Johnson Journals part 238

1/28/71 Still at the damned income tax. The state forms are worse than the federal, which they copied. They thought of more angles.

1/29/71 By noon I had all the tax forms in their respective envelopes. DONE! I made out our “estimated tax for 1971” with great glee. The bastards won’t get much out of us next year. To Buck and Dale’s for dinner. A good meal with good people. Buck is concerned about the Canadian-American tension, as well he might be. We reminded him, and he well remembered, that it was “forever thus.” It has been one damned thing after another ever since we started NWI in 1945. I tell myself that “this, too, will pass.” It sure is hell that fine men like Buck and Frankie Bohman should have to worry because of the petty bickering of petty people.

[Quotes and highlights from 1971 Mexican vacation.]

Duluth visit Karen & Robin

St. Paul visit Sally & Jim & George Williams.

“I finally learned what makes George George. He lives with two maiden sisters. His life has been molded to a great extent by these influences - and others, too, that I know of.”

“Got $1500 travelers checks.”

Winona, MN. Visit Bill & Dare Whites.

Emporia, KS. Blizzard conditions.

“Our astronauts due for moon walk during night and I think we are with the majority of our fellow countrymen when I say, ‘So what?’ There are many serious problems to be solved ahead of that one.”

Dickenson, TX. Visited Layna’s cousins, Benoists & Palmers.

Monterey.

“Met a couple from Ohio who had come in at Laredo and were on way out at Matamoros. They had seen Mexico! Here we go again.”

Matchula.

“A missionary from Texas worked on us until almost midnight. He left us with a prayer, knowing that he had accomplished little. It is very difficult for us to understand a mentality that comes to Mexico and tries to woo the peons away from Catholicism.”

San Miguel.

Colima.

Manzanillo.

“We went to visit the Warren Shuffs and George McIntyres. A very pleasant couple of hours watching the porpoises and whales jump to interrupt our conversation.”

“George McIntyre and I begged off from shopping and took a long hike down beach to where Mexicans were salvaging an old ship.”

“ We left our ‘port in a storm’, the New Yorker. If it was a matter of staying there or go home we would have headed north.”

“Layna and I to visit Mr. Black. He has been coming to Manzanillo for 22 years. We talked about the Ranier people. He has not changed his opinion of Gina Erickson - he hates her.”

“We got seats in the enclosed area at the park and listened to the music of two bands. The young ones were twisting hell out of themselves.”

“An old saying goes, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy man to do it.’ How true! I haven’t a damned thing to do in this world other than write a letter to our kids (a job I thoroly enjoy) and I just can’t seem to find the time. I pulled myself together to the extent of writing a few cards, one in Spanish to Mary Turrene but the effort of putting up the typewriter is just too much.”

“We dug for artifacts for 1 ½ hours and altho much pottery and a few broken pieces of art work we found nothing spectacular.”

“We sat on the terrace and watched the ¾ moon play on the breakers. Very, very tropical and home seems far away - and is!”

Guadalajara.

“Watched Frazier - Ali fight on TV then to bed to read from Gideon Spanish Bible.”

“Down to the new Plaza del Sol shopping center. It was in every way on par with Oakdale in Chicago and Southdale in Minneapolis. What people!”

Tequila.

“An English speaking Mexican gave us a tour of the Sauza distillery. Very interesting, particularly the mural showing the effects of tequila on a bunch of natives - nudes and all.”

San Blas.

“My guts acting up a bit - and no wonder. This is not what one would call a place of ‘hospital cleanliness’.”

Culiacan.

“This country has changed immensely in past few years. Many irrigated farms stretch mile after mile along road.”

“to Copper Canyon lodge. A beautiful winding road, very mountainous and very, very rough. We were happy to learn that there were 7 other couples staying there. Some of them were very disgruntled. We weren’t. It was just like Norway Island in 1945.”

Guaymas.

“Stopped for lunch at Navajoa and almost got in a fight with a Californian camper. He criticized the Mexicans for never finishing anything and I jumped right down his throat. His last remark as we left was, ‘I know what I’m talking about, and you don’t.’ I had one consolation. He was obviously so upset that his lunch was spoiled.”

Nogales.

“We never had it so good. They did not even ask where we were born!”

Tucson, AZ. Visit Dan & Eileen Clark.

“Much talk about their new project at the old Sheep Ranch. I have certain misgivings about the whole deal, maybe because I am so damned cautious. It will be an interesting project to watch.”

Prescott, AZ. Visit Whitney & Rosalie Brown.

Cottonwood, AZ.

“To get a close look at Verde Village. We were sure that we did the right thing by not buying a lot there when they wined and dined us last fall. We are positive now. What a helluva place to live!”

Riverside, CA. Visited Ruth Place, former Falls High English teacher.

“We first went to the Matthew Lake water project where California has diverted billions of gallons from the Colorado river to the L.A. area. I remember hearing Whitney complain about this ‘theft’ many years ago.”

“Harry Davey had told us about the tram that took 80 passengers at a load up 5800 feet to the summit of the mountain. We were totally unprepared for what we found. It is a good thing that I conquered my fear of heights years ago. I have never been so awed and thrilled.”

Alhambra, CA. Visited Don’s sister, Beryl, and her family.

“We had some serious thinking to do concerning our past - and our lineage. From all we can gather, my father’s side of the family died when he came to this country. There are relatives on my mother’s side still living but - so what?”

“Ted, Carol, Layna and I off for Disneyland at 9:30. We put in the full day.”

“Up early so we could have breakfast with, and say goodbye to, Carol. We agree that she is one of the greatest. Said goodbye to Beryl and no tears. Somehow I feel she will outlive all of us!”

Kingman, AZ. Visited Welshes from Camp Kooch-i-ching days.

“George took us all to dinner and I spent a goddamn boring evening sitting between father and son who disagreed on every point of discussion - bitterly.”

St. Paul, MN. Visited Sally & Jim.

“A big meal of ribs and then they brought on the birthday cake. After we got to bed, I lay awake reviewing the past 65 years and realize fully that I have been truly one lucky man.”

“We had a good chance to talk to Sally. She has grown up from a lovable kid to a great lady. She was, is and I am sure will be, a parent’s joy.”

Duluth, MN. Visited Karen, Robin and Laird Monahan.

4/7/71 Home! 9430 miles driven without a serious hitch. Well done, Layna. We drove out to receive a grand welcome at Buck and Dale’s. They gave us the news that Jayme and Timmy were leaving for California tomorrow. Everyone concerned, including us, thrilled. Good kids, and their parents appreciate them - and vice versa. A rare deal now days. To dinner at “Spot” with Harry. He broke the news that he and Bernie have made full wedding plans - to take place early this summer. We are all for it. Learned that Tense Shuff is a terminal cancer victim. What a tragedy for everyone who knows this great gal.

4/8/71 A mountain of mail to go thru. We are gaining. Mr. Banen here at noon. Buck too. We talked over coming summer. Buck has job for sure. Banen seems greatly pleased with change in personnel. I’m glad. Worked most of p.m. on Harry’s column. It did not go easy.