Location: Lake Sylvia State Park, Washington
Laurie waxed poetically in her journal describing the last day of their trip to Everett, Washington. "The last day of our trip dawned clear and beautiful. We all had fun breaking the last camp. The drive for the first 50 miles was too lovely for words through the mountains and along the Yakima River...We got more than one thrill on this real mountain road. Stopped at Ellensburg for no good reason."
Debi and I stopped in Ellensburg also, and took this photo of the historical downtown.
Laurie continued: "We went up into the Cascade Mountains. Reached the summit of 3010 feet about 1:30."
Here's a photo Debi took today when we were near the summit.
Laurie goes on: "Passed along the edge of Lake Ketchelbus for a mile or so. The roads made one's hair stand on end, but after we entered the great forests."
Debi took this photo from the van this morning as we passed Lake Ketchelbus. Rather than a hair-raising mountain road, we experienced a major interstate highway, which is in the middle of a huge upgrade project with major machinery everywhere, although not working because today is Sunday. Our mission was to make it to the Salish Lodge at Snoqualme Falls for a late breakfast.
Laurie describes that "Once a construction gang held up traffic because of using dynamite and we were held in line for over an hour." We also saw a sign today warning that we should not use two-way radios or cell phones, as there was blasting taking place in the area.
We were pleased to arrive at our breakfast destination by 10:30, and get seated quickly. Nancy and I had completed our journey in 1999 by stopping here also. It's in a beautiful setting next to the falls.
As we waited for our meal to arrive, we drank their very good coffee which comes with a tray of condiments including: cream, whipped cream, and dark & white chocolate shavings. This was a definite hit with Debi.
Here I am just as my breakfast has been served. The white line that you can see across the right side of my face is actually the famous "honey from heaven" technique which the servers are famous for delivering honey onto your biscuit. You can see the bowl of honey in the server's hand on the far left. Breakfast was delicious.
Laurie's journal concludes for that day's entry with "We drove furiously to reach Everett before dark." (This was the home of my Great Aunt Eva and Great Uncle Jack Dana) "We received a real welcome." Laurie's journal then continues for about 11 more days in which she describes all the places, from Portland to Vancouver, Washington, which the family searched to find the "right" place for them to settle. This culminates on with her final daily entry: "When Dad had the key to the little brown and tan bungalow at 623 Ninth St. S.W., Puyallup, Washington, we were HOME." Debi and I went to this location today, as Nancy and I had 16 years ago, and confirmed that this address was now a brick house which was probably built around 1950. However, we took a photo of a bungalow down the street that we think might be in the style of the Russells' new home on August 26, 1929.
Here's Puyallup High School which is very nearby, which looks like it might have been in service in 1929.
Having completed our mission of retracing the steps of my father's family move from Missouri to Washington in 1929, Debi and I found our way to a favorite campground of ours at Lake Sylvia State Park, nearer the coast. We soon settled into a sweet little spot next to the lake, as we welcomed the cool, cloudy weather.
My Aunt Kay (Clara) is the only surviving member of the six Russell children, and she is now 99 years old, turning 100 on February 15, 2016! One of Laurie's final trip entries read: "We passed a landing field and Clara (Kay) wants to make note that in the plane going up, the aviator waved at her!" Kay was 13 at the time.
I'm hoping my Aunt Kay (Clara) is reading this blog with help from my Cousin MIchael, and that she will correct any mistakes I have made here.
Kay, is this photo from this trip? It's obviously not the Chevy Truck that Grandpa Dan modified for the occasion.
The next photo is at one of the Tourist Camps which the family stayed at along the way. I believe Laurie is seated on the left, Kay, is that you in the center, and my Uncle Danny in the cap on the right?
The final photo is certainly not from the trip, but I think everyone's age looks very close to the same time. Back row from left to right: My Dad, Ocrel (Oak), my Uncle Bob, My Aunt Ellen, My Aunt Laurie, My Aunt Kay (Clara), and a girl I don't know.
Front row: Another boy I don't know, My Great Granpa and Grandma Holmes (my Grandma Lula's parents), and my Uncle Danny seated on the ground.
As my final entry here, before returning authorship of his blog back to Debi, I am including the song which Laurie put on the last page of her journal:
OUR SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD
The broad highway is a friendly way
The auto trails are calling,
Carefree ways are merry ways
Adventures are enthralling,
So we'll stick to the trail
In dust or gale
Or even if rain is falling,
And with helping hand
We'll reach the land
Where auto trails are calling.
Original words and music by the Russell children
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