8/17/74 Byrne called at 6:00 to say he was in town. Layna said, “I will be glad when this summer is over.” AMEN. After supper Brad picked Jean and Georgie Glazier. They were joined by 6 more from here and all off for powwow at Koochiching. What a relief to see them go!
8/18/74 I offered Byrne opportunity to help me build crib for long dock but response was meager and I did not press it. Layna hard at sewing for kids all day - not too pleased with cooperation she is getting. Picked up Bern Minter at 4:45 and on to Rays for cocktails before going to Camp Kooch 50th anniversary celebration. A real “do” complete with buffalo barbecue. Many awards presented including one to Don Johnson - mostly because of my age. Bernice received one, too, in recognition of Jack’s great contribution. Last night, after powwow, 3 counselors and girl-friends plowed into Deer Island in camp’s Starcraft - 3 men in hospital. We saw wreck of boat. I proceeded with caution when we took off for home.
8/19/74 Layna and I to town to register for our right to vote next election. A doubtful privilege after what Watergate did to our system. Between the Shuffs and the Johnsons, we have cooked up a 50th wedding anniversary party for the Judys. It is to be a surprise and if our plans work out, it will be. At supper time, the phone rang. It was Ed Osberg who was passing thru Fort Frances on way east. He said he would be back in Vancouver Aug. 31st and would like to have us as guests on his boat for salmon fishing. I figured I have evaded this issue long enough and accepted.
8/21/74 Rain and more rain. Between showers Brad and I got crib started for lower dock. Still don’t know how we will put it in place. Layna sews almost constantly with time out only to make meals. I doubt seriously of her granddaughters appreciate her efforts. If they do, they don’t show it. Never a volunteer for dishes (unless it is Brad). The rest have to be drafted for any chore.
8/22/74 I took our car in for a “preventive maintenance” check this a.m. Allan Sheridan gave it a test drive and result was I agreed to some extensive work, including a $75.00 job on top. It will be just like new - and probably a new price to get it back. Despite rain that showered all day, Brad and I made good progress on crib. Brad has been fooling with banjo and doing well. We put on a short concert, well received!
8/23/74 Cliff Larson called to say he was at Manny’s lake cottage. I went over in rain for an hour’s visit. He has had a stroke but getting around well. Much houseboat talk. Home at 11:00 determined to get crib in place before Byrne left. Byrne put in some good licks and by 4 p.m. we had it in place. Layna and I to Judys’ 50th anniversary party. We were chief conspirators and it worked out as a complete surprise. Good people all. A real “do”. Shuffs, Johnsons, Boeckh, Judys, Ray Christiansons, McIntyres, Esslinger, Magnus Hauglands, Brooks, Lardy Larson, Sheldons.
8/24/74 Byrne came down to our cabin before leaving and we talked of many things. Too bad we couldn’t have got into it during the week when we had more time. We talked of Jane, the kids and the future. Finally got to cost of keeping gang here. He gave us a check which may or may not pay for their share of the groceries. It showed good faith and we are satisfied Now that they are gone, I realize that the most significant gain for this old man this summer was my relationship with Brad. I sincerely hope it is mutual. Both Layna and I involved in moving Byrne’s gang. We arrived home, happy to be alone. Not for long. Vivian Sutch called and I met her at dock at noon. At 3:30 Sam and Stephanie White arrived with 5 kids. Vivian for supper and I finally took her back at 8:30. People, people, people. Well, it’s not that bad. Maybe, down deep, I have much affection for the human race. I know Layna has.
8/25/74 Much preparation for our Vancouver takeoff on Tuesday. As always, Layna doing the packing. My share of work on the outside and it seemed almost as tho we were breaking camp. George Amidon, Dick Dobbs & wife, and Dick Dougherty stopped for visit. Much good talk - Arctic fishing, Gold Shores, NWI in olden days.
8/26/74 To town for last minute preparations. Some shopping, banking, visiting. Jayme and Timmy called at 9:00 p.m. to ask if it was OK for them to come over. Sure! A good visit which lasted until midnight. Timmy off for Gustavus Adolphus before we get back. Jayme will baby sit island until we return. A great pair of boys. Opal Judy called to say Wayne was put in hospital in Duluth. Mounties had notified her that someone had burglarized happy Shack. What a damned shame. Dunn Sampson (52 years old) died. Another good friend gone.
1974 Vancouver Vacation 8/27 – 9/16 74
Kimballs and Ryans sent an Eddie Bauer goose down dress jacket for each of them.
Banff National Park “The scenery absolutely spectacular, which made up somewhat for lack of game.”
Vancouver “very little trouble finding Osberg home.”
Degnan Bay “A well sheltered cove, populated by at least a million bucks worth of boats.”
“A two pound coho aided by a 2# can of concrete puts up quite a fight.”
Genova Marina
“I spotted small fountains of water approaching. It was whales blowing - 7 of them!”
Degnan Bay “The days are being counted down one at a time.”
Defense Islands “Ed, Layna and I for walk thru recent logging operation. A mess.”
Arrived at marina at 4:00. “A great finish to a grand cruise.”
Sightseeing. “Highlights were Stanley Park and Queen Victoria Park.”
“As Ed was due to leave early for work tomorrow, we said goodbye. I had a hard time to keep tears back.”
Bonneville Dam. “Had planned to go thru Pendelton but heard of rodeo so cut off and ended up at Lewiston, Idaho.”
Butte, MT. “$25.00 room for $20.00. Rich for our blood but we weren’t about to sleep in the car.”
Yellowstone.
Old Faithful. “Checked in at inn - no toilet in room but happy to have a bed.”
“we saw where earthquake had dammed Madison river in 1957.”
Billings, MT. Visited John & Sue Minter.
Bismarck, ND. “Layna’s birthday and I was happy to treat.”
Ranier. “Picked up big box of mail and on to island. Everything as we left it there - thanks to Jayme.”
9/17/74 We have heard much about lousy weather on Rainy Lake since we left. Boyds broke camp as did Les Cleveland. Amidons spending much time in town. Today, our first home, it was a perfect Indian Summer day. Dead calm, warm, sunny. Jayme left about 11:30. What a fine man, there! Buck came. He will be up to his ears in work at island again with hernia surgery facing him. He doesn’t seem concerned. Another fine man! Layna has had a big day unpacking and cleaning up. Great to be back with her on our island.
9/18/74 To see Judys. Much to talk about. Wayne seemed to be feeling OK altho eyes no better. Tim Shuff gave us 15 ducks, left over from last year. We put them in our deep freeze - maybe they will be all we get this fall! Dark on lake when we came home at 10:00 p.m. Not too cold - yet.
9/19/74 Indian Summer. Finally broke down and bought stove for back room, $64. Brought lawn mower home and trimmed up grass. When I went to set up stove found that instructions said it had to have pipe at least 18” from ceiling. DAMN! We will put asbestos above it. Hope we don’t burn house down. Traffic on lake at an almost standstill. So far it has been good to be alone. Maybe we will freeze out about Oct. 1.
9/20/74 Indian Summer. Went fishing off Black Point for hour before dark and caught 4 small WE. All would have been thrown back a while back. I filleted them, they will make one meal! Glad I am not fishing to keep us alive.
9/21/74 32o Indian Summer gone! A light covering of snow on our porch when I stepped out at 7:00. First of season. The electric blankets keep us from knowing what the temperature is outside. I went to Buck’s to borrow a drill. Amazed at the remodeling going on at Curtice Island. Put extension on door and goofed. Will do it over. We hooked up stove pipes, damn them all, but didn’t build fire. George Williams called to invite us to spend Xmas in San Miguel - MAYBE!
