June 18: In on a Trailways, out in a Corvair, I gratefully juggle and mime my way through an all too short stay among this loving family. For now our travels carry us from a somewhat fantastic France to an alltogether real Dartmouth and collegiate duties. May the rest of this summer’s guests be as happy as I! – Eric Beatty
June 18: Well, I see that Eric beat me to it, even though I was really the first one here! Mais tant pis. Yes, French expressions have managed to creep into my language, since spending 5 months in France this winter and spring. On May 27 I arrived back in the U.S. after the most wonderful experience of my life—living in a foreign country, absorbing the ways, watching, looking, observing, café-sitting, people-watching, talking, comparing, reflecting. The first 3 months were spent living with the Galoup’s in Toulouse—Henri, Simone, Jean-Louis, Gilbert and Vincent—and going to classes every day at the ancient university with the other Dartmouth students. Becoming a member of a French family was really the highlight of the whole experience, and no one could ask for a better family. Beneath the surface of cultural differences it is amazing and heartening to find out how much the same people really are; how human.
The last two months were spent traveling and seeing France with Eric. We hitched for a while, and then went by the infamous deux chevaux (two horses), thanks to the efforts of Henri. We not only saw multitudes of monuments and cathedrals on our clockwise route around France, but kilometres of rolling hills, fields, quaint stone farms and villages. Our most meaningful experiences seem to be our visits to small village marchés (markets), encounters with paysans (country people & farmers), truckdrivers, storekeepers, people on trains. Wherever we went people were friendly and welcoming, and despite some insane French habits (i.e. driving like maniacs in their little cars, cake for breakfast), and despite the fact that we had camembert and cathedrals coming out our ears by the end of the trip, it was with much regret that we returned to the U.S. But I think we’ll always be carrying a little piece of our adopted country with us, tucked away somewhere.
So now, after an initial few days of culture shock, and getting used to the big, flat, ugly American cars again, I am becoming re-Americanized. I spent a week and a half living at the store with Dale, Lucy, Mary and Emily, and came up here a few times to enjoy the peacefulness and solitude, and of course, to wash my sweaters (Gramma made sure I got it done). When the gang arrived from Socorro on June 8, I joined them. But these ten days have gone all too quickly, as usual. We’ve had the usual rainy cold weather, a few sunny days, a little fishing, canoeing, sailing, and of course Risk-ing, Backgammon-ing and Boggling. Caroline, Mommy and I have been whipping up a storm on the sewing machine as I get ready to go to Dartmouth. But actually, I only began thinking of what courses I’ll be taking today. So tomorrow morning at 8:00 Eric and I will pack up the Corvair (one of Dale’s five that he’s lending me) and head up to Hanover for a term of Dartmouth summer camp (ho ho ho)… (hm, I hear some nibbling sounds—I’m sitting here watching the mice (our current tenants) run laps up and down the fireplace). But I’ll be back in the not too distant future, i.e. teh celebration of the summer on Aug. 11—Ann‘s wedding! Until then, as the French say, ciao! À bientôt!
Nina
The Kolms came early (June 15-22) and only 3 along (Eliz, Henry, Cornelia) in E’s yellow Subaru. Edna is on the crew at Echo Lake, Margaret is working for New England Life, Juliet is working for Kolm Associates, Cambridge. Eliz and CJ have already spent 2 weeks at Echo Lake. Henry has already made 2 trips to do work: One three weeks by Mooney 201YO: Lubbock TX, … , Las Vegas, ABQ, Socorro, and then Eastward with Ken: Socorro, MidValley, Tulsa, Bloomington, Cleveland, Bedford. Second Trip was only one week, via airlines (Los Alamos, Sandia).
It is a quiet, childless summer. Caroline working at World’s End every day, leaving only Luke, Adam, Cornelia at the lake. Eliz knitting, quilting, jig-saw puzzling, … embroidering. Ken writing new textbook; henry cutting & splitting firewood—using Lawrence’s Homelite chain saw—first time!! Swam lake every morning but one (….). Fine visit, and fine vacation. Didn’t come in ’78, and lookslike no Shunk visit in ’80 either!
Henry
Left Socorro June 3rd, arriving in Shunk June 8. Camped in Leadville, Colo. (10,000 ft., snow-capped mts), along the Platte River in Nebraska, Iowa, Mich., and a beautiful State Park, Letchworth in New York. Gas prices went from the .70’s in N.M. to a high of .90 in the Chicago area.
Ken and I went to Paul’s graduation from Princeton on June 12th. It was a lovely day and a joyous occasion. Paul prepared a dinner for friends and family—we prommed—and Paul took High Honors in Math. Now, on to U. of Chicago grad. school.
Highest 1979 summer gas prices so far: $1.04 in N.Y.
June 25th: Adam, Jason and I → Tabor Academy Summer Program in Marion, Mass. Jason stayed a month and thoroughly enjoyed it. He’s now our resident Skipper.
Lucas tried 4-H Camp.
Adam was interviewed at C.A.
Mary and Caroline → Scarsdale, Hanover, N.H. (arrived in Nina’s room at 12:30 a.m.—surprise!), Williams College. Caroline checked out Colgate U.
Aug. 1st: Lucas celebrates his 11th! Caroline works at World’s End Concession Stand.
Aug. 5: Dinner + concert at Eli & Rena Burstein in Eagles Mere.
Aug. 12: Caroline and Lisa are going to visit colleges in Philly. By!
8/12: Well, Ann and Bob got hitched, and the rain didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. A fringe benefit for us was that it brought all 7 children (offspring?) together at one time: Paul from the Potomac Vegetable Farm, Sarah from the Terrace restaurant in Bloomington, and Nina from Camp Dartmouth. Lisa joined in too. (Where was Arthur? And Margaret? and Juliet?)
Despite bouncing back and forth to Socorro and once to D.C., I first-drafted 11 of my assigned 21 chapters, a good start toward our August 1981 target. A splendid summer.
Depart 8/14 (even day, even … ) with 9 on board initially, + trailer. Scheduled 4 days to ONM.
KWF
Lucas 4Ford 4-H CLUB Broom Screet
PEACE
Ring Barer in Anns Wedding → Tuxedo
SACUL
Sept 15: Arriving on Sept. 15 from Royal Oak, Mich
Mr & Mrs Alva Withers
Mr & Mrs Thomas A. Withers and his children: Bradley (16), Tammy, Brent, Billy, Cathy & Holly
Mr & Mrs James Weaver and children Allen & Cassie
It being the 90th birthday of Fannie Withers which was celebrated at Lake House #1 on Sept 16 with 76 relatives & friends. The Withers family really enjoyed this house.