Waning Vacation August 1957

In late August 1957 the Waning family embarked on a family vacation that included The Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. We are fortunate to have several postcards, photographs, crib notes, and one long letter which document that adventure.
Today we'll examine the postcards.


The first card is postmarked August 20^th 1957 and is from Jim Waning to his parents.


"6:30am Idaho Falls – Tues.
All is going well now. We lost one day when Barb was sick and stayed all day in Caldwell. Roads are very good weather not too hot. Cloudy and overcast which is lucky for us as it must be really hot when the sun is bright. Wonderful farms. Alfalfa everywhere, stacks & stacks. May be in Jackson Wyoming tonight. Be in Wilsall night Monday I think. Will go to Post Office to look for mail. Love Jim"


This card is postmarked from Yellowstone Park, August 22^nd 1957. It is from Margaret Waning to her in-laws, and she references the cross country car trip she took with her mother and sisters about 20 years previously.



"Dear Mom & Dad –
We stayed here – also 20 years ago – town twice as big now. We arrived at Yellowstone lave eve. After a lovely ride through Teton's & stopped at Jackson, Wyo. For lunch. Will stay here a couple of days before going on into Montana. A Mamma bear with two babies stopped us coming in. Gave everyone quite a thrill. Love, Marg."


This card is also postmarked from Yellowstone Park, August 22^nd 1957. It was written by Barbara Waning to her grandparents.



"August 21, 1957
Dear Grandmother and Dad,
I'm having a very nice time. We have crossed Oregon, Idaho, visited Jackson Hole, Wym., and the Tetons. Today we are at Yellowstone and in 2 or 3 days go on to Mont. We are all scheduled to go horse back riding tomorrow and if we all live will write again. Barbie"

The last postcard – what was it about White Faced Herefords anyway? – is postmarked August 27^th from Livingston, MT and was written by Margaret Waning to her in-laws. She refers to the fact that Jim Waning was just 12 years old when his family left Montana for Oregon in 1924.



"Tue Morn.
Dear Mom and Dad –
We are still in Livingston. Went out to your old home Sun & visited with the Swandells. Then Jim drove around looking at other ranches – he remembers very well for being so small when he left. Yesterday we stopped at the Everett Carr place then on to the Ray Isbell's. Had supper there – met his son & family – all very nice to us/ Hope to see Hattie, the Olsons, & Ellery today. Then on to Havre tomorrow. It was just wonderful to have a letter from home waiting for us! Love, Margaret"