1981 GHU postcard -Sep.11

 

Caption: GLACIER BAY NATIONAL MONUMENT offers some of Alaska's most spectacular Glacier scenery.  A cruise in Glacier Bay affords one view of whales, eagles and other species of wildlife.

Sept.11 - Yesterday was quite a day.  Rainy & OH the going became very rough.  After lunch the waves we were told were 20 ft with them splashing all around.  So we took a pill & went to bed & I stayed there & felt fine.  Roberta thought she was having a bad time for a while but was able to go to the late show for by 8 o'clock the waves became normal.  It seems as if we were on the ocean part for awhile.  Only a few came down for dinner.  We had instructions for suitcases to be outside of door by 12 tonight.  We leave the ship by noon to-morrow.

We are in the 4th bunch to leave so that is fine.  We will dock at 9 A.M.  It has been a nice trip.  Went to see the picture "Going in Style" this afternoon.

Love, Mother

1981 GHU postcard -Sep.10

 

Caption: SITKA, ALASKA, Main Street, St. Michael's Cathedral, a Russian church in the center of Stika, is undoubtedly the most interesting relic of the Russian period in Alaska history.

Sept. 10

Just finished breakfast 9:30 A.M. Roberta left early for Sitka to see a daughter of someone in Sr. Citz. group & is to return later for the boat is anchored near Sitka until noon.  I didn't go for it is not worth the effort for we are still having misty weather.  Last night we sure did have a taste of rough sea going.  There were 4 Dram. tablets left on our dresser while we were attending a program given by the Boys from Polinicia [Polynesia?] 10:30 PM.  We had been viewing the picture show 5 Seasons from 8-10 PM so that worked out fine.  But hard upon getting sleep.  I do hope the sailing will be better from now on.  The sun is trying to peep now.  At Juneau a group left & another group joined us.  The glaciers are quite a sight.  The waves are rolling along with white caps & I know that they mean rough riding.  They are nice to watch.  You may get cards all at once.  Love, Mother

1981 Roberta's Letter -Sep.9

                         

[9/9/81]

Wednesday pm

(10:00)

Dear Family --

We just got here -- have good seats for the 10:30 show (see program) -- just got out of the movie (FOUR SEASONS) about half hour ago.  G'ma & I sure keep busy!  As Vera would say -- 'go to bed & get up the same night.'

Today was a beautiful scenery day -- we got a good view table at 9:00 (for B'fast)  & kept it till 1:30 -- (after lunch).  tonight was the special Dutch meal -- we all wore little hats -- really crazy!  I took my #3 picture -- of 36 --

Still hard for me to believe I'm changing jobs when I get home -- esp. w/the idea of moving -- AGAIN -- on top of that!  Didn't want to keep the house & try to rent it out -- also afraid to keep it -- w/ the prospects of not liking the job -- since the 1st year is going to be the hardest!  Will be interesting to get the people in there -- hoping to get the 1 house filled w/ people by Oct. 1st -- so can get community backing -- thus hope to crank up alot donated things -- from furniture to linens for the other 5 houses.  They are beautiful homes -- each w/ a grassed fenced in back yard.

Think you also asked me about what title I would have -- PROJECT SUPERVISOR -- I'm working for Maricopa County -- LONG TERM CARE.  This project is the dream of one of the County Supervisors.

Rough waters predicted tonight -- they gave complimentary Dramamine pills --

Did I tell you all we had complementary flower arrangement (fresh) in our room when we arrived -- from Travel Agent.  Many agents gave their people free bottle of wine, etc.  So good choice -- the flowers!

Very cold today -- 50º -- I only went outside & back in to get the Hot Chocolate --

Will try to call you from Oregon --

Love to All,

Roberta

1981 GHU's postcard to Mie Youg -Sep.8

Caption:  ESKIMO TWINS in the Arctic region of Alaska.

 

Sept. 8
We are sitting by a window viewing Glaciers as we travel along.  Sure makes you feel cool.  I have on my wool dress.  Roberta just left to get her stockings on & get a sweater to wear.  A Ranger is making a talk which is interesting.  Now & then the going is just a little rough.  We are getting along fine.

--Love to All
Grandma U.

1981 GHU postcard to MV -Sep.7

Caption: Ketchikan, Alaska  -  an important fishing and lumbering center, is shown in top view with Mission Street below.  On right, the Raven Flood totem, one of Alaska's most colorful, stands at the entrance to Ketchikan's City Park.

 

Sep. 7 -- We are moving right along with our first stop at this town to-day but with the rainy weather we didn't venture off.  Plan to go into Juneau to-morrow.  We go on a boat which carries 80 people.  Last night attended the Captain's party & then a concert which was good with acting by 6 young people.  Oh -- the food.  I am slowing down on that before I have to.  Roberta is swimming in the pool this afternoon.

Love, Grandma

1981 GHU's postcard to John -Sep.6

Caption:  Holland American Cruises - The luxurious s.s. STATENDAM fully air-conditioned and stabilizer-equipped.  24,500 gross tons

 [Addressed to John and the Hortons, 1025 North B.Street, Lake Worth.]

Sun. [Sep.6, 1981]

Missed my church but we did attend a Cath. service 8am before we ate breakfast.  We are enjoying our trip & the sun is giving us a nice day.  The ship living is interesting with more food than I can handle.  Plenty things to do & many people around 850 we have been told.   Plan to take a couple of side trips by stopping at a couple of towns.  Roberta plans to go swimming tomorrow forenoon.  Hop you made the Florida trip safely.

Love to all - Grandma

1981 Roberta's Letter -Sep.6

 [Roberta & GHU on Alaska Cruise]
Sunday AM 7:20 -- 9/6/81

Dear Family,

THIS IS THE LIFE!!  Just got back from my morning tour -- had a cup of tea & ½ cantaloupe    -- my 'before' breakfast.  We plan to go to 8:00 Church Service -- then eat breakfast.

Have met lots of nice people -- some really put on the airs -- people from everywhere --

Grandma enjoying -- can't get over all the food -- but she is eating very good herself!

Vancouver was cold & rainy -- wheelchair didn't make the flight there -- from L.A.  We arrived at 12:15 pm -- it arrived -- at our hotel at 10:00 pm.   We were able to borrow from the airlines one that wasn't too swift -- kind like the old grocery cart that wouldn't go straight, only had small (4) wheels so G'ma couldn't guide it at all.

Lots of orientals in Vancouver -- I had some delicious take-out Chinese food there -- took it back to the hotel to eat.  G'ma had banana, muffin, some plums, etc.  We had eaten 2 good breakfasts on the plane --

Exciting to be here -- too much to do & see as we go --

Need to be going now -- want to watch the dance demo --

Much Love

(& wish all of you were w/us!)

Roberta

1981 Roberta's letter of resignation -Sep.3

 

[Only the personal addendum, which she wrote a few days later, is transcribed below]

Friday -- 8:45 -- in L.A. for changing planes [to go with GHU on Alaska cruise] -- meeting lots of people that are leaving on cruise tonight -- different line.  Looking forward to my new job -- knowing my supervisor (Ann Pierson) will sure be a nice way to start.  1st day I have to actually fill out the application --

Wish you all could be going w/us sure is going to be a REAL vacation -- 

Gotta go & get this in the box -- can't miss the flight!

Much Love,

Roberta

1993 Sanker Alaska Postcard - June 27

Juneau Alaska postcard mailed 1993.  Captioned:  JUNEAU – Capital of Alaska, Juneau is Southeast Alaska's scenic and recreational center.  Cruise ships make over 200 port stops here each summer.  MENDENHALL GLACIER and the ice cap are prime destinations for spectacular flightseeing trips.  Photos:  Harry Parsons & Dave Gelotte

1993 Sanker Alaska Postcard - June 27

6/27 [1993]
Hi, Jean & Harold -

Do these look familiar?  We have a beautiful day to see all the sights.  This Holland American Nordhamm cruise has been A-1 in every way & lives up to all expectations.  10 baby grand pianos in use here.  Hope you are having fun, too.

Love, Bill & Jeanne

July 19, 1987-99

Ginghamsburg

HH's Diary 1987-1999 [lightly edited]

Sunday 1987 - [RAGBRAI Iowa bike ride: Onawa to Denison ~50 miles] Each of the overnight towns have souvenir newspapers.  The Denison Library to be open today 2-5.  Got started at 9am.  Really only made two stops, roadside fruit stand run by a guy working his way through college and lunch at the Ute UMC at 2pm.  Denison is really hilly.  First hill we had to walk.  Had trouble finding our luggage.  Our hosts had BIG burgers and fresh fruit.  [Michael] Dukakis crew [Dukakis was a Democratic presidential nominee in 1988] had free ice tea on the [Crawford County] Court House Square.  Plenty of entertainment and food.  Ate at the Masonic Hall.  Oldest person (on the trip) is 87.  Some people with small kids have bike trailers.

Wednesday 1989 - Went with the Harners to Hillsboro to visit Dr. N. J. Bodenhaven (?), on the east edge of Hillsboro on 124.  Quite an old house, was the center of US population in 1870.  He used to be an M.D. in NYC.  He recalled Douglas Pickens.  Had supper at Ponderosa, baked fish $5.49,  then to Quaker Meeting, the Wilmington yearly meeting.

Thursday 1990 - Took some "Club" books for Barbara Moore out to Fannie's house.  She sits on the porch and watches the sun go down, just to the right of Faris's house.  Went to Stacy's for lunch.  Arnold Appel was there.  Lunch $4.50.

Friday 1991 - [to Anchorage Alaska with Don and Martha Ann Bernard, *see below for link to full text of Alaska trip]  Up at 2:45, slept poorly, turned out I had turned the alarm off.  On the plane at 6am via Atlanta and Seattle, arrived at 2pm.  Had Dollar Rental Car for $155/week.  Staying at a B&B on O Street, $55/night.  Supper at Cyrano's [Bookstore]

Monday 1993 - [Ginny and Roberta visiting]

Tuesday 1994 - [Ginny visiting] Went down to see Bo Streber on business, then we went wading, Ginny preferred the swings and we had a picnic at North Beach.  Gas 112.9¢.  Serena surprise us by being here when we got home.  Elderhostel International catalog came.  The [Cincinnati Bengals] football team starts practice today at Wilmington College.  [Bengals moved their training camp to Georgetown in 1997 after 29 seasons at W.C.]  At Rocky Fork the 14' Lund Boat for four people is $55/day or $33 for 3 hours.  Non weekend is $50 and $30.

Sunday 1998 - We met John, Julie and Kate at Terrace Lounge in WCH, buffet $6.95, closed at 2pm.  John and Julie are talking of adoption.

Monday 1999 - [Auburn IN to home] Big tour of Cris's "Auburn Gear,", CNC plans a machine shop at ~1900 Wayne Street [is this where Cris is now?].  Way over our heads.  Hope he makes it.  Got charger for cell phone in Lima.  Ate at Tudors, it was OK.  Stopped at Ginghamsburg UMC, opened in 1994, what a big active place.  Services on Saturday at 5:30 and 7 and three on Sunday: 9, 10:15 and 11:30, staff of 80.

*Post about Alaska Trip with Don & Martha Ann Bernard July 19 - August 2, 1991

July 24, 1987-99 MV sings, brings tears

Notes from Dad's Diary 1989-1999 [lightly edited]

Friday 1987 - [RAGBRAI Iowa bike ride: Osage to West Union ~72 miles] Got away at 6am, light rain.  First stop was Elma.  Little Turkey had a band, straw to sit on.  St. Lucas was another good stop.  Roberta bought a ½ cantaloupe with blueberries.  Reached West Union about 3pm.  We try to follow signs to "Team Wonder" who handle our luggage.  Have seen many "cute" signs, i.e. "Cash and Carry prices", plenty of free parking, rest room next 7 acres, toilet paper on fence posts with ← women and → men.  The family last night had sign out front welcoming us.  Watermelon on [Fayette County] Court House ⃞.

Tuesday 1990 - Rode our bikes out to Paul and Betty Terrells.  He hasn't walked in three years.  Mother has some of the same help that he has, Joyce and Sadie.  Recall or trip to NYC with the Terrells in 1957 (?). 

Wednesday 1991 - [Homer to Valdez Alaska with Don and Martha Ann Bernard]  Visited Kenai Princess Lodge in Cooper Landing, then got in line for RR trip from Portage to Whittier.  Drove up a ramp onto rail car where we sit, two long tunnels, we had picnic lunch in car.  Whittier has one 14 story building.  Ferry left at 3pm and we arrived in Valdez at 10pm.  [Oil spill was in March, 1989]  Great view of Columbia Glacier, some ice floating around.  [We were] on M.S. Bartlett, 236 people, had supper in boat restaurant.  Car cost was $70, and for the four of us $224.

Friday 1992 - [Ada OH for School of Missions to Indiana] Left ONU with stop in Defiance to see Kay Dirk [?] Romero (the atty who was in NV), she got married again 6/92.  We have been eating too much at ONU.  Stayed near Cris and Angela at a B&B, $47.25.  Ate at Cap Jorrell, a 4-star place in Fort Wayne, $14.95 each.  [Can't find anything like that there now.]

Saturday 1993 - [Ginny and Roberta visiting] Took Ginny to the Cracker Barrel at Exit 182 (just south of I-275) to meet MV and Sue (her travel companion) who were coming back from St. Olaf.  Then to downtown Cincinnati, what a crowd, thought we were in Africa, the annual jazz festival was on.  Met the Sankers, ate at Chinese Imperial Inn at 11042 Reading Road, $30 for the four of us.  [Maybe Roberta has left by now??]  Sankers had just gotten back from a seven day Alaskan cruise, as a stand-by through United Airlines.

Sunday 1994 - MV sang at church, as George Gano said her singing brings tears to our eyes.

Monday 1995 - Jean had meeting with Twig at CMH, then to Cincinnati to Mary (MUH), back from Phoenix.  Ate at Boston Chicken.  New Joseph Beth bookstore near Montgomery Road and Kemper where Card Factory is also, all cards 39¢. 

Friday 1998 - [at Aldersgate UMC camp near Ravenna Ky] Lewis and Joanne Rickitts from Lexington, KY in charge, the kids silk screened their new t-shirts.  They sure enjoy the nice pool.  Campfire at 8:30.

Saturday 1999 - Got haircut at Greg's, $7.  He and his new bride Terri Wolfe went to Hilton Hawaii Village for a belated honeymoon.  Jeanne and Bill [Wolfe] also went with them.  Gene Williams here to work on our bathroom light.  Still up in the 90°s in the daytime and dry.  Roberta and four others start RAGBRAI.  Putting up curtains in Living Room after having new linings.

Alaska ~1915

Just a few years before Mom & Dad even had thoughts -- let alone of Alaska! Here's what the caption with the picture said: Stern-wheelers Louise and Delta on the Yukon River circa 1915 at the Gold Rush supply center of Ruby, Alaska, which at its peak was home to some 3,000 people. A fire in 1929 and flood two years later obliterated much of the town, which today has fewer than 200 residents.