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Letter July 13, 1958 from my mother’s mother to her daughter (my mother) – had just arrived home from her first trip to see us in Alaska – sounds also like it was her first plane trip.  (Charles is my mother’s brother)

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July 13, 1958 Sunday –

Dearest Mil,

I miss you all just terribly.  I even miss Alaska the beautiful.  I didn’t realize how much it got under my skin until I began to try to put it all in words for Carolyn and Charles last night.  But first let me say:

I arrived home exactly on time schedule – five minutes ahead of time, I guess.  Mil, it was a “heavenly trip.”  As I told you on the card from Seattle – the trip from Anchorage was “perfect” – nothing less.  The sky was blue – blue – and the sun shone all the way.  The plane was not crowded.  The pilots were in a happy mood with weather conditions so they let themselves go.  Went up as high as 20,000 feet and let speed go over 400 mph – maybe 450, but over 400 anyhow they told us (got into Seattle an hour early).  Consequently it was “clear sailing in the clouds” – like dreams of old when I rocked the children and pretended we were sailing through the blue!  I wrote down a brief sketch of what I saw which I’ll copy over to send to them in a few days.

Of course, like you not having a camera when you wanted it, I had no paper to write on – or I’d have written on the plane.  Instead I wrote over envelopes and old bills but I “had to write it out” – or burst.  “You” know that urge!  So you’ll get my soaring reaction later on in the week if I can do it.  I’m all for flying.  I’ve an air-minded grandmother from now on.  I’ll come up for any old weekend – or even once in awhile for a testing program.  I’d like to “take off” for the East tomorrow.  In fact I might before summer is over – on the work proposition.

Our writing must earn the money THIS YEAR.  Get “Life” – or I’ll send you my copy on Alaska!  You could have done better.  But, damn it, like anything else we must get first contacts to get our start for you.  Enough of that.

My trip from Seattle to L.A. was equally perfect.  Got a window seat in both planes.  I sat glued to it – except when we merely sailed over the solid white icing of clouds – that looked like frosting on a cake.  Again the sun shone all the way.  The sky was – blue – blue.  I loved it all – mountains- water and clouds.  A bit of heaven.  And the fairyland of lights left me breathless at the end.

In Seattle we got in an hour early due to speed.  Got in at 3 o’clock.  I had a “cake” after freshening up, bought a Saturday Evening Post – settled down in an easy chair and read until 5:30.  In between I spied a gift shop in the station so I got an uneasy conscience for not bringing more to the home folks.  So I bought a little dollar copper bracelet for Sandra – two of those tie strings (like Bill’s) for the two Charlies and a pair of shell earrings for Carolyn.  They think they all came from Alaska because the cabin and cache did.  So they are pleased with the tiny trifles.  Of course I couldn’t buy the shell earrings for Carolyn without buying a pair for you too – so I’ll mail them with the doll tomorrow.

This is all mixed up I know, but you’ll figure it out, I know.  Well I was the first on the plane and got my favorite seat.  Had a seat-mate that was returning from Business Professional Women’s National Convention so we were companionable.  She was the Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Arkansas – living at Little Rock – was a very charming, interesting person.

Trip really seemed short!

Not crowded plane.  Excellent food.  Just love the comfort service on board a plane.  Also wish you could install such an efficient toilet like one on board [on the homestead]!

Charlie was at the airport and tapped me on the shoulder as I was checking out my luggage.  He was all agog for every bit of news about you and Bill, what you are up to, and about Alaska.  That’s when I realized that you had imbibed me with the contagious spirit – and I talked about all phases of it.  Charlie wished he could have gone up – but it is August that he would go to Seattle, if at all.  I’m afraid it wouldn’t be hard for him to be sold on Alaska – especially for summer or business projects.  But knowing some things, I shall never urge it.  I know you want to be alone up there with Bill – to get away – anyhow one never knows how another would feel until he got the feel of the land himself.  But Charlie has so many sides which cry for the open – it does have appeal to him.

Charlie is out finishing the “tree house” which fell apart and he remodeled it with good lumber – put in windows and painted green.  About six foot square, roof, etc.  Told him it would do for one on a homestead.  Really nice looking.  If larger would really be called a little cabin, I guess.  Last night was so anxious to know how long one would have to stay on a homesite or homestead or business property – whether one had to be intended to remain.  I assured him it would be for seven months with the family for homesteading.

He said taxes are the killing proposition for him.  He earns plenty, he says, but has as little left after expenses and taxes as if he were in something with less stress and strain and bringing in what he earns after everything is taken away.  He has money for investment – but I know better than suggesting that he look for investments up there [in Alaska], because I know you wouldn’t like it.  Funny old world.  Oh I can’t take time now to think or write more.  I’m still confused and so anxious for everyone to find security and peace and happiness!  Simpleton that I am – but I can’t help it.

But now let me say again and again what a happy and short month I had in Alaska.  Now I feel a part of it all.  I’m sorry I was such a tired piece of humanity up there – but it did me a world of good.  I know you have friends there – so won’t worry so much as before about that angle.  They are good people, fools like myself, all of us trying to make some sort of a picture with the jig-saw puzzles of life today.

I am so relieved, thrilled and happy to find your and your own natural exuberant, progressive self.  Don’t change.  Be yourself.  I’m in the background to help you and Bill in any way I can.  I wish I could be more help – but you two are taking wonderful steps toward a grand way of life!  I’ll write more and more later.  Now they wonder if I’m writing a BOOK to you.

Thanks for a wonderful time.  Thanks to Bill for his patience.  He was so sweet at the airport.  John was a little man!  I love him.  I love each one dearly.  Kiss them all.  Will send Cindy’s and Sharon’s birthday presents this week.  As always, Best love from Mother –

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