7/27/69 Byrne, Jane, kids, Wunderlichs and their kids here for visit. I was interested to hear that Bob’s dad was active at 80 years. A great man in my book. To a Monahan gathering at Hugh’s place at 3 p.m. Dr. Mary Ghostley there - 90 years old, and very, very chipper. Jernbergs here for lunch. They seem to be reasonably calm over the loss of tires. Hope to get settlement from insurance tomorrow.
7/28/69 We decided to take advantage of break by getting some painting done on island. Shop, fish house and big cabin on program. Our men (except Bob) showed up this a.m. and seemed to think they were getting a good deal, working 3 days out of 11. Not so with Bernice. She is sulking! We made great progress. It looks good.
7/29/69 A dead calm, beautiful day and much accomplished at NWI. Brian, Jim, David and I kept at painting and we made great progress. Bernice moody as hell and some of it has rubbed off on girls. She apparently thinks she should get the full eleven days off due to the cancellation. We are asking the crew to work 3 days. What a goddamn imposition! At 5 p.m. I picked up Uncle Leonard and Aunt Bonnie and his sister and Gene at landing. Soon after, Hugh and Marnie, Bob & Becky and Becky’s mother came over. We loaded whole tribe in houseboat and off for a cruise.
7/30/69 Sally, after 37 years, got to Kettle Falls today. Layna, the Jernbergs and I off in Kelner’s boat about 9:30. Stopped at Finger Bay where kids played in water and on to Kettle Falls by noon. Waited a full hour before being served. When I paid check (4 adults & 3 kids) it was $24.00. I remember when we paid $5.50 a day American plan. Inflation has hit the old establishment. A few drops of rain as we landed at home and shortly after, all hell broke loose. Terrific wind out of west, accompanied by heavy rain. One great clap of thunder shook the island. Power out at 5 p.m. Not to return at bedtime. The wind switched to east and Jim (Jernberg) and I moved some of boats around. We made a run to their camp at Snowball Island and I was amazed to see how well it had survived. We played cards by light of old Coleman lanterns. Shades of “olden days”!
7/31/69 Almost 2” of rain. I am glad we kept our kids with us. This is poor camping weather. They stayed at island all day and I think they enjoyed that kind of “roughing it”, especially when they could look across and see their wind beaten camp on Snowball Island. At about 5 p.m. Byrne’s family and Jernbergs and Layna for a tour of Buck’s island. All hands greatly impressed, as well they might be. I think that both Jim and Byrne realize that there is a mighty fine chance that Buck has the best setup of all.
8/1/69 Layna and Jernbergs out for blueberries but mighty poor pickings. It is a good thing that the Indians do not have to depend on them for their economy. We haven’t had a decent crop in years. Jernbergs had thot of going back to island but we all ended up right here for fish fry. All well except for little John who apparently ate too many blueberries.
8/2/69 Karen full of good news. She carried 15 credit hours this summer quarter and came away with an “A” in 9 of them, “B” in 3 and a “C” in 3. I turned to Robin, shook his hand and said “Congratulations.” It was not all kidding. He has made her study, which is more than the rest of us could do. Maybe it was only pure inspiration. Jim here with Willy Yertsy (sp.) who will replace him when he goes west with Barnes. Layna and I in near argument when she indicated to Ed on phone that Jim was leaving with our full blessing. Not mine, by God! I think those damned Barnes should leave him alone unless they want to keep him full time. We have not looked at our movies taken at Dahlbergs for many years (maybe 10). I got thru 4 rolls when bulb burned out. Damn! A thrilling experience anyway, full of nostalgia. Will go thru with it tomorrow I hope.
8/3/69 The Jernbergs last day on Snowball Island. At 2:30 I picked up the Bill Lloyds and gave them a quick tour of our end of lake. Back to NWI where we talked over buoy situation. We see eye to eye there. We served them coffee and off they went in time for us to get to Sally & Jim’s with Robin and Karen. A real cookout. Fun. Back to island where Byrne’s family joined us in watching our 1940 movies. No one enjoyed them more that I. What memories. All thru it I kept telling myself “We did a damned good job of raising our kids - and they prove it!”
8/4/69 Sally and Jim broke camp and I am sure they hated to do it. It has been a pleasant two weeks. All has worked out well for them. We had plenty of time to give them so when the storms hit they could be at NWI. We have thoroly enjoyed having them.
8/5/69 Went with new guide, Willy, to Red Gut. Willie looks OK. Stopped at Spike Davidson’s and found him alone - Jeanette in hospital. Wally not well. Spike himself too feeble to get minnows. My old friends not doing too well.
8/6/69 Lt. Banen called from Duluth, then Esslinger from Falls. Much Coast Guard palaver. I sure am earning my money this year. Another helluva storm. Vern Jones and Arn Anderson, drunk, at island. They stayed until near midnight. Not too bad.
8/7/69 When we got back to island the wind down some so all hands out fishing. Poor. Our puny 40 mph wind not to be compared with tornado in Aitken area. 16 people killed. Wide spread damage. We were lucky.
8/8/69 Byrne and I to Ranier with idea of changing lamp changer. We had the wrong replacements. Damn. Put in new bulbs and let it go at that. I teased Layna into thinking someone had stolen tent on Snowball Island. She bit me when truth came out.
8/9/69 Home in time to join Layna and off for Monahan’s homestead. Karen had prepared a chicken dinner on grill. Gene, Robin, Laird, Layna and I. a very pleasant experience. Stopped at Boyd’s for ? hour. He still thinks that he pays more taxes than anyone. Hard to explain things to some people.
8/10/69 Fred Olson told guests he had hunted with me 30 years ago. I did not tell the details of what an ass he made of himself at Lawrence Olson’s place on Cranberry Bay. I must be mellowing.
8/11/69 Jim, John Case and I to North Arm for northerns. Fishing fair but as always, I was impressed how Jim ran in and out of bays, obviously knowing where he is going. I firmly believe that he knows Rainy Lake as well, or better, than anyone. Took the Herman Hertzes, Byrne & Jane and Harry for cruise and supper on houseboat. Jim Banks pulled in with his Ruth and new baby - “My little friend.” I hope we made them feel wanted, which they definitely were.
8/12/69 Ron Jonson with 4 adults and 9 kids docked as we pulled in. The Moes, Margaret and Mrs. France came down to meet us. What a gang! We had a couple of tequilas on houseboat and talked some park talk before coming to house Mrs. France and Margaret, self admitted powers in State Republican party, said that LeVander was secretly in favor of park in Lac LaCroix area. When Ron and I walked to house together he said “I don’t know if they know what they are saying, but it is stupid to be saying it up here.” I agreed. Moes left after having supper with us. Some pretty lively talk at table. Mrs. France very interesting.
8/13/69 Met Gil and Jean Edwards at house. The Herzes there. So much chatter I was almost lost on my own grounds. Later Gil came to island with Byrne ahead of rest. He sat in living room and talked almost a full hour about somebody we did not know doing something we never did figure out. Layna said she got the message but I’ll be damned if I did. To Buck and Dale’s at 5:30. The Moes, Margaret and Mrs. France there. More talk of park and politics. Lou agreed privately that Margaret and friend talk too much about things better left unsaid.
8/14/69 To Rainy Lake Lodge for birthday dinner for Jane. The Dr. Edwards along. We split the check which included drinks by Layna, Jane, Byrne and I. I wonder if they ever paid for liquor before! A visit at our house later. On leaving they said they would like to have us show them Mexico next winter. NEVER!
