The pages of this 1925 travel journal present a rare gift: The chance to see what the open road was like 85 years ago. This is the second in a series. The journal entries are presented here just as they were written, with no changes or corrections.
We left Harrison State Park the next morning (Thurs) at 8 o’clock. Stopped at Houghton Lake for gas. Had room in tank for three gal. ($.22 per gallon) Mr. Swartz got five gal.
Roscommon was the next little town. Mr. Swartz had engine trouble, which delayed us about an hour. An oil wagon came along with Mr. Swartz, paid $.22 for one quart of oil.
Finally we all started—did not go very far before crankshaft on truck broke. Mr. Swartz towed truck into Grayling. It was then 12:30 and we were glad to find a place to eat, dinner there was $.40. I also bought one quart of oil ($.30).
The next stop was at a trout hatchery near Grayling where we saw brook, brown and rainbow trout, all sizes and ages. We arrived just in time to see the caretaker feed them. One day on raw liver ground fine, next day the liver is cooked with oat mash.
Some of the old trout were so familiar with the caretaker, they eat out of a spoon. (That fish story is absolutely true; I saw them with my own eyes.)
That second night we camped at Otsego Lake. After the tents were up, the boys went fishing. Frank was out of luck as his rod, reel and other fishing tackle had not been packed and was safe at home.
They had a leaky boat, no anchor and only the little fish were biting, so did not stay long, but had to pay $.50 regardless.
There was no store on the campground and no town near, so Lillie and I walked about two miles for bread for supper and breakfast. The warden directed us to a house where we could get good homemade bread, it was right from the oven and after our long walk, we certainly enjoyed the bread. Paid $.15 per loaf.
It rained that night and where the cots touch the tent, it was wet through. Lillie’s pillow was soaked before we knew about it. She was the unlucky one anyway because driving along that day, a bee flew in the window and stung her above her right eye, then flew out the opposite window.
Two young girls and their dog, Mollie, drove into camp long after dark—made a bed on the ground, then run their coupe over it and crawled under. Their bed was in a low spot and rain run under the bedding. Next morning Henry helped dry it before they could pack.
They were going across the straits to Munising. If they enjoyed that trip they were expecting to drive to Florida later in the fall.
Our supplies from home were about gone, so Friday morning we stopped in Gaylord and stocked up. Cost was $2.58. Frank bought a line and reel. Mr. Swartz and Henry went in an alley and dug angleworms.
Click to view notes 3-5 (of 14), or view the entire set at our Flickr page. Be sure to click “All Sizes” for a closer view!
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