9/30/71 It poured down most of day, with a violent SE wind at times. We packed and cleaned but didn’t get in boat until 4:30. It slacked off and we made a run for it. More heavy rain after we got to #265. As I sat reading the paper, Layna came and put her arms around me and said, “We are very rich to be able to leave a beautiful island and come into this lovely home.” I agreed.
10/1/71 More heavy rain during night. I decided to check boat before we took off for Red Lake. Good thing. It was almost half full. On road by 12:30. Arrived at Willie’s about 3:30 to learn that there were no geese in area. We went for a hike over muddy fields and trails. Got 3 partridge. Went to where we slaughtered geese last year - nothing but mud. My 30 decoys will never get out of the bag this year, by the way it looks. Layna treated the Goods to a steak feed. Raymans came at 9:30. We did not see enough of Velna to make an opinion but looks good on first sight.
10/2/71 We mounted 3 hp Evinrude on boat at about 10:30 and we were still monkeying with it when shooting began. We got it going enough to get across lake and set up. We finally picked up 2 mallards and 2 teal. I had to row boat all the way back while George pulled on motor. At camp at 8 p.m. Our gals had everything ready - including the drinks. Sure good to come home to. They apparently got along very well and Velna (said Layna) was every bit as nice as we hoped she would be. George is tops. We are happy to be with such good people.
10/3/71 Up at 5:15 and off for Kee-Wa-say. Full moon, low on horizon, and its reflected image on the water covered fields most spectacular. We were set up by daylight and not very optimistic in view of what happened yesterday. Not many hunters. The enormous flock of geese seen yesterday began milling around and taking off for the fields about 8:00. None by us. We knocked down a few high flying mallards and teal. About 10:00 a few geese changed their pattern and 4 flew directly over us - high. We each picked a bird and damned if I didn’t wing mine with 20 gauge. Back to camp at 12:30. Picked up rest and off for home.
10/4/71 Layna and I worked on closing island all day. After supper a knock on door. Mrs. Froehlich in tears “Will you do me a big favor?” It developed that Tommy had complained of stomach ache all day and she had called doctor who told her to bring him in. They left little Linda with me and off to town with Tommy. Linda not very happy with the strange old man. We were making it fairly well when Harry & Bern came and Bern took over. Layna home about 10 p.m. to say Tommy due for emergency surgery. The Daveys left and Linda began to bawl. She was inconsolable until I went after her pacifier. Layna finally - 12:30 - got her to sleep. Her folks came at 1:00 - Worried and tired. So were we.
10/5/71 Called Froehlichs early to learn that Tommy had had appendix out and doing OK. They brought Linda here so I went to island alone. Finished draining plumbing and hauled load of stuff. Layna had Moes out for dinner. Lou’s birthday. We ate my Red Lake partridge. They were good. The usual good talk with our old friends. We don’t see enough of them. Cliff as hepped up about goose hunting as I.
10/6/71 Layna and I to island in a.m. and packed home more stuff. Down to one load. I fixed leak in roof of sleeping cabin. Hope it is the only one. To town and had new tire put on Chevy. Money, money, money.
10/7/71 Off for Red Lake by 9:00. Light rain now and again. No ducks in sight. Arrived at Willie’s at noon to be met by Williams and Rayman who had just come off Willie’s Lake. Much planning for tomorrow. George went to Thief River and picked up Jerry McMahan. He flew from New York. I’ll bet there are more ducks in Central Park than we have here.
10/8/71 No ducks. Not one shot. We quit at 3:00 and as we approached landing a car pulled up and a uniformed man stepped out. Said he “I am with the Fish and Wildlife, I would like to check your bag.” In unison, we replied “Ha, ha, ha - what bag?”
10/9/71 Grand total for day (4 hunters) 5 ducks.
10/10/71 Bought some wax at Redby and went home and picked our 4 day bag - 10 ducks and 3 partridge.
10/11/71 Left Willie’s at 9:00. It is a long time since I faced driving a car 230 miles alone. I’ll bet Layna was concerned that I would not make it. No fear. A beautiful day and I sailed along at 70 mph. No incidents. Arrived at Monahans at 1:00. Layna has been working like crazy since arriving here last Thursday. Much accomplished. I thot she looked tired. Hope the kids appreciate what she has done.
10/12/71 Gene came about 4 p.m. We knocked off for a drink, followed by a “sumptuous repast” (Harry) of Chinese food prepared by Karen. We, including Connie, then went to the auditorium to see Marcel Marceau put on a great one man show. Karen and Robin footed the bill. Yes, they do appreciate what we try to do for them.
10/13/71 Picked up George Williams’ Mexican bride, Maria, at Duluth airport at 9:00. It took 4 hours to get to Willie’s farm and in that time we were able to understand why George married her. A great gal on first impression. He is very proud of her and obviously the feeling is mutual. Hope it can last for years.
10/14/71 Plenty of ducks to make it interesting. We both shot poorly. We had 9 ducks at noon when Willie came to check on us. Another 5 in p.m. It could well have been twice that many. Layna and Maria picked us up at bridge at 5:30. Comfortably tired. Home for another interesting cocktail hour followed by a duck feed by Layna. We are really living it up. Layna spent full day with Maria and had chance to firm up our judgment of yesterday. She is tops.
10/15/71 We went in for lunch to learn that no one in the area was in the duck plucking business. We offered our gals a dollar apiece per bird and they took us up on it! They went to Gonvick for wax and when we came in at 4 p.m., skunked, they were well started. They plucked and waxed and I cut out the innards. A real “bee” Maria seemed to enjoy the whole deal. We are enjoying being with these people.
10/16/71 Up at 7:30 so we could get on road at 8:45. Much talk about meeting again in San Miguel next winter. We shall see. Picked up an Indian standing along river road. His truck broke down. He was cold. Out to see Buck’s family. All well there. All well at our place, too. Harry called and we went in for cocktails. We were joined by George Amidon for a fun 1 ½ hours.
10/17/71 Another inch of rain during night. I went to island alone. Larson boat half full of water after 10 days of sitting. I pumped it out with small pump - no small job. All well at island. I gathered up a load of stuff, shot one partridge and home about 1 p.m. I proved that I am not entirely blood thirsty by watching a partridge feast on the flowering crab apples in our front yard - unharmed.
10/18/71 Much preparation in getting Starcraft ready for winter storage. Changed oil, filter, etc. To Bucks with it by noon. Pulled her out and think we did a good job of covering it. Back to island where we loaded up another batch of stuff. This has to be almost the end. Lou Moe in for a drink - Cliff at Black Bay. The upshot was a suggestion from Layna that we go to Island View for dinner. Did. Maybe it was because I got $575 back pay from Social Security today.
10/19/71 Off for Gun Lake by 8:30. A bright Indian Summer day followed. We arrived in time for lunch and then Harry and I drained plumbing while girls put place away for winter. A mild operation compared to NWI. Much good talk all the while. Off for home at 4:00. Stopped for supper at Grand Rapids and on to Falls by 8:30. Saw 3 deer. A fun trip and much accomplished for Bern. Good people. Grace’s memory is getting fainter and fainter - erased by the presence of a great person - Bern. AMEN!
