Editor’s Note: The following is a diary written in 1963, and has been edited minimally to maintain the original spirit in which it was written. Included in the record are photographs taken by the family on the trip, as well as postcards saved by the Eaton children.

In the summer of 1963, Nancy Eaton of Greenville plotted out a cross-country road trip for her and her five children: Betsy, 15, Jane, 14, Chuck, 13 and Susan, 12, and Dick, 10. In their station wagon, the family went from Greenville to California, hitting some of the United States’ most-famous landmarks. This is the seventh installment of 10 in the diary she kept along the way.

In the previous installment, the family visited San Francisco, seeing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison before going to Oregon, seeing Crater Lake and visiting a dude ranch. In this installment, the family begins at Crater Lakes Mazama Campground, a volcanic crater lake in the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon. They visit Klamath Lake, also in Oregon, and do some hiking and visit with a school friend of Nancy’s before visiting another ranch.

July 15

The night was freezing and we rose and left in one hour. We had a hot breakfast at the Cafeteria at Rim Village. Here the set up is like the Inn and Lodge deal at the Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon though there may not have been Cabins at the “Cafeteria.”

The snow was 3 feet in a View Point in front of the Cafeteria. They had had snow on July 7th. On the road on the West Rim we passed one spot where the road had 7 feet of snow on one side. Wooded areas were quite white and the most northern part of the mountain had plenty for skiing. Then the 14th of July. This has been a cold summer but it is also a very cold spot.

Klamath Lake which we passed on Sunday is tremendous and so many birds.

Oregon is green and lovely flowers like home, cool. This is true of the western part of the state anyway. Maxine, Bill and family had been to the Eastern part of Oregon to visit Eric and David their oldest and 3rd sons at Camp on Sunday which was the reason for our delay en route. They had asked us to join them but I had already promised Jane the 3 nights at Weed, California.

We reached Maxine’s about 4:30. She has a nice home on 3 acres of land which has been completely built up around.

Next to them on one side is a new school and baseball (lighted at night) field on the other side a new road. There is a greenhouse barn much lawn and flowers sheep, 2 chickens, dog and 5 cats (were 14 at one time).

Our boys and Bruce (9) are sleeping in their tent.

July 16

Tues. There is lots to do here, Outdoors ping pong and croquet and badminton are kept set up. The large concrete area for the garages (in front of them) has a game of baseball painted on it. There is a basketball basket etc. Maxine took Dick, Chuck, Susan, Bruce and Tyrell out to lunch and I took Betsy, Jane and Karen to the Portland Shopping Center known as the largest in the world. We had a good Japanese lunch with poor suhujaki, excellent Tempura and Beef Teriyaki. We shopped without buying and returned in traffic at 5:00. The car is skipping.

Took the car to garage on return for repairs.

July 17

Wed. Left at 2:00 for Zoo and Science and Industry building. Most went only to Zoo which is new and excellent.

We saw “Kathy” the 8-month-old elephant the second born and raised in captivity, two or three more are due. Betsy went to the Phil. Outdoor Concert with Bill, Per and a friend in the evening. Betsy loved it. Got car from garage $26 new brake ratchet exhaust hanger tuning etc.

July 18

Thurs. Left about 10:00 a.m. for Saddleback Mt. I did not get to the top but far enough up to see the Pacific Ocean. I didn’t go to the top because of “Mrs. Murphy.” She was a woman about 70 who was taking two children about 10 and 12 up the mountain and pointing out all the flowers to them on the way. She was pleased to have another enthusiast and I learned the name of many flowers new to me – several wild hollylucks, a sweet swelling yellow wall flower. There were beautiful stretches of blue larkspur. There was one green orchid — lots of setum (sp?). All the way the last 3 or 4 miles the roadside was covered with foxglove from white pink to dark pink. Maxine, Tyrrell, Karen, Betsy, and I did not make the top. Bruce, Dick, Chuck, Jane and Susan were successful.

After descending we cooked hot dogs, had baked beans, fizzies, cookies and fruit and then at 4:00 went, on to Cannon Beach. It was very pleasant but cold as there was little sun.

The sand squeaked as I can never remember it doing before.

Afterward we ate at the Crab Broiler a very nice place where some had fried razor clams, clam Newburg, clam salads, salmon.

Chuck and Dick had milk shakes at a stand before and sat in the car while we ate. Home about 10:00 P.M.

July 19

After lunch Betsy and I started for Portland to buy an air mattress. At the first service station the car was boiling over. It was decided we needed a new water pump so left the car there on return. Bought $20 sleeping bag for Archie pants for Betsy and myself. Bathing bag and Jersey for Susan. Ham and salads etc. then Per and a friend showed their taken in their backyard showing how Great Britain was cause of last war.

July 20

Sat. Morning getting clothes together. Maxine left us at 11:45 at service station to go to Leaches. The car smelled badly as soon as we got started found at next service station that carburetor was leaking – adjusted, but still seemed to be smelling when we reached Leaches. The Leaches lived in the Barrett Mansion in New Ipswich in 1953. Their wedding anniversary is Sept. 14.

Their home is new. They built it – a lovely place and lovely home all around. They studied, the Portland area carefully before deciding on this school and area. Sally Susan, and Per are not as attractive as ours but were friendly and they had a good time. Dennis bought broiled chickens all cooked and we had salad, rabbit food and watermelon for dessert. She cooked the corn on the cob in the oven.

After dinner Tex finally looked at the car and I started it, the gas still poured from it. We took it to a Texaco service station and at 4:30 they said it would take an hour for repair. At 5:30 when they called that it was done Denny took me down. When I got home I realized it was still leaking badly.

Tex came back and went back to garage with me. After much trial and error it seemed successful. Archie had called the Sweetmans twice while I was there at the garage. Messages were relayed and he said he’d call the ranch Sunday night. Pizza at Sweetmans, a few slides of Fossil Oregon, geology and archeology camp where David and Eric had been going.

July 21

I fell asleep several times as I was writing the last few lines last night. We were up by seven but did not get away until 8:30 – then I had to return a block for my pocketbook (not my wallet).

All but the older boys were up to see us off. We took the scenic route passed the Multnomah Falls and Horsetail Falls and others then stopped at the Dalles fish ladder to watch (Editor’s note: This page of the diary is missing.)

July 23

...rounded up to-do their share. Newspapers were spread on the tables, water, potatoes peeled corn heated in the opened cans, pork chops fried by the dozen. We all ate like pigs. Marshmallow and chocolate cake in the evening before bed.