G'evening, friends!
So, realizing the years have not been kind to my mother's 1956 travel diary, last week I made the decision to have a professional do what she could to preserve its contents.
As you can see, in places mother's pretty script had become nearly indecipherable.
The cost was far more than I'd anticipated, but they did a beautiful job and even made a second set for my son. In the end, I consider her nearly 70 pages precious -- and hope someday my granddaughters will feel the same.
* * *
Obviously, it would be difficult -- if not impossible -- to recreate my parents road-trip in today's weird environment.
I think a few of you have seen some of these already ….. but I'm in the mood for another sentimental journey. Want to come along?
June 15: "Left the hill at 7:10AM, a beautiful morning!
600 miles later that evening she recounts our having enjoyed steak dinner ($2.35) in Oklahoma City, then driving down "to see the stores."
"No service, no tip" (Mooother, really?) …
"No Green Stamps"??? (HORRORS!)
Kansas … still no Green Stamps. LOL!
Washington DC
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| In front of the White House |
New York City
Portland, Maine
These entrees' descriptions crack me up!
Aboard the Bluenose Ferry to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Throughout the Midwest … Washington, DC … New York City … New England … Nova Scotia and PEI before turning around for home.
Wow, the prices!
* * *
I'm still hoping we'll feel free to roam about the country sometime this year. Who's up for a sing-along?
Aw, thanks so much for visiting!
Stay safe!
Hugs, Myra
I think it is extremely important that you were able to have your mother's travel diary preserved - no matter what the cost. And it's wonderful that a copy was made for your son.
ReplyDeleteI'm still lamenting over the fact that the movers "lost" ALL of my journals and diaries when I moved to TN. Over thirty volumes and 40 years of meticulous work - gone forever.
I died the day that happened.
I don't doubt that for a moment, Jon. Had you no legal resource? Tho' you've no tangible evidence, I hope your memories offer some solace.
DeleteWow, Myra! The photo of the Maine menu enlarged when I hovered over it, and I couldn't get over those weird entree titles. Good grief! And of course, the cost of things back in the day are such a wake-up call concerning today's prices. I'm so glad you had your mother's travel journal restored; I'm sure that it will be a family favorite throughout the generations.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, my friend!
Isn't that a hoot? Because Boone's was/is a successful restaurant, I'm guessing that was a gimmick. My dad loved that sort of thing!
DeleteOh my goodness, Myra! What a priceless treasure! Of course, it does have a price now, but well spent, I think. You can't get that close to the White House anymore. Great photos and what a fun journey to read through the trip, the food, the prices. Oh my!
ReplyDeleteThanks for concurring with my instincts, Terri! I had fun reading this.
DeleteWhat a fabulous treasure! I used to spend 2 weeks with my grandparents every summer and my grandmother made me keep a journal of every day. It was passed back to me when we cleaned out her house. It's around here somewhere...my teenage musings nowhere near as interesting as your mom's I'm sure, but maybe my grands will find it one day and hang on to it.
ReplyDeleteOh, Stacy! I hope you'll find it and perhaps share some of your teenage thoughts with us?
DeleteOh, my! Such a great legacy! Having the foresight to do all the preservation action. Your children will appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteI hope so! Thank you for saying that, Susan.
DeleteThe cost I am sure was worth it as you said. A great treasure and legacy! Looked like a fun time you all had!
ReplyDeleteBetty
Thanks, Betty! Just wish I could remember.
DeleteDid you go with on this trip?
ReplyDeleteI read that menu - was that for real?
It was amazing.
What a wonderful memory that is.
sandie
Sure did! I think that menu was a gimmick. Until I Googled it this morning, I didn't realize Boone's is still a successful restaurant (Portland, ME) -- since 1898!!!
DeleteWOW how wonderful to have that diary. And yes, amazing someone can decipher the faced areas. Nice. Love the accounting, etc. Pictures make me smile, love 'em Thanks for an insight into your mama's details. I guess my boys will read their mama's 'short' entries, at some time.
ReplyDeleteLove this entry. STay safe....
Sherry & jack
Sometimes memories are all we've left to comfort us … like a soft quilt. :)
DeleteSuch a good idea to preserve the diary for future generations. You should also write your own story/memoirs, Mevely. A great memento for your family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and yours always.
Aw, I keep meaning to. Not sure if I'm lacking the discipline -- or the courage. LOL!
DeleteMy grandma did the same thing...and I wonder what happened to all her journals? I guess they got tossed out. sigh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the many smiles my friend.
That's so sad! Ya, it happens. What someone might consider important means little to others.
DeleteI did the 2 week tour from Savannah to Niagra falls in 1952, i was 8 my brother 4, my mother and my grandfather and his wife and adopted daughter. i got a spanking on the steps the Lincoln memorial, and all my memories are from the parts that scared me...i did not know there is a service to preserve diarys. like you said every day is a school day. we can't even buy a burger for the price of that steak dinner. that same trip you took would proabley be 10,000 now
ReplyDeleteOh the (seeming) penny-pinching they did! I guess living through the Great Depression will do that to folks.
DeleteHow absolutely fantastic that you have your mom's travelogue, and even better than you were able to preserve it so you and your family can cherish it for years to come. Whatever it cost, it was worth every penny. :)
ReplyDeleteTake care, sweet lady, and have a super weekend.
Thank you so much for saying that. You do the same, and please keep us updated on Smarticus' recovery!
DeleteWhat a really neat post. Those prices are amazing and that menu just cracked me up! Enjoyed seeing and hearing Dinah Shore again.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Me, too! (About the menu, that is.) Dinah Shore was a cornerstone of my childhood.
DeleteThat travel journal was definitely worth preserving. How nice to have a record like that your your family travels. What wonderful memories. Hopefully you are keeping a journal of your own for your family. I consider my blooming a way of journaling and keeping track of the days of my life for my family . The times in our lives are worth preserving.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Your blogs are a perfect example. It makes me wish everyone would do the same!
DeleteI consider my blogging that is not blooming . I make too many typos these days.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Ma. Me, too. Good thing we readers can usually figure out what was meant. *smile*
DeleteI'm glad you were able to do that. What a treasure to pass on.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby!
DeleteThat is a real treasure you have. I am glad you were able to have it preserved. You have so many beautiful photos from your childhood too. I wish I had more. Hoping you will enjoy your weekend. HUGS xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne! Wishing you and your phamily the same! xo
DeleteWhat a great treasure you have, absolutely priceless!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you were able to preserve it for your self and future generations.
I love Dinah Shore's singing. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue
Thank you for mention of Dinah Shore; I loved it, too.
DeleteOh WOW, Myra! this is quite the treasure! I am so glad that you have had it preserved and copied for future generations to enjoy! And especially glad you shared it with us! I love this so much. I don't know if my mother or father kept any such diary of our trips, but I know we pinched pennies quite tightly. And oh, of course S&H Green Stamps were a big item back then! I know we saved them and bought some lovely things with them. John and I also saved them when we were first married and I know we bought a beautiful lamp, which is now long gone because it got broken in one of our moves. But those were the good old days. I love how your mother detailed the places you ate and stayed, and also little notes about you. That menu from Maine is hysterical! I wonder if that place still exists? What fun. Thank you for telling me about this today. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
ReplyDelete