorn chickens. They are over three weeks old now. Auntie Marigold came last night for Easter and Martha is going home with her to stay several weeks.

Tell Charles to write to me and Jon, too. Is Jon learning a lot at kindergarden? Lots of love, I wish I could see you,
Grandma

(The letter continues on the seocnd side, written to my parants)

Dear folks:
I was very glad to hear from you but was sorry the children were all sick. I have been wondering how you cared for them when you are both working. Did you get a girl to help you? Can't you get a colored maid at all, I wish I could send you someone but I have no way of finding anyone.

I told Mary about the the new coming on the farm so it seems I don't have much news. Pat and Cile are out working in the garden. Some of Cile's patrans gave her a whole lot of fine flower bulbs and they are putting tehm out. Martha ahs a whole lot of flower seed she sent off for thru the radio to plant and some left over from last year.

Tar-baby is outside the house door eating a mole she just caught. There are moles everywhere. I hope she will catch all of them. Pat ahs quite a potato patch out and onions, too. His hotbed is doing fine, most of the things in it are growing. He has run water pipe from the windmill to close to the garden, and his hose reaches to far enough on the garden to water most of the things. He has 50 strawberry plants out, Lola is planting things, such as iris and other things and shrubs. She put out strawberries, too. She is talking about drilling a well on her place, too, in the near future. Pears are in bloom and things are getting green. Pat thinks he can use Cutie to plow with next week. You know when Ben had her at OCU last spring she ran away and he found her at a horse farm. That is were she got this colt. It is a fine riding stock. It looks that way anyway. Dorathy is tickled pink aobut it.

Cile said after school is out if you wanted her and would pay her fare there and back Martha would come down and pay you a long visit. She could work the dishes, make the beds and sweep too and stay with the kids.

I sure would enjoy going to the coast but I wonder if I could stand the trip. I have ahd two heart spells. I guess I overdid some way but I am feeling better now. Dr. Henry is in bad shape. His doctor toem Mary he had cancer on the liver and might go any time or he might live a month or so but not longer, that they better write his relatives. He still goes to his office tho and carries on. Mary goes to the office and helps him. She has a desk, too.

They have cut me down to $13.00. I have had $21.00 until this month. I think is is unfair but I have to take it.

(the following was on a slip of paper added to the envelop with the above letter.)