-
Title
-
Scottsbluff Narratives, 1937_034
-
Alternative Title
-
1937 Scottsbluff Narratives
-
Date
-
1937
-
Creator
-
Frank Shoemaker
-
Description
-
Frank Shoemaker - Sandhills Narratives
-
Identifier
-
321301
-
Transcription
-
1 Scottsbluff, Nebr. Tuesday, August 3, 1937 *Phyllis Westphalen *Ardel Westphalen *Winifred Heckert *Margaret Heckert *Phyllis Heckert *Ruth Ring Viola Blavers Shirley Vandenburg Lorraine Jones Elaine Frakes Ruth Barkell- * means, first trip. Some of the boys had stated yesterday that they expected to go on today's trip to the Badlands; but when the time came, not one boy was present. As out start was a bit late (10 a.m.), I had gone to Overland Park in a taxi; so the eleven girls were forthwith piled, packed and jammed into the car-nine ten in the backseat, one between the driver and myself, and the littlest one perched on my knees; total load, 13. We noted the "13" and hooted the idea of bad luck. (Postscript: we did lose all of our bananas and half of our buns;-so, after all, mebbe there's something in this "13" stuff!) We were a merry company, even the taxi driver entering into the spirit of the occasion. Thro our eight hours of pleasure, every girl was on her toes, every minute; not a weakling in the group, tho two were only nine years old. We left the taxi at a point a half-mile east of the Country Club terminal and went directly northward-across the golf links, then thro an entrancing mess of Badlands-to "our" spring, finding it once more in fine condition. (On one of our trips, ten days ago, three boys managed to separate themselves from the rest of our party, bent upon a bit anarchy.-There was evidence, by way of moist strata, ten feet above "our" spring, that another spring might be developed; and one of the boys had suggested it to me. I had forbidden the project, pointing out the fact one good spring was enough; that the development of a second might reduce the flow of the first; and that the run-off from a spring developed about might harm the spring below. However, the daring ones went ahead; not maliciously I am sure-but just to be doing something.-Result: on a trip four days ago, we found the nice, dry ground about "our" spring turned to mud; the temperature of the water raised about ten degrees, and too muddy to use.-See note at the end of today's narrative.) "Fine condition"-meaning usable water; but there was much to do. I chased the girls off to botanize within stated bounds, after they had had a drink, and went to work. First, I cut a trench to carry the run-off from the upper development away from "our" spring. A search for a quarter-mile along the Union Pacific right-of-way fence, afforded a discard post, which I used as a club to hammer the muddy tract into an approximate level. So, next trip-mebbe-we'll find the muddy expanse dried, and the water several degrees cooler. Three-quarters of an hour had passed; so, of course, the girls were again thirsty; for thirst, at over 4000 feet altitude, in dry atmosphere, on a hot day, and especially to an exercising group, comes early and often. After another drink all around, and filling our pails and bottles, we made our way to the edge of the irrigation canal 300 yards north, where we could find fuel, and a skimpy shade under the willows. . . A fire was built; proper sticks out; and then, to roasting wieners.
-
Rights
-
To inquire about usage, please contact Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. These images are for educational use only. Not all images are available for publication.
-
Is Version Of
-
frank_h_shoemaker_321301-01067.jpg
