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 fifth in a series. The journal entries are presented here just as they were written, with no changes or corrections.
There were 23 autos on the boat on our return trip across the strait. It cost $5.00 each way ($2.50 each) for cars, contents and passengers. We enjoyed the boat ride. The water was quiet both trips and one could imagine they were in a large beautiful parlor.
We drove in State Park that afternoon at 3 o’clock in Mackinaw City. Made camp, cooked fish that were caught across the strait and bought 5 gal of gas $1.10. Men spent the evening up town.
About 2 o’clock in the morning the fog whistle began and it blew every two minutes until 9 o’clock when the fog lifted. State dock had a mocking bird whistle, which made as much noise as the foghorn.
The lighthouse was only a little ways from our tents—light turned in a semi-circle all night. The light guided boats off a dangerous point going from Lake Michigan to the strait, or boats that had come from Lake Huron through the strait going into Lake Michigan.
That morning (Wed) folks fished off the dock this side of the strait—caught a nice lot. We broke camp again and started on our journey. Drove past Carp Lake, Levering, Pellston, Brutus, Alanson, Pansheuashe, Oden, Crooked Lake and many more. Bought supplies $.75.
Bought the first, last and only cake on the trip in Charlevoix. Tourist Park is on Pin Lake—the charges were $.60 per car for the first night and $.25 for every additional night. Had good stoves, wood, lights, water and a two-story rest room.
Everything so convenient I washed out a few pieces. Frank took advantage of the accommodations and washed and shaved. Mr. Swartz and Henry went fishing and had good luck.
The caretaker told us if every party of tourists were as thoughtful and careful of camp conveniences as we were, he would have no trouble. Six cars were stolen early in the season. They were found as caretaker takes name of car and numbers of each car that is in the park overnight.
Left camp the following morning at 10-20. Drove through Atweed, East Port, Torch Lake, Kewain Post Office, Elk Rapids and stopped there for 5 gal of gas and two quarts of oil ($1.70). Went through Almo and stopped at Traverse City for dinner.
Had baked lake trout, which was extra good. Dinner $.50. Janette was sick so missed the fish dinner. That afternoon we drove through Honor and shortly after that we had a flat tire. Bought one pound of butter in Frankfort $.50.
The park there was on the bank of the lake and was so new there was no trees, stove, rest rooms, lights or anything except the ground and a few shrubs some woman’s club had set out. The wind was blowing a gale and waves on old Lake Michigan came in with a roar and sure were big.
The location did not suit us so looked further with no better result. Finally found a place in a private yard, which was very good. A man, wife and child were camped there also. A thunderstorm came up during the night, wind blew hard but as our tents were protected by a hill, storm did not disturb us.
They made no charges for use of ground, but we gave Mrs. Parker $.65, all the change we had in the jackpot.
Click to view notes 10-12 (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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