Author: David Haldeman

Thursday, February 6, 1969
Up early & Riegers took me to Sun City. Visited with Chuck Andres at Claprood Farm – Busch Gardens – African Safari – Birds & gardens – really fabulous. To Clearwater Beach to visit Carl’s cousins & then to Brattens – but too late to see house they bought.

Wednesday, February 5, 1969
Carl & Esther Rieger took me to Fruitland to see celery harvesting machine. Trip through back country. Shopped at Sears. Beachcombed for sharks teeth. Bingo – I won $3.25 & Carl won $63!

Tuesday, February 4, 1969
Vivian Adams Bratten & David Bratten took me to Venice – Riegers. To beach for sunset but cloudy.

Monday, February 3, 1969
Shopping with Vivian Adams in St. Pete while David Bratten played ball. Had headache in PM & slept.

Sunday, February 2, 1969
Breakfast on balcony & then went to the beach. Watched pleasure boats at the inlet. Visited the Fishers in Hollywood Hills & then to Plantation to visit Negby Davis’ “Palace” & garden. Mary Emily took us to dinner at airport & I flew to Tampa. Vivian Adams Bratten & David Bratten met me.

Saturday, February 1, 1969
Hair set and nails done at “Hair-Em”. Lunch at “Grace” – Marjorie Patterson’s old school chums. Mary Emily sick so Marj stayed with her & I drove Mrs. Dickey & Aunt Clyde to Creightons for dinner. Mrs. D’s treat. I had pompano. Marjorie showed Yucatan pictures.

[Marjorie Dickey was neighbor and friend of Trella during 1927 hurricane.]

Friday, January 31, 1969
Down the keys over 7 miles bridge. Explored Pigeon Key thoroughly. Lunch at Bahia Honda. Back to Lauderdale & dinner with Mary Emily’s in-law uncle & aunt.

Thursday, January 30, 1969
Up before sun to see birds before they left Coot Pond. Tram trip to Snake Bight Bay. Alligator 10′ long! Quicksand where the “River of Grass” meets the sea. All night at Flamingo.

Wednesday, January 29, 1969
Marjorie Patterson & I off for Flamingo [FL] about 11:00. Avacados 10 cents – paypays 40 cents near Homestead. Birds fabulous along Anhinga Trail & even greater at Coot Pond.

Tuesday, January 24, 1969
Off to Ft. Lauderdale – freezing rain AM in Marion. Eastern flight lvg COlumbus 2:15 – Arrive Ft. L. 5:20. Marjorie Patterson picked me up before I flew away. Her condominium “Breakwater Towers” is lovely.