12/12/79 Allan Sheridan picked me up at 7:30 - to garage where our car was getting its final touches. We talked about fuel shortages and conditions in general. We agreed that we had a reasonable chance to get gas for our trip - if we can afford it! Along those lines. It took $160 to get car tuned up. To Effie Hanover’s for dinner. Marie Carlson there. Marie knows everyone in town and discusses their problems quite freely. I wonder what she says about us.
12/13/79 To town after lunch. We had a list that was whittled down considerably. We may be ready to leave on the 22nd. A card from Helena LaFave said that she had celebrated her 80th birthday last fall. Said she, “Now I can do anything I please and can blame it on old age!”
12/14/79 Christmas cards rolling in and I keep writing. Will I never get caught up? Jim came with toboggan load of dry birch wood. Merry Xmas!
12/15/79 Finished Xmas cards today - 70 of them, all with a note written in them. To Gerry and Lil Armstrong’s annual Xmas party. Eight couples there. Much food, drinks, music and talk. We got home at 3:00 a.m.! It was 20o below zero and strong wind brought chill factor up to 45 below. This is a warm relationship that I would hate to lose.
12/16/79 Slept in until 9:30 and still a bit woozy rest of day. Too damned old to stay up until 3:00 a.m. Leonard and Celia Peterson stopped in. Leonard cut ends off of 2 fingers of right hand in snow blower. He was getting no sympathy from her. He is a saint!
12/17/79 We started preparing for trip in earnest today. Buck came after lunch. We had a good visit. He will share the responsibility of taking care of house with Froehlich.
12/18/79 Buck called after lunch. He wanted ride to R.L. Lodge so he could take snowmobile home. He reminded us that we had agreed - years ago - to furnish them with a Xmas tree. On our way home, we crossed a ditch, went back in woods and cut a beauty and delivered same - mission accomplished.
12/19/79 On to bank for $2000 worth of travelers’ checks. Hope it lasts until March. OPEC nations in conference - results - gas prices to go up from 2 to 6 cents a gallon
12/20/79 Sheridan called to say that there was an error in our bill. We went in and straightened it out to the tune of $35 which means we have put $200 in our car in preparation for our trip. The Seegerts here for drink and visit in evening. They brought package of 4 ducks. We don’t see enough of those good people. Dave Austin came with 4 partridge. We have good friends.
12/21/79 Buck and I in van to pick up floor puzzle at Gene’s. When we saw what a masterpiece she had painted, we flatly refused to cut it up. It is now at our house. We think that K and R will take it to Duluth whole next week.
12/22/79 To Froehlichs at 9:00 a.m. Took gifts and received theirs. Tommy had etched a mallard on block of wood. A fine job. Back home by 10 and packed car. Left yard at 1:00 sharp. Off for Duluth at 1:30, arriving at 5:00 p.m. K & R and family all in good health but parents showing effects of holiday activities. We had a drink, good dinner and all hands to bed early. A good start for a vacation trip.
12/23/79 K, R and kids plus Layna and I to brunch at “Library” in Superior. The Broadway apartments on fire as we arrived in town. About 200 residents had been evacuated safely. Merry Christmas! (They had lost everything.) A mild confrontation with Chris over my wanting to watch football game. I won.
12/24/79 Karen and I to Target for some last minute shopping.* I was overwhelmed! A line up in front of all 16 checkout stations. Hundreds of others busily gathering loot. It is hard to imagine that we are facing a recession in the midst of all this. Gene Monahan missed bus this a.m. because of taxi mix-up. She was able to get space on plane. A warm welcome all around. The kids on their best behavior. The traditional clam chowder and all hands to bed early.
* We were together about 2 hours and had a good chance to talk. We think alike.
12/25/79 An early breakfast THEN - present distribution. Kids excited, as well they might be. What a variety of thing they received. Pieces, pieces, pieces, of all shapes and colors. We are supposed to be full of the spirit of Xmas but my thoughts mostly on what a helluva job it will be to keep house when this is over. Ah-li and Brie here about 1:30. She is the only female on City of Duluth maintenance crew. Interesting to hear about it. Robin and I for a walk before dinner. Walked west for ½ mile then ½ mile north (on highway) then ½ mile on logging trail, then cut due south thru woods (compass) and came out in their yard. Very invigorating. A big Xmas feast, built around a beef roast.
12/26/79 A leisurely breakfast, visit with Gene and Karen, and off for St. Paul by 10:45. Roads good. Rime frost made a fairyland out of whole countryside. Jim’s folks at Sally’s, have been here since Xmas. We like them both, no conflict. To the Ockulys for a drink and snacks then home for dinner. To bed early. Johnny the busy one of group. He played hockey in afternoon, came home for a few minutes and off for Lutsen, skiing. No snow in St. Paul.
12/27/79 Bert Jernberg’s 81st birthday. Layna, Sally and I shopping. I bought a couple of tapes, Layna, after many hours of searching in past few days, found a pair of shoes that pleased her. Me too. We bought a couple of crazy cards for Bert. He is one helluva fine man!
12/28/79 I winterized the Jernberg 25 hp Johnson. My only contribution. Packed up our gear and off for Raymans’, arriving at 4:50. A great welcome. A couple of manhattans and to the Mariner for seafood dinner. Layna’s treat - $43.00 worth. We owe them more than that.
12/29/79 We slept in until 8:30 then big breakfast by George. Arrived at Coast to Coast store in Northfield, where Tim works, as he was ready to go to lunch. To their snug little apartment where Mary Kay - much pregnant, had a good meal waiting. Visited with kids until Tim off for work. Stayed a little more with Mary Kay and off for points south by 1:00. On to Des Moines, Iowa. Had a little trouble finding Motel 6. Good supper at Perkins, gassed up car, ready for tomorrow.
12/30/79 Had a small chill when we drove off freeway to gas up and the 3 stations were either closed or out of lead free. Drove on to near Emporia and found place open. Arrived at East Wichita about 4:15, decided to call it a day. 375 miles. Got room in Quinta Motor Inn $23. Layna’s stomach a little queasy – also, she is tired. She needs a good night’s sleep.
12/31/79 Stopped for gas south of Oklahoma City and a slick mechanic scared us into replacing fan bearing. Don’t know if we got “took” or not. Damned suspicious, however - $63 worth. On to Ft. Worth, found room in Motel 6. We watched TV long enough to see 1980 arrive at Times Square but were sound asleep when it hit our time zone. So endeth another year - and decade. What lies ahead? We are better off not to know.
