6/5/71 Layna came from town about 3 p.m. to say Clarks could be at their island. Heavy rain and wind but we went over. They were there in the usual moving mess. They invited us to go to R.L. Lodge for dinner. On their way to island their engine over heated and they were adrift in 3 foot waves, headed for Canada, when we rescued them. This has become almost routine. To R.L. Lodge and had a good time. Home at 10:30. We put Clarks to bed at NWI. It is a good thing to keep an eye on them.
6/6/71 Clarks left after breakfast, that is, we took them. Layna in Starcraft with Dan & Eileen to haul bunch of stuff from island. I towed their boat to Kulavar’s. These people sure have their troubles. Some their own fault, but not all. To Les Cleveland’s for a drink at 4 p.m. We ended up by asking him for supper. He came. Good company. Real good company. Much in common.
6/7/71 At 5 p.m. I met the Daveys and Virgil Andersons. Cool and windy, but clear. A very interesting and pleasant 5 hours followed. Layna had baked the two Willard Lake trout. I did not think about asking the Reverend to say grace until we were almost thru. I then thot, “This is our house, we don’t say it when we are alone, why now?” and felt better.
6/8/71 Dennis Nelson of Social Security in Falls. I sat for 2 hours to see him - like waiting for a doctor. Old people and sick people should learn to wait gracefully. When I finally got to him he said I had no problem. I retired from Coast Guard in March. Nothing from them yet. A good thing we are not depending on Uncle Sam to keep us going.
6/9/71 Vivian Sutch came back to island with us at 12:30. She stayed thru lunch, cocktails and dinner and we took her in at 8:30. A great gal. She and Layna sat in sun for several hours, just talking. Damned good for both of them.
6/10/71 We have let other activities interfere with our fishing. Today, despite east wind and threat of rain, we went to Grassy Portage about 9 a.m. We caught our limit of WE (fair size) and Layna got a 2# crappie. It is time to mention my wolf record. I received it from Natural History Museum about 2 weeks ago. It has recordings of howls - also a narration by Robert Redford. A strong pitch for the preservation of this endangered species. I have played it to anyone who will sit still and listen - very potent stuff.
6/11/71 Timmy came with note to say Hall Templeton wanted me to call him. He said he wanted to come up either the middle of this month or late in July. We agreed that it would be better if he came later. Called George Amidon who agreed with us. I got Hall on phone and he sounded so darn happy at the very prospect of coming soon that I said “Come ahead!” He will be here June 16. Like Layna says, “I have round heels.”
6/12/71 Something happened today to make me glad that I am retired. I don’t think I could handle a job, any job, even dock boy at NWI. I made a special trip to town to buy two filters for the houseboat and altho I came back with several other items, I did not have the filters, nor know where I left them. In writing this I recall an incident at Buck Lake (1918 - 1921) when I rode my bicycle to Nashwauk (12 miles) for mail and came home without it. Maybe it isn’t just old age. The McIntyres and Biondich’s stopped in. A good visit.
6/13/71 Timmy brought our mail. A letter from Civil Service saying a check for $400 was on way to tide us over until they got my Coast Guard pension processed. It proves that I have not been forgotten completely.
6/14/71 Put the final licks on the houseboat. I would say it looks almost as good as new. Chuck Skrief and his girl friend paddled in. He is writing a book on the lives of Oberholtzer and Backus. I am to read the manuscript. I am looking forward to it. Thru a bit of a foul up the Larsons missed Layna and came out with Ed Laurion. They (all 4 of them) really excited about their coming cruise. I was very much impressed by the 15 year old Dan. They took us to dinner at Island View. Kids very eager and alert as they should be. Home by 8 p.m. to talk boat and boating. An interesting (and interested) family. I would like to believe that Dan and John Larson along with Timmy and Jayme Johnson are more the “typical American Boy” than the ones who made the headlines.
6/15/71 A 7:30 breakfast so the Larsons could get the houseboat on the road. Dan started engines and backed out of slip. He then made a couple of circles while his Dad took pictures. He’ll do. A calm morning so no problem putting boat on truck. A small lump in my throat as she took off down the road. Another chapter ended. Few regrets there, however. On home to spruce up Templeton’s craft. From a 36 footer to a 10 footer. Some contrast. My thots on the 4 Larsons cruising down the mighty Mississippi - Dan a steady headed 15 year old who could handle the whole deal. The mother seems very capable - and affable. Norman somewhat of a worry wart, not bad tho. Little John could be the trouble maker.
6/16/71 We went in to meet Hall Templeton at 6:00 - plane due at 8:00 so we had time to visit with Eleanor Burrock. When Hall got off the plane, I realized what a responsibility we had in taking care of him for a few days. The old adage “I felt sorry for myself because I didn’t have shoes till I saw the man without feet,” kept running thru my mind. What a remarkable man he is! Stopped at Amidons for a short drink and visit. Good.
6/17/71 When I looked out our window at 7:00 a.m. I saw Hall rowing by in his little boat. Somehow or other he had launched it himself! After breakfast he took a nap - rain - but at 12 noon he was on the water again despite rain. It cleared about 1:30 but west wind pretty sharp. I went after him but he refused a ride. Came in at 4:00. Not too pooped apparently. George Amidon for dinner at 5:30. He had a chance to talk to us alone. He was so damned mad at the Boise brass that he could scarcely talk. He cooled off before Hall came down and a very pleasant evening followed.
6/18/71 A moderate west wind all day made boat handling a little difficult but fish very cooperative. We had 12 good WE by noon, threw at least 6 back. Ate lunch as boat drifted across Red Gut then ran down to Black Sturgeon to see new road. They are sure raising hell with the landscape. Hall took us to new Thunderbird Lodge for dinner. Excellent.
6/19/71 Raining hard by 10 a.m. No rowing for Hall. We sat at table from 7:00 till 9:30 discussing many subjects. He uses the phrases “In any event” and “by gracious” so frequently that at times I find it distracting. A good thinker, undoubtedly. He likes to ask questions, many unanswerable by me. It doesn’t bother me. He is confused, too. Rain slacked off after lunch and he took off for Nowhere Island area. I think he was intrigued by the name. He rowed for 3 hours. Sheldons here for evening visit. It was good. Tad a devoted father.
6/20/71 On to Clarks V-Bar-V Ranch (Sheep Farm Road). They have done an amazing job in the three weeks they have been there. Have built literally miles of fence, more to come. They are in the process of rejuvenating the old building. They have about 300 cows feeding on the lush grass. Dan in heaven as well an Arizonian would be seeing acre after acre of high grass. It takes 50 acres to feed a cow (just keep her alive) in Arizona. It takes less than one to put weight on one here.
6/21/71 After lunch, Layna and I picked up Lisa and Jill and off for Bears Pass to get Harry’s boat. The girls had planned to ride back with me but decided to go with Layna so they could get their parents an anniversary gift. May they always be that thoughtful.
6/22/71 To town by noon to meet Kimballs and Ryans at Harry’s. The Ryans look good. On to Fort for lunch and to island by 3:30. Our guests duly impressed as well they might be. Everything in tip-top shape. All hands to Grassy Portage Bay to fish. We should be forever grateful to Harry for tying us up with these fine people. On home to a delightful cocktail hour and Layna’s usual belly buster - “Yee, am I proud!”
