Viewing page 6 of 73

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

The United States had 1.68 million miles of surfaced roads. We were driving 230 of those from Phoenix to Clifton. Those miles had as much drama as if the family was driving across the whole United States in one night. We again claimed our section of the back seat. The upholstery was made out of a stiff scratchy material, possibly wool, that after three hours in the car made our skin itch. It left impressions on our bare legs that looked like rows where cotton could be planted. I tried to pull my nightgown over my legs. Candy wrappers were thrown on the floor. We were driving the total distance in one and our car treat was a Hershey Bar with almonds. I could smell the chocolate on my fingers after the candy was gone and the inside of the candy wrapper brought back the smell of the eaten candy. We were on our trip through Arizona at night and this was our reward for being quiet, not asking questions, and letting Mom drive. There were numbered markers every mile that let me know how close we were to Clifton and how much farther we needed to drive. I learned to read the road.

After leaving Globe the last part of danger was Coolidge Dam. Calvin Coolidge dedicated the dam in 1930. The total drive around the dam was .2 miles but once again we were given the strong warning that this took all of mom's concentration. Her anger would have to wait to be picked up again in .2 miles. The dam was built in the 20's. It had the workmanship of the WPA, men out of work and with time. Along the drive around the dam there were benches made out of stone. With each bench there was a light that cast yellow on the rock and water. This could have been a place where you might

5