The Johnson Journals, Chapter 192

•  Don visits Byrne and family in Pittsburgh

•  Don celebrates Thanksgiving

•  Don attends Vikings game in Pittsburgh

11/6/67 Up at 5:30 and off for ducks at daylight. Temperature 18 degrees so most bays partly, or all, frozen over. We had a total of 21 by 11 a.m. A very successful hunt. Also a most pleasant two days with Wayne. Not one damned word said by either of us concerning Voyageurs Park. Very pleased when Layna agreed to go to Spanish class. She discovered by the way the rest of us stumble around that she is not so far behind. I think she got a real lift. Maybe we can keep at this together.

11/7/67 Our Larson frozen in in Jackfish Bay. I went out about 10:30, broke the 1” ice, started motor and ran thru ice to open water in channel. On to island to pick up my fishing gear for Mexico. Worked on my talk to Rotarians. Hope I make out.

11/8/67 Had a few butterflies in my stomach when I took off for town at 11 a.m. to face the Rotarians. I had worked for couple hours on my speech and felt I had it as pat as I ever would. Still scared a bit however. Well, I need not have been. It went fine. In fact, to quote Harry, “I wowed 'em!” It was a gratifying experience and well worth the effort I put into it. I came home to work on my Coast Guard reports. What a pain in the butt those things are!

11/9/67 I kept my deer hunting record intact. Buck picked me up at 7 a.m. He drove Dahlberg's island and at 8 a.m. I shot a big doe. On home by noon. We are packed for an early start tomorrow.

11/10/67 Off for Duluth by 7:30 a.m. Layna to see Dr. Williams who told her not to come back for 1 year. What a relief that was. On to Sally's. A grand reunion. Guests began coming at 8 p.m. 16 all told, including John Peterson, a great guitar player. We sang almost steady until 2:30 a.m. A fun gathering.

11/11/67 A bit woozy from lack of sleep. To see Fiddler on the Roof with Sally, Jim and Karen. A great performance by all hands and thoroly enjoyed by everyone. Fun to be with our kids.

11/12/67 Off for Thorfinsons' at 10:30. No one but an absolute fool would try to predict what the future holds with these people (ADM) but we can hope for best.

11/15/67 Down town with Layna, Karen and Sally. To Daytons to see Dickens Village. I wonder how many viewers give any thought to the effort it obviously took to put it together. To me it was an opportunity to renew acquaintance with many characters I first met in Buck Lake days. Lunch at Daytons and on to ADM office where Howard Nissi gave us the $2.00 tour. Met many, many ex NW Islanders. It tickled our egos to be so well accepted.

11/17/67 Off for Downers Grove at 8:30. Much interesting talk with Karen. We are now about 98% in favor of her going east.

11/21/67 A very pleasant trip. Karen in fine form. We sang, talked, and studied Spanish. To Pittsburgh and Byrne and Jane's by 4:30. A small mix-up in directions but we found the place without calling them. Sheila playing in road when we pulled in. I can't imagine four noisier kids than these. Not sure what I would do to combat it but know I would make a mighty effort. A good visit with Byrne and Jane after kids in bed. Byrne happy with Pittsburgh but having a hard time selling family on idea.

11/22/67 Karen and I walked to store for tape, about 1-1/2 miles round trip. We had a good visit, much of it concerning the raising of kids. She knows more about it now than she ever will. Wonder how she will apply that knowledge when she gets on the battle field with four strangers in New Hampshire. When we got home, I went in basement and began playing piano with one finger. Somehow I wandered on to “Daddy's Little Girl”. I choked up so badly that I walked into woods back of house and cried like a baby. Don't know now if I am soft in the heart or head. Great discussion on kid raising between Byrne and Karen in evening. Much talking and little listening.

11/23/67 Thanksgiving Day and we survived without a blow-up between children and adults. A few near misses, however. Layna in her element in Jane's kitchen and did much toward making dinner. Byrne and I washed storm windows and installed same. All in all a good day. Karen a little antsy.

11/24/67 At 5:30 I walked out to bus stop hoping to meet Byrne. I waited about 15 minutes. Somehow my thots back to 1914 when I trudged down road at Buck Lake, carrying a kerosene lantern, to meet Lee and group. Today the cars went by in a never ending stream, Jets roared overhead. What has man wrought in a short 50 years?

11/25/67 Byrne took Layna, Sheila, Tara and me on tour of downtown Pittsburgh. We were gone almost three hours on a most interesting jaunt. Stopped at old Fort Pitt (Duquesne) where a new museum is in the making. On and on from modern business America thru the worst slums I have ever seen - as bad as anything in Mexico. How those people could use some of that “moon money.” At 10:30 Byrne drove Layna, Karen and me to Greyhound Bus depot. A half hour wait in line with people from all over the world milling around near us. To think that 3 green Swedes from Hibbing started all this! I choked up badly when Karen took off. Thot I, “There goes my little girl.”

11/26/67 Byrne, Brad and I off for Pittsburgh - Minnesota Viking game at 12:30. Altho Byrne had never been at a game, we had no trouble getting parked, etc. A comedy of errors followed. Fumbles, interceptions, penalties, blocked kick, and Vikings muddled thru 41-27. I thoroly enjoyed it all, as did Brad. He kept a running verbal battle with the fans behind us, and held his own. Layna had had a big day with grandchildren. We have decided they are good kids but too goddamn noisy! Did you make it to New Hampshire, Karen?

11/27/67 An early start from Byrne's and we needed it. In a weak moment yesterday, we told the Edwardses that we would stop in Coshocton, Ohio. It developed that it was way out of our route. Winding roads, detours and it took us until noon to make it. However, it was all worth while. A good lunch and then Doc took us out to the agriculture station where Bill works. Started in WPA days, it has been conducting interesting experiments ever since. Bill is in charge of 11 lycimeters plus many, many earth and water measuring devices. We even understood some of it. The tour wound up with a half hour ride thru Amish country.

11/28/67 An uneventful journey from Mansfield to Downers Grove. We did not even get lost. Arrived at 4 p.m. Chewed rag until midnight. Good.

12/1/67 Left St. Paul at 9:00 a.m. Happy to be home after one of the best trips ever. Layna drove every bit of way from Pittsburgh. Governor LeVander came out officially for Park!

12/2/67 Home with an armful of mail which included a fine letter from Karen. She is practically settled and sounds happy. Many good letters but one sad one. Rose Snowball wrote to say that George had died of a heart attack. He was one of the best men we ever knew, white or red, and we know how she must feel. When we finished with the mail, we got the 20 papers that had accumulated in our absence. Much news there. Things happen if we are here or not. Bob Cole died, as did Ella Howard. So goes it. Wayne Judy called to greet us home. I thot he might gloat over the Park deal but he kept it straight.

12/3/67 Layna and I to landing where we worked 1-1/2 hours clearing and burning. We are desperately in the need of exercising after sitting for 3 weeks. At 7 p.m. Karen called. She was so bubbling over about her setup that she just had to tell us. God, what a relief to know that she is happy and feels that she did the right thing. This could develop into something worthwhile. To the Daveys at 9 p.m. Much to talk about as we have not seen them for three weeks.

12/4/67 Wrote cards, studied Spanish most of day until Dale, Bernice and kids showed up at 5 p.m. for supper. Boys full of hunting stories. They should be. In the regular season Jayme shot two deer, Terry got two and Buck got one. To Spanish class at 8:00. I have been gone for three weeks but for the exception of Fred Williams, I am way ahead of the rest. I should be. I read very little English on the trip.