Monday, 19 May 1969

Up about 7:30. Spent the morning getting ready for the trip—had to write some letters, straighten up my desk. Alan Federick brought his parents over to say good-bye; wrote to Cambridge re: apartment. Virginia Bate was around most of the morning. Had lunch about 10:30. Shaved. We finally were ready to go about one o’clock. Strong winds +  our car-top carrier kept our speed low; we stopped 2 or 3 times. In general Debbie traveled well—didn’t get car-sick. We arrived at Stoners in Schnectady at 6:15—230 miles from home. Good weather—mostly cloudy but very little rain. We had supper, Mr. Stoner and I went for groceries. In the evening we showed slides, saw Stoner movies—sat around and visited. Very weary; looked at Niagara folders; bathed, off to bed; lights out about 11:30. θ+

Tuesday, 20 May 1969

Up at 7:30. Had breakfast—loaded the car—heavy rain falling when we got up—kindly let up when we were loading the car. We finally got off at about 9:20. We drove through quite a bit of rain stopped several times for picture taking—including a shot of the site of the old Erie Canal locks. We ate lunch at a pleasant park along the road. We got to Buffalo about 4:30. Came directly to the camping ground: Miller’s Creek. Only 2 or 3 other campers in the area.  We ate supper in the car, then about 7:00 head up on the road to see the Falls—several miles away the mist from the Horseshoe Falls was visible. We strolled around, drove around, took pictures—we found the Falls very spectacular—Debby seemed astounded by the Falls. Our drive ended about 9:00 back at the Falls; we took pictures of the illuminated falls; back at the campsite about 10:00—prepared for bed; this is written by auto headlight lights out at 10:40.

Wednesday 21 May 1969

Up at 6:15! Unfortunately a chilly morning. After breakfast we broke camp and got everything in the car, loaded, packed by about 8:30. Then got on the road back to Niagara. Mist was blowing from the horseshoe falls across the road—impossible to get good pictures. But we found a lot to photograph. Saw the replicas of the crown jewels. Strolled around the gardens. We had lunch on the grass in the sun near Niagara glen,  headed toward Detroit—stopped to see the locks at St. Catherine. Unfortunately took slow rt. 8 through Hamilton to get to 401. Got there about 4:00—then straight through to Detroit—arrived about 7:45 our time (6:45 theirs),  at the Kings [1];  had supper; visited; Mattijane’s brother + wife are here with 2 kids—a real madhouse altogether. Later in the evening showed how our slides;  11 o’clock saw moon TV pictures;  bathed off to bed, lights out 1:12.

Thursday, 22 May 1969

The Yegerlehner Clan, Roscoe and Gladys’ anniversary weekend, May 1969

Up about 9:00. Had a big breakfast—all the household had breakfast together—quite a gathering. Spent the morning getting the car loaded—and shaved. We finally got on the road to Gary about 11:30—somewhat later then we had hoped. A cold, overcast day. But we were able to make a good speed—with the help of huge trucks which drew us along. We arrived in Gary at Paul + Marty’s shortly after 5:00. We unloaded the car, then had supper. After supper watched CBS news—Apollo 10 orbiting the moon. After this we all got in Paul + Marty’s car and drove to the ditch where their boat is docked. We spent about an hour or so on the water—but didn’t go on to Lake Michigan—too rough. Came home, had a snack, then set up the projector—we showed them our slides. They are going through a “boat” stage— + were very interested in some of the slides; off to bed, lights out 11:45.

Friday, 23 May 1969

Forget what time we got up. The morning was not rushed—rather leisurely—sat around and talked; Paul + Marty didn’t go to school—both of them weren’t feeling very well.  The morning seemed to go fast; we got the car loaded and then got on the road about noon. Arrived in Kentland at Mrs. Myers’ apartment about 1:30—an hour earlier Kentland time.  We stayed until after 5:00—Mrs. Krull, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Hufty came by to see Debby. We got on the road again and arrived at the folks in W. Lafayette about 5:40. Unloaded the car after hurriedly looking at the box of slides which had arrived. Had supper; in the evening we just relaxed—watched a comic movie on TV. I got several pictures of the raccoons as they came begging + were fed—Al + Gwydelyn. Ran the slides through the projector; off to bed; lights out 12:07.

Saturday, 24 May 1969

Up at about 9:40—it was good to sleep so late. One of the first things to be done was a trip to the grocery store for baby food; then I went down into the ravine behind the folks’ home to take pictures. A very sunny, warm day. It was a day of just relaxation;  Bob + Lea + John arrived for lunch. In the afternoon I made a trip for film + postcards—wrote postcards to people in Rockport—had an opportunity for chatting with Bob and John. For supper we ate out on the patio—a delightful meal. Debby was in her playpen; Lea was pretty occupied with Debby; Lea had her third miscarriage last week. After supper we watched TV—some inane programs, but then The Miracle Worker came on—the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. During the movie we saw a telecast from Apollo 10 at hundred at 169,000 miles from Earth; after movie we showed our slides; bathed; off to bed; lights out 12:54.

Sunday 25 May 1969

Up about 7:30. Shaved; dressed; mother, father, John, Bonnie + I went to the 9 o’clock service at the Trinity Methodist. Home around 10:00. Relatives began arriving: Floyd + Ruth came after Bob, Lea, John; Mark + Family; Alma Hubbel. We had lunch on the patio—a nice day. Uncle Clarence + family were here for a short time. Posed for pictures—I was the photographer. We spent the afternoon lounging around, talking, relaxing. Bob, Lea + John were still here for supper; after supper I climbed down into the ravine with Dad. Watched TV—utterly slummed. During the evening we called Joyce Fitz-Randolph in New Jersey to arrange to stay with her on Friday night. This has been a very relaxing day—we managed to avoid feuding over politics. But also rather tiring; off to bathe about 11 o’clock. θ+ lights out before midnight.

[1] Rev & Mrs. Levon King (wife Mattijane); he was one of the ministers who married us; the other, Harold Hill.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/06/davids-diary-may-19-1969/