5/8/66 Worked in shop and put casing around door in laundry before time to get Daveys at 1 p.m. Had chance for short visit with Carlsons before they came. They look remarkably well after a tough winter. A hot drink, a good dinner, good conversation and all looked brighter. We dragged out old Edison phonograph which hit a high note in nostalgia for all present.
5/9/66 A week ago we set May 10 as deadline for taking houseboat up lake, thinking that the ice would be gone. There has been practically no change in ice conditions since then. We decided to stay put until we can go all the way, even tho we pass up first party. To Molly’s funeral. Layna, Lou, Mae, Mary L. and I. The church was packed, many square dancers. The pall bearers were all square dancers. I damned near broke down during service but kept from it by chasing my thots far a field. Stayed for “wake” at church and had chance to talk to Charlie. He is a man!
5/10/66 Woke up during night thinking about buoy job, realizing something desperate had to be done. I did it. Called Frank Bohman who agreed to pick me up at island with his plane at 9:30. He did and I was off for Kettle Falls with my painting gear. Got a boat from Charlie Williams and by supper, 6 p.m. I had 9 finished. Out again at 7:30 and finished just at dark. A good bull session in kitchen until midnight, led by Bessie Davis and Art Langford. What characters!
5/11/66 Up at 6:45 and out on lake before 8:00. Here’s how an old man sets a buoy alone. Painted the 12 buoys in river. Here is how I set them out alone on 11th. Had a 16 foot Larson boat and 10 hp kicker. First located exact spot with pike pole and dropped can marker. To shore where I ran boat along side spot where buoy lay. Lifted 100# sinker onto plank stretched between two seats. Wore hip boots so could work right in water, it would be impossible otherwise. Then I slid buoy into water (tough in some places) and towed it to site. It took some doing to handle boat, motor, buoy and be able to jump up and dump sinker at just the right moment. Some places much worse that others because of heavy current. I got the last one in at 3:30. Some minor irritants, sheared a pin and had to make one out of a nail. Had to reset one buoy. Motor did not idle well. After putting one in, I knew that barring an accident (or pooping out), I could make it. I plugged along, a few minor delays but by 3:30 I had the last 12 in. A deep feeling of accomplishment - and immediately began to wonder, or worry, how the rest were to be done. Buck picked me up at 4:30 and off for home. We flew down Rainy, high enough to see into Canadian side, and much, much ice in all directions. Despite moderate wind all day, it has moved but little. It is not “ripe”.
5/12/66 Kirk, Bill, Gerry and I flew over all of Rainy Lake - and she is ice bound. Called Coast Guard for supplies but no go until Tuesday. I am getting panicky. Called Byrne and he will bring light house materials with him tomorrow night.
5/13/66 To town by 8 a.m. to get cruiser launched. We made it by 10:30. Fooled with plumbing at island. Got nowhere. Damn! Byrne came at 10:30 p.m. Has batteries and lights with him. Good, good boy.
5/14/66 Byrne and I at new type lights by 8 a.m. We wasted some time because Byrne failed to eliminate all the lights in testing light cell. All going by 4 p.m. To town and picked up 3 buoys, took them out to landing and painted same. High hopes for tomorrow.
5/15/66 Byrne put 4 lamps up in cabin but as wind kept howling, we decided buoy job out of question. He left at 1:30. I sure appreciated his help.
5/16/66 To Fort where final preparations are going on for Mando take off tomorrow, early. Had lunch with Amidon and MacKellar. Both having more than their share of trouble. No wood for Amidon, labor giving Mac a bad time. I am not the only one up to his ears.
5/17/66 At Fort Frances at 7 p.m. for take off of houseboat. Out on lake at 8:30 when I could see I could be spending my time better on buoy job. Took off for island with Bill Martin. I know damned well that I should have cleared this with MacKellar yesterday but I was at a point where I could not accept “No” for an answer. Painted and put out five buoys alone.
5/20/66 Called MacKellar and he asked me over to lunch. I half expected (and deserved a chewing out.). Fears unfounded. His opening remark “I have everybody mad in O&M except you.” Labor negotiations have been tough. I must be good for him. We had a pleasant visit and he took me back to Falls at 2 p.m. Party came at 5:00. Arrived at Mando at 6:30.
5/22/66 To Sand Island Falls for fair fishing. Hard to fish. Many boats, heavy current, much debris, strong wind, many snags. This party - all old friends, are a very appreciative group and I feel we have done a good job on them.
5/24/66 Spent practically all morning on Coast Guard book work. Should be getting more money at this rate.
5/27/66 Got word that next party canceled out. We will have MacKellars and Maleys for couple of days - then 4 days off. Sounds OK.
5/28/66 Three trips to Crawford’s today for some kind of a record. 1) took Lee Rich in at 7:30. Temperature about 35 degrees and a strong north wind. No gloves and I damned near froze my hands on way back. Even considered going to shore and building a fire. 2) Took party over at 12:30 and kissed them goodbye. At 2:00 p.m. the MacKellars and Maleys came. 3) at 7 p.m. went back to pick up Layna. Had a late dinner and much good conversation. The three Maley kids, Bob(13), Gloria(11) and Tommy (9) all well mannered, interesting youngsters. I am going to appreciate opportunity of studying Maley for next three days.
5/29/66 I fished with the two men and did well enough altho highlight of day was sitting in cruiser, drink in hand, talking about labor problems in Falls and Fort Frances. Said Maley, “I pray to God that the unions in the Falls will not test me because if they do, it will take the mill, and the town, at least a year to recover - and maybe never.”
5/31/66 To town to clean up odds and ends and by 12:30 on way to Kettle Falls alone. Put Scotchlite on some buoys, numbers on some. Had coffee at Dutchy Oveson’s. Finished last buoy in Kettle River at 10:00 p.m. and off for home. Bright moonlight, and a good thing. High water has floated much debris off shore and traveling hazardous. I sailed on in, not hitting a thing.
6/1/66 Johnny here for supper and after, we went out to #14. It was partially sunk because chain fouled on bottom. I had jerked it in all directions with kicker during day with no luck. We hooked on with Cascadian [formerly Barthell] and altho we gained about a foot, we could not free it completely.
6/2/66 Ran over to see Dick Secrist at Camp Koochiching. He was not home so took a 1⁄2 hour tour of place alone. What a nostalgic experience! Vance peering out from every corner. Rocky Hampton, Rosie Fritch, Bill & George Ray - on, on, on, on, on. The physical properties a far cry from the tent camp of 1929. They have come a long way. Sheila here. Flew in North Central. What a kid! I love her.
6/3/66 The Coast Guard has decreed that I make out a report on each aid to navigation in my care. I have 32 buoys, 7 day markers, 3 lights, 2 targets for a total of 44 (not counting Ranier range lights). A separate sheet is required for each one. Water still rising in lake. Our dock a few inches out. Many others under. Goddamn, I have joined the squawkers (mentally) who feel the company is at fault for our “flood”. It seems that the lake could have been let down at least a foot lower sooner.
6/4/66 Spent a little time with Sheila. She is a lady at the age of six. Said she when Layna asked if she missed her family, “No, they all bawled me out when I do something, and even worse, they bawl me out when I don’t do something.”
6/5/66 Took gang to Porters Inlet for excellent fishing. All boats got limits. Best cribbage series in years. We played many, many games and tonight we are down $.90. Rest of gang played poker. I am aching for a song fest but this does not look like the right group.
