The Johnson Journals, Chapter 198

•  Don attends a Rotary meeting regarding VNP

•  Don writes letters to Coast Guard

•  Karen announces she’s engaged

4/29/68 We are marooned on our island - and like it. Strong NW wind pushed ice in from both directions and by noon we were completely surrounded by a moving mass. Some of it floated right on by to disappear in the channel between Dahlbergs and Keyes. Most of it disintegrated when it hit the shores. Needless to say, we had no company. About 1944 we moved the Hvoslefs over here before the breakup. They were stuck about a week. How times have changed. It was primitive for them. We have telephone, electric power, gas heat. We have one thing in common, however. Much to do.

4/30/68 Island still surrounded by floating ice when we got up but it looks mighty soft. Did many odd jobs to make shop more livable. God help the guy who messes it up next summer, including me. At about 3 p.m. we decided to try to go to Buck’s. Ice around our island so soft that we ran right thru it. When we got to his place, he came sailing in in the airplane. A good visit and we took him to Camp for his boat.

5/1/68 To Rotary with Harry to hear Senator Higgins of Duluth blast the proponents of the National Park. It was refreshing. He admitted that the cards were stacked against us but by God, he would go down fighting.

5/2/68 Knowing full well that it is too early and I might be making a mistake, I hooked up the plumbing to the main house. There will be a mad scramble to drain it if it turns cold. There is always some damned thing to worry about.

5/3/68 I was all set to put batteries in Coast Guard lights when Layna hollered to say a pipe had broken near hot water tank in kitchen. Damn. It took until noon to get everything flowing again. My light job went much better. All three blinking tonight.

5/4/68 Off for Duluth with the Daveys at 9:15. Picked up Karen at noon for lunch at “Somebody’s House”. A fun deal. On to Auditorium to see On a Clear Day. We were 45 minutes early so decided to take a peek at Builder’s Show going on in arena part. I bought tickets for $7.50 + .32 tax - and when Harry asked how much they were, I said “Two bits each.” I know damned well that if he knew the truth I would get razzed in his column. Karen decided to go home with us which pepped up the whole group. Stopped at Monahan’s for coffee. The boys home from Vietnam. Interesting.

5/5/68 Layna & Karen & I plus the Monahan boys to island by 9:30. A beautiful calm day. We had a good visit with boys, trying not to be too inquisitive concerning Vietnam. Gene here for dinner. Good. A good evening with Karen. We finally came right out and told her we would lend her money to go to Cheryl Harrison’s wedding. That’s that.

5/6/68 Art Lee and Jim Banks to #265 at 10:00 a.m. We took off for island soon after. Had no trouble getting 2 of AlumaCrafts launched and motors going despite strong SW wind and threatening rain. A good supper and I took Art back to town. Bernice, Layna and Joan the “female” part of crew. So endeth the first full day of a full crew at NWI for 1968. Art and Jim seemed genuinely happy to be here. I am sure we are happy to have them. As always at this time of the year, I think, “What will the summer bring?” Well, we will face it, come what may.

5/7/68 Another overdue job started. The area between the dock and the gas tank has been eroding away for many years. We have made several half-hearted attempts to remedy it but it has looked like hell for many years. Today Jim, Art and I took after it in earnest and much progress made.

5/8/68 I could plainly see this a.m. that Art & Jim did not need my assistance on the rock wall. I found plenty to do, fixed broken pipe under sleeping cabin, painted screens, got third boat running, hauled groceries, even peeled a couple of logs. Much to do to get cruiser home and buoys, buoys, buoys.

5/9/68 About 10 a.m. it began to clear and I decided to go to town and work on houseboat. Jim and Art stayed home and finished rock work. It looks good.

5/10/68 Art, Jim and I to Ranier by 9 a.m. and had houseboat in water by noon. Clara Finstad made herself as obnoxious as she could in directing operations. George in a tither to get Charlie Remer’s boat to Brascugli’s so I ran it over while Art took our boat home. Received word that first party canceled. No one due here until May 20. Maybe we finally got our “one more day” that we have talked about for years. Layna in for RLWC meeting. Karen home from Duluth with Arden.

5/11/68 Rain threatened and east wind blowing so I almost put off buoy job. Glad I didn’t. Art, Jim and I off for Kettle Falls by 9:30. We painted all buoys from Rabbit Island to Kettle Falls and got them in by 7 p.m. A long, cold ride home. A hot rum and off for Artists and Models dance at 9:30. Karen at dance with Robin Monahan. She looked like she was really living it up. She had cooked dinner for him at #265 before the dance. A nice looking pair of kids.

5/12/68 At about 7:30 a.m., still groggy from lack of sleep when I heard Karen tell Layna in next bed, “Robin asked me to marry him!” Even when fully awakened, I had a hard time grasping what she said - and meant. Robin and Gene here for supper. It is not a dream, the kids really mean it! Much planning done as to wedding, as to their future. They are both level headed people with their feet on the ground. They have a long road ahead before Robin gets out of medical school but I am sure they can handle it. I think that what impressed me most was Gene’s attitude. She said to Layna and me, “I am elated!” Well Karen - keep it that way.

5/13/68 The bottom damn near fell out of my world today. A letter from Coast Guard (Mr. Hall) giving me new buoy plan for Rainy Lake. Among other things it eliminated all aids to navigation in Kettle River channel. Christ - this is the most stupid thing I have ever heard of - literally. I called Duluth and got no satisfaction. They gave me Mr. Hall’s number and I called him. Well, now he knows the problem, and he will know a lot more before the summer is over. I asked Harry Davey, Joe Jones, Kulevar and Wayne Judy to write him. That is just a start. I have mulled this thing over enough now to know that it could very well mean my job, which is damned important. I am not giving up without a struggle. Much more later. Karen and Robin spent day on island making plans for future. They left at 7:30. She to Duluth, he to finish out enlistment in Rhode Island. Both rather starry eyed as well they might be. They are well equipped to face the future.

5/14/68 About 10:30, Mr. Parker of C.G. called to say the R.L. buoys in Kettle River to remain until further notice. Other changes to be made, however. I am breathing easier.

5/15/68 Layna and I off to Monahans’ for a sort of farewell get together for Robin. MacKlamins, Finstads, Mrs. Don Trompeter and Miss Rosenberg. A constant chatter from women and if Robin had gone to bed they would never have missed him.

5/16/68 Another restless night, thinking about buoy situation. Decided to do more about it. Talked to George Esslinger asking for letter to Cleveland from Chamber of Commerce. Also to Milt Kochaniuk from Sheriff office. Then Frank Fredrickson of BCC, then Steve Kasish of Sportsmen’s Club. George showed me copy of letter from Kulevar to Cleveland - real nasty. It may do more harm than good. On other hand, maybe we need him. Well, the fat’s in the fire and only time will tell how much, and who, will get burned.

5/17/68 General pick up day and a willing crew took care of many, many small jobs. Everything not 100% but we could take guests tomorrow with no sweat. To Daily Journal’s open house. They had 700 people there today. A gratifying experience for them, and their friends.

5/18/68 I talked to Bill Lloyd, the Canadian lamplighter, on the phone. He will do nothing with buoys until he hears from us. Got copy of Boise’s letter to Coast Guard - good. Also C.C. - fair.

5/19/68 Spent practically the whole damned day, off and on, writing a couple of letters to Mr. Hall of Coast Guard. I wrote and re-wrote and tonight I am not completely satisfied. They are not in the mail.