It is to be noted that if any plant is separated from its roots for too long a period of time, that plant tends to lose its vitality and strength.

Mama's roots were planted in Pennsylvania. Several of her maidenhood friends and all of her close relatives lived in that area around Philadelphia. How she longed to see her country and these friends and relatives! She was growing more unhappy every month. Finally, the time was near at hand. The year was nineteen twenty-three when things came to fruition.

Such an adventure, for us, required quite a bit of planning. In fact, we began planning and saving several months in advance. First of all we required some sort of vehicle. We had this: a used Ford touring car complete with crank, bumpers, running-board, windshield wiper, and side-curtains. We also needed cash -- money. So we started saving pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, preferably American coins, in piggy-banks. We also required someone to look after things on the farm and around the house while we were away. For this, we arranged with a neighbour, a young married couple with several kids, to live in and sort of "farm sit" for us. It was arranged that they get a share of the production of the farm -- the crops and the livestock.

Well I said, by this time, we were the proud owners of a slightly used model "T" Ford touring car. Our family consisted of seven people. There were us five kids, and Mama and Papa. We fully expected to tour all the way to Pennsylvania and return in this "Tin Lizzie"?

Pa knew that it would take a bit of planning to get everyone into this car, along with the necessary baggage, for this long trip. To help with the seating, Pa devised a hook-on seat for the left, rear door for the use of the younger and smaller of us boys. Racks were made for the left runningboard as well as for the rear of the car to accommodate a small trunk and a spare tire.

Well, we set out like this, on a hot summer morning, August twenty-seventh, at the early hour of five-thirty. After about one hour's travel, we arrived at Riverdale Garage in London, where we purchased two new tires with tubes. One of these was needed to put on, while the other we stowed on the back as a spare. So, now, I guessed we would be ready to be on our way. Buffalo, New York, would be bur first vacation stop.

Near Paris, Ontario, we found a nice spot by the side of the road for our first picnic lunch. Then we were on our way again, speeding along at about twenty miles per hour, and were soon at the Falls.

Well, we crossed the "line" without any trouble, and arrived at our first stopover in Buffalo, at the home of Uncle Michael, Aunt Emily and Cousin Velda. It was about seven in the evening of the first day. Naturally, they were glad to see us and we were glad to see them. Here we had a good supper and a good rest for the night.

We had planned to leave early the next day, but rain delayed our departure. We were glad for this extra time, however, to visit with our relatives. The following day was sunny and we got away early, six o'clock, for another day's travel-adventure. Our route led us across the State of New York and later down into Pennsylvania. The day was delightful and the scenery enjoyable. We all felt good and the car also was purring well, travelling at the rate of sixteen to twenty miles per hour -- burning rubber, I would say!

We reached East Avon by noon, so we decided to stop here for our picnic dinner and to have a fuel and oil check. These gas stops, for these early model Fords, were quite an involved procedure. As the fuel tank was located under the front seat, everyone had to get out and wait, etc. The attendant removed the cushion and with a special wooden dip-stick checked the level in order to decide how much fuel to add. Then the fuel was pumped in by hand. After replacing the cap of the fuel tank and replacing the cushion, we could be on our way again. However, we appreciated these fuel and comfort stops, because they gave us a chance to get out and stretch legs and arms, etc.

After this service stop, we were on our way through very beautiful country -- hilly and beautiful. Our faithful little car bravely climbed every hill, no matter how formidable, and happily coasted down every slope. I cannot say that our trip was comfortable, the way we were packed in.

Our camp consisted of the car cushions, which were removable, as well as the ground beside the car, and several blankets. Fortunately, the gas station operator kindly loaned us a large tarpaulin which we contrived into a lean-to tent beside and over the car. This was our first night camping on the ground, under canvas, away from home. I know that no one slept much that night, what with the strange country, the cool night, and the hard damp ground.

Morning was a very welcome sight. Pa soon had a fire going in an outdoor fireplace and Breakfast was on the way. This breakfast consisted of pancakes, wieners, and cold ham and a hot cup of coffee. After this simple, but sustaining, meal, we packed up and left along with two other travelers also in Ford cars. For some time, we were obliged to travel in quite a heavy fog, and so missed much of the beautiful mountain scenery. There was one rather long, steep grade that did add a bit of excitement to the ride. Pa began to worry how we could ever get back up on the return trip. At one of the stops, a Pennsylvania farm woman kindly gave us a basket of ripe peaches for us to eat on our way.

We noticed that many of the Pennsylvania folk had a very quaint way of speaking, especially among the "Pennsylvania Dutch". Some wanted to know "Isn't it cold up there already yet?" They thought that we were from a land of ice and snow.

Well, we arrived safely, at our first vacation stop, the home of Uncle Jesse and Aunt Edna and Aunt Margie and Uncle Claude and families in Bloomsburg. They all stopped the jobs they were doing and ran to meet us with open arms.

Ma recalled, "What a houseful of people we did give them. They had to go out and buy more food." We did enjoy a real bed that night and the ensuing nights we stayed there. As Mama expressed it "My, what a nice time we had" visiting her home family. I will say that us boys also enjoyed exploring the town and the countryside, escorted by our American cousins. I got to know more about my Uncle Jesse, whom I had heard so much about from Ma. He was a skilled pattern-maker employed by a company engaged in the manufacture of mining equipment. He is someone whom I can emulate and learn from.