A good laugh...

As we were cleaning up around the house, I found my journal from the 3 month trip I took the summer of 1991 with some family friends. I read it out loud to Heath and Brevin a couple of nights over dinner. It was quite entertaining. Not only was it a glimpse into the early 90's, but it was an interesting self reflection for me. At age 10, I was NOT at all afraid to talk to strangers and KNOW every single one of their names. I think one of the biggest lessons my parents have ever taught me was learned that summer: the value of committment. I was so homesick and wanted to come home in the worst way, my parents said that I had made a committment, but if they did fly me home I would have to sacrafice playing my saxaphone because they could not afford both. I stuck it out! I also realized that Aggie still scares me as much now as when I was 10-11.



I flew to Phoenix by myself to start the trip. Bud and Aggie were friends of my dad's side of the family. They were in their 70's when I traveled with them. Aggie was the one and only person that has truly scared me in this world. Bud was a gentle soul, but it was scary for the age I was because he had a horrible case of Parkinson's. Holly was the other young girl that they took with us and Inky was the dog. Check out these excerpts (also, there are little drawings, many variations of my signatures and I also had one of those 4 colors in one pen so it is very colorful):



June 1st 1991

Well I'm on the plane now and it's neat and painfull as well. My ear's really hurt. I met a nice lady named Kaiser and her husband. She's from South Africa! COOL! I'm looking down at the mountains.

Well gotta-go,
Jill

Continued

Gosh! I MADE IT! George came with Bud and Aggie. It's so neat here in Prescott. Right behind the house is a mountain of rocks.

Sincerely,
Jill



June 3, 1991

Today I went bonkers! I cried until I got to talk to my mom. They were going to give me a tranquilizer. Aggie said "mom said she gave me permission to whop you!"

Jill



June 12, 1991

I finally met Holly! She was really nice. She showed me her house then ate supper. Her Dad showed us this house he built. It was G-O-R-G-O-U-S!

Well see ya,
Jill



Saturday June 22nd

Aggie, Holly and I hiked up to Vernal Falls while the step was being fixed. We met some real nice people on the hike. Their names were Scott (dad), Helaine (mom) Max (baby). They were such a nice family. I got pictures of them. Then we went on to Yosemite Lakes. We got their and saw that this group called the Carribean Drummers were playing that nite and B+A have seen them before and loved them. So we watched them and liked them so well that we bouth a tape.

Yours,

Jill



Monday July 8,

Today we drove some Oregon Coast. It's so pretty here. Guess what we get to do tomorrow? Go on Hydro Jet Boats! Tonight we stayed at the jetty which was pretty! We spotted some cute BOYS!

Yours,
Jill



Monday July 15,

Today I entered a ping pong tourney. Well we all met in the lodge and I got the partner named Donna. I played her first. She was really nice. And I came close to winning, but lost. She's a good player. After everyone else played I played someone else. Then again and again. My last game was against J.J. He won so I got 5th place. I was sort of mad that I lost so I accidentally threw down a pattle not real hard, but he came over and grabbed me telling me not to throw the paddle. What an idiot! I had 'bout 15 beers. Before middle and after the tourney! But Donna was only there to visit her grandparents and she got 3rd place, Dave 2nd and Harvey 1st. Anyways they got their awards and each a ribbon. But it was 6:30 and the trading post is closed by 6:00 and she was going home afterwards and she got a coupon for free ice cream. So she gave me the coupon. We had a ball. That night we learned how to play cribbage.

Yours,
Jill



Monday July 22,

Today we showered and left to travel over the N. Cascades Highway. It was about halfway and we all got out and looked at a bunch of waterfalls. Somehow Inky got left and we didn't realize it until we got up to the next view point. Aggie PUSHED the pedal going DOWNHILL. (Never seen her go so fast) We got off where we stopped and started asking everyone if they had seen her. They kept replying NO! About 2 min after we arrive a motor home came in and saw our license plate and asked if we were missing a member. Aggie said yes! They had picked up Inky off the road. Oh Aggie was so happy! We thanked 'em 'bout 10 million times and drove on. The N. Cascades were pretty! Now were at the Hubbards. They have grandchildren that live next door. There is: Their oldest is Kyle and then Jeff and next Dana. we really had fun with 'em. Good-night,
Jill



July 23

Today we went to Idaho. We traveled from Hubbards across the Idaho panhandle all the way to West Glacier. We also parked in a K-Mart parking lot. Man I got homesick. I missed everyone. Especially Becky! I think Holly was kind of sick of me being homesick. I know Becky would understand. She's very consoling. (I don't think I mentioned Becky's my #1 Best-------------Friend?!)Then Holly and played with traveling books.

Night,

Jill



Well, I did not finish the summer out in my journal. I am not quite sure why? I mean it was such riveting writing! :) I am still VERY perplexed about the many beers I apparently drank because to my best memory I have never finished A beer let alone 15! I also thought the part about my mom giving permission to whop me was hilarious! And my best friend comment was great too! A few side notes, some of the less eventful entries entailed playing cards, makeovers, watching Bevery Hills 90210 if we got reception and how many times I called home and the phone was off the hook. I hope you enjoyed reading a bit into my earlier life!