Johnson Journals part 291

7/10/74 To Northernaire with Starcraft where Gene Rasmussen picked it up - me wondering what it will cost to get it back. New owners, Levene, very hospitable. No charge for ramp - also gave us coffee. Came home to dig up flower bed along rock wall and plant petunias. Picked up Starcraft at 3:00. It sounds good. Les and Marie Cleveland over for visit into evening. At times, they appear about to murder one another. Good company, if you don’t get involved. We don’t.

7/11/74 To Buck & Dale’s (Curtice Island) at 6:30. Party in honor of Leon and Ila Allebera. Avis, Ihrigs, all of Bucks, Jimmy, Nancy, Jean, Ray, Peggy - Much singing, eating, drinking. Jayme gave me a picture of grouse on nest. Great. Sally called to say they would be up at 6:30 tomorrow with Johnny and 2 more kids. Looks like an island full.

7/12/74 The weather finally got to me. A full week of near 90o and I am about cooked. Layna, too. She took Jimmy, Nancy and Jean to town and the most I accomplished when they were gone was to chop the legs off an old pair of pants and made myself a pair of shorts. Met Sally, Jim, Johnny and 2 more kids. More guests at NWI than ADM days. Byrne called to say that he had filed for divorce on grounds of desertion. Hope they can get over this mess without too much fuss. He says that Brad, Sheila and maybe Tara will be here much of August. I hope we can do them more good than they can do us harm.

7/13/74 The constant picking that we have been doing at NWI is bearing fruit. More of it today, Jim and I cleaned beach. Layna raking, kids on pine cones. We have great pride in our island.

7/14/74 Considerable turmoil on NWI and one incident scared hell out of me. Layna had taken girls, Johnny, Kurt and Sally to Oberholtzer’s leaving Jim, Jimmy and Jeff with me on island. I was splitting wood at beach when Jeff came tearing down path yelling “Help, help, help!” It developed that he and Jim were playing a game. I would like to have played a tune by bumping their empty heads together. Heilmans stopped to borrow tools and have a drink. Ted Hall came with 4 passengers. Ted gave a 45 minute report on his trip from east thru Great Lakes on Claire. Most entertaining - and informative.

7/15/74 The usual hubbub to get 8 people fed, watered and bathroomed before take off. Two boats. Layna, Jim and luggage in Cadillac, me with rest in Starcraft. In all honesty, I must say I wasn’t sorry to see them go. 6 lively kids and dog are a few too many for this old man. They will be back in August, maybe Byrne’s 3 here at same time. FUN! Jill and Lisa here helping grandma. Great pair, more ways than one. I cleaned and wrapped fish. A bit pooped - but happy. Kimballs, Ryans and Daveys due tomorrow. What will the fish do?

7/16/74 Met the Kimballs, Ryans and Daveys (Harry had Hauglands’ Starcraft) at 2:00. All seemed glad to be on Rainy Lake. The dinner turned out to be a retirement party for Harry. Joe said “No speech, just an obituary.” Gave Harry hell for retiring in prime to wither on vine which Harry answered by saying he was about to bloom and Kimball said “Ya, to a blooming idiot.” No doubt but Harry is concerned. Too bad if he can’t work something out, he has the money and talent.

7/17/74 This gang (except Emmy Lou) would rather talk than fish. Finally took off with Kimballs and Johnsons in one boat, Harry and rest in his. Harry got 5 WE - very proud. Home at noon. More eats, talk and out at 6:00. Delayed a bit by Buck coming. He stayed almost an hour, making a good impression. Guests had brought huge steaks and we sat down to grilled dinner at 9:30. Didn’t get cleaned up until midnight.

7/18/74 90o Up at 7:30 and out an hour later with Jim and Emmy Lou. Damn near skunked. A beautiful morning and I am sure they enjoyed it despite poor fishing. Back to island at 11:00 and they were off for home by 12:30. Another successful Davey, Kimball, Ryan expedition. To see Judys in p.m. Wayne down to 137#. Looks like a scarecrow and mighty unsteady. I stayed an hour. I know my visits can do no permanent good, but feel I cheer them for a short period.

7/19/74 Layna to see Dr. Walter about cough. He gave her a shot, medicine and told her she used good judgment in coming in. Hope to see improvement. Picked up Les and Marie at 5:00 and off for Newharts for dinner. The real frosting on cake when we were taken for a ride to Tad Sheldon’s new development at end of Sandpoint.

7/20/74 Picked up Duluth gang in two loads. Then Robin after Gene and Marion. Then Ah-li and Laird. A total of 18 at dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Held, Mr. & Mrs. Halliday, Jill & Lisa, two Swenson kids, Don and Layna. Karen and Robin brought a 21# turkey which was cooked on grill. Karen & Robin called us (Layna, me & Gene) to our cabin to announce that she was pregnant. Planned parenthood for sure. We are happy for them. This gang getting full use of island. Canoeing, rowing, swimming. A great bunch and it is good to share our island with them.

7/21/74 Rain threatened at 5:30. Pa was right - “In dry weather, all signs fail.” A few drops and that was it. The country is desperately dry. Paddled with Ken Held to Dahlbergs. He loves the woods. Good story teller. I enjoy him. An island full of Karen and Robin’s gang - all great. We could stand much more of them. Another big meal, barbecued ribs, on grill. Good table talk, then we took them to landing at 3:30. Home for a nap and awakened by Ted Hall and Mr. & Mrs. Stevens (she is Ted’s sister). Off with them to deliver papers.

7/22/74 Our main dock showing its 24 years. One plank finally reached rotten stage where someone like Hannah Rosenberg might fall thru. I replaced it today, also a few pieces of railing. It is all just temporary. Someday a major overhaul needed which will cost hundreds of dollars. I wonder if I will be around to see it.

7/23/74 I have often said that a day spent on lake will bring at least one unforgettable incident. Today no exception. Weedy Narrows, in the North Arm, is about 150 yards wide. I was fishing there alone today. A number of blackbirds were flying back and forth across the water alighting on the cattails and making their usual raucous fuss. I saw a young one bravely take off from the far shore and head directly for my boat. It no doubt planned on flying non-stop across but about half way it ran out of steam, lost altitude rapidly, and crash landed about 50 feet from me. I started my trolling motor, took the landing net and started to the rescue. As I reached over to scoop it up, to my amazement, the bird took off from the water and flew the remaining distance. A mallard could have done no better.

7/24/74 Still unable to sit and read so puttered from one small job to another. Our island is a release to all tensions (if I had them). At 5:15 to landing and picked up Marie, Lois, the Ihrigs and Avis. We were joined later by Buck, Dale and Bernice. A great group. Talked, drank a little, ate a lot, sang. Nature put on a tremendous show for us and our guests. Gorgeous sunset. Spectacular cloud formation in south and east torn at by almost continuous flashes of lightening. Even had a quarter moon. Off for landing at 10:00. I am sure our friends were impressed with our life style.

7/26/74 Called Judys at 7:30 to sound them out and could tell they were gung-ho to go, wind or not. Did not have heart to put it off. We were on lake by 8:30. Decide to try Commissioners. No hope. We gave up. Stopped at Edwards for a pee and batten down hatches for crossing. It was rough! Saw houseboat drifting helplessly toward rocks of Van Dusen island. Ran home for Larson boat. Layna called Levene and Wayne and I to rescue. Two couples with about 6 kids and dog were pounding helplessly on island when we got line to them and pulled them free. A tugboat Annie operation. We pulled them around and tied them to Van Dusen’s old dock. Northernaire mechanic came shortly after.