Journal   February 26, 1953
Note: It occurred to us today that our trailer and car registration runs out in two days. What to do??? Can’t make Arizona in two days. Not time for Connecticut to send it. We have decided to send it in with Uncle Edwin’s address for a return address – and cross our fingers.

Roland and I got up about 5 am, jumped into our clothes, made our bed, and hooked up the trailer. Then we carried our “sleeping sweeties” out to the car and tucked them in, but they both woke up.

It was pitch black and foggy. Then it started to rain. We drove away without our doormat, too.

Sandy and Les got dressed and washed up in the car. Sandy had her breakfast – then we stopped for ours at a restaurant after getting beyond the beach (beautiful white sand). The restaurant was dirty and we were sorry we stopped there.

We drove on, and made good time until we stopped for gas. Then we had carburetor trouble (flooding). We got stuck several times and it started to rain again. Finally one mechanic came out and tapped the carburetor with his screwdriver. He said a bit of sand was lodged in it. All this took at least two hours.

We stopped for supper and put the kids in their nighties then drove on to New Orleans. It was hard to find a trailer park with a vacancy. Finally we got settled at Tropical Motor Court.

We have $1.00 left. What will we do if no money is at the post office tomorrow?

Journal February 27, 1953
Showered and cleaned up a bit. Roland did a wash in the automatic machine and hung it up. Then we went to see other trailers for sale. Finally we drove to the post office. First I went to the registered mail window. Nothing!! Then I walked way around to the general delivery window and waited while the man did bookkeeping. Then he thumbed through the letters until he found ours!! Oh boy. What a relief. We received two more – one from mom Ruggles and one from mom Pinel (hers said she was enclosing some money but none was there). Roland said if we hadn’t received our money from the bank it would have broken his heart.

Next I went to the bank where I had a bit of difficulty cashing the check. The bank wanted to know “where’s Braintree?” etc.?

We ate a barbecue lunch at curb service, and then went to see the French Quarter in New Orleans. Quite interesting. Came home for supper and put the children to bed. Then we called Braintree collect. Everyone is fine. Mom and Pop Pinel weren’t there as we were expected to call tomorrow night instead of tonight.