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 04 - Tomorrow's going to be rough

Monday, January 4, 1972
LOCATION: Newport Beach, California

Today has been a bit aggravating. Last night, Dad said he wouldn't let me drive without the car being insured, but today Mom let me have the car from noon to four, because she's a nice person and because she already promised.

First I drove to school [Newport Harbor High] where I saw the old gang again and I notified them of my intentions -- then I went to Sea Schwinn where I let Dave have my Campi frame, because I didn't have time to sell it. From there I went to the Antique shop, and Betty tried to sell me another goddam radio -- I said I'd think about it, and hurriedly departed, remembering that I'd forgot my money. I was supposed to go back there today, but time ran out.

I returned to school to get Matt so we could go to the Antique shop, but I ran into Shawna -- that resulted in me being side trapped tracked into a trip to Jerry's house (the guy wasn't in), a trip to Sea Schwinn (to ask for a letter of Recommendation from Ed, and to find out about poor sick old Jerry, who is staying at Dale's house), then I went to the bank (with Shawna), withdrew $306.00 and finally (after several hints from Shawna) I went to Grandlydia [my mobile home "estate"] where I attempted to seduce the young lady, and that resulted in a date for tomorrow night. Tomorrow is going to be rough. We're leaving tomorrow.

I visited Matt after going to Grandlydia, and I learned that we've got a passenger on the trip: Dan Huntzinger. That makes three of us, and I've only got $306.00. It'll be almost impossible for me to get the car tomorrow, but if I can manage,  Jan. 5 better go something like this:

I drive Mom to work at 7:30, I go home and pack my garbage in the car and leave a note to my parents explaining my crime, then I go to Coco's to meet Matt and Dan to discuss this whole mess, go to school at lunch to see Meg for my story, go to the Antique place to pick up my glasses (or I'll forget the whole thing and let them keep the five dollar deposit), and after I don't pick up Mom from work, I can go get Shawna and we go someplace to engage in lewd and immoral activities (I've gotta have her back by 10:00 P.M. though), then I wait around for a long time before going to Matt's house to park the car -- then we take off for good. Theoretically... let's see how wrong I am.

Boy! Tomorrow's going to be rough!