6/15/75. A comedy of errors when I ran Larson to Customs at Pithers Point. A stuffy young officer cleared boat without question. I then asked him to clear Starcraft from information I had on slip of paper. No go. I had to have last year’s clearance. I took off for home to get it and when I reached Atsokan Island remembered I had been carrying it in my billfold all winter! Went back and now have 3 boats cleared. Father’s Day - not a word from any of our kids. Can’t say I expected any - so not disappointed.
6/16/75 Picked up George and Velna Rayman at 10:30. The gals went back to town after lunch and we went fishing. A few small WE but no keepers. Things are tough - but our guests happy - so are we.
6/17/75 The Johnsons and Raymans off for Porters Inlet in Starcraft at 9:00. Fishing poor. We tried several places and came home with a total of 10 walleyes - some mighty small. As Layna remarked, the fillets looked like split wieners. A beautiful day on lake, however, and our guests most happy.
6/18/75 Raymans off for Minneapolis by 3:00. I am sure they had a good time. Home for a short nap and off for Clevelands. Newharts there - also Marie. We went to dinner at Thunderbird. The gang stopped at NWI for after dinner drink and we were joined by the Clarks. Dan as full of bullshit as ever. A good brand, however.
6/19/75 Picked up Ed and Marge Osberg in Fort at 10:00 a.m. To NWI by noon - in rain. No one complaining. East wind pounding into dock and we moved all boats around to south dock.
6/20/75 To Walleye Bait shop for minnows. Stopped at Buck’s to learn that they had had well dug to tune of $1700! A helluva price, but a necessity for sure. We fished in Sandpoint area and got 2 WE and 9 perch.
6/21/75 Off for Red Gut in Starcraft at 9:30. We brought our total up to 10 WE, 2 good jax and a number of throw backs. Not bad! Home and off for Island View for dinner. Good. Home at 9:30. 3 games of cribbage and to bed. Said I sleepily from my bed, “These are the best people to be with that we know!” I think that subconsciously I take a small amount of credit for Ed’s success. He certainly was “my boy” on the Mando in 1946.
6/22/75 At 12:30 we took Osbergs to see Curtice Island. All of Buck’s family there. Our guests duly impressed by whole setup. Said Ed “The physical layout great but what got me was the people. What a family!” I am proud. Lisa and Jill came home with us for visit. A chance to talk to Ed and Marge, who had been so good to them in Vancouver last spring.
6/23/75 Took our friends to plane at 8:00. An almost tearful farewell. I always have a hard time to keep from choking up when saying goodbye to people I care for. Weakness?
6/24/75 Mowed lawn and weeded flowers before rains came at 1:30. A heavy downpour, radio said 3 inches in 1 ½ hours. I went out in worst of it and bailed out 4 boats. Not cold, I rather enjoyed it. Reverend Schumacher working on roof of house before storm hit. Hope he had holes patched in time.
6/25/75 My fears concerning Rev. Schumacher of yesterday confirmed. We could see all their bedding hanging out to dry. I wonder if they think the Almighty has a personal grudge against them. A Ms. Harf from Boise Cascade called to invite us to George Amidon’s retirement party. We will be happy to go.
6/27/75 George Amidon’s retirement party day. We met Harry and Bern at landing at 6:15 and off for Island View. About 150 people there. We knew most of them. We sat at head table! Home at 10:00 p.m. Karen, Robin, Chris, Brad and Sheila at island. What a reception! All a bit pooped so not too much chatter.
6/28/75 Karen and Robin took Gene and Ah-li to Musket Inn for dinner and Brad and Sheila to Cummings. Layna and I alone for supper (with little Christopher Robin) then I took off to stay all night at #265. Brascuglis off for Duluth and I had agreed to take care of their dog and cat. The place has completely changed its personality now that it has new occupants. Even has an air conditioner! Well, we told them to make themselves at home, and they are doing it.
6/29/75 Home to island from Brascuglis’ at 8:00 a.m. so we could all go to Ober’s island for breakfast. A total of 27 people turned up. Ted Hall, with Clara Finstad and Gene Monahan assisting, made pancakes for whole tribe. At 10:30 I met Debbie McLinn and took her to NWI. Ted Hall came later. Karen & Robin off for Duluth. I think they enjoyed visit. Ted Hall sat and chewed fat with Debbie, Layna and me until 7:00 p.m. Good. Debbie stayed the night. An interesting gal kept us well entertained with sensible (sometime erudite) talk until bed time. Brad, a mixed up kid. Full of plans and ideas. Wish we could have talked more.
6/30/75 Layna and Debbie to town at noon and returned at 5:30. Debbie will stay at NWI when we go to Duluth tomorrow. Good to have an island sitter.
7/1/75 Arrived at K & R at 3:00. Our kids are really pioneering. It is a cross between Buck Lake and Camp Kooch in my life. It will be an interesting experience to watch. If we were 40 years younger it would look a lot different.
7/2/75 Karen, Layna and I toured property. It has great possibilities, but, my God, what it will take in time, labor and money to bring them out. They could use Grandpa Don on a full basis but so does Norway Island - where I belong. Clear when we got home. No rain during night. Debbie in fine form when we arrived. I think she liked her “island sitting” job. Took her to landing where Ruth met her. What a gabber! (Ruth) (Debbie, too).
7/5/75 Bob Hilke came with his cruiser to take us to see Indian paintings. We have talked about it for years. Very interesting. Steckmessers on board. When I inquired about Rays, Steck said “They are waiting for us to leave but we aren’t going. We like it here.” Damn such people.
7/6/75 To Moes cabin in Black Bay at 4:00 p.m. The Burrocks there. What a gabfest we had! Much talk about Mexico. They had a great time on their 2 week tour last winter. They are still square dancing and brought us up to date. The retirement that Dick feared so, is working out very well for these good people.
7/7/75 Strong north wind just at dark. I could see that Schumachers boat was being pounded to pieces at their dock and they were futilely trying to hold it off. Layna and I jumped into Larson and went to help. We yelled for him to start engine and get boat out of there which he managed to do - quite skillfully, I’ll admit. We picked him up in bay and brought him home after pulling boat out. We try to be good neighbors.
7/8/75 Strong wind. Ted Hall and Gene Monahan here at 9:00 a.m. aboard flagship Claire. They asked us to go see Indian paintings so Gene could make sketch for Chronicle. We went gladly. Lake rather rough but Claire performed beautifully. We dropped anchor a few feet from paintings and Gene showed her skill by quickly sketching same. I did what I could by taking a few pictures which I hope turn out. A good gabfest, mostly concerning Major Roberts. Fun!
7/11/75 Buck called early to say he was desperate for a guide. I went. A pleasant day followed. Three generations of Johnsons - Don, Buck and Terry took 3 couples from Curtice Island to Swell Bay in houseboat. Buck in charge, and well able to be. Fishing reasonably good despite strong north wind - and cool 60o. My boat caught 11 WE and 2 good jax. The rest did well, also. Highlight of trip when woman in Buck’s boat caught 15# jack. Buck landed it without a net! He cooked fish for gang on deck of boat. DELICIOUS!
7/12/75 Met Karen, Robin, Christopher, Sheila and the 4 Robinsons (Bob, Pat, Rusty and Stephanie) at 11:00. All in fine form. Sheila talking about giving up school. Sat on stool facing Karen, Robin, Pat and Bob and received a full hour of advice. If that didn’t confuse her, nothing will. Her advisors not in complete agreement, altho it was unanimous that she should continue school. Another mixed up Byrne Johnson progeny.
7/13/75 Up early enough so that I could go to Franzen Island and pick a quart of blueberries for breakfast pancakes. Our guests seemed to enjoy day, fishing, canoeing, swimming, talking. At 3:00 p.m. we had a turkey feast joined by Larry & Pam Williams and 2 kids. Also Les Cleveland. A good group. All left by 5:30. A big weekend.
