Aug 20 - Scrabble plus a new hat & boots

Sunday, August 20, 1972 - Page 233
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

(10:10 PM 8/19/2013 [continued from previous day])
a lot of new people here, including Mary and the McKeevers. Bruce got back to Beth Thursday from his trip (he left on July 29th). Tom Hildebrand's in Rapid, having left Beth pro'ly for good. Mike Mills & John left cause Fr. Gil didn't want them here.

Anyway, I got here, took a shower, watched Bruce & Joe play a game of chess, helped Bruce & Joe take a load of concrete block fragments to the dump, then played a game of chess with Bruce, but the game was interrupted when Bruce & I went to help Fr. Gil clean up some overflowed water from the women's rest room at the reception center. Then Bruce took a shower, dinner was had, and the chess game resumed -- Bruce won. That's the first time he's ever beaten me. Then me, Fr. Henry, M.R. and Jim (not the old Jim (he left) but another one) played Scrabble -- M.R. kept score (it is attached to this page).

We quit playing at 10:00, now here I am in the top bunk of the Abbott's cabin (same place I had when I left), trying to get organized. The hat I bought is here -- the boots came, and my birthday presents from mom was an I.D. bracelet which I'm now wearing.

10:00 PM

Got up around 9:30 A.M. It was fairly clear & sunny -- it rained and lightninged last night -- it lightninged tonight too. I read another chapter & a half of "I'm OK, etc." Keith Koball showed up today -- haven't seen him since January. Heard Wheezie's getting married to Debbie soon.

There were more tourists again today -- Brad said it's been the busiest week for tourists he's seen. Called Mom at around 7:30 P.M. Read an Article by Asimov in the Sat. Review which contributed to my temporal travel theories. That about takes care of today -- saw Pierce & Dorothy today. Put new sheets & a blanket on my bed. That's all. G'night.

TOMORROW: Holoexinoninframetasuperquasiomnidehyperirreantipreundounscrabble

Jan 20 - Picking up Dad, plus big car problems

Thursday, January 20, 1972
LOCATION: Bethlehem & Rapid City & Mt Rushmore, South Dakota

9:00 AM
I just woke up, and I'm in Storms [the stereo cabin] now. It's snowing outside with very fine snow flakes.

(2:00 PM 1/21/72)
I ran into Fr. Gilbert and got directions for the airport. Then I tried to start the car, gave up, and put the recharger on. After a while, I consulted Wheezie, and over a period of an hour or so, we failed to start it (waiting for the battery to recharge, trying to start the car, then waiting for the battery to recharge -- while waiting I read my book). By 11:00 A.M., I gave up on the car, told Tom (who was in the print shop), he found Fr. Gilbert, and Gil & I went in his car to pick up Dad, who was coming in on Western Airlines at 11:45 (Mom called last night, Father Gil answered -- but no one relayed the message to me).

A 1968 photo of  Lu Lyda & Grady

Picked up Lucifer [my nickname for Lu Lyda, my dad] at 12:00, got back and ate lunch, then I proceeded to pack the rest of our stuff. Matt took a picture of the whole gang in the chapel, then he disassembled his stereo, I packed it, and dad socialized.

Tom, Dick and Phil left in the Chevy to go to town. Fr. Gil began to drive away, but came back when he saw the Chevy was gone (He had to go to a wake, and then to court to act as a character witness -- [wild, nearly illegible writing on the rest of this page] DAMN, THIS ROAD IS BBBMMM  BUMPY). Anyway, we all tried to start the Imperial: Me, Gil, Matt, DAD, Wheezie & Swede. Finally Gil drove up his car and we jumped the batteries. Ultimately the thing started, and Gil drove away. So Dad, and Me, and Matt started on our way but the car stopped again just outside the house, blocking the driveway. Wheez, Swede, Me, Dad, and Matt tried to start it again. Then we put the recharger back on. Wheez found that one of the coils was cracked, so a spark was jumping. He taped it, and we waited 1/2 hour for the battery to recharge. Then Dad & I went to start it, and it worked immediately. We all said goodbye again, and left. The skies by this time had cleared. We went to Rapid to return Matt's library books, and then we went to Mount Rushmore. We left Beth. at 3:15, and got to Rushmore at about 5:00. The place was deserted, and despite the lack of light, Matt took some photos. Then we left (continued on next page >>)

Jan 18 - Letter of explanation to Grandma Dot***

Tuesday, January 18, 1972
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

(9:00 PM 1/17/72)
Matt just talked with his dad, and he (Matt) is now greatly perturbed. For one thing, plans have changed once again: we're not leaving Tuesday, we're leaving Thursday, and a friend of Jack's isn't flying here, Lucifer (Dad) is! [Lucifer was an affectionate nickname for my father based on his first name Lu]

(9:30 PM 1/17/72)
After I wrote that I called Mom for confirmation. So that's how things are now, probably, presumably, temporarily, so far, as is, so far as I can tell, maybe... etc.

9:00 AM
Everybody got up before me, about 8:30. I got up at five to nine, and went outside. It snowed last night -- the mud's frozen, and there's a thin layer of white on the ground.

7:30 PM
M & I did a few minor tasks today -- we cleaned some trowels with gasoline, then we swept and mopped some rooms in the retreat house so they could put in the carpets. Last night, a guy named Dick McCoy dropped in from Sioux Falls (hitch hiked), and stayed -- he's still here now. Also, late in the day yesterday, a guy named Joe came by. Both of them slept in the bunk cabin, so in our room there are five people sleeping (Dick, Joe, Me, Matt & Brad) -- Keith, Wheezie, and Tom sleep in a bigger room. Phil's been in Rapid for the past few days, but he sleeps with us in one of the bunks. Tom said they haven't been this full since August.

Matt & I had a contest to decide who was the best artist -- he drew Laura Nyro, and I drew Melanie, then we both drew radios (he thought I had an unfair advantage drawing people). Anyway, it's snowing right now.

[In the previous year, Grady accompanied his Mother (Charmian), and Grandmother (Dorothea), on a tour to Denmark, Spain & Italy organized by the Shrine of the Nativity. Sending tour groups to various parts of the planet was a means of generating funds for the Conception Abbey, Order of St. Benedict, which maintained Father Gilbert's Retreat Facility at Bethlehem, South Dakota. This is how Grady became aware of the Shrine and Fr. Gil's invitation to visit Bethlehem Cave led to this January '72 road trip with Matt.]

Me, Mom & Grandma Dot starting our trip to Europe in 1971

 8:00 PM
[Inserted here is "Young Grady's" copy of his letter to Grandma Dot -- Dorothea Scheneman, my Mom's mother -- who was close friends with Father Gilbert since they both originated in Kansas City, Missouri]

1/18/72

Dear Grandma Dot,

Sorry it's taken me so long to write -- I haven't written to anybody because I knew all this was temporary and I'd be back soon to talk to everyone in person. But since you're on a case now [Dorothea earned an income as a home care nurse], I may not see you for a while.

The trip up here was not at all difficult. I took a relatively straight path, staying on the major interstate highways, knowing they'd be safe no matter what the weather was. (From the Newport Beach Freeway to Highway 15 to Salt Lake City. Then to Highway 80 as far as Cheyenne. From there, to 25, then to 90, straight to Rapid City.) But surprisingly, the weather was great -- clear sunny skies from California to Wyoming. Things only started getting bad when we got to South Dakota, but it didn't start snowing until we had already reached Bethlehem. Unintentionally, the timing was perfect. We got here just before the weather got really harsh -- the first night we were here it snowed, and during the past week it snowed pretty strongly, and temperatures dropped to -40° -- that was unusually cold even for this area. Right now (8:10 P.M., Tuesday, January 18), it's snowing, but only a couple of days ago it was clear, sunny, and warm (56°+). The weather, needless to say, has been inconsistent.

I must know you pretty well, because I wasn't surprised when -- after seeing Tom -- I immediately heard that you had phoned. I was pretty sure you'd guess I'd come here, and then communications would open up among all parties concerned. I couldn't take Matt to New York without knowing how his parents felt, and I couldn't ask them while I was in Newport, because they'd stop us of course. This way, they'd know what we were capable of, and make a more reasonable decision. The decision's been made, and we're returning to Newport Beach (mostly due to the legal complications), but I feel successful because Matt's parents will respect his freedom a little more -- and if he still wants to go to New York, after thinking it over a little better, he'll be free to do it with his parents' consent. That was my reasoning -- I wasn't running away from anything. I'm lucky enough to have parents (& Grandparents) who respect and trust me. I'm glad about that.

Everyone here talks about you constantly. I'm known as "Mrs. Schenemen's Grandson," and Mrs. Rogers hardly ever talks to me without mentioning you. We got your pictures of Israel, and we also got your vitamins. I have a pocket full of Vitamin-C and I was eating them a lot until Mrs. Rogers said that if I had too much I'd get an allergy or something. Is that right? I don't care, I'm still eating them -- but not as much.

I hadn't realized how much I owed to you until recently. If it weren't for you, I would have never gone to New York, or Europe (one of the most memorable things I'd ever done, before this), I would have never known about Bethlehem, S.D. and Father Gil, or the Latkas (with whom I've been corresponding quite a bit), and I wouldn't have a car, since the Chrysler was yours originally. If it weren't for you my life would be pretty darn dull. You're responsible for this little escapade -- you made it possible -- so if there's anyone to blame, or give thanks to, it's you.

THANKS MUCH,

GRADE-A

Jan 14 - Frozen faucets, toilets, pipes, stereo

Friday, January 14, 1972
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

10:00 AM
We got up at 8:30 when Wheezie got the four of us up for breakfast -- we had breakfast at nine. Matt and I carried a couple of typewriters to the Shrine's office for Dorothy (Matt slipped in the snow once, and his gloveless hands almost froze). It's 20° below zero outside. Matt & me went to the retreat house to take showers but found there was no water. I checked with Gil and he said we'd have it pretty soon -- Brad went up to pump some water.

I then went to the stereo cabin -- Phil followed shortly thereafter. It's cold in here, probably about 40° or worse (I can see my breath). I soon found out that there was an icicle on the water faucet and the toilet was frozen. Phil quickly went out to notify the authorities, and Matt came in. He found out the stereo was frozen and decided to move it to some place warmer. In the entry on the last page made in red ink you may have noticed: the ink's frozen. Anyway, Phil put the heater in the bathroom, and Wheezie came in to take the cover off the pipes in the "den" and put a heater next to them. By the way -- the pump's broken. We aren't going to have any water (warm or otherwise) until it gets fixed.

12:00 AM
Worked on the retreat house for a few hours -- till 5:00. Then I took a shower. Some visitors are coming for a meeting or something. I didn't get involved. Matt and I decided to leave as soon as possible.

Jan 12 - Working for food and shelter

Wednesday, January 12, 1972
LOCATION: Bethlehem, South Dakota

6:00 PM
Went to sleep last night about 2:00 A.M. Finished drawing "Nexus Shift" while Matt made a tape of some good songs (There's a Hole in the Future, Caravan, Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair, etc.), and fell asleep listening to it. Tom came in at 9:30 to get us awake -- then he got us working. It snowed last night and snowed this morning.

We went with Tom to maintain the rest areas (2) on the highway -- they get $150 a month for that. Matt & I shoveled snow and emptied trash. When we drove back, Tom put on one of the chains with great difficulty and expension of energy, but we eventually made it -- he was driving 40 mph! Gad! I'll never try that on these roads in this weather.

We barely had time to recuperate before he enlisted our aid cutting and staining wood strips for the retreat house -- he wants us to work for our food and shelter, which is a reasonable attitude I suppose. Had lunch at 1:00, got back to work, finished at about 2:30, and I went to the Bunk Cabin to finish reading, and just about took a nap, but Matt got me before too long, and I called Tiffany's -- our glasses are ready. We got $40 from Gil and then we found out our car wouldn't start. We stuck a recharger to it with the help of Wheezie, carried some typewriters to the house from the Shrine for Dorothy -- ate some food, and went to the stereo cabin to loaf a while. We'll go into town tomorrow with Wheezie to get our glasses.

Gadzooks! It's 5° out there!

Father Gilbert got a letter from KIIS in California sending fifteen dollars for 1,100 "I LOVE YOU" cards. Must be a sales gimmick, or publicity.

[These "I Love You" cards were produced in Shrine of the Nativity's on-site print shop and they were a major source of donations. This Benedictine monastery was also supported by tourists who came to see the famous cave. The property was called Crystal Cave until February 1957, when Father Gilbert Stack, OSB, was assigned operations by the Conception Abbey, Order of St. Benedict of the Roman Catholic Church. He renamed it Bethlehem Cave and began generating income with it. This property was sold and the cave was closed in 2004. For more about the history of  the cave, see July 18]

Quote by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity,

we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then,

for a second time in the history of the world,

man will have discovered fire.