MEMOIRS OF OUR AUTO TRIP ACROSS COUNTRY. JOURNEY ATTEMPTED AND WON BY:- Elizabeth Sowerby George Sowerby Tommy Sowerby Mother Elizabeth Sowerby Mary Lundberg Bob Lundberg CAR: ONE OF ESTEEM ''DURANT'' JUNE 26th, 1925 This day, for which we had long been planning, broke clear and warm and found us with still a lot of packing and a round of good-byes to make, before leaving at 3:00 P.M. and all ready to leave Bridgeport, Conn. There is Mary, Bob, Elizabeth, George and Tommy, and also the Durant Touring car, which is carrying us and our baggage. It is sure loaded to the limit. We have a large box on the back and boxes on each running board which hold all our equipment so we do not have to carry anything inside of the car. We all left Anderson's in the best of spirits at 3:00 P.M. Stopped at Danbury, bought eats for supper and breakfast, crossed the Hudson River by way of the new bridge at Bear mountains and enjoyed the scenery along the Hudson River very much, the roads being very good and the Durant working perfect. Made 76 miles, then camped at Long Pond, just outside of West Point, New York up in the mountains. It was almost dark before we found a suitable place to camp. When we started to cook supper, found we had filled the stove with kerosene instead of gasoline. Finally got supper in the moonlight and so to bed. JUNE 27th Awoke very early with the cold but everyone feeling fine about 5:00 A.M. Had breakfast while the Sun was just rising over the mountains. Started on our way to Forty Fort, Penna. by 8:00 coasted down the mountains about 6 miles to Port Jervis, New York, where we stopped for gas and Bob was given $1.00 over while paying for the gas, but said, seeing it was a lady, gave it back. Had our first puncture in the Pocono Mountains, Penna. Just stopped a few minutes to change tires, arrived at Forty Fort, Penna. They sure were surprised to see us as they did not expect us before Wednesday. Well, we certainly enjoyed one pleasant week in Forty Fort before leaving on the long long trail. JULY 6th Well July 6th leaving Forty Fort where Mother has joined us to make the trip. Left Forty Fort 9:25 A.M. Bob, Louise Eleanor, Nellie, Amy and Elizabeth accompanied us to Scranton, Penna. in Bob's Chevy, where we said good-bye to all. I did not see any tears but I guess I was not the only one who had a lump in my throat. Starting on the road to Binghamton, New York, looking back there is much waving of hands and handkerchiefs until we round a curve where all are lost to sight but not to memory. Arrived in Syracuse, New York in a thunder storm 4:30 P.M. Parked about half an hour on the roadside until the storm was over, then camped in a farm yard outside of Syracuse, prepared for the cold, but it was very warm. Did not need more than one blanket. Every one awoke about 2:00 A.M. when three shots were fired in the vicinity, which bothered the women folks the rest of the night. JULY 7th Arose bright and early 4:15 A.M. had breakfast, broke camp and on our way to Niagara Falls, New York by 7:00 A.M. Stopped in Ontario, New York where Tommy lost his pants down the hole in a toilet. “Northern New York" Cherries to the right of us and cherries to the left of us. Never saw so many cherry trees in all our lives. Miles and miles of cherry orchards. Invested in two baskets. Liked Rochester very much. Arrived in Niagara Falls, New York about 2:30 P.M. in another rain storm. Made a short visit to the Falls then went to the camp ground which we liked very much. About 150 campers there. JULY 8th Arose early, breakfasted and over to the Falls by 8:30 A.M. and they sure were beautiful, with the most visible rainbow we ever saw, right across the Falls. Took some pictures and so over the bridge to Canada where we enjoyed some fish and chips and pale ale. Stopped in London to shop for supper. About the nicest City we have passed in Canada. Sure did enjoy every minute of this day, also the Canadian babbies. Made 154 miles then camped at a farm house where we were treated royally and the first day we did not have rain. JULY 9th Arose not so early, 7:00 A.M. Had breakfast and on our way to Detroit by 9:15 A.M. Enjoyed two more hours in Canada and had wonderful roads all the way. Crossed on the ferry back to the U.S.A. Arrived in Detroit, Michigan about 3:00 P.M. where we visited Rose and Nick Alabach. No one at home but the little girl so we all went in and Mother got supper while Elizabeth and Mary went to the Barbers and had a hair cut. Nick and Rose got home about 7:00 P.M. when we took a ride around the town and enjoyed a bottle of beer and then back to Rosie’s and to bed and Oh Boy, a real bed sure did feel good again. Slept fine, also late. Enjoyed two pleasant days in Detroit with Nick and Rose. JULY11th Arose 7:00 A.M. Left Rosie’s 10:30 A.M. drove 183 miles. Enjoyed a nice quit day, nothing exciting except that we ran out of gas, luckily on top of a hill as we were entering a town, so coasted down the hill to a gas station where we filled up and so to a camp ground for the night, just outside of St Josephs, Michigan. July 12th Up and breakfasted by 7:30 A.M. Do not expect to cover many miles as it is Sunday and going through Chicago. Enjoyed Chicago very much, met some people from Bridgeport, treated us to ice Cream and took us through their new building. Liked the drive around the lake very much. Covered 206 miles and then camped on the shore of Lake Michigan at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rather cold spot. JULY 13th Another day and everything O.K. Have had fine roads all the way and the Durant working perfect. Left camp 7:15 A.M. without breakfast. Yesterday being Sunday, most of the stores were closed. Drove 30 miles before having breakfast, after breakfast traveled 15 miles in the wrong direction, retraced our tracks back to where we had breakfast and started over again in the right direction. Drove about 25 miles more and then came to the end of the paved roads. This is the first time we have not had paved roads since leaving Bridgeport, Conn. Now traveling over gravel roads, making good time, 35 miles an hour, only rather dusty. Just passed a Ford touring car with three fellows in it, now the Ford is tearing after us and the three fellows standing up and shouting at us and pointing at the side of our car. Maybe one of our wheels coming off? "NO" we just heard them shout fire, our car is on fire. Bob is driving and makes a quick stop, not quick enough for Mary, who jumped out with Tommy before the car stopped, but managed to keep her balance. We all jumped out quick to put out the fire expecting it must have caught fire in the rear, from the exhaust and did not want to let it get at our gas tank, but was very much relieved to find it was not near the gas tank, but the flap of our tent and Bob's hand bag on the running board was all in a blaze and all of Mary’s and Bob’s jewelry was in the hand bag. Bob burnt a hole in his cap trying to beat out the fire. Finally we cut everything free and got it out, the flap of our tent is ruined but we never used it anyhow and Bob's bag is burnt through but still serviceable. More excitement then damage. Well we are on our way again, everyone much relieved now that its over. Some one passing must have thrown a cigarette but on the flap, we left the flap on the roadside and have the bag tied on again. Covered 253 miles then came to a grand camp at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Everyone tired but happy and here we are in a fine camp with a good supper and a good night’s rest in front of us. Well, just had a fine supper of broiled steak. Now for a good smoke and fix up for the night, but there has been a rapid change before that cigar was finished. The sky is black as night in the West and coming towards us at a rapid pace, now the lightning is flashing in long jagged streaks clear across the sky. Can we put the tent up before the storm breaks? There is a big shed near at hand and the women folks and Tommy are in the shed. Bob and George have the tent half up, when the storm has broke, the wind blowing everyone out of the shed and they are hanging on to what ever they can. Bob and George are hanging on to the tent for dear life and the rain is coming down in torrents, there goes the tent and it is wrapped around Mother. Everyone is soaked and in the pitch dark. Cannot see a thing and the wind sure is blowing. Well we finally have everyone back under the shed also the car, and the storm is abating so we gather up our belongings which are scattered all over, and put up our cots in the shed, but the mosquitoes are so thick we just slapped and scratched all night and sure was glad when morning came. Well we sure had some exciting day from beginning to end. We blamed it all on the day being the 13th and said if we were not in California by the 13th of next month we would do no driving that day. JULY 14th Morning has come and believe me we are all glad to leave La Crosse and their tornadoes and mosquitoes. Breakfasted and left at 8:00 A.M. Crossed over into Minnesota and had very bad roads, which were made worse by the rain of the night before, kept skidding from one side of the road to the other in the mud, and there was a steep embankment on one side. Could not travel over 15 miles an hour. Getting out of civilization, also out of the mud, making better time now going along a lonesome road. A man jumped out of the woods in front of us and tried to stop us. Bob says "Where is the gun?" It was packed in the bottom of the hand bag, which was tied on the running board, so we just stepped on the gas and he jumped in, stopped after a few miles, got out the revolver and kept it handy. Stopped at a farm house for milk. Every farm we come to Mother has to stop and get some fresh milk. The lady was English and took a liking to Mother as she said she knew Mother was English. Gave us a half of a cake she just baked and some fresh milk. We sure enjoyed it. Traveled 181 miles then camped at a lovely camp in Mankato, Minn., about 5:00 o’clock liked the camp and place so well decided to stay here the following day and rest up. JULY15th In camp at Mankato, Minn. Slept fine, also late. Enjoyed our breakfast of oatmeal, fresh eggs, milk and coffee. The women folks washed their hair and rested up, while Bob and George greased the car and then we all went down did some shopping, looking around and then back to camp where we got supper and visited with the other campers and so to bed at 9:00 P.M. Everyone feeling fine and in the best of spirits. JULY16th Left camp 7:20 A.M. Had gone about 35 miles when we met a Chrysler roadster in the ditch, two young fellows had been driving all night and they went to sleep the car going off the road into the ditch helped them to get their car back on the road again and proceeded on our way, all dirt and gravel roads since the middle of Wisconsin not so good, crossed in to South Dakota about noon, country getting quite barren out this way, roads getting worse all the time. Made 288 miles. Camped at St. Lawrence, South Dakota after visiting two other camps that we disliked. Saw a young Coyote on the road, trees are getting scarce, they are having a camp meeting in our camp. Had supper, rested up a while and so to bed. JULY 17th Left. camp 8:30 A.M. Had covered about 35 miles and just passed a gas station when our motor sneezed. Knew our gas was giving out so turned around and just made it to the gas station. Filled up and on our way. Crossed the Missouri River on the ferry boat. Had not gone very far after leaving the ferry when we had our first puncture since leaving Penna. It is very hot and no shade as we are just entering on the Prairies. Another puncture, one half hour later. Had to patch up our other tube, hope our next puncture happens where there is some shade. Made 151 miles, camped at Midland, So., Dakota. Camped early, 3:00 P.M. then went to town and did some shopping and bought a tube, as our other was rim cut. JULY 18th Did not get up early as we have only to make 128 miles to Rapid City, where we are staying over a day. Left camp 9:00 A.M. saw a number of owls and storkes, also prairie dogs which are quite numerous. Arrived in Rapid City 2:00 P.M. Beautiful big camp, fine swimming hole and lots of trout fishing. Went to the movies in the evening and so to camp and bed. JULY 19th Staying over in Rapid City. Took some pictures, went sight-seeing and just having a day of leisure. Visited the log cabin where we wrote letters and played cards. Retired early. JULY 20th Up and away by 7:20 A.M. Stopped at Lead a few hours where we went through the gold mines, the largest in the world. Was taken through by a guide, 50 cents each, who explained everything. Left Lead, So. Dakota for Newcastle, Wyoming. Gravel road fairly good. The road is getting narrow and nothing but woods in sight, also very pretty wild flowers. Now there is only room for one car on the road. Wonder if we are on the right road, we must be, we did not see any other so we keep going. Does not seem as if many cars pass this way, have not seen anyone for a couple of hours. Now there is not any road, just a couple of ruts. Well we won’t turn back after going this far, so continue on, well there is a car ahead of us, coming in our direction, two girls are in the car traveling alone and they were just as glad to see us as we were to see them. They said they came from New Castle and if we kept on going we would think we were lost but would come out alright. Well that cheered us up. Now we come to a sign which points to the right for New Castle, so we are all happy and follow the ruts again. Begin to get doubtful when we come to a creek where the bridge is washed away, but the sign pointed this way so we drive through the ditch where the bridge used to be, made it alright. Now there is not any ruts or anything to go by so George gets out and looks for while marks, Indian fashion, and Bob follows with the car. We cannot be wrong, for the girls came from this direction and the sign pointed this way, but what is this? A fence, well we tear down the vines and continue through the fields over rocks and logs, then we come to another fence but the sign pointed this way so down come the vines and wires and through we go again, then we see an old farm house but no one around so we keep on going, then we came to a third fence, pulled down some more wires and continue through the field until we come to a forest where we cannot get through. Then every one wanted to know if we had anything to eat in the car and how much water and gas we had. After checking up we found we had half a loaf of bread, half a gallon of water and seven gallons of gas. We hated to turn back but had to. Got back to the old house which looked very much deserted, stopped and Bob and George went up to the house which proved to be just as deserted as it looked, so followed our tracks back to the sign, where we found some one had turned the sign to the right instead of the left; but we still had some terrible road to cover before coming to New Castle. One hill we climbed "very steep" no road at all, just great big boulders but the car came through it all in good shape. It has certainly stood a lot of abuse this day. Finally reached New Castle where we had dinner and supper all in one at a restaurant. Sure looks like a wild West Town that you see in the movies. After eating we drove three more hours to make up for lost time, then camped at Gillette, Wyoming. After covering 198 miles we are sure in the wild and wooly West now alright, nothing but one-horse towns, cattle and cowboys. JULY 21st Everyone feeling fine after a good nights rest. Tommy is sure enjoying the trip fine. Mother was teasing him today so he told her to go home and she said, "You go home." He said, "Tommy home in Daddy's car." Left camp 8:30A.M. Arrived in Buffalo, Wyo., 11:30 A.M. Stopped, had dinner and started over Big Horn Mountains 12:30 P.M. Saw our first real Indians as we were starting up the mountains. This is sure some climb. Can't even make it in second, have to use low gear, as we get up higher it is getting much colder and the motor is beginning to boil, travelling in low so long. Now we are up in the snow and have to wrap up in blankets it is so cold up here. Finally get to the top about 5:00 P.M. Going down now, have to go down in low gear, some as we came up. It is starting to rain, the road is very crooked and narrow, also very muddy and slippery, not even room for two cars to pass, only in places where it is built out. Some drop if we ever go over the side. Can't even see bottom. The driver sure has to be on the job here, wish the rain would stop as we keep skidding. Every once in awhile, Mother is afraid to speak and does not want anyone else to speak to Bob and George, while driving, for fear we will go over the side. As we get down further the rain stops and the road is dry. It has not rained down here so we are making better time, going down now in second sometimes in high. Still have the Canyon on the right but dry road. Finally got down the mountains 6:30 P.M. and find our motor just hitting on three. Pull into camp at Ten Sleep, Wyo. on three cylinders and discover the firing points on one spark plug bent. Straighten them out and all hunky dory again. This is a regular cowboy town, nothing but cowboys all dolled up in the gayest colors. Had supper, sat around chatted a while. A couple of young fellows from Milwaukee whom we have met on the road came over and visited with us a while. Gave them some coffee and a sandwich and so to bed. Had just retired when a bunch of drunken cowboys came past our tent singing about rye whiskey. JULY 22nd Left camp 8:00 A.M. Still on dirt roads ever since we left Wisconsin. Roads fairly good now but rather hilly. Had gone about 50 miles when we saw a golden Eagle. It seemed to be having trouble leaving the ground. We stopped and Bob gets out the revolver, it has something in it's talons, so Bob takes a shot at it. What ever it had, drops to the ground and the Eagle wobbles considerably. We thought it was going to drop but now it has recovered its balance and is going up very rapidly. It is only a few minutes until it is up and out of sight, so now we go over to see what it dropped and discover it is a rabbit. The shot Bob fired went right through the rabbit. Must have touched the Eagle's claws for he almost fell, so now we proceed on our journey. The scenery is getting rather mountainous through here, nothing but sand and sage brush. Going along the road when we see what looks to us as like a lake ahead but we do not seem to get any closer to it although we are traveling 35 miles an hour. After a while it vanishes completely, it was just a Mirage. It is very hot now, the breeze keeps blowing through the car and feels just like a ball of fire rolling in at us. We will all be glad when we get out of this desert but we still have quite a stretch of it after we pass Yellow Stone National Park. Pulled into Cody, Wyoming 3:00 P.M. after a very hot day. It is the last camp between here and Yellowstone Park and it is all up mountains to Yellowstone, so we decided to camp here for the night. It is a fine camp, all conveniences. Went to the Post Office down town where we expected a letter but none had arrived for us. JULY 23rd Left camp 7:30 A.M. Started up the mountains to Yellowstone National Park which is 136 miles from here. Glad to get out of the desert and into the woods again. It is nice and cool here and the scenery is wonderful. There is a very deep Canyon on our left and we stop here a while to admire. The highest Waterfalls any of us have ever seen. We all considered it a greater sight than Niagara Falls. Going up the mountains it is getting cooler, also muddy, they must have had some rain recently but we have not seen any since we left La Cross two weeks ago. Now we come to the entrance to Yellowstone Park where it cost us $7.50 for admission. The roads in the park are very poor, it is also quite cold up here, we are all wrapped up in blankets to keep warm. Quite a difference to the past few days when we were coming through the desert and the heat. Now we are coming to the wonders of the park. First we come to a lake of boiling water, then the cavern called the "Belching Dragon." Every few minutes it emits boiling water and steam with a great roar, "Very well named, " after which it begins to rain a little and then hail, which makes the roads very slippery and it is all mountain climbing up here. Now we are going up a mountain 10,000 feet high. We are up in the snow where we stop and make snowballs. If we only had some of it coming through the desert. Then we visit Inspiration Point, which is the top of a mountain looking straight down a very deep canyon, with a very high Waterfalls. Next comes Artist’s Point, something similar to Inspiration Point. After leaving Artist’s Point, Bob decided his shoes were too big, so threw them out the car and down the Canyon. After some more dangerous mountain climbing, as the roads are very muddy and slippery, we come to hot springs, a wonderful sight. A number of hot springs where hot mineral water is bubbling out of the ground and then forms a Waterfall which looks just like a waterfall of snow and ice due to the action of the mineral water, after which we visited the mineral baths and then camped for the night. JULY 24th Arose bright and early as it was so cold we could not sleep. Before going to bed Mother got out the quart bottle of whiskey we had with us and took a nip to warm her up, then she put the bottle by her bed in case she was cold in the night. Next morning the bottle was empty. She was awake and sipping all night, trying to get warm but still she was half froze. After leaving camp we visited the Paint Pots which is boiling mud of different colors, bubbling out of the ground just like paint, and then to old faithful the geyser which spouts up boiling water out of the ground to a great height. Took some pictures of some Deer in the woods and then decided we had seen enough of the park as it too cold to be comfortable up here. Left Yellowstone Park 2:00 P.M. and on to Ashton, Ida. It is much warmer after getting over the mountains and out of the Park. Camped at Ashton, Ida., then went out to do some shopping for supper but found all the stores closed as it was a holiday here "Pioneer Day", so had to make supper on what we had. Paid fifty cents for camping but it was a fine camp ground. JULY 25th Slept fine, also late. Had to go shopping for breakfast. Did not leave camp until 10:30 A.M. Back on the Desert again and plenty of heat now. Roads not so good, lots of loose gravel and plenty of dust. Pulled into Declo, Ida., 6:30 P.M. after covering 189 miles. Very nice camp grounds cost fifty cents to camp. They have a very good camp ground cut here and charge fifty cents a night. This one happens to be in a apple orchard, lonely, shady spot but apples are not quite ripe. While fooling around under the trees Bob found forty cents, so our nights camping only cost us ten cents. Well every one is now feeling fine after a good rest in shade of the old apple trees. It sure is a treat to find shade now, wish there was some of those big shady trees from the east along these roads. Mother has a rash on her neck and face, so after a good supper, we went over to the drug store, which is the Post Office and General Store combined and got some powder for her, which stopped the itching. We ate one loaf of bread for supper and had one left for breakfast but in the morning discovered our bread was missing although nothing else was touched. Must have been carried off by rats or something, so had to do without bread for breakfasts JULY 26th Slept fine, arose early, not bothered with the cold now as we do not need much covers down here on the desert. Left camp 8:00 A.M. Now it is 10:00 A.M. and getting very hot. At noon we pulled into a little town and stopped under a lonesome tree for a bite to eat and so on our way again. The heat is terrible and not a bit of shade anywhere. The motor is boiling and has been continually so for the past two hours. We have to slow down to 25 miles an hour, so all our water will not boil out of the radiator, as the motor does not boil so badly at that speed. Mother says she would rather this heat than the cold in Yellowstone Park. Pulled into Boise, Idaho 3:00 P.M. and what a relief to get some shade and take a bath. Wonderful camp ground here. Electric stoves, laundry, bath houses and all conveniences. We sure have had wonderful camp grounds all the way across the country. Had supper and fixed up our tire which has a stone bruise. Put a blow-out patch in it and then to town where we did some shopping and so to camp and bed. JULY 27th Up and away by 8:30 A.M. These Idaho roads sure are the bunk, we are trying to cover as many miles as we can before it gets too hot, but on account of the poor roads cannot travel over 30 miles an hour. Crossed a bridge into Oregon about noon. As soon as we crossed the State line into Oregon the roads became much better. White, crushed rock roads, kept up in good shape. Stopped at a farm, bought some cabbage, corn, potatoes and lemonade very cheap. We are now on the old Oregon Trail hitting a steady pace of 35 miles an hour, not a care in the world. Now we come to a town where we are stopped by a cop. Bob almost ran over him when he stepped out in the middle of the road to stop us. Thought we were pinched for speeding but is just to have our baggage inspected for alfalfa bugs before we can enter the town of Baker. Guess we are not very buggy. The cops have just looked us over and told us to go on. After leaving Baker, struck a rough detour. Could not see ten feet ahead for dust. When we pulled into camp at Pendleton, Oregon, we looked like a bunch of coal miners. Found one of our tires ready to blow so threw it away and paid $25.00 for a new one. Covered 266 miles today. JULY 28th Left camp 9:00 A.M. Fine roads in Oregon and more like civilization. Met a Ford with three fellows from Conn. traveled alongside of them and chatted for a while but decided they were traveling too slow for us, so Bob stepped on it and we soon lost them in the dust. Now we are in a sand storm, the wind is blowing a terrible gale and the air is full of sand, just like a blizzard. The sand is drifting across the road just like snow. We have been racing with a Cleveland Sedan the last half hour. They are trying their damdest to pass us but cannot, as the Durant is performing perfect, have been racing now with the Cleveland for three hours steady and have covered 101 miles in that three hours. Not so bad to say we have been bucking head on into the sand storm continually, now pulling into a town the Dalles where we stop for dinner, While stopped, the Cleveland went by us. After dinner, passed the Cleveland stalled in the middle of the road as we were leaving the Dalles. Now on the Columbia River Highway where we were pinched for speeding for speeding but got off with a warning. Arrived in Portland, Oregon 4:00 P.M. liked Portland very much. Passed through Portland and camped at Woodward Camp grounds. Very nice camp sight right on the river bank. Watched the boats and lumber going down the river and then supper and to bed. JULY 29 th Arose about 7:00 A.M. Breakfasted and the women folks did some washing, while Bob and George washed the car, the first time it has been washed since leaving Conn. Left camp 11:30 A.M. and after covering 207 miles of good roads, pulled into camp at Coos Junction. Like Oregon first rate. JULY 30th Left camp 8:30 A.M. After a good nights rest in a very nice camp. It certainly is a pleasure to travel by auto out here. They have such wonderful camps every few miles. No need of having to stay in hotels while traveling out this way. We are getting close to the State Lines of Oregon and California and it is quite a desert-like spot and hot again. Crossed thr State line into California 3:00 P.M. Did not know there was much desert in California but we hit quite a long stretch of it from the State line down to Mt. Shasta and very hot. All vegetation is burned brown from the lack of rain and heat. Now we see a snow covered mountain in the distance, which we reached by 5:30 P.M. which proved to be Mt. Shasta, where we camped for the night. When we pulled into camp, noticed the spokes in one of our rear wheels was loose, due to the continual dry weather and heat. JULY 31st Arose 8:30 A.M While the women folks did the washing Bob and George tightened up the spokes in the wheel, did not leave camp until 3:30 P.M. Now we are beginning to pass through a town every few miles, although the towns out here are much further apart than in the east. Stopped at a restaurant for supper then camped at Joyland camp grounds for the night where we had jour first taste of California melons. AUGUST lst Left camp 8:30 A.M. Saw our first palm trees today, also quite a number of vineyards. Roads are very good. Passed within a few miles of Sacramento. It was quite warm inland, but as we neared the coast it became quite cool. As we get further into California we like it much more. Crossed on the ferry and arrived in Martinez 3:00 P.M. Where Bob remembered he had an address of a fellow from Bridgeport. Called them up, he was not home but his wife was. While Bob and George were in the barber shop getting shaved, she came down town and located the car with the women folks in it and insisted that we all go up to the house. We did, and sure were treated and fed fine. Stayed all night and the following day, Sunday. Went down to Oakland Sunday afternoon, took in a show. It was quite cold in Oakland, they were wearing straw hats and overcoats. Fays, the folks we were visiting, fitted us all out with clothing to go down town and we all looked like we were going to a masquerade, but never the less, the coats felt quite comfortable before we got back, it was so cold. AUGUST 3rd Left Fays 10:00 A.M. after visiting the bank where Mrs. Fay worked. Will never forget the welcome we received from Fays. Passed through Oakland, then crossed the bay on the ferry to San Francisco, where we met a fellow from Bridgeport. He was formerly manager of Polis Theatre in Bridgeport. Gave him a letter to mail for us and so on our way. It is very foggy and cold in San Francisco. After leaving Frisco, where we left the fog also, it is getting quite warm again. Not too warm but just right. Got off of the road about a mile when we met an elderly couple from New Haven who gave us the right direction again. Covered 150 miles, then camped for the night at Salinas camp ground. AUGUST 4th Left camp 9:00 A.M. Ideal weather and everyone in the best of spirits. Passed a couple of Inns advertising chicken dinners. We said we would stop at the next one and have a chicken dinner but did not come to any more, so stopped at a restaurant for dinner, after which we passed another Inn and chicken dinner. Towards evening we pulled into the outskirts of Santa Barbara where we camped on the roadside until morning, as we were quite anxious to see the results of the Earthquake in Santa Barbara. AUGUST 5th Up and into Santa Barbara by 6:00 A.M. and it sure was a sight. There was not a chimney left standing in the town and in the business district all the large buildings were knocked down and all the churches we saw were damaged and the streets full of debris. Saw a number of small stores advertising sales so the women folks said, ''We'll all have breakfast and by that time the stores will be open and we will get some new hats and dresses." But after breakfast, discovered that the sales did not start until Friday, so they decided to wait until we arrived in Los Angeles. After breakfast. Mother and Elizabeth were walking down the street, when a brick fell right in between them, so we decided not to take any more chances walking on the sidewalks, as what buildings were not down looked like they might fall any minute, so looked over the rest of the town from the machine. Left Santa Barbara 9:30 A.M. and arrived in Hollywood 1:00 P.M. Looked over the town and some of the studios. Was surprised to find Hollywood such a large City. Left Hollywood and into Los Angeles. Both Cities are right together. Arrived at Elizabeth's Aunt's about 3:30 P.M. and the end of our trip. After covering 5,500 miles it sure did feel good to get our legs under a regular table and square meal again. It sure has been a wonderful trip and the Durant sure pulled us through in fine shape, without a bit of trouble and is running just as good now as the day we left. Found good camp grounds all the way across the country and the worst roads were in Wyoming and Idaho. THE END OF A PERFECT TRIP.