Most families had barbecues or outings to the park on Memorial Day. Not the Andersons. We went to the cemetery.
Almost every year of my childhood was the same. We'd load up the car with whoever was around and hit the road. Early on there were lots of us, any siblings at home, some who were already off to college, Grandma Anderson, Eldred, and Mom & Dad. In later years, it sometimes was just Dad, Becki and I. Regardless, it was a long drive to Green River, Wyoming, almost 3 1/2 hours.
If Eldred was there, we'd be regaled with stories of gold mines and giants for the ENTIRE drive. (Who knew China was started by 3 gold miners from Wyoming!). If Eldred wasn't with us, we got to hear silly puns (Watch for Falling Rock) and stories of Dad's youth. It sounded pretty fun: forts, fishing, rolling down the highway inside a tire, etc.
We knew we were getting close when we started to see that signs for Little America. Okay, so not actually that close. If you've never seen all the signs for the first Little America, you're missing a lot! Of signs that is. There must be a sign the moment you cross the Utah/Wyoming border, and one every 2 miles until you arrive. You can't miss them! There isn't much else to see along the way.
Eventually, we would arrive in Green River. Green River, Wyoming is fairly small. In Dad's day, it was smaller. The town sat between the train tracks and what is now I-80. I think that includes about three roads, a high school and a building or two. Not much. Nevertheless, we'd get the tour: the aforementioned high school, the old house, the grocery store where he'd worked as a bagger (Dad - didn't you last just a few days at that job?), and the hills where he'd built forts with his friends. After that we'd head up to the cemetery. We'd visit all the graves, clean them up a bit, and leave some flowers: Granddad Anderson, Aunt Clara, Alice Boyd, & Charles Henry Fenton. When Grandma & Eldred eventually joined them, we'd visit their graves too.
After the cemetery we'd usually drive up into the hills and go arrowhead hunting. I never did find one, but the adventure was there and I loved looking. I remember seeing bald eagles, hawks, jackrabbits, and plenty of sage brush. There wasn't much around, but it was an exciting thing for a kid to do.
Now that I'm in NYC, I can't exactly get to Green River. It's sad, going to the cemetery on Memorial Day was such a part of my childhood. I suppose I could drive over the Verrazano Bridge, taking my family to the wilds of Staten Island and the cemetery there... It's not the same though. I need Mom here to tell my kids all the crazy things she did when she was young, and all the funny stories about her parents. Maybe next Memorial Day...
(Dad - I stole the images of your blog... thanks!)
5 comments:
Ami: I stayed with Dell's market for several years while in junior high and high school. Where it once stood is now an escrow and title company. The grocery stores are all on the south side of town. The job I had once where I lasted for only 3 days was as a soda jerk at Model's drug store which also had a soda fountain. I don't recall why I was fired but the news was all over town in a day and I had to swallow my pride. But that's when my cousins and I, along with Nadine Miller, formed a dance band and played at least once every week for a youth dance. We did well.
Your account of going to Green River and our Memorial Day tradition was well said. I can recall that during one such trip Brad and Cathi decided they didn't want to put the miles on their new Honda so they rode with Grandma. She talked non-stop and they decided never to do that again for 3 hours or so.
Su Padre
Mom here:
The wilds of Staten Island really are wild. Don't go to the semetery there. The Moravian Cemetery where my parents are buried is beautiful, and they have scheduled walking tours...but don't go alone... I have heard that robbers and muggers lie in wait there....ah fun New York...but you can google and visit online -below
http://www.moraviancemetery.com/contactus.htm
http://www.americantowns.com/ny/statenisland/organization/moravian-cemetery-it-s-much-more-than-a-cemetery
I hear you! It's hard to pass a cemetery these days without taking a look ...
I passed Green River about 5 hours ago (small coincidence).
The Little America signs are notorious in my family, we refuse to ever go there because of them. You forgot to mention the tunnel which is an exciting highlight to any kid (but I suppose is fairly lame when compared to the Lincoln Tunnel).
Nice post, it's fun to look back on old family traditions and excursions. My family didn't do barbecues either, we too went to cemeteries- mostly in Logan.
I totally remember the tunnel! Becki and I loved it. It really was the only tunnel I remember from my childhood. I always was excited to see it.
How random that you just passed Green River. As for the Little America. We did stay there a few times, and we often stopped for an ice cream cone as well. The signs are rather a put-off aren't they!
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