June 17
June 17, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Just arrived and had a swell trip – nice and cool all the way. Got into a little fog at Sunland but it wasn’t bad. Started up the Ridge Route just as the sun started up and it was very beautiful. Haven’t been to the office yet so I don’t know any details yet. Will write more Monday.
Love
Dick
This is a postcard, sent home the day he left, to assure Dick’s parents of his safe arrival. The Ridge Route, also known as the Grapevine, is now Interstate 5 heading north from Los Angeles to California’s Central Valley. Its steep slopes made it a difficult drive, and many cars broke down on this road.
June 18
June 18, 1950
8:30 p.m.
Dear Mom & Dad,
Really had a big day today so this will have to be short! Did you have fun at the picnic today?
Well, I have taken up a new occupation – I am what they call a soda jerk. I started to work yesterday after I got moved in, so you can imagine how tired I was by 8:30. I am just about as tired today, because of the tremendous Sunday crowds. I have been bothered by headaches both days. Imagine it’s because of the altitude. A lot of the gang are back, but there are quite a few new ones especially around the fountain where I am. I work 7:30-4:00 two of my days on the fountain and 11-8 my other two. I bus in the dining room on Tues and Wed so that will be a split shift. I have Fridays off.
It’s really a lot better this year compared to last – I am under a very nice fountain manager, and all the counter waitresses are nice. One is from Whittier College and she knows Eleanor and Marilyn. Her name is Marilyn and she graduated this June. My roommate got here today – he’s from San Diego and he seems like a very nice fellow. I think he’s younger than I. He is going to be a Houseman.
You can get ahold of me at the Coffee Shop any day except Friday between 12:00 and 4:00. Except Tues & Wed, I’ll be a bus boy and won’t be there past 2:00. Last night I went to bed at 9:00 and didn’t wake up until 10:00 this morning. I was really tired. It was very enjoyable driving up that time aday and it didn’t get hot at all. I’ll write Sun nights & Wed nights. Hope you’ll write twice a week.
All my love
Dick
Dick tells about his new job as a “soda jerk”, and gives his positive impressions of his co-workers at the Coffee Shop. He promises to write twice a week and expects the same from his parents.
June 21
June 21, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Got your first letter yesterday (Tuesday). Sure was glad to hear from you and was glad you had such a good time at the picnic. Ha! Please tell anyone who might write me to address my envelopes c/o General Delivery from now on – they seem to have new postal system in segregating Coffee Shop mail from Lodge mail. Your letter went to the Lodge but I got it O.K.
Yesterday and today I had my first fling at being a Bus Boy. It is a pretty nice job, for you are able to meet so many people and you are able to see everyone who comes in. When Bus Boy I have to fill water glasses, clean tables, take dirty dishes to kitchen, make coffee & ice tea, get milk & cream, and tonight I had to help with some orders for two waitresses were off and we had well over a hundred for dinner. It seems as if everyone picked this afternoon to come up, for the whole place is really packed tonight.
I finally got adjusted to the altitude by Monday night, and haven’t had any headaches since. I was really tired the first couple of nights. Last evening after a few of us got off work we went down to Skunk Hollow and sat around a lantern and sang practically every song we knew. We didn’t quit until 11:00 when they finally made us. There are two or three very nice girls up here that I have gotten pretty well acquainted with. It sure helps when you work right along side of them all day – both in the dining room and in the fountain. I am the envy of most all the employees (my age) at the Coffee Shop – for two reasons – 1) they have never seen a tan like I’ve got and 2) I have the best working schedule of all. My schedule is arranged so I have off 2 mornings, 2 afternoons, and 2 evenings a week besides my day off.
I went up to Lodge Pole yesterday and today and laid on the sand all afternoon. The water is so freezing that you can’t stay in it more than a couple minutes. This year is turning out so much better than last, that there is no comparison.
Has it got hot down home yet? It’s been around 70-75 here during the day and about 48 when I go to breakfast. It’s just perfect for sleeping.
The bosses that I’m under are really swell people – very nice to get along with and they were all very considerate in helping me break into my new jobs. Believe me it wasn’t easy to break in as a soda-jerk on a Saturday & Sunday especially when you have 4 or 5 waitresses yelling orders at you at one time. It took awhile to learn how to remember, but I finally caught on. Make milk shakes first & while they are mixing make the rest of the order and you usually get everything done at once.
I haven’t decided what I will do on Friday as yet – my roommate has the same day off so we’ll probably do something together. He’s really a nice kid – only 18, but fun to be with anyway.
You can send this to Aunt & Unc also for I won’t have time to write tonight for the lights in the Writing Room go off at 10:00. Will write Sunday.
All my love
Dick
(Note at top: We got a kick out of this letter!)
In this letter we learn the tasks of restaurant bus boys, and what great fun it is to be one. Dick’s social life at Sequoia begins with an outdoor evening singalong, and he mentions that there are some nice girls there. He likes working with them. Lodge Pole is the name of a swimming place – a small lake with a nice sandy beach.
This photo from the Sequoia brochure shows the Lodge Pole swimming hole, where Dick spent time working on his tan.
June 26
June 26, 1950
9:00 a.m.
Dear Mom & Dad,
Not very busy this morning, so I’ll try to get a letter off before the mail goes out. The reason I didn’t write last night is that I have found a new girl and I have been with her now two nights in a row and have another date tonight. We went to the dance Saturday night, I didn’t take her, but we just stayed together all evening and I took her home. She waited for me last night for 45 min until I got off work just so I could take her home and I didn’t even ask her to. These women up here are something to look out for.
She seems to be a very nice girl, but she is out of school, 20 yrs old, and I suppose ready to get married. Her name is Martha Kirkpatrick and she is different than Edith in at least one respect – she isn’t engaged. I going to have to stay on my guard with her I’m afraid.
We had a terrific crowd here yesterday. I never stopped work all day until it slacked up about 7:30. I worked until 8:30 last night because I arranged my schedule so I could go to church. It wasn’t too good of a service and I’m afraid I didn’t get too much out of it. He was an old school-teacher from some theological school and besides it was a strain to hear him. Hope we have a better one next Sunday.
Last Thursday night, Tim and I went down to Visalia and stayed all night and spent Friday there also. We had a good time, but I spent the $5 I started up here with. Beginning today we get a share of the tips from the fountain waitresses, so that will help tide me over till pay day. Last Tues and Wed when I was a Bus Boy in the Dining Room I made $1.60, so that helped.
Last Sat was the first dance of the summer and they are going to held on Mondays, Wed, and Sat. Martha and I are going to the dance tonight. She lives in Corona & that’s not too far from Claremont – Bad!!
Everyone is sure swell up here this year and I have sort of worked my way up to being head of the fountain. When we are busy all I do is make the fountain drinks etc. & the other boys clear dishes, keep up supplies, etc. Don’t mean to be bragging, but I don’t know how these women would get along without a man backing them up.
All my love
Dick
Dick tells us that he has found a new girl – Martha. He’s been spending every evening with her. He informs us that he didn’t care much for the church service he attended. And we learn the attactions of Visalia (the nearest city to Sequoia) – it seems to offer plenty of social opportunities. The dance schedule (3 each week!) is revealed, and Dick’s self-assessment of his value on the job goes up significantly.
June 28
June 28, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Received your Sunday letter yesterday and your Monday letter today. It sure is good to hear all the news and thanks for keeping me posted as to what my friends are doing. I owe so many letters I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to write.
Tips are really starting to roll in now. I made $2.46 on Monday on the fountain and .85 both days in the dining room this week. I sure do love my job. I do so many new things I’ve never done before and that is what I really enjoy. I think the more different jobs you can have before graduating from college, the better. From my experience last summer along with what I’ve learned this year, I could possibly work in any restaurant.
Tonight they are having a square dance, but I didn’t especially want to go – but I do intend learn how this summer. Martha had another date tonight – I know what you’re saying (so what? “There’s plenty other girls”)
I sure do dread this weekend coming up – Sunday and Monday will be the worst. I’ll think of you down there enjoying the wonderful beach. Yesterday afternoon I went up to Lodge Pole again and spent 3 hrs laying in the sun. Today I was a little behind on sleep so I took a two hour nap.
Tomorrow I’m on the fountain from 7:30-4:00 and after work I think Tom and I are going down to Visalia again. I imagine I’ll make around $5 a week in tips so I’ll have plenty of spending money. It has really been wonderful weather up here, about 50 in the morning and about 75 at 1:00. It hasn’t gotten over 75 yet.
I don’t think it’s necessary to get Lloyd a gift, I wouldn’t know what to get him anyway. I’ll be getting my check next Wed so I’ll send it down and you can then put the $120 in for me. If you can find me a Chev catalog or something similar I wish you would send it to me. I want to look them over. I want you to come up the 22nd if you can but I’ll have to know what time you plan to get here and how long you are going to stay before I can get reservations. Better let me know right away. The 22nd is a bad day to come up as far as my schedule is concerned. I work from 11:00 to 8:00 both Sat. and Sun.
Got a letter from Cyn, Aunt, Eleanor, and Marilyn yest and today. I intend to write quite a few letters on my day off. Can’t you come up the 21st? I’ll be off that day. I’m taking my laundry down with me Friday and I’ll find out more then.
All my love
Dick
Dick loves his new job. He makes plenty of money on tips – $5 per week on average! He’s working on his tan at Lodge Pole, and spending more time in Visalia. He starts making plans for his parents’ visit in July.
July 2
July 2, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Boy! What a day this has been. I feel like I’ve done 3 days work today. Once today I was as much as 10 orders behind but I slowly caught up and kept up with 7 waitresses most of the time. It’s now 8:30 and I just got off – there were so many people waiting to get seats I couldn’t hardly get out of the place. Everyone always makes big groans when I leave. I’ve had 7 or 8 waitresses come up to me individually and tell me how well I’m doing on the fountain and that they always hate it when I leave. I guess I’m catching on pretty well, but it sure is tiring some days.
I sure wish I could be with you at the beach these few days. It really must be wonderful there. I’m doing a very poor job of letter-writing – it seems as if I don’t have any free time. I go to dances 3 nights a week and play bridge other nights. Mr. Powers came up to me yesterday (he is the Personnel Manager, etc.) and offered me a job in the office and he gave me until today to think it over. I turned it down for many reasons! 1) I am very happy where I am being around the kids all the time 2) there would be no change in pay 3) I talked it over with my managers in the Cof Shop and they all wanted me to stay – they painted everything all black for me if I went up there. I think Mr. Powers understood all right. My job would have been typing, mimeographing, sorting mail, errands, etc.
My money situation is O.K. I make enough on tips to see me through any spending I have to do. I got my spare tire filled so it’s O.K. I took my laundry to Visalia and they will send it up. I’m not going down there again for awhile – it was 115° there Friday. We’ve had very unusual weather here lately also. It got up to 90 two days in a row – but yet it wasn’t very hot – it didn’t feel like it was over 75.
I took Martha to the dance last night. I still enjoy her very much. How come no advice from you on her as yet? You haven’t even mentioned her.
It’s really swell up here this year. A lot of the old gang is here and all the new ones are really swell. Only seen 1 person I know so far, one of the Whittier mail men. I am going on a hike next Friday so you won’t have to worry about me – ha! Write often.
All my love,
Dick
Dick complains about the crowds – the place is packed over the holiday weekend. He says he has no free time – he goes to dances three nights each week, and plays bridge on the other nights. He was offered a new job, moving from the Coffee Shop to the office – but he turned it down. And he asks his parents for advice about Martha!
July 9
July 9, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Another week over and I am enjoying it more than ever. It doesn’t seem like I hear from you very often – I wish you would write more. I haven’t heard from anyone now for 3 days. I am slowly getting caught up in my letter writing, but there are so many to write to and nothing to say. It seems like one day is just like another.
Didn’t get to go to church this morning because I had to go to work at 10:00. I have established myself as champion ping-pong player of skunk-hollow again this year for all the employees around my age. There is one fellow about 35 who beats me 2/3 of the time. There was a boy, 15 yrs old here this evening who was beating everyone. He is a guest. I took him on and he beat me 2 out of 3. He is really good for only 15. Hope he leaves pretty soon.
I am planning to take Martha to the dance tomorrow night, but I couldn’t go last night because my legs were too stiff from my hike. I really did have a lot of fun Friday with Elowese. I forget how much I have told you about her, but she will be a senior at Stanford next year and she lives in Claremont. She is a very cute blond and has a wonderful personality. We are going up to Moss Rock tonight as soon as she gets off work to see the moonlight & the lights of the valley. I like her a little better than Martha I think.
I’ve made reservations for you for the night of the 22nd. You can have the cabin from 10 o’clock on to noon Sunday. I am going to try to get Saturday off if I can swing it. I’m telling you I have the best boss now that I’ve ever had anywhere. He seems like he’s just one of us, for he sits around and jokes with us all the time. He is 35 years old and a school teacher at the Univ. of Wash. I think.
Lou (her nickname) said she had turned down about 5 dates tonight, but she wanted to go with me. I feel very privileged.
I saw Jack & Esther Gilbert, his father and mother yesterday and today. They are here to spend a few days. It sure is good to see someone you know. I also saw Col. Bogart, the head of the R.O.T.C. unit at Pomona. He was on his way to Ft. Ord.
Well it’s time to pick up Lou now so I’ll have to say good night.
All my love
Dick
In this letter we learn that Dick is the champion ping-pong player at Skunk Hollow. Well, except for one high school kid who has come as a guest! We learn about a new girl in Dick’s social life – Eloise (misspelled in this letter), whose nickname is Lou. He is trying to decide which girl he likes best.
All the kids are so much more fun this year compared to last. Maybe it’s because I’ve met the sweet little girl from Claremont.
July 17
July 17, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Sorry to be a day late in writing, but I was out late with Eloise last night and had no chance to write. Lou and I are really getting along well. It seems that every minute we are together we enjoy each other that much more. I take her to work & bring her home whenever our schedules coincide. It seems like we have so much in common that we never run out of things to talk about.
I went up to the Lodge yesterday and changed your reservations to European plan, with bath (same as last year) and then today I got Dad’s special note telling me you couldn’t make it until the 29th so I went up again and I was very lucky to get anything at all for you. It is a European Plan, tent top without bath. It doesn’t sound very nice but that’s all there was open.
I am really enjoying every minute of this year more and more. All the kids are so much more fun this year compared to last. Maybe it’s because I’ve met the sweet little girl from Claremont. I know you’ll love her. We are planning a bridge game for the night you are here. I thought that would be the most fun.
We really had a wonderful time at Fresno on Friday. We left here at 11:00 and took our lunch & headed towards Fresno via Kings Canyon. We stopped at a nice spot in the park and ate our lunch & then went on. Got to Fresno about 2:00 and I left my car to get a 1000 mile check-up and got it washed. We went shopping for a couple hours & looked in store windows and I really enjoyed it. We went to the show about 4:30 & got out about 7:30 and then hunted around & found a place to eat. We had the best chicken dinner ever and we both stuffed ourselves to the gills. Then we came home via Visalia and stopped and got our dessert. Then we came on up the hill. What a wonderful day.
Sure looking forward to seeing you. I’m late to the dance now so I’ll have to run. Don’t forget to bring me some more clothes and bring my chess set.
All my love
Dick
We learn that Dick’s romance with Eloise seems to be heating up, and he is excited to introduce her to his parents when they visit. We learn about a trip to Fresno and Kings Canyon with Eloise.
She keeps saying things like that all the time. I still can’t tell if she’s giving me a line or not – sure hope not. She and I have struck up the hottest romance in Sequoia and it seems like everyone knows it.
July 20
July 20, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Sorry I’m a date late again in writing, but I have been living such a fast pace I haven’t had time to write to anyone. This is the only night this week I don’t have a date with Lou, so it will be a good time to write letters. Some other guy beat my time tonight. I know how he managed except that she told me he asked her a week & a half ago. She said she would give anything if she could be with me tonight instead of him. She keeps saying things like that all the time. I still can’t tell if she’s giving me a line or not – sure hope not. She and I have struck up the hottest romance in Sequoia and it seems like everyone knows it.
Last night we drove down the mountain a couple of miles & watched the moon set over the mountain. You can’t imagine how beautiful it can look up here, especially when you have such a wonderful girl with you. Tomorrow is our day off again and again we have a big day planned. In the morning we are going hiking up to a beautiful waterfall & eat our lunch and then come back and do a little swimming at Lodge Pole, and then go down to Visalia for dinner and a show. Sounds like a full day – but lots of fun. I’m sure glad I got my job up here this summer. Ha!
Sure was disappointed that you had to postpone your trip a week – I am so anxious to talk everything over with you and get some good advice. I am going to take my regular day off next week because I want to be with Lou, but on Sat I’ll still get my hours changed to 7:30-4:00, so I’ll have from 4:00 Sat to Sun noon off. Hope you get here by lunch time Sat, so I can fix you something real good on the fountain.
I got the letters from Dana & Dick Smith that you sent and also the Chevy folder. I don’t have any idea what the Olds looks like or anything about it – so if you can bring up some information on that I would appreciate it. Also please bring my blue beach shoes and my chess set.
I’ve been up here for five weeks now, but it seems like five days – it’s surprising how fast time does go when you’re really enjoying yourself. Also I have more good news. I weighed 202 the day I arrived & now I am down to 192 on the same scale. I think I’m doing right well. Maybe it’s because I’m not getting enough sleep. Yesterday I was in the Dining Room and I was supposed to be back at 11:30 for lunch and I laid down & slept until 12:30 when I was supposed to be to work at 12:00. It didn’t make any difference because the company owed me an hour anyway. I worked until 10:00 last Sun night cleaning up the fountain and sweeping. Lou waited up there with me so I wasn’t lonesome.
I forgot to tell you my roommate got fired last week – I guess he wasn’t doing his work right or something. My new one is a swell guy too – he’s been up here as long as I have. Well I guess that’s all for now. Think I’ll get a good night’s sleep for a change.
All my love
Dick
The romance with Eloise hits a high point – but he is not sure about her sincerity. They go to a view point to watch the moon, and down to Visalia for dinner and a show (movie). Dick is really enjoying himself, and the days go by quickly. But he needs more sleep!
In 1950, long-distance phone calls were reserved for emergencies or bad news. They were too expensive for the exchange of ordinary news. This fact elevated the status of the written letter to essential communication, especially within families who were split apart. Family members considered letter-writing an obligation, and held each other accountable for regular communication by mail.
Dick spent two summers (1949 and 1950) at Sequoia, but only his letters from 1950 have been preserved for us. I don’t know if it was worth the time to transcribe them, but I found it fascinating to have a view into the mind of my father at an age when none of us ever knew him. (I hope that some of you agree.) He was 22 years old in 1950.
The letters have very little to do with Sequoia as a place. It gets a few mentions, but most of Dick’s writing discusses his work and his social life. Sequoia was where he discovered that he was a good worker, and valuable to his employers and co-workers. Sequoia was also the place where he discovered that girls are more complicated than they seem at first.
Dick’s letters contain a surprising level of detail about his relationships with members of the opposite sex. Of course he doesn’t tell everything, but there is more shared here than I would expect in letters to parents. There are some great quotes, too, which I will highlight below.
The letters are presented in chronological order, going down the left side and then down the right side of this page. Each one is annotated with a summary, and explanations as needed.
I’m going to have to stay on my guard with her I’m afraid.
Don’t mean to be bragging, but I don’t know how these women would get along without a man backing them up.
The Learning Years, by Dick Votaw (part 5)
(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4)
The summer of 1949 came and I had applied for a job at Sequoia National Park; I was very fortunate to get the job. I took my ‘39 Ford and off I went. I was assigned to the kitchen at the coffee shop in Giant Forest. Having no seniority, I had the job of washing the pots and pans in a hot kitchen. I didn’t think this so glamorous a job by then. I remember my hands becoming so raw and bleeding that I called home for help. I guess there were no rubber gloves at that time as I don’t remember any protection being available. Mother sent me something to use on my hands after my shift so it was tolerable. I did have one other job that summer that I enjoyed and that was short order fry cook, even though it was still in that hot kitchen. Our shifts were set up so that you worked six days, but on the day before your day off you worked the early shift and the day after you worked the late shift. It was almost like having two consecutive days. I was paid $100.00 per month plus free room and board. The only money I spent was for gas and an occasional show during the summer at the bottom of the hill in the nearest town. Gas was only 18 cents per gallon and the show was probably about 50 cents. The rest of my money was sent home to my savings. I worked until after Labor Day and then back to CMC for my second year. The summer of 1950 I returned to Sequoia, but this time to a better job. I was the designated relief person, taking the job of certain people on their day off. This was really fun because I got to be bus boy in the dining room, soda jerk at the fountain, and other fill in jobs where needed. I also had Fridays off so got out of working on one of the busy weekend days every week. I can still remember dipping ice cream cones for eight hours straight on Labor Day.
In this section of his autobiography, written in his retirement to Newberg, Dick tells about his two summers at Sequoia. It appears that 1950 was a lot more fun than 1949!
Tips are really starting to roll in now. I made $2.46 on Monday on the fountain and .85 both days in the dining room this week.
Everyone always makes big groans when I leave.
This is the reservation that Dick made with the camp for his parents’ visit in July. Both the date and the type of reservation were eventually changed (see July 17 letter), but Harold and Mildred did visit him and it seems they had a great time.
Lou said she had turned down about 5 dates tonight, but she wanted to go with me. I feel very privileged.
There was a boy, 15 yrs old here this evening who was beating everyone. He is a guest. I took him on and he beat me 2 out of 3. He is really good for only 15. Hope he leaves pretty soon.
The above is a scanned image of one of Dick’s letters. Typically they were 4 pages, written on Sequoia stationery.
This is the park brochure for Sequoia for the 1950 year. Note the size of the people and buildings compared to the trees.
This is a carbon copy (that’s why it’s pink) of a letter that Dick’s dad Harold sent to him on June 28. That’s Harold’s birthday, so this is a thank-you letter. Harold sent this from his office at Pomona Box Co. and letters from there typically were made with carbon copies.
July 24
July 24, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
I’ll try using my roommate’s pen – be sure to bring mine up and also I want some slacks at least two more pair. Also bring my new red sweater. I was also thinking about you driving the Buick up and leaving it for me because I hate to drive my car without an emergency brake and besides my foot brakes don’t seem to be too good. Whenever I park my car it’s usually on a hill (there are a few up here) and since my brake doesn’t work it’s hard on the gears and sometimes low gear won’t even hold it.
Thought I would wait and write only once this week since you will be here Sat. Can hardly wait to see you. I’ll get off at 4:00 Sat and then I come up to see where you live. Come into the Coffee Shop as soon as you get here. We can talk until we eat dinner at the Coffee Shop and then Lou gets off at 7, so we can start our bridge game about 7:30 or 8:00 whenever we get thru dinner. Does that sound O.K. for Sat? Sure wish you could bring Patsy. Would it be possible or could she stand the trip? Lou really loves dogs, and I’m sure she would love Pat.
She and I really had another wonderful day last Friday. We hiked up to the falls and ate our lunch and then came back by way of the river instead of the trail. We went swimming at Lodge Pole & then went to Visalia for dinner and a show. Quite a big day but we really enjoyed every minute of it. We have no plans this Friday because she got stuck with a blind date for the day and he is taking her to the square dance & she hates square dancing. We are going down Thurs eve to a show.
I really get a kick out of the employees up here. There are only two classes – students and divorced men & women. The latter class is unsettled; they always have these big stories they are telling you and how they are waiting for some big deal to close. They are really amusing to listen to. One of the waitresses (about your age) and one of the cooks quit today to go back to Missouri. It was the climax of a 6 week romance. I guess they are going to get married. We have only one waitress now who is not in college.
Well, have a safe trip and I’ll be looking eagerly for you.
All my love
Dick
We learn that Dick’s car isn’t really safe to have at Sequoia; he’d like his folks to bring him a Buick (which apparently they did). He makes plans for their visits, and submits several requests. Also we hear about another wonderful day with Lou.
August 2
Aug 2, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Got Mom’s letter yesterday and Dad’s just 23 hrs after it was mailed in Pomona. Better send them all from Pomona. Better service perhaps both ways.
The only nights I could possibly eat with the Copes would be Thurs, Fri or Monday. However I will be sure to treat them to a meal. I went to Lodge Pole today and laid in the sun for 2 1/2 hrs & played two games of chess and won them both. I won when I played the other night also. Lou went to a party tonight given by the Blister ? Boys so I have plenty of time to write this evening. I guess I should be at the square dance. Lou and I are going down to Visalia for dinner & a show tomorrow night & on Friday we are hiking & on Sat we are going to the dance.
We got several new refreshments on the fountain now including marshmallow & hot fudge topping for sundaes & also whipped cream, nuts, & cherry for the sundaes. We’ve got grape ade & orange ade too. How was the cake Mom? Did you have any trouble getting out of the gate with the Ford without a pass? Glad you had a safe journey home and I’m glad the Ford held up O.K. The Buick is still doing fine & I’m not having trouble with 2nd gear as yet.
Well since nothing exciting has happened lately I’ve run out of gossip so I’ll cut this short & go to bed. Please keep me posted with all the Whittier gossip. Don’t forget to send the clipping of Don’s & Shirley’s engagement party.
All my love,
Dick
Dick tells about some new refreshments at the fountain – they were big hits, I’m sure. And the Copes are coming to visit – Robert Cope was the pastor of First Friends Church in Whittier.
August 7
Aug. 7, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
I’m sorry I’ve done such a bum job of writing but sometimes you can’t find time to write. Really had a wonderful weekend with Lou last week. Went to Visalia Thurs night for dinner and a show, and went hiking on Friday. Then on Sat night I took her to the dance. The Copes were here Thurs-Sun so I took them to dinner on Friday night.
I’ve got different plans this week – I traded days off with Dick (the boy from CMC) so I have tomorrow (Wed) off. Four of us are leaving tonight on a 2 night – 1 day hike. We plan to go 36 mi. in all. We leave tonight at 8:00 and plan to get back about 11:00 Thurs morning. I have to work until 9:30 Thurs eve so you can imagine what condition I’ll be in by that time. It should be a lot of fun and I think the tiredness will not be in vain. We are taking food with us and we are going to do most of our own cooking. We do pass a place where we can get a meal so that’s a little help. Elaine is going & one girl from the fountain and a dish washer & myself.
Got a letter from Aunt yesterday and they are still fretting over getting a tenant. They said they drove over a 100 mi. one day. It’s less than four weeks to Labor Day and I surely can’t believe it. It seems like I just got here but it will seem very good to get back home again. Got a letter from Secord & he is planning a party in Aug, but he says he’ll wait until I get home if I stay to Labor Day. I want to have him down to our beach house for awhile too. He is working in a tool assembly plant in Long Beach. He said he never heard from Sequoia.
It has really been cold up here the past few days. Its so cold at night I have to sleep in my sleeping bag. It’s 44-46 when I go to work in the mornings at 7:00. I’ll write again as soon as I get back.
All my love
Dick
P.S. I got your letter without the Gen. Del. on it. Elaine says they just moved into 621 N. Bright.
In this letter we hear about another wonderful weekend with Lou, and plans for a long hike with friends that will extend over 2 nights. Dick starts to make plans for a September stay at the beach.
I guess times have really changed since you were a kid.
August 15
Aug 15, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Please forgive me for not writing sooner, but I’m finding it more & more difficult to find the time. I should be washing some clothes right now. Jim said you were quite surprised to hear about the personnel of the 36 mi. hike we took. I guess times have really changed since you were a kid. We really did have a lot of fun hiking and seeing all the beautiful scenery. It’s really a shame that more people can’t enjoy all this natural beauty that the world has to offer. We were all rather worn out by the time we got back on Thurs morning, but it was a good tiredness and we all felt that we had accomplished quite a bit. My ankle was sore for a couple days & my legs were stiff for awhile, but no one suffered any serious injuries. I was sure ready to go to bed when I got off at 9:30.
Saw Mrs. Woods here yesterday but didn’t get a chance to talk to her. I took the Copes to dinner at the coffee shop on Friday night. I was sure I told you. I even had a couple dollars left out of the $10. I haven’t spent a penny since I took Lou down to Visalia a week ago Thurs., but I’m going to make up for this week. We are going down to the show this Thurs. and then on Friday we are taking an all-day horseback ride. On Saturday night I am taking her to the dance.
Last night we had a surprise birthday party for Elaine and I was her escort. I took her to the dance first & then came back a little late and all the rest of the kids were there to surprise her. Tonight I have a date with Martha (she asked me) to another party, so you see how busy I’ve been. I wish you would get those films developed that are in my camera now and send the prints and the camera both back to me. They are in the Ford in case you haven’t found it.
Dick (the boy from CMC) quit Sunday and it has left us one bus boy short, cause they can’t get replacements. I’m in the dining today busing by myself, ’cause it’s the other guy’s day off. We had 130 people for breakfast & I nearly worked my fingers to the bone. 70-80 people is normal for two boys. Well, three weeks from now I’ll be at the beach & I’m looking forward to it. I’ll write soon.
All my love,
Dick
P.S. Thanks for the cookies, mag., etc. It was really swell of you to send it all to me. I haven’t given the note paper to Lou yet, but I will soon.
Dick
Dick tells his parents about the wonderful 36-mile hike he took with his friends. No mention of Lou in this letter (until the postscript), but two other girls have had places on Dick’s social schedule. Things must be cooling off with Lou.
I think my date tonight with her will be the last – I will have no discussion with her at all.
August 19
Aug 19, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
I can’t understand what’s the matter with that Jim Ervin – I never said one thing to him that he seems to have told you. I am awfully sorry that you received such a warped interpretation from him and that you had to worry so much. It’s true that Lou & I are not has close as we used to be, but it isn’t hurting me one bit. I have found out so many more things about her since you were here that have lowered her character in my mind. I know for sure now that she isn’t my type but it isn’t worrying me one bit and has left no ill effects on me at all.
I can’t understand how Jim gets all of these crazy ideas, but I guess it’s just his way. I have been dating two other girls lately and I haven’t been staying away from the dances just because Lou is there with someone else. Lou, her brother, her girlfriend from Stanford and I went down to the show on Thurs eve and we had a very good time and yesterday we all took an all day horse-back ride (about 18 mi) and that was fun too. I think my date tonight with her will be the last – I will have no discussion with her at all but just let things stand as they are.
Why did you bring my bosses into the picture? I get along with them just as well as ever.
It’s true I am anxious to get home, but it’s not because of anything up here – it’s simply because I’m anxious to see you and all my friends again and that I’m anxious to get to the beach. Well it’s 11:00 and time to go to work so I’ll close for now. Please don’t say anything more to Jim & I’ll write more when I have more time.
All my love
Dick
This letter was sent Special Delivery – which meant that Dick paid extra for it to get where it to be delivered faster than usual. (It still took two days.) The reason for Special Delivery is that Dick had received a letter from home that needed a quick response – his folks had received a false report from Jim (a friend) and they were needlessly worried about Dick. He quickly sets them straight, and we learn that Lou is not the girl for Dick.
August 20
Aug 20, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Didn’t get thru work until almost 10:00 tonight and I am really tired. We served 2700 people today at the counter alone. Doug & Duval & two other boys from school got here about 9:00 last night & I saw them just as we were going to the dance. I told them where to clean up and then later today they came over to the dance. I met them this morning at 8:00 at the coffee shop and we all ate breakfast in the dining room. After that I took them around to the usual spots of interest and by that time it was time for me to go to work. They went swimming in the afternoon and then came back to the Cof. Shop & I fixed them some shakes & then they took off for home. I gave Doug my pay check to give to you so you can put it with my Aug. allowance & make the deposit.
Mon. Morning
I got sidetracked last night so no time to finish. Doug is joining the Air Corps Band for a four year stretch. He thinks his number will come up next so he wants to beat them to the draw.
Eloise is becoming quite a case up here. Everyone is turning against her. She is so independent & spoiled that it is beginning to show on her & everyone is beginning to realize it. Sounds funny coming from me doesn’t it? I’m going to the dance stag tonight & see who I can meet. Mr. Black, the ass’t mgr you met, is quitting next Saturday. He says he getting too fed up with the mgr. Sure do hate to see him go. Haven’t got any plans for Friday as yet – I’ll probably just take it easy & go swimming.
I can’t figure who & when I want at the beach because it’s so hard to correspond with anyone. Does it make too much difference just so long there are not too many there at one time? Hope it can be arranged for me to go back & pick up my own car. See if you can fix it up with Shirmers for me to do just that. Time to go back to work. See you two weeks from tomorrow.
All my love
Dick
Dick’s tiredness shows through this letter; he is ready to come home. Eloise (no longer “Lou”) has become “quite a case.” The assistant manager (whom Dick likes) is quitting. The beach trip is occupying a larger share of his thoughts.
August 23
Wed. PM between dining room shifts
Dear Mom & Dad,
Your Monday letter got here on Tues. for a change. Your letters mailed in Whittier always take two days & those in Pomona take one day. I must be Dr. Anthony from the looks of all the questions you asked me in that letter. I told you about Doug & Dick so we’ll let that one go. I’ve had only two letters from Cyn this summer & she’s had only two from me, so it’s my turn.
I can’t ask that bunch you suggested for Sat & Sun at the beach because Secord is having his party on that Sat. I think I’ll have to wait until I get home to make the plans for the beach. I have four passengers to Bakersfield and 3 from there on. We are leaving here at 4:00 am on Sept. 5, so by the time I get everyone home or to a bus I should be home by noon. I will leave my stuff at home before coming to the beach, so I should see you between 1 and 2 in the afternoon.
Yes, I have written to Joyce, but she has not had time to answer yet. Are Clayton’s going to rent again? I sure did like that place. What are you going to do on your birthday Mom? Who is this girl Arnold is engaged to? See if you can find out her last name for this Whittier girl up here is interested. I nearly flipped when you told me. I wonder if they will go through with it.
Dud & Mary have not arrived here yet to my knowledge. I’ll let you know when I do see them. I took Martha down to the show last Monday eve & I really enjoyed being with again. We saw “The Flame & The Arrow” and “Johnny Holiday,” the picture that was made at the Boys School at ??? field. They were both excellent pictures.
I went to a taco party last night with Martha (she asked me) and we had a very good time. Sure was good to have a taco again. I still have no plans for Friday so I guess I’ll just loaf all day. Sure am anxious about my car. I wrote Aunt & Unc just now and asked them what they could do. I still want to go pick it up myself.
Give Pat an extra pat for me and tell her I’ll be home soon. Glad the garage is clean. Ha!
All my love
Dick
This letter is not actually dated August 23 (or any other date) but based on context and contents that’s my best guess for it. Dick is dating Martha again, and still working on plans for the beach party in September.
I am very sure now that Martha has much better qualities than Eloise ever thought of having.
August 27
Aug. 27, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
Just got off work this Sunday evening and I think I’ll go to bed early for a change. I’ve had 7 dates with Martha in the last 8 days and I have come to realize that she isn’t such a bad gal after all. I am very sure now that she has much better qualities than Eloise ever thought of having. In fact she was planning to stay up here until Oct. 1, but she is quitting the same time I am now so she can ride home with me.
If you get a chance I wish you would do me a big favor. I want you to get me two tickets to the Billy Ekstine concert which he is giving at the Shrine Auditorium on Sept. 15. Get good seats if you can ’cause it isn’t every day you can see him! I am taking Martha to see him. Of course if you find I can go back East to get my car you can forget the concert tickets. Last Friday I went down to Visalia and met a friend of mine from CMC and we spent the day together. One of the other fountain porters quit today because of a tooth infection so I don’t know whether I’ll get another day off or not.
I hope you had a very nice birthday, Mom. I bet you and Dad really did something swell. If the $5 doesn’t cover the spoon I’ll give you the rest later. I forget exactly how much they do cost.
Well, only 7 working days to go if I get my day off, and will I be glad to get out of here. It has been a very interesting summer, however, both socially and vocationally. I guess any experience you can get can never hurt you. Good night for now. How about a letter, Mom.
All my love,
Dick
Dick is back in a hot romance again, this time with Martha. He’s making plans to continue seeing her after the summer job is over. (This didn’t happen, but we don’t have that story.) Dick is really looking forward to coming home.
September 1
Sept 1, 1950
Dear Mom & Dad,
This is my last day off and I’m doing nothing but loafing and resting up for the big week-end. One of our fountain porters who has been here all summer quit last Sunday so we have a new one starting today and he has to be broken in. I don’t know how much help he will be.
I did wash the Buick this morning and put a little of that instant gloss on it, so it really looks a lot better now. You could have pushed me over with a toothpick when I got your letter telling me about the new Buick. I am so thrilled about it I can hardly wait till I get it. I couldn’t quite understand whether I am to pick it up here at home or whether you are getting it when you go back East.
I bet the beach is really wonderful about now and I can hardly wait till I get there. It’s awfully hot up here today – 84 right now at 3 pm. I hope it gets so hot that people won’t want to stay up here very long. This is just the time right now that they start coming in by the droves. I am sitting at one of the counters now and the place is packed. Tomorrow I work from 12:00-9:30, Sunday from 9:30-6:00, and Monday from 7:30-4:00. I plan to pack the car right after 4:00 Monday. We leave here at 4:00 am Tues morning. I drop one boy off at Pasadena first then will come by the office and then on to Riverside and then to Corona where Martha lives.
By the way I’ve been with Martha every night now for 3 weeks except one. I know she likes me quite a bit, but I’m not too sure about my feelings toward her yet. Did you get those tickets for us yet to see Billy Ekstine? Corona is only 30 mi from Newport so I’ll probably have her down at the beach part of the time. She was going to work here until Oct 1 but she’s quitting early so she can go home with me.
Sounds like you had a swell birthday, Mom. See you tomorrow.
All my love
Dick
In this letter we learn that Dick isn’t too sure about Martha either, but this is not due to any lack of time spent with her. He continues looking forward to being at the beach.
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