Day 56-62: Trip Home (August 7-13, 1976)

Route Map

Journal Excerpts

From Tani’s journal:

Tani’s Journal, Day 55 (August 7, 1976): Last Day in Washington D.C. and Departure

We got up at 5:30 and got ready for our tour of the White House. The tour was really neat. At first, we went thru like regular people. Then I guess Larry said something, and they took us upstairs to Mr. Farrel’s office. He talked to us for a while and then took us up to the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. He took us outside and then he gave us all pens with Ford’s signature on it. If Ford had been there, we would have got to see him, but he was out campaigning.

After the tour, everyone split up and got the last minute souvenirs. Nancy and I went to a shop, and a newsman was filming something on bicentennial souvenirs, and he took film of Nancy and I looking at different things. Too bad we won’t be able to see the news.

After our last minute gift buying, we all piled into the truck. We worked out a rotation system, so that you didn’t get stuck between the wheel wells all day. When Syd and Judy got tired, they pulled over in a rest area, and we spent the night.

Tani’s Journal, Day 56 (August 8, 1976): Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Today was about the same as yesterday: sleep, read, talk, and rotate. When we needed gas, we all got out, relieved our bladders, and walked around a bit. We made it to Mt. Pleasant. I’m glad we’re done riding in the truck. It was fun, but 2 days is enough. Just before we arrived in Mt. Pleasant, we were all talking about little things we remember about the trip. That was really neat.

Tani’s Journal, Day 57 (August 9, 1976): Trip Home

The bus seems like a hotel compared to riding in the back of the truck. We all grabbed a seat and the one across the aisle. We got mail and I got a care package. I shared most of the cookies with Steve, cuz he is broke. The day was spent sleeping, reading, talking, and driving the truck. Not much different from the truck, except there is more room.

Tani’s Journal, Day 58 (August 10, 1976): Trip Home

Today our highlight was seeing Mt. Rushmore. That was really great! I really thought it was neat. The rest of the day went pretty much like yesterday.

All Journals

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