Mary and Sam tour Southwest and Mexico

Mary and Sam attend a New Year's Eve party while on their hunting trip. Sam has been extremely successful hunting for ducks and geese. They eventually head south to Arizona and Mexico.

Friday, Dec. 31, 1948

Sam got up at 6:45 a.m. and left to go hunting with Henry. So I went back to sleep, then they came back to get Sam's boots and I woke up. Again, I went to sleep and did not get up until 9:30 a.m. To the hotel and Laurice was just fixing her hair in pin curls after a shower. We ate breakfast and went back to the motel where the men came about 11:30 so back to the hotel. The men ate lunch, so we ate a green salad. Out they went with the old man of last night's visit. We went in about every store in town. I bought a scrapbook for my pictures and face cream. After we had a malted milk, we came back to the cabin where I got my clothes all organized for our trip south. Gave Laurice all my magazines so got rid of them. Rained out all day. Very sloppy. This evening we attended the smorgasbord and party at the hotel. It was fine. On the table was roast pig and was it delicious! Also, many other good dishes including Italian peas. We danced and had a good time watching the people. To bed at 1:30. A fine party and very well-managed. We had to move to the hotel from our motel as they had reservations for the weekend. So I was glad we did not need to unpack all our stuff. Was not too happy about wearing my suit to the party but I saw all kinds of clothes there so decided it was all right. Laurice had on a lovely gold dress which was very becoming. It really was a fine party, no one got noisy or mean, just out for a lovely time. We had horns, hats, etc., so everyone could make as much noise as they wished. Our second New Year's spent with Henry and Laurice on a hunting trip.

Saturday, Jan. 1, 1949

Sam and Henry arose at 6:30 and went out early to hunt near O'Brien's. So, Laurice and I slept until about 9:30 a.m. She was not hungry, so I was the only one who ate breakfast. She ate lunch at 12. At noon we took lunch to the men after we had a good walk downtown. We met them on their way in. Sam had his limit of ducks and geese before 9 a.m. and Henry was shy just three ducks. Very windy this morning and fine hunting weather. It was exciting to take pictures of such fine birds. We got two ducks roasted for dinner and oh were they delicious! Henry surely enjoyed them. We had so much fun. The men found the rest of the birds they shot so went out to clean then after dinner. I pasted all the snapshots in my album. To bed early.

Sunday, Jan. 2, 1949

Today Henry and Sam went out early but they did not get a bird although Henry shot a box of shells. Sam came in at 9 just when Laurice and I were finishing our breakfast, so we packed the car. Said goodbye and on our way at 9:45 a.m. We stopped to see Henry out by the hunting ground, and he said there was nothing to shoot and was going in for a couple of hours. Then on our way south, we got a sandwich along the way as it would be late when we got to Bakersfield. We saw a great many flocks of geese below Willows but after noon. A very sunny day but a cold wind out. A lot of traffic too. Arrived in Bakersfield at 6:30 and stayed at El Don Motel, a quiet place. A lovely room. We ate at Helen Lonegrien's Southern Kitchen, a very good place, fried chicken and hot biscuits. Got a paper and read awhile. To bed early. A long ride today.

Monday, Jan. 3, 1949

Sam got up at 8 a.m. and took the geese and ducks to the express office. He shipped them and was back by 9. I was already, so we left in a few minutes. We drove as far as Tyro at the junction of the Los Angeles and San Bernadino roads. The place there is very nice, and we got a fine breakfast. The café was busy in spite of road construction in front. Then we drove around Pasadena to Monrovia, Upland, Indio and across the desert to Blythe where we have a room at the Seashell Motel. Ate dinner at a place where we stopped last time, and it was very good. Sam went out to get a paper and I'm writing a few cards. The weather was very bright and sunny but cold and windy. They say it will go down to 20 degrees here tonight. We stopped at the McKinney Trailer Court in Palm Springs to see Mrs. Coady but she and Blanche were in San Mateo. We met another Mrs. Coady, a daughter-in-law, who told us about them.

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 1949

Today we ate breakfast in Blythe before going on our way to Tucson as there was no good place to eat till Phoenix. The weather was warm and sunny but windy as could be. We arrived in Phoenix about 1 o'clock and Sam got the car washed. I got a paper and mailed some cards. Then to Tucson where we got our mail with letters from quite a few friends. Ate out at a Spanish Café El Charro and it was very good. To visit Arizona Chapter No. 2 and met a Mrs. Mable Bartel who was very nice. We sat together all evening and had a good time. It was the first evening of the new officers and oh what a fine job they did! I saw a grand addendum and may get a copy of it for our installation. Maybe I can use it. They had a fine organist too. Sam went to a show and the "Snake Pit." Home and wrote in my diary. To bed late.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1949

Today we slept until 10 a.m. Downtown and ate, then got Sam's hat he left at Masonic Temple last night. So, it was after noon when we started for Patagonia. We drove thru the hills and oh was it lovely with all the snow on it. Saw a stray calf out there all alone. We found Patagonia just a dead cow town and dirty too. We drove out in the hills and saw some lovely country. Then on to Nogales where we saw five big trees along the river road. Saw some "dudes" out riding also. To Nogales, Mexico, and ate at the Cavern. I had antelope steak. Tastes like elk. And who should we see there but Elmer Beard and his wife. Elmer was not too sober, but the wife was OK. They are staying at a trailer park at Tucson for a week or so. To the Coronado Motel where we have a nice room. Very cozy amid this freezing weather they are calling unusual here. To bed early.

Thursday, Jan. 6, 1949

To Patagonia but everything there was very cold. The men we were to see were gone. I called on a gift shop owner and got some good information from her. Then after lunch of chili beans we drove to Tucson by way of Benson. The sun was out bright but it was very cold. We arrived in Tucson, got our mail, took films to be finished and made an appointment for my hair Friday. Got a room at the Round Up Motel and it's real nice. We ate at Joe's Restaurant, and it was very nice, even if they were pretty much upset at just taking over a new business. Home and read. Wrote a few cards and letters. Very cold out. Rec'd card from Jimmy Dean's. They have another boy.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].