I wanted to share the Travel-log my Grandmother Alice Phelps wrote of our experiences during the trip from Gibbon Nebraska to Edmonds Washington. My Mother and Father moved them out west in August 1938 and I shared her journal of this trip in my book "Gibbon's Secrets". I used a writer's prerogative and put the trip in the time frame of my book, the 40's. The important thing is that I am sharing Grandma Alice's Travel-log word for word, exactly how she wrote it.
A Travel-log of Our Trip from Nebraska
By Alice H. Phelps
August 18, 1938
We left Gibbon, Nebr for Seattle, Wash on Thursday August 18 at 7:15 am. There were 7 of us; Reginald, Addie, Jeannine and Budddy, Fred Phelps (our nephew), Frank and myself. It was a lovely, cool morning for Aug in Nebr. Our first stop was at Overton, where we saw the Wallace’s. As Lawrence had just gone to Lexington we failed to see him. Then on West to North Platte, where we stopped and rested by making some small purchases in a dime store. We stopped at Sutherland and had lunch. The day was very warm and windy. Eats awful.
The scenery was not worth mentioning from there on until we were over the line in Wyoming. Shortly after this we noticed a low dark cloud in the S.W. which proved to be our 1st glimpse of a mt. range. Addie had been driving up till this time, but began to have a severe headache. We decided to stop for the night as we were near Cheyenne, where we had planned to spend our 1st night. We stayed at the “Old Mill Cabins” a very nice place. Very soon Frank had met some young people from Alma who were well acquainted with Johnny and Evelyn.
We arose very early in the morning, all refreshed and feeling fine after a good night’s rest. A happy surprise was in store for us. Frank saw Mr. Mickey out walking with Mrs. Mickey; Thais & Gordon had arrived in the night and were in the cabin adjoining one of ours. We were glad to have one more glimpse of Gibbon people – But had to start driving on. The scenery was most interesting with unusual formations and the mt. range was close enough to see the snow on the peaks, and also feel a strong cold wind blowing. Words are lacking to describe the beauty of the hills covered with pine trees, the colorful rocks and odd shapes. Well built viaducts were seen along the way.
We stopped the car at the lone pine tree to wait for the truck. The tree is an old land mark, 80 years old. It has grown out of solid rock. We took some pictures, hope they are presentable. The children are well & happy enjoying the many changing scenes. About 8:30 Friday morning we arrived at Summit Inn, the highest point on Lincoln highway, 8,835 ft and then began the descent. The drive was wonderful tho a little breath taking. As we came out of the gorge we saw the mtns again - very blue in the distance. Then we saw Laramie, a lovely city at the foot of snow capped mtns.
We enjoyed a very good breakfast at Laramie and started on west ward. The less said about the country between Laramie & Rawlins, the better. If the Indians gave that land to the whites, it was a good joke on the whites, as it is just a desolate alkali and sage brush covered country.
About 5 miles east of Medicine Bow we stopped at Como Museum which is the oldest building in the world as it is built of Dinosaur bones. After looking over the relics we started on. As the truck had been slowing down and seemed to be getting worse it had to go to a garage at Harina. We were in the car and waited about 2 hrs at Dana – a little mining town which looked like it might be in Switzerland. Low houses with green or red roofs. A 60 mi wind was blowing a gale which liked nothing better than snatching off hats. If you don’t believe it ask Frank.
At last we came to Rawlins. It is a nice town. We ate dinner and decided to drive awhile as we had lost so much time. The roads were perfect. About 7 o’clock we reached the Continental Divide. This marks the division of the great river system of the US. Tributaries of the Mo & Miss flow to the East. The Snake flows NW to the Columbia and the Green into the Colo. We talked to the people who live in this tiny place. They told about -40 degree weather and how lonely they were when the tourist season was over.
When we arrived at Wamsuttes we engaged cabins for the night. We had poor accommodations, but as we were very tired were thankful for beds to sleep in. A beautiful morning greeted us. The air was so fresh and pure we were glad to be on our way. We noticed a few birds but had traveled many miles without even seeing a chicken. The scenery began to be more interesting. We passed the Point of Rocks and the drive from there on was very scenic – high towering rocky bluffs on both sides of the road. Then sage brush and more safe brush.
Just before we came to Oakley the truck was found to be out of gas with no station in sight. We knew that we had been cheated at the last gas station. Jeannine stayed there until Addie went back with the gas, then we continued on our way. The scenery was improving and at last we left Wyoming and we were not sorry.
We spent the 3rd night at Soda Springs, had a good supper, good cabins and wee soon sleeping snugly under 2 heavy blankets. As we had a stove in our cabin, Frank started a fire with wood and coal and we enjoyed it very much. We were on the road at 6:00 am and traveled over the most beautiful country we had seen, arriving at Pocatello at 8:30 where we were quite ready for a hearty breakfast of cakes, sausages, fruit & postem. We were on Highway 30 which took us out of Pocatello thru a tunnel which delighted the children. Much to Buddy’s surprise we discovered posters with “Welcome Buddy” on many store windows and conspicuous places. The American Legion was having 2 days of celebrations.
Our next stop was at the American Falls, which is a beautiful sight. Reg, Addie, Fred & the children went down to the pier and took pictures. The next point of interest was a great rocky point marked “Indian Massacre Rocks”. One could easily imagine what had taken place there many years ago.
The afternoon was warm and as the road led away from the Snake River, which we had had to our right for many miles, we noticed an alkali soil covered with thick sage brush and wondered if we had in some way gone back into Wyo. Very few varieties of flowers were seen. Sun flowers, golden rod, Indian paint brush and bunches of small yellow flowers were all we noticed. We had been following the truck all day. At Burley, in some way we missed it and went on. After about 10 miles we decided to wait and in about 30 minutes were very glad to see it come over the hill.
The road was very good so in good time we arrived at Twin Falls where we ate lunch and loafed around for about an hour. We saw a handsome cowboy. He was dressed in a rich dark red satin shirt, black trousers, high heeled boots and a big black hat. I think he knew we were looking him over as he gave us a whimsical smile. We were soon in a beautiful valley were poplar trees were very popular. Great clumps and long rows of them lined the road and they were very beautiful. Then we saw some peach and apple trees loaded with fruit. Then we saw little water falls coming out of the great rocky bluff to our right. This water made its way in to the Snake River.
During the afternoon we crossed over one of the highest bridges in the world; over the Snake River. But the thrill of the afternoon was going up and over a great hill. I could not take my eyes off the truck except when we would lose it around a curve. It was made safely, and I was very thankful the Reginald and Addie were such good drivers. Later we came to King Hill but I think the other one was the King.
As we stopped at a filling station Buddy found a shinny nickel. The very best one he ever had seen and the biggest I think. We had planned to spend the night at Boise but when we arrived it was quite impossible to find lodging as the State Fair was being held there. We had to dive on about 30 miles farther before we could get cabins. We had driven over 400 miles that day which is a long trek with a heavily loaded truck on winding mountainous roads.
We made an early start and found ourselves in a very beautiful country. Great pine, hemlock and several other varieties of evergreen trees filled the valley and covered the mountain sides. We also saw clumps of elder berries. The boys discovered a down tire at Mountain Home, so we stopped while it was being patched. Bought some peaches which were very good. We had seen peach and apple orchards along the way. Very beautiful yards were in evidence in residential districts. Some lovely farm homes but more little shacks were seen. We at lunch at Baker and quite fell in love with the place. It is a grand little city of very friendly people. We noticed so many weeping willow trees. One place had a weeping willow hedge for a background.
Nearly all cities of any size were having fairs or rodeos which made it difficult to find cabins. Monday night we stayed in Umatilla. We had a wonderful cabin. Two full size beds with dresser, clothes closet, well equipped bath, Kitchenette with cupboard, table, electric grill and everything was new and clean.
Reginald, Addie, and the children went over to Lyle, Washington via the Dalles. They crossed on the ferry. They returned about 10 o’clock as Addie’s brother Merton was in Tacoma. Then we started on. We changed our course, deciding to go via Yakima. This valley is fruit laden. We bought some large delicious peaches. The trees were so loaded with fruit. There were bright colored apples, peaches, plums and golden pears. We had to go on the truck highway on account of the truck, but I don’t think we lost by so doing as the drive was very very beautiful. We went thru a tunnel. It is quite a thrill to go thru a mountain. The truck had to pass a great transport in the tunnel. Fred held his breath. The road wound around the mountains, the trees were so tall and dense and the Kakima river down below reflecting the trees and the mountains. At first I could not enjoy these drives as they took my breath away.
When we were entering Ellensburg we had a flat on the car so decided to stay all night and finish the last lap in the morning. The night was cold but we all survived and the drive thru the National Forest was the grandest sight I have ever seen. There were beautiful fern and very colorful purple flowers and bright foliage along the road side. The trees were taller and taller. We suddenly came to a tract which had been recently burned over. Great pines fallen over each other. How such a fire could ever be controlled is a mystery to me. Then we passed thru a beautiful section called “Big Tree Park”, by the Federated Women’s Club. Then we went over another burned over section and the sky was heavy with smoke. We could smell the smoke plainly although the fire was possibly many miles distant.
Just outside of Falls City we saw some Totem Poles. Very colorful. The pleased the children as well as the grownups. Frank had complained that the mountains were not up to his expectations, but this last mourning quite filled the bill. As we went down thru a deep gorge for miles and miles with the great towering peaks on both sides of the road, and in the distance still higher ones.
We are within 25 miles of Seattle. Fruit and flowers are profuse. Washington is the best we have seen. We have arrived at Bothell where the broadcasting station is located where Lloyd Green made his 1st contact with Charles. It is only 23 miles to Edmonds now and so at about 1:30 pm Wednesday August 24th we reached Edmonds, our destination. We were welcomed by Charles, Margaret and Dorilee. All our weariness was forgotten for a time, at least as it was so good to visit with the children and to know we had made a wonderful trip safely.
I hope you enjoyed Grandma Alice's Travel-log as much as I have enjoyed it over the years. I have gone back into the travel-log and highlighted a few of the special parts that are my personal favorites.
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