Johnson Journals part 240

5/9/71 Layna took me to landing at 7 a.m. so I could make preparations for buoy job - maybe my last. To Buck’s by 8:00. We took off in 2 boats. Jim & Tim in one to paint, Buck and I in other to put them in. On up lake and arrived at Christianson’s at 8:00 p.m. A bit pooped but others were too, but mostly Tim. We ate stew for supper, played old phonograph and in bed by 9:30. A good start.

5/10/71 We finished in river by 11:30. Had to get gas at Hotel and had chance to see what a frenzy some people are in to get their place ready. Said Blanche Williams,“We work and slave and keep patching this place and maybe it will fall down on us.” The hotel inspectors are giving them a bad time. We went back to Speed’s and had lunch and split up. Jim and Tim on home. Buck and I down north channel. A few details and Buck will be on his own - almost!

5/11/71 Dick Demaris, real estate agent, stopped in about 7:30. He asked “do you have any property for sale?” He stayed for 2 hours, talking about many things, mostly about real estate. He looks like a real goer, but we made no commitment.

5/12/71 Worked at Finstads until 5:30. Home for supper, then launched houseboat and took it up to island. It ran good. Norman Larson called at noon. He is all excited about houseboat. He plans on running it, with his family, from St. Paul to Illinois River, then across country by truck to a big lake close to Decatur. Good luck!

5/13/71 We have been trying to weigh all the angles concerning our invitation to visit the Rays. A month ago, when it was given, it sounded like a great idea. Now, with take off date tomorrow, we would rather stay home. Ardys sounded so enthusiastic on phone that we just couldn’t turn them down. We are going. To Shannons for dinner. George Garganos there. All going to square dance in Fort Frances. I feel like Cinderella.

5/14/71 Off for Duluth about 2 p.m. Met hundreds of cars on their way north to fishing grounds. Where the hell you going, Johnson? Maybe, down deep, we are showing we are completely emancipated from fishing and fishermen by leaving Rainy Lake on opening day.

5/15/71 On to Rays with no trouble, arriving about 5:00 p.m. The usual enthusiastic welcome. It makes the long drive worth while.

5/16/71 We gathered at the Steckmessers at 3:30. Rays, Johnsons, Stecks, Rinaldos and Elliott. A good group, all ecology minded. Much good conversation, some of it in no way concerning us but interesting, none the less.

5/17/71 Spent much of day in Norton Arboretum. George & Ardys grew up with it and they always seem happy to take us there. It is a treat for us. We have never seen it bursting with spring like it is now. A great experience.

5/18/71 To the Brookfield Zoo. We were there with the Rays about 1935. It was the last time for them, too. A great day. The animals were interesting enough but the human animals more so, especially the kids. Many, many busloads there with their teachers, like so many old hens with chicks. We saw one gal with an idea. She had her group all hanging on to a rope as they traveled along.

5/19/71 George and I to the Field Museum. I was there first in 1934. It amazed me then, and still does. As with the zoo, I spent some time people watching - all the way from serious students taking notes to teenagers who stormed down the corridors noisily seeing nothing. It is great for theologians to tell of their feeling of inferiority when they view the grand works of the Creator. I get this feeling most when I stand and admire some of the works of my fellowmen. The Field Museum is full of it.

5/20/71 Almost a tearful farewell at 8:30. A beautiful day. Countryside amazingly green. Layna drove on, and on and on. A stop for gas, a bite to eat and the miles slipped behind us. Home at 8:30 - twelve hours and 666 miles later.

5/21/71 Grabbed a few thing and off for island. A beautiful afternoon. Layna raked and cleaned up until dark. I went great guns hooking up plumbing until I broke a union under the house. Damn! It was ever thus. With 25 year old plumbing you can expect at least one break a year.

5/22/71 Decided to put our Starcraft in the water. To Buck’s where Jayme and Timmy were helping him. All gave a hand and our boat went in with little trouble. Back to island where I replaced broken union of yesterday. We cleaned shop - now keep it that way, Johnson, there is no one on island to mess it but you.

5/23/71 We took on another inside job. The fish house a mess - deer hides, blood, ice maker crate, etc. We kept right at it until finished at noon. It was seven months ago that Jim and I built the indestructible crate for the ice maker. I sure had one helluva time dismantling it. That one sure back fired.

5/24/71 The people who have been squawking about low water will soon be changing their tune. “Goddamn Boise Cascade!”

5/25/71 Wind howled all night. I rolled and tossed thinking about boats at island, especially houseboat. What if it broke loose? Who would pay the $7000? I knew that ADM carried no insurance on it. I went to island to learn that wind had shifted to north and all well. What a relief! Bernice called at 4:00 to ask us to see There was a Crooked Man. Kirk Douglas and Henry Fonda in a ribald western, but I enjoyed it. Layna won’t accept the language. She is right. Bernice full of talk. Johnny, Sue, her house, new job with Amidon.

5/27/71 The fishing season has been on for almost 2 weeks and today we finally got out. We ran down to Point, cleared boat, stopped at Jones for minnows and on to Grassy Portage Bay by 5:30. Not a damned thing until Layna caught a 2# walleye at 7:00. We stayed until sundown and she caught 4 more. I got skunked! Our gear, from boat to minnow bucket, functioning perfectly.

5/28/71 We keep plugging away at NWI. You would think we were expecting guests in a few days. I am sure we are not kidding ourselves when we say we are mighty happy it is not true. We are busy - living it up. I am supremely happy. After supper, we decided to run in for mail and a few things. As we were preparing to leave #265, Frankie Johnson drove in. I have not talked to him for more than a year - one of my very favorite people. He stayed until 9:00. A good visit. His father still active at his tailor shop, 88 years old. Tough old Viking for sure. An inspiration for all of us retirees.

5/30/71 Karen on Weight Watchers Diet. She gave us a complete run down. Looks interesting.

6/1/71 Practically a full day at #265 getting place ready for our summer tenants. It will be a relief to have someone staying there. Ronnie Jonson, with 10 guests aboard, stopped in to treat us to a drink and ask us out for dinner. We took first but passed up on second. We had eaten. A good visit, however.

6/2/71 A beautiful, calm, warm day. I decided to do something about the buoys. Off for Olsons Reef. Had depth finder and amazed at discovering the size of reef - an underwater island. On to Sandpoint and ran into snag when I was short one pin for shackle. Rigged up a poor deal instead.

6/3/71 Wind blew during night and I was concerned about the poor rig I had on buoy at Sandpoint. At 5:30 I was on my way to replace it. Did. Now I feel better.