1971 Roberta's Letter -June 13

 

June 13, 1971 11:30 A.M.

Dear Family,

Hi!  Well -- Right now Bunny & I should be in Anacortes [Washington] but we missed the Greyhound bus!  And we got up at 4:00 A.M. this morning!  The thing of it was that we got on the earliest city bus at five after six.  The silly thing kept making all these stops.  I mean real stops -- like pull over & stop for about five minutes.  We got to the bus station about 6:37, bus left at 6:30.  We bought our tickets then came back to Bunny's house.  Now our plans are to get the 5:50 bus to Anacortes, spend the night there, then take the 8:00 ferry to Victoria [British Columbia].  We are going to leave here about 4:00 this afternoon so we'll be sure to get that 5:50 bus.

Yesterday we all went to Seattle Center, etc. etc.  Have you heard of Sick's stadium? [Seattle Baseball stadium demolished in 1979]  Bunny lives about 5 blocks from there.  We go near there to catch the buses.  Also saw yesterday the floating bridge.  Walked Bunny's dog -- which by the way is enormous.  About half the size of a horse but built like an elephant!!  We walked her dog to Lake Washington.  That's only about ten blocks from her house.  There is a beach & large park.  It's really nice.  Also went down to Pike's Market down by the water.  Also were in alot of thrift shops where Bunny looked for a back-pack.  She did buy one -- but this morning it was too full to carry on her back.

Well -- Today Catherine graduates from "K".  What a feeling of a sense of accomplishment that must be!!!

Remember -- you all to keep cool, calm, & collected during all the activities in Florida.  Be sure & tell all of the Hortons "Hi" for me.  Also of course, Grandma.

Last night on the news saw Tricia Nixon's wedding.

I'll close for now.  Will write you all a card in Victoria -- if we don't miss any more buses, etc.

Love
Bert

[Separate page]

Dad -- 

I hate to say this but by the 17th -- when we get in Vancouver I'm going to need some $$.  That $35.00 freight bill really hurt me bad.  Right now I've got $35.00 which should do me fine till Vancouver.  But when in Canada I'll need to buy some stamps & also want to buy some film.

Plus I was going to buy myself a pair of walking boots in Canada.  I've got a pair now but any amount of walking in them about kills me.  They just aren't good walking boots.  I counted on spending no more than $15 for my boots.

Twenty dollars -- $5 for stamps & film & $15 for boots would be greatly appreciated!!!

By the way -- I'm hoping to work at the shop a couple of weeks in September -- if they need me.  Just thought I'd throw that in!!!

1970 Roberta's Letter -Nov.30

 

Nov. 30, 1970

Dear Family,

Hi!  Got a post-card from Dad today.  Thanks.

Got back last night about 6:00 P.M. from a very nice & busy Thanksgiving.  The Hawks went way out of their way to see that I had a good time.  I hope you all got my postcards that I sent.

Yesterday, after church we started back for school but we drove around -- didn't come straight here.  Saw the Capitol building and alot of other things in Olympia.

If you did try to call their house to speak to me I doubt if we were there.  And that goes for almost anytime.

Right now it is snowing and also raining.  It has been terribly foggy out.  In fact the Portland Air-port had no flights coming in or out yesterday.  The first flight landed sometime last night but it was still awfully foggy.

Alot of the students that did fly are either just getting in or aren't in yet.

I had a Thanksgiving card today from Arlene Curtis.  How are all the women down at the shop?  Has three been a reduction in force down at the shop?  Out here the unemployment is worse than anywhere.  (I think.)  In fact Pam's dad has been laid off -- he had worked for Boeing.  (That is where he got laid off.)  He is now working for a place in Tacoma that is making all of the steel like structures that will be used for the Florida Disneyland Deal.  I know all about it now.  They are sent to Florida by railroad.  Pam's mother works in a hospital as a ward clerk in the emergency room.  She had alot of stories to tell us of all the different people that come in there.  Her # one complaint was about the welfare people that come in an ambulance because of a stubbed toe and his hospital call alone costs the state $23.00.

Washington state is fine.  Everything but the 5% tax!  I wasn't used to having to figure up that!  Ohio tax isn't as bad as the Washington tax.

I have been very busy today and will probably be very busy till the 18th.  I'm in the middle of signing up for winter term.  I will be taking U.S. History, English, Bible as carry over courses or whatever they are called.  I will also be taking Deviant Behavior and another course that I'm not sure about yet.

All that I want to take I can't because of schedule conflicts.  I have an appointment Wednesday to fix & finish my schedule.  I'm going to get this one right because I'm sure not going to pay them again for changing.  

This school is money hungry!  I have to pay the school $10.00 because of my leaving early.  $5.00 per test that I have to take early.  Wow!!

I also had a letter from Grandma today that she wrote me on her way to Florida.

Enclosed you will find a 'thing' for Newsweek.  I owe them $6.00.  I would deeply appreciate it if you will send them $6.00 for me.  I would but I don't have a checking account and I don't want to mail $6 in green money through the mail.  Also I haven't got $6.00 extra right now.  You can call it a Christmas present.

Also got a letter from Mary Riley today.  Remember the girl who lived where Prista used to live.  The one who we took skating and broke her arm there.  Anyway she sent me a Christmas card and also a three-page letter.  Wow!  I was almost in a state of shock!  She is now living in England.  You know -- across the Atlantic !  WOW!

Well, I will close for now.  I'll write more later in the week or when I hear from you all.  Let me know if you want any more "We Try Harder" buttons.  I haven't cashed my check yet for the plane fare.

It's now almost 7:00 p.m. and my room-mate isn't back yet.  She did call yesterday to say that she wouldn't be in last night.  I'd like to get someone for her to room with after Chritmas.  I'm not interested in a private room because I would have to change dorms and I like all the other girls on my floor.

Love,

Bert

1970 Roberta's Letter -Nov.26

Nov. 26, 1970

Dear Family,

Watching movie OKLAHOMA on T.V. -- first time in months I've watched TV.

Nice to talk to you all -- at least part of you this morning.  After I spoke to you we got ready and went to Church.  A Lutheran Church where the Hawks belong.

Then after church we ate our turkey & everything else then we left for a 'ride'.  We saw Snoqualamie Falls!  It is 110 feet taller than Niagara Falls.  At least that is what the sign said.  Did I see that 8 years ago?  We all drove all over around in the mountains where it was snowing alot & really sticking.  The mountains were very pretty, but we couldn't go far into the mountains because of all he snow.  But we did see an awfully lot.

Then we drove all around through Bellview, North Bend -- (Mother -- does that sound familiar?) & alot of others.  We came through Seattle then on the freeway (#5-Interstate).  We saw the space needle from the World's Fair.  Even saw the 'dealie' coming down from the top of it.

While driving in the mountains we saw a big Weyerhaeuser paper plant or whatever they are called.  It was near North Bend.  (I THINK!)

 

The Hawks actually live in Steilacoom, Washington -- but it is very near to Tacoma.  We took the train into Tacoma.  You wouldn't have believed the train!  It was so full!!  Pam said it usually only has about 10 people on it.

There was almost a whole boys academy on the train.  They were the whole trip yelling, whistling & fighting  Of course they sat right across from us.  They had the Conductor there half the time and then finally a man dressed in a big suit finally had to come & talk to them.  He too, worked for the railroad.  (I imagine.)

Then there were about  20  blind people also in our car.  The trip really went fast -- but I'm not sure if I'd like to go to OHIO by train though!!  

In Steilacoom there is the state mental hospital plus a federal prison.  You can see the prison outside of the Hawks living room window.  It is  3  miles away -- at night especially you can see all the lights.

But right about a block from their house is a big body of water.  You can see it all from their living room window also.

Now -- for the big news from school.  I hope you all are sitting down!  I've actually got a 'strong B+' in English.  I went to speak to my teacher yesterday morning about my term paper, and I asked her about it.  She also said she appreciated my 'always' being in class & 'always' handing in my papers & work on time.  Now, how about that?

When we go back to school we will be signing up for winter term.  I will be taking the same classes.  I will be taking a course in 'Deviant Behavior' instead of Principles of Sociology -- it was just a course to last this term.  I also hope to do pretty good this term in Sociology.  But about half of our grade will be decided by a term paper we have due this coming Thursday.  I, of course, hope to get a good grade on the paper.  

Was sure sorry that I missed talking to Daddy & Mary Virginia & Catherine today.

Will probably get my plane ticket this next Friday.  Judy has told me she will take me to the airport to get my ticket and also the 17th of December.  I'm very glad that I have got my reservation made.  I told you about the boy from OHIO that is having to go to Seattle first and then stopping once other than in Chicago.

It rained all day today.  (As usual.)

The Hawks used to live in Toledo, Ohio -- till about six years ago.  Pam's mother went to the Univ. of Toledo.

I appreciate the stamps you all sent.  I was keeping broke buying them every-day.

Will Catherine be gong some place over Christmas or will she actually be home?

My cold is alot better than say -- about a week to two weeks ago.  Then I couldn't even talk -- just cough & choke.  The doctor suggested me to take 'Good Vitamin C' tablet 2 a day.  He gave me a bunch of free ones.  But they cost $18.00 for 500 of them.  He thought it might help me keep from getting colds -- maybe even getting over the one I got now.  Monday when I get back I plan to go see the nurse about some free Vitamin 'C's'.  The Vitamin 'C's' -- you can chew.  They are not quite as bad as taking regular pills.

Well, I better go.  I don't know what we will be doing tomorrow.  Saturday we will be going up in the Mountains.  I hope it is nice & clear so I can take some pictures.

Don't worry about my COLD -- its not too bad now.  Even when it was worse I made it to all my classes, etc.

Better go.  This sure is rough on me  -- 4 days before I will get my mail.  HA!

Hope you all are fine.

Love, Bert

Dad (& all) look up in Mobil Travel Guide -- Northwest & Great Plains states edition (1968 edition)

p.239 - North Bend -- we saw the ski area.

p.243 - where we are going Saturday -- Port Angeles.  It is headquarters for Olympic National Park.  

We 'SAW' Mount Rainier today.  May go to Seattle tomorrow on bus!

1939 Lucie's Letter -Aug. 7

Lucie, Nat & Jean are on a train trip to the west which included visiting Nat's brother, James Freeman Ballantyne (1873-1957) who with his wife Maud (1872-1958) and son James, Jr. (1905-1951) moved to Idaho in the 1910s and then to Portland Oregon in the 1920s.

Monday 6:30 A.M.

Aug. 7, [1939]

Dear folks at Home [could include Lucie's brother Bert or son Bob, both in New Cumberland and/or Virginia who was married and living in Pittsburgh]

You see I am up to do the family washing but only part of my family.  We had a lovely day yesterday here at Mt. Rainier, gazing upon snow flowers and people by the thousand and also saw a glacier.  I don't know whether your father has written of the delightful evening we had  with Mrs. Fred Atkinson.  We all liked her so much and she seemed so glad to meet us -- says she reads the Independent all the time.  Fred is in Monterey, Cal. and will be gone five weeks.  We were there for dinner and took the ten bus back to Tacoma where we remained all night and then took the bus Sunday morning for Mt. Rainier.  They had signs every where not to feed the bears and to hang your food in the trees not to leave it in the cars for they could smell it. 

Paradise Inn is a very attractive hotel in the mts.  It reminded me very much of the Old Cheat Hotel at Mt. Chateau [Cheat Lake is in Monongalia County WV] only larger.  We had a good Sunday dinner & supper here and watched the tourists and picnickers children feeding the chipmunks - old ladies dressed in slacks about half way up their legs must have been borrowed lots of fine looking people in beautiful cars, people carrying baskets with their babies warming milk bottles so you see we had a busy day.  [Written in the margin:]  12,000  people at Mt. Rainier yesterday (Sunday).

Maude, Jim & Jr. brought us to the train and Maude gave Jean and I a beautiful talisman rose with a card: "For you a rose in Portland grows."  But the best part was a letter written by Bert to Jim Ballantyne -- news from home.  But they were so pleased were simply beaming.  It was very thoughtful of you and they appreciated it and it made us so much happier to get a line from home.

We are hoping for mail in Seattle to-day.  We arrive there at 12:30 Monday for lunch.

We are wondering how the centennial is coming on.  Thought many times of the union services yesterday and regret we cannot be there.  This is a big Day.  Gov Holt (WV governor 1937-1941) is to be there.  Hope we receive our Independent.  Trust every body keeps well and Best that you will be able to stand the strain.  I hope all the members of our family will do their part toward making it a success.

Nat and Jean are great pals and enjoy being together and talking over the trip.  It has really been wonderful every day different.

Much love to all.  Will not mail until we reach Seattle until we see if we receive any mail.

12:30 P.M.  Just arrived and no word from home.  all are disappointed as we had been in the Mountains for the past two or three days.

Leave tonight for Yellowstone.  Will be in the Park about 4 days.  On then to Denver arriving on Friday eve or Saturday.  Will advise from there our itinerary.

LBB 

1966 HH & Roberta's Postcards from Washington DC -Oct.27

1966 Jean & Roberta at Mt. Vernon -Oct.29

US Capitol postcard -mailed 1966.  Captioned: United States Capitol.  

The cornerstone was laid in 1793.  Burned by the British in 1812.  

The House and Senate Chambers, Statuary Hall, the Rotunda and the 

President's Room are most interesting.

1966 HH's US Capitol potscard to CJ & GHU -Oct.27

10-27-66

Getting along fine.  Had lunch in the Senate Office Bldg.  Thanks for the birthday greeting & gift.  Lots of people here – wonder what it is like in the summer?  Driving is bad here – lots of patience.  Parked right behind the capitol today.  White House tomorrow.  --Harold

Lincoln Monument postcard - mailed 1966.  Captioned: LINCOLN STATUE.  Situated in the center hall of the Lincoln Memorial is this immense sculptured figure by Daniel Chester French.  The Statue is flood-lighted at night, throwing into strong contrast the lights and shadows of rugged features and deep set eyes.

1966 Roberta's Lincoln Monument postcard to CJ & GHU -Oct.27

[undated, postmarked Oct ? 1966] 
How is everything?  Did your windows all get soaped?  Up here if you are over 12 and trick or treating they can fine you some money.  Tomorrow we plan to see where they make the money.
[Love, Roberta]

1985 Roberta's Pacific NW Postcard - July 18

Pacific Northwest Postcard - mailed 1985. Captioned: Pines and Wheat in the Pacific Northwest.  Color by Dennis L. Dilley. Distributed by Smith-Western Co. P.O. Box 1573, Tacoma WA 98401

1985 Roberta's Pacific NW Postcard - July 18

[postmarked July 18, 1985, Los Angeles CA; mailed to Wells Mfg. "Office"]

Hi – Greetings from the great Northwest!  Grandma took off with Serena & Miss Wendy for Lake Louise Canada will end travels in Victoria before heading home.  She is a real trooper!  It's back to work for me – the ole' job seems to get in my way this summer!

Love, Roberta Uible-King

1984 Catherine Letter -May 20

May 20, 1984

Dear Mother & Dad,

Hi!  Gee, how many months has it been since I last wrote a letter?  I'm going to have to improve on that.  Of course, for the next few weeks I will probably have less time than usual, but typing does make a nice break from packing and cleaning.  That is what I spent yesterday doing -- sorting out things in the garage to go to the dump, the thrift shop or to take with us.

Today Wendy and I are going to try to pack up her books and most of her toys.  Wendy wants to have a garage sale but we really don't have that many things that would be worth selling to go to the bother.  I figure the thrift shop is a good alternative.

We think we might rent our house instead of selling it.  There are more tax advantages that way and right now it is very difficult to sell a house in Madras as there are so many up for sale.  Within two blocks of our house we know of four houses for sale.  And Wendy's friends the Cooks (who hope to move to Eugene where he already has a job and is commuting on weekends) is for sale in Madras Ranchos which might be considered a higher class residential area with 2½-5 acre lots.  Not only is their house for sale but the one across the road from them and the one next door are for sale.  Anyway, we showed our house to some prospective tenants last week and they are to let us know by Wednesday.  They are willing to sign a lease for a year and we know them so that makes it easier.  She is a school teacher and he is assistant district attorney with no children.  Right now they are renting a house about 20 miles out of town and are tired of commuting.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that they will take it.

I am going to Colfax this Friday for a job interview.  It is for a clerk position in the Whitman County Library.  I think they are worried about my being over-qualified for the job.  I fell [sic] that it would make a good starter job and would help me get my foot in the door of the library community.  If it doesn't work out then I will probably spend those two weeks that Wendy is in Ohio, looking for a job.  If I do get the job it starts June 25 so it would mean that the first two weeks on the job would be while Wendy is gone so would give me a chance to get a babysitter lined up.

Speaking of Wendy and Ohio, I did change her reservations so that she will be flying from Spokane to Columbus, still on June 23 and returning on July 7 only now it is via United Air Lines with a plane change in Chicago.  We are to pick up the tickets on Tuesday so I will let you know the times and flight numbers after that.  A travel agency just opened in Madras a few weeks ago so I went through them.  You will be getting a $20 refund either from Frontier or we will send it to you if it comes to us.

I forgot to mention how I am getting to Colfax.  I think I am going to drive to Portland and then fly from there to Pullman.  The plane leaves Portland at 7:00 a.m. and then I will return at 8:45 p.m.  I will probably drive over Thursday evening and stay all night with our friends who live in Portland.

Gerry brought home a whole bunch of boxes from the co-op so I have spent the weekend packing things that I hope we won't miss for the next few weeks.  Wendy and I got most of her toys and books packed this afternoon as well as extra dishes, pots & pans, etc. that I think we can live without for the time being.

Next weekend Gerry and I are gong on an overnight rafting trip down the Deschutes on Saturday and Sunday.  Wendy will be staying with the Cooks.  Several other couples are going rafting with us so that should be a fun experience.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  Yesterday the temperature was in the mid 70's but there was also a 55 mph wind.  Today there wasn't much wind but the temperature didn't get above 60.

I borrowed the library's typewriter to write this as our good typewriter is not working and after getting used to a good typewriter the portable electric seems a bit primitive.  I am in hopes of getting the other on in the repair shop for an estimate before we leave so I'll know whether it is worth taking with us.  Someday I'll have a word processor.

Well, I better close.  It's almost dinner time.  I'll try to write again soon.

Love, Catherine, Gerry & Wendy

Catherine Uible Morgan and Wendy Jean Morgan

I ran across this photo of mother and daughter - I think it was the one that Catherine had requested that I post on the blog.

This was a photo taken shortly before the famous trip Wendy Jean, her great-grandmother and I took across Canada. The assumption is that the photo was taken in the Morgan Oregon house - but Catherine didn't seem TOO sure. Anyway, the trip was when Wendy Jean was 6 (and her great grandmother was 92 or 94), so it was 23 years ago. (That was also the trip that Mary Virginia was originally supposed to go on, but she begged off because of a summer supervisory job at the Wilmington YMCA. Grandma had already told Roberta that now that she was married, she should stay home and take care of her husband instead of gallivanting around the country.)

Speaking of WENDY JEAN . . . Catherine didn't answer her phone when I called her about 3 p.m. and she hasn't called back, so I'm assuming that they have gone to the hospital. (When I talked to her about 1:00, they were waiting for the call.) In some ways this time would probably be less convenient as if it takes a while for KC3 to make an actual appearance, it could be a late night. On the other hand, 4:30 a.m. is rather early, even for early risers like the Morgans.