Past Present Project

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Colgate Licks Trail in Clearwater National Forest, Idaho | June 1981 & June 2016 Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on June 1st, 1981: "Colgate Licks Elk Trail for ½ hour walk through high trees, sunny meadows with ground squirrels, and a burned out cedar grove. Views from the trail down to the river -- framed by Christmas trees and the dark hills -- it is very still, but for the faint rushing of the water. I was able to visit my 103 year-old grandmother in Florida this past weekend and share much of this project with her. She has not had her journals since she gave them to me four years ago, so I was amazed that her memories were nearly identical to what she had written so long ago. She commented that she remembers what her and my grandfather loved. They loved travel. And because of them, I do as well. I'm so happy that I was able to share a few precious hours with her.

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Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills, South Dakota | 1973 & 2016

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Cravens House in Chattanooga, Tennessee | April 1979 & May 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on April 5th, 1979: "Then we took the exit to Lookout Mountain Historic Site. Small house with long veranda and a fantastic view over the broad river bends and the town sprawled out between them. Monument and battlefield markers, the grass full of violets, and the light purple bushes -- the nice young man in the Craven House called it 'wild lilac', but it has flowers of the lippen blutleer family."

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Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County, California | April 1979 & May 2015

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on April 28th, 1979: "Lots of people there, buses & Germans in droves! Groves of the tallest sequoias (different from the largest ones in Sequoia Park), along the Redwood Creek, wet, cool, full of ferns, and forget-me-not -- a beautifully green and quiet spot."

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Castagnola’s at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California | April 1979 & May 2015 Excerpt from my grandmother’s travel journal on April 27th, 1979: “The Cannery, green courts, full of specialty stores, restaurants, and cafes. Walked into one and had a big mug of good coffee, hot almond danish, and date bar – a three man band already gave a jazz concert in one corner!”

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Fort Clatsop National Memorial in Astoria, Oregon | June 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother’s travel journal on June 5th, 1981: “Fort, replica of Lewis & Clark, was small wood-post enclosure with two longhouses, one for men’s quarters and one for Lewis & Clark with stone fireplace. Saw the slideshow of Lewis & Clark trip and bought a book.”

During my visit to Fort Clatsop, I came to find out that a fire had destroyed the original replica in the late evening of October 3, 2005. In hindsight, it seems somewhat fitting — replicating a photo of a replicated fort.

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Shoshone National Forest in Wapiti, Wyoming | 1973 & 2015

This pullover is located along the North Fork Highway, between the East Entrance of Yellowstone and Cody, Wyoming. The parking lot is dramatically changed and a short path leads to where the placard once stood.

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Bay Center / Willapa Bay KOA in Bay Center, Washington | June 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother’s travel journal on June 4th, 1981: “We found a KOA, three miles off 101 near Bay Center. Took Site #8 under some aspen trees in soft grass and had the tent up in no time. Set out for a walk on the beach -- peaceful, absolute quietude, not even gulls.”

Iris and Ken Shupe were the very friendly owners who eagerly helped me pin down the exact location of this photograph. Much has changed since 1981, including many trees having been cut down and cabins taking their place. After careful examination, we determined that my grandparents had camped where one of these cabins now stood.

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Mississippi River Banks in Natchez, Mississippi | September 1974 & April 2014 Excerpt from my grandmother’s travel journal on September 27th, 1974: "Delta Queen was on the river and supposed to leave at noon — we were just lucky to be there at the right time. She took the last passengers aboard, took her lines in, the gangplank, played the steaming calleiope, whirled her back wheel — and was thoroughly stuck in the sandbank! It took her a half hour before she had swayed herself a flatter bed and was able to pull back and then into the middle of the river."

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St. Louis / Granite City KOA in Granite City, Illinois | June 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother’s travel journal on June 18th, 1981: “Out of St. Louis and one exit, Granite City, said camping. We took it and found a KOA. Tired and very hot, we took it gladly and even got a nice grass piece with shade.”

I stopped at the Granite City KOA and showed the photograph to the owner, who employees called Grandpa. He examined the photo and pointed out changes he had made shortly after taking ownership, including removing a staircase that went up the side of the building and adding a pool and playground to the grounds.

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Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah | September 1974 & September 2015

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on September 16th, 1974: "We got a special ticket and go over to the Temple Square -- 5:30pm in, 7:30 out! Besides the beautifully done and flowering grounds inside of the high wall, they gave us a ½ hour tour with many slide shows, films, lit up panels and voice tracks."

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Nez Perce National Historical Park, Idaho | June 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother's journal on June 1st, 1981: "After Kooskia, the valley opens up to Nez Perce National Park -- grassy with four picnic table. One in nice shade where we had tea & cookies, then looked at the stone mound and the view over the river & hills."

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Thor's Hammer in Bryce Canyon National Park | September 1974 & May 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on September 19th, 1974: "It was a wonderful day -- weather-wise absolutely glorious! Took a lot of shots all day long -- every turn of the trail was a picture! Down switchbacks in north Navajo Loop into the ponderosa pine-filled valley. Highlights were so many: Sentinel, Thor's Hammer, Temple, The Gossips, Goblin Grottos, Wall of Windows -- no end to the fantastic red forms."

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Idaho State Line | May 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on May 31st, 1981: "After Lolo, we ride through an 'Austrian' pine valley exactly alike looking, even with a saw mill, but for the log houses + cabins! Welcome to Idaho, and down for 77 miles of winding road!"

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, North Dakota | 1973 & 2016

It’s interesting to note that during my grandparent's visit, the scenic land was established as the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. It wasn't until 1978 that the park received National Park status.

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Hardin KOA in Hardin, Montana | May 1981 & June 2016

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on May 28th & 29th, 1981: "Decided to push on to Hardin, twelve miles further although very tired. Arrived at KOA, took a tent site and put up the tent. Warm sun was shining into the tent and the world looked good & fresh. Made breakfast and cooked up tea, washed dishes, and packed tent down."

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Council Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah | September 1974 & September 2015

Excerpt from my grandmother's travel journal on September 17th, 1974: "Over to Capitol Hill, tourist information at Council Hall -- a beautiful cube of pink stone with a white cupola in green lawns with fields of sprinklers going on!"