Stories

Yellowstone: 1928 / By Freda M. Bowes

The destination was Yellowstone Park and points West.

The entire family, parents, four little girls ages eight to fourteen, and a little brother who was four, were made ready to travel by going to a merchant who specialized in equipment for traveling by auto. It was there we had a tent made and purchased a small collapsible stove that was fueled by a portable gas tank. The clothing consisted of khaki colored slacks, jackets and hats, all made of heavy cotton material. I remember my mother had a skirt that was divided, so she could ride a horse if the occasion arose. She would not wear slacks.

My father had the automobile, a LaSalle Sedan, also equipped for our travels. The back of the front seat was attached with hinges along the bottom, so it could be lowered and the entire interior of the car became a large bed. This is where the younger children would sleep. The tent he had made had three sides, with a strap on the fourth side that attached to the roof of the car. After the three sides were staked down to the ground with long iron nails, he placed four folding cots for my parents and the two older girls to sleep. Behold, the entire family - snug as a bug in a rug.

To further assure us of a safe food supply, my father had a small, insulated chest attached to the running board of the car. The icebox was used to keep bread, peanut butter and fruit, etc, in case we got caught away from a town at lunchtime. Our blankets, pillows and extra clothing were packed in suitcases and placed in the trunk on the back of the car; also a spare tire enclosed in a cover was attached to the trunk.

Finally we are on our way, Yellowstone bound. New clothes that were scratchy, new shoes that were stiff and hot - off we went. To keep us occupied while driving through the corn and wheat fields of Nebraska and Colorado, we had brought magazines we called 'funny books,' now called comics. Dad would occasionally point out a scene of interest, but we would only raise our eyes briefly and then back to the 'funny books.'

After three days on the road we arrived in Yellowstone Park. Cars loaded with camping gear were lined up at the entrance to purchase a pass to enter the park and use the campgrounds. We helped in erecting the tent and unpacking the cooking equipment. My father gathered his fishing poles with the hope of furnishing fresh fish for dinner, so was his intention. The rest of us went for a walk in the woods, marveling at the wild flowers and sparkling brook. Dad didn't catch enough fish for dinner, so we visited the grocery store at the lodge and had a picnic under the pine trees.

When bedtime came, we put on our 'sleepers' as they were called; they were a one-piece garment that buttoned down the front and had a drop seat. We were all ready to sleep. The three younger children in the car and my sister, Josephine, and me on cots in tents attached to the car. All fell fast asleep.

"Carl, Carl," my mother said, "something is leaning against the side of the tent. For heavens sake, find out what it could be!" So my father took his flashlight and fishing pole, and went out the other side of the tent. There he saw a bear, leaning against the tent, rubbing his back from side to side. But as soon as he saw my father with a flashlight, he took off.

For the remainder of our visit to the park, we stayed in the lodge.