Author: David Haldeman

Tuesday September 4th 1979 to Donner Lake
Up at 7 to see Davy and Kristi off to school. Kristi back around 10- no other kids in her room- found it was only registration day and Kathi had registered her previously. Davy home about 11- he goes to a middle school grades 6, 7, 8 and 9 and they change classes and have lockers. Had decided to go to Donner Lake and asked Mike to go along. Age 13. He is another Hink- an expert on most everything and does a great imitation of Bill Cosby’s visit to a dentist.
Took I-80 to Donner but turned north at Boca and Stampede Dam sign. Boca a gorgeous blue and 7 miles further we found the road crossing on Stampede Dam. We had seen it when we were lost Saturday in the lake bed. Picnic overlooking Lake. Took I-80 to Soda Springs Exit and followed old 40 to Donner State Park- site of the encampment in 1846. Kids waded in lake and we walked to site of one of the cabins marked by plaque with names of party. I fixed macaroni and lima beans for supper. Had the stockholder meeting for Hemmerly’s Flowers and Gifts, Inc.

Monday September 3rd 1979 Kathy and I to Pyramid Lake
Gas $1.03 gallon
The kids went to Virginia City with Mike and Marge and Kathy and I went to Pyramid Lake. Quite a different drive than the Sunday one in California. Area is sagebrush and rabbitbrush, much of it dead. Had the Geological Survey maps and could follow the mountains and heights.
Lunch along lake under a ramada. This is all Indian land and Kathi bought two cartons of cigarettes for Bob at $4 each. No taxes! The area, even in Sparks was smoggy this morning. Couldn’t see Mt. Rose and at the lake couldn’t see mountains on other side so it looked like a huge lake or ocean.
The rock formations are fantastic. Seems to be mud imprints in stone or coral or mushrooms. Take your pick! A yellow spider plant blooming that I haven’t seen elsewhere.
Followed the lake shore to the south end where the Truckee River meanders into the lake. Pelicans, gulls, western grebes and cormorants.
Back through Wadsworth home about 4:30. 115 Miles.

Sunday September 2nd 1979
Reading kids Laura Ingalls Wilder books “Little House on the Prairie”, “Farmer Boy” and “The First Four Years.” Really enjoy them.

Saturday September 1st 1979 to Loyalton, California
Bob’s day off- driving pick up kids in back.
Left Sparks about 12 after filling up on 99.9 cent a gallon gas. At Verdi left I-80. Stopped at California-Nevada line and gathered cones and weathered Juniper. Gorgeous blue skies. Took Dog Valley Road up through Ponderosa and Jeffrey Pines. Manzanita undergrowth- glorious open park like areas. Dirt road but well graded. Gathered dead Manzanita. Found BLM Ranger who was issuing cutting permits from a pickup truck. We were NOT on road to Loyalton. He gave us a map and said we were 1 mile below Crystal Creek turned around. Stopped a long road for a picnic under pines with mountains all around. Gathered grasses and tansy heads. Crossed Twin Bridges over Davies Creek and took a left turn (wrong way). Rough road and finally came out in a lake that would have been a lake if water level were higher. Lupine and Mullein, no Sagebrush or trees. Could hardly see road which was only 2 tracks. Could see Dam at end of Lake, but our map had no Lake figured it was Stampede Valley that had been flooded. Back into woods and rode up a grade all washed boulders. Horsemen gave us directions back to Twin Bridges. Finally an intersection with sign Loyalton 10 miles. Beautiful long valley with cattle grazing. Road turned into Paving and began to see campers Long Creek. In to Loyalton at 5. Bought bread at Loyalton Grocery that is for sale and drove around Lumber Company and a Mexican area. Back to Reno by 49-70 and I-80. Stopped at Stead Facility on way in. Had pizza at Godfather’s Pizza- noisy!

Friday August 31st 1979 Lake Tahoe
Gas 98.9 cents a gallon when we filled up before heading for Lake Tahoe along I-80. This highway just opened when I was here in 1964 and makes crossing Donner Pass like driving to Columbus- with better scenery. But we turned off at Squaw Valley exit. Along this stretch of the Truckee the rubber rafts were thick. River not too rough and it looked like fun. Stopped at Squaw Valley- watched ice skaters. In Tahoe City stopped to see the big trout protected for 1,000 ft where the river leaves take Lake Tahoe. Lake a clear blue with mountains all around tree covered. Stopped at Sugar Pine State Park for picnic under ancient Cedar- red bark could be mistaken for Redwood. Fed spotted squirrels and Stellar Jays and then walked to the Hellman-Ementer
“Cottage” in the 1900 style of Long Island. Built in 1906- 8 bedrooms 8 baths. Sold to state in 1965 by granddaughter of builder for half of the 6 and 1/2 million it was worth. A real gem. Has log cabin home of General ___? Built in 1872. Huge trees on slope to lake. Clear water & fish visible in 20 feet. Read Mark Twain- he says it best. Tour of house at 1 included tour of grounds first so we didn’t wait. Stopped along road and climbed among house-size boulders for view of Emerald Bay. At Trail to Bay took pictures but I didn’t want the one-mile hike and another mile back. Other stops for inspiring views of Lake. South Lake Tahoe completely commercial and the East Shore Drive not as personal as the West one. Back down over Mount Rose Highway- well-built grades, but no guardrails. Back into Sparks on Route 395 and home at 12:45 154 miles.

Friday August 31st 1979 Lake Tahoe
Gas 98.9 cents a gallon when we filled up before heading for Lake Tahoe along I-80. This highway just opened when I was here in 1964 and makes crossing Donner Pass like driving to Columbus- with better scenery. But we turned off at Squaw Valley exit. Along this stretch of the Truckee the rubber rafts were thick. River not too rough and it looked like fun. Stopped at Squaw Valley- watched ice skaters. In Tahoe City stopped to see the big trout protected for 1,000 ft where the river leaves take Lake Tahoe. Lake a clear blue with mountains all around tree covered. Stopped at Sugar Pine State Park for picnic under ancient Cedar- red bark could be mistaken for Redwood. Fed spotted squirrels and Stellar Jays and then walked to the Hellman-Ementer
“Cottage” in the 1900 style of Long Island. Built in 1906- 8 bedrooms 8 baths. Sold to state in 1965 by granddaughter of builder for half of the 6 and 1/2 million it was worth. A real gem. Has log cabin home of General ___? Built in 1872. Huge trees on slope to lake. Clear water & fish visible in 20 feet. Read Mark Twain- he says it best. Tour of house at 1 included tour of grounds first so we didn’t wait. Stopped along road and climbed among house-size boulders for view of Emerald Bay. At Trail to Bay took pictures but I didn’t want the one-mile hike and another mile back. Other stops for inspiring views of Lake. South Lake Tahoe completely commercial and the East Shore Drive not as personal as the West one. Back down over Mount Rose Highway- well-built grades, but no guardrails. Back into Sparks on Route 395 and home at 12:45 154 miles.

Thursday August 30th 1979
Lazy morning and PM went to the new shopping Meadowood Mall near S. Virginia. Really gorgeous. Enjoyed Macy’s and new Penney store. Bought 14 karat gold necklace at Joseph Magnin’s. Half-price sale but don’t think it’s worth $70! Bought Kathi and I rose satin blouses at Penney’s.
Grocery shopped and home for supper. Bob gets home about 3:45 and we eat about 5
PM.
Over to Goldie and Paul’s across the street, people about my age. Call is the real estate agent and a bigot. Thinks the boat people of Vietnam should all drown rather than let the 14 thousand a year in the USA.

Wednesday August 29th 1979 Circus Circus Library.
Downtown Reno still has the casinos. We went to Circus-Circus- kids enjoyed funny mirrors. Had their $1.49 buffet lunch and Kathy gave each one a dollar for the Midway games. Circus acts going on all the time.
Visited the library- like a conservatory with avocado trees, fountains and hanging gardens. Interesting display on the changes in Lake Tahoe area since 1870.
Showed Bob’s slides and some of mine.

Tuesday August 28th 1979 flight to Reno.
Packed until 10:30. In to see mother and to hospital to see Kenny. To shop to pick up checks and my coat from cleaners. Mary and Carl in about 12:20 and off to Columbus. No problem checking in even with construction. Had lunch at airport restaurant and flew out on time (2:40) from Columbus to Chicago (4:40). Cloudy and clear across Illinois, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada- a big country. Davy first one I saw- handsome in a blue serge pants and vest. Others all looked good too except Kathi’s hair too long. Around 8:40 my time 5:40 their’s. They had had dinner but we cooked some of the fresh corn I pulled at Crum’s Farms yesterday.
Kathi has made their yard a showplace- grass green, petunias, marigolds, zinnias and daisy’s blooming. Kids took me to Marge’s to meet the two dogs they have been looking after.

Monday, August 27, 1979
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