A Letter to Lib (Sister) and Bill (Brother-in-Law)

Shelley, ID

July 25, 1971

Dear Lib and Bill,

Here goes another form letter, to let us write to everyone we wish. We had a long 7-day trip, and had to shift to low, and travel 5 to 10 miles in hour in some places, but we just had one flat, and made it reasonably well. The weather wasn't too bad; a little hot in Arkansas and Oklahoma, in the dreary parts where you don't see much except highways, traffic, and lots of people. You don't see much except highways, traffic, and lots of people. Then when you add the 30% higher prices on groceries in every state except Idaho, and some parts of Montana, it makes one even happier to get home. Northwestern Arkansas was nice, and parts of Nebraska were interesting, and they do have good parks in parts of Kansas and Nebraska. The blaze-orange butterfly-milkweed, and the elderberries and black-eyed Susans were common most of the way, and there was enough variety in the plants and crops and birds so it wasn't too much drudgery.

Kirby spent quite a bit of time up in the cab with me, naming the different birds and animals we saw, and we played an occasional game. Jody was a pest, of course, like all kids of that age, I guess, and Cherie had to stay in the camper with him most of the time. We left Kirby at one station and had to turn around, then wait till the station owner caught up with us (He had taken him in a car to catch us and we had just missed each other.

I sure don't want to make another trip like that. Twice across the country with a big overloaded trailer and camper is rough on my nerves. We moved into Cherie's old home for a while, and I am now looking for a job. Most teaching positions are filled of course, but there is one in Council, which looks like it could be a really nice one.

Then there are some state jobs, such as environmentalist, chemist, or microbiologist, which I might land if I have patience enough, and if we can find something else to keep the pot boiling till they open up (Like learning new edible weeds, and new places to find them.). I'm writing some articles, and getting my books and magazines straightened up and organized so I can find things at least occasionally.

We have two pickup loads of books, jars, sports equipment, clothes, etc., stored at Bozeman; we picked up one load and have to go back after the other. In the meantime, on that trip, maybe I can get some good fishing in Yellowstone Park. Then we have to try to get a few bushels of those prime mushrooms in Yellowstone, and go to a friend's orchard at Shoup to get fruit, if he has some unsprayed. In the meantime I'm laying a little linoleum, meeting organic gardeners, and others who are interested in preventing pollution and maintaining good health.

Out here there are drug problems, and teenage pregnancies, and other problems, as one would expect, since people are pretty much the same all over the world, and since our communication systems help the people in one place to know what every other place is like, so the resulting conformity makes on place in the U.S. much like other places, except for climate and degree of pollution. The mayor of Idaho Falls doesn't like to make any voters mad, so the only reason there isn't lots more pollution here is that there aren't so many people or factories.

I guess I'll manage, and start buying a linoleum shop, and we hope to buy a house soon. And herbs or flower seeds you want to part with? The aloe vera is still withus; how much sun do they need? How high do they get? Come out and visit; we'll try to line up some good fishing, or whatever you want. Would love to see you both again, to talk for a while. I want to organize an organic gardener's club and buyer's coop, soon as possible.

Love,

Louis and Cherie