Postcards from Pennie and David - Carmel, California - 15th October 1970

Another postcard of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

To:  Mrs D.C.Evans, Dalcross Private Hospital, Killara.  N.S.W. 2071.  Australia.

Dear Dudu,
We have our tickets for the Himalaya - October 24th, arriving Sydney November 13th.  Aileen Drury's travel agent did a wonderful job.  Sold our Falcon for $5 less than we paid so our trip in the U.S.A. was a financial as well as visual success.
Going to Big Sur this weekend, and on to Hearst Castle by ourselves.
Be firm - no worrying.
All our love, David.

(David was very close to his grandmother, she had a lot to do with his upbringing and when he was very unhappy in Canberra she was a haven in Sydney for him to escape to.  Dudu was dying and it was breaking David's heart being so far away, he was really keen to get home and see her.)

Postcards from Pennie and David - Disneyland, U.S.A. - October 1970.

'It all started with a Mouse'
Sleeping Beauty's Castle towers above a colorful array of characters from the world of make-be-lieve, led by Walt Disney and his first and foremost star... Mickey Mouse.

Los Angeles, California. U.S.A. 

Dear Julia,

Boy did we have a Great Day.  As we went in the gates Mickey and Minnie shook our hands and we also saw Pooh Bear with a pot of honey on his head, holding Eeyore's hand in the final parade.  Goofey was around all day, they were really great costumes.

Love David and Pennie

Postcards from Pennie and David - Disneyland, U.S.A. - October 1970.

Trapped Safari.
A hunting party finds itself trapped by an angry rhinoceros while hungry hyenas hopefully await a chance to share in the prey... one of the many surprises in store for Disneyland guests as they cruise down the rivers of the World in Adventure Land.

To:  Mr Nick Rodd,  Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106.  Australia

Los Angeles, California.

Dear Nick,
It was really a great day we spent from 9:30am to 6pm here.  This bit is on the boar cruise through Adventure Land.  We also saw a movie better than Cinerama, we stood in the big round room and the whole thing went on around us.

Love David and Pennie.

Postcards sent by us - San Filipe, Mexico - 5.10.1970

The beauty of  the ocean captured in this scenic view of San Felipe. Mexico

To:  The Rodds, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W.  2106

Dear Rodds,

Boy what a life we've been living, we've swum and eaten all day, and killed cockroaches all night.  Sorry we haven't eaten the cockroaches.
The people are great, the 'arrow over' shows where we are camped in a little shack with only two walls.
See you soon, now we're off to Disneyland.

Love Pennie and David

 From Google Maps today, boy a lot has changed.  The little village we visited in 1970 has grown and grown.  There were only little Cabana's on this beach back then.

Postcards sent by us - Grand Canyon. Arizona. USA - 28.9.1970

Golden Aspens.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
The canyon walls rise to heights of more than a mile above the Colorado River at Point Imperial, the highest viewpoint in the Grand Canyon National Park.

28th September 1970

To:-  The Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin.  2600.  A.C.T.  Australia.

Dear All.

Las Vegas took some of our money but it was fun losing it.  Grand Canyon is as beautiful as it's built up to be.  It was stinking hot yesterday driving through the Arizona Desert but cooler today.

See you, D & P.J.

Postcards sent by us - Grand Canyon, Arizona. USA- 28.9.1970

Storm at Grand Canyon, Arizona.  One of the spectacular moods of this great canyon.

To: The Rodds, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106. Australia.

28th September, 1970

Dear Rodd's, Cobcroft's etc.

Having a great time at the Grand Canyon.  Spent too much money at Las Vegas but had a great time at the topless show with as much to eat and drink as you want, so you can imagine how happy we were when we left.

Mexico by the end of the week.

Love D & P.J.

Postcards sent by us - Montana. USA - 25.9.1970

American Black Bear and Cubs.
Cubs of both black and brown color are not uncommon in one little.  Adult bear averages 250 lbs.  T hey climb trees readily and are friendly.

Yellowstone National Park.

To:-  The Rodd's, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106. Australia

We saw two lovely bears today, they came up and looked in the windows.  We also saw old faithful sprout, it was very beautiful.  We've seen lots of hot springs but boy the weather is cold.

Love D & P.J.

Postcards sent by us - Yellowstone, - 23.9.1970

Old Faithful Geyser.  Yellowstone National Park.
Most celebrated geyser in the world.  Discovered and named in 1870, it erupts 150 feet high at intervals averaging about 63 minutes.

To:- The Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin. A.C.T. Australia.

We saw him spout at 1:20pm today.  Dave says there are better ones in N.Z.

We saw two bears today, they stood up and looked in the windows and we threw them a few cookies and took lots of photos.

Love D & P.J.

Postcards sent by us - Virginia City, Montana. USA - 22.9.1970

Wells Fargo Express Office.
In 1863, Virginia City, Montana.
22nd September 1970

To:- Miss J. Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin. A.C.T. 2600

Dear Julia,

     They have fascinating Museums here, all about the old days.  We have our booking, see you on November 13th.

     Love, Dave & Pennie

Postcards sent by us - Boot Hill, Montana. USA - 22.9.1970

Boot Hill, Historic Virginia City, Montana.
Five of the 'Road Agents' hanged, Clubfoot George Land, Hayes Lyons, Jack Gallagher, Boone Helm and Frank Parish, were buried in Virginia City's old cemetery now known as Boot Hill.

To:-  Mr N.A.Rodd, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106. Australia

Virginia City, 22nd September 1970.

See Nick, Boot Hill really does exist!

Love Dave and Pennie XX

Postcards sent by us - Banff, Alberta. Canada - 21.9.1970

Upper Hot Springs Pool, Banff National Park, Alberta. Canada.  Warm sulphur water bathing, as well as plunges and steam baths are available here throughout the year. Located on Sulphur Mountain, these springs  were the initial reason for creating the National Park, and these facilities are operated year round.

To:  The Rodds, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106.  Australia

Hello All,

     We've just spent the majority of yesterday in the above, fabulous, just like the ones in N.Z., even the smell.

     We have another Australian couple with us.  Works out fine, we cut costs, we sleep in the car, they in borrowed tent.

     Old Falcon going extra well, covered 2,500 miles so far.  Re-enter U.S. Tomorrow into Montana, then Idaho, Utah, Nevada etc.

     Got a 'Himalaya' booking!!  See you on November 13th.  Love P & D

Postcards sent by us - Banff, Alberta. Canada - 21.9.1970

Cascade Mountain - altitude 9,840 ft. as seen from Cascade Rock Gardens at the Banff National Park Administration Building.  This view overlooks the Bow River and Banff Avenue, and has much attraction for visiting photographers.  The scene here feature annual and perrenial plants such as pansies, poppies, delphinium, nemesia which are suited to the climate.  Alberta. Canada.

To: Mrs D. C. Evans, Fiddens Wharf Road, Killara.  N.S.W. 2071.  Australia.

Dear Dudu,

     Still going very well, our Falcon is performing superbly, 30m.p.g. average and we do about 250 miles a day.

     Saw a cheese factory, a brewery, the U.S.S. Missouri where they signed the Japanese surrender in 1945, stayed with friends in Vancouver for two days, met another Aussie couple who are now travelling with us in the car, we sleep in the car, they their tent!  Loved Banff, especially hot spring bath - JUST like N.Z. even the smell

     Much love P & D

Postcards sent by us - Mount Rundle, Banff - 15.9.1970

Mount Rundle, altitude 9,838 ft, near the town of Banff, Alberta Canada.  It is here reflected in Second Vermilion Lake.  The peak is named for Rev. Robert Tyrrell Rundle, a Methodist missionary to the plains Indians, who visited this area in 1847.  These lakes immediately west of the town, provide excellent habitat for wildlife, best seen in the early and dusky hours of day.

To: The Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin.  A.C.T.  2600 Australia

Hello All,

Having a really fun tour - now have another Australian couple with us, met in Vancouver at the Charlesworth's (our friends from Dubrovnik) - quite a little Australia House.  We sleep in the Falcon, they in their borrowed tent.  We've been in some fab. national park camp grounds etc.  and had a hot dip in the Springs at Banff.  JUST like N.Z. - even the smell.

AND we have a booking on the Himalaya, sailing October 24th, see you November 13th.  Love P & D.

Postcards - B.C. Canada

A couple of postcards we never sent... beautiful in their black and white.

Postcards sent by us - Waikiki Beach, Washington - 5.6.1970

Waikiki Beach.  Located in Fort Canby State Park at the mouth of the Famous Columbia River in Southwest Washington, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in the background.  Historical Light built in 1858.

To : Mrs D.C.Evans, Fiddens Wharf Road, Killara. N.S.W. 2071.  Australia

Dear Dudu,

     'On the road again' as you can see, doing very well about 200 miles a day in lovely weather, soon we'll cross into Canada to visit some friends in Vancouver.

     We've seen and stayed the night in some fabulous State Parks.  Lots of one horse towns all the way and some beaut scenery.  Driftwood on all the beaches (see over) .

     See you November 13th, we hope.   Love D & P

 The little driftwood beach is right in the middle of this shot.

Postcards sent by us - Newport, Oregon - 11.9.1970

Steller Sea Lions.
One of the larger sea mammals found along the off shore rocks of the ocean.  Bulls weigh up to one ton.

To:- The Rodds, Crescent Road, Newport. N.S.W. 2106. Australia.

Newport, Oregon.

Had to send a card from Newport.

Love to all P & D xxx

P.S.  These Seals were very very smelly.

Postcards sent by us - Laytonville, California - September 1970

World Famous Tree House.  Located in Tree House Park, 30 mins north of Laytonville on the Redwood Highway.  Built in a large redswood tree, the room is 21 x 27 feet inside.  The room is 50 foot high.  Tree is approximately 250 feet high.  Age approximately 4,000 years.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

To :-)  Miss Julia Griffiths, Deakin, A.C.T.  2600  Australia.

Dear Julia and Griffiths,

We've been driving all day through these big Redwood trees, they are lovely and we've seen a lot of the coast, the water is too cold to swim in but it's hot in the car.

The camp site tonight is lovely, in the bush with HOT SHOWERS bar-b-ques etc for $2.

Love to Everyone, Dave and Pennie xxx

Postcards sent by us - Carmel, California - 30-7-1970

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsular, California.

To: Mrs M. E. Griffiths, Dominion Circuit, Deakin. ACT. Australia       July 1970

Virginia works in the cafeteria (tuckshop, kiosk, etc) every second Thursday.  We are just getting our custom-mixed milkshakes.

We've just been roaming Monterey, shopping for a $200 station wagon, some shoes for Pennie at Macey's, a present from Virginia (the shoes, not Macy's).  Tonight we call on the Bells in 15th Avenue, who own a 1958 London Taxi.  I hope to help them obtain a front mudguard from the U.K. to replace their rusty one.

'Himalaya' (Oct 24th) is booked up, but agent is trying for us.

Love Pennie and David.

Postcards sent by us - On board 'President Cleveland' to the U.S.A. - 3.7.1970

President Cleveland.

To -
Lt Col and Mrs R. C. Rodd, Crescent Road, Newport.  N.S.W.  2106  Australia.

Just crossed the International Date Line, we are now in our second 3rd July 1970.

Dear All,

Just received your telegram, thanks a lot, so relieved to hear that Tabitha is safe and sound.  What fun receiving a telegram at sea.  Trip has been really great, entertainment terrific.  David won a Key Ring in Name Bingo and I won a Ship Trophy in the Fancy Dress, I dressed as a Kangaroo.  Tonight David will be Mother Bear in a Talent Show, his skit is Goldilocks and the three bears.  I have over come my sea sickness, the food is great at last.  I'm getting a suntan and the pool is a lot of fun.  Every night we dance.  Arrive Honolulu on the 5th for one day.

Love David and Pennie  XX

Postcards sent by us - On board 'President Cleveland' to the U.S.A. - 8.7.1970

President Cleveland - At Sea (2 days before Hawaii) - 8.7.1970

To: Mrs D. C. Evans, Fiddens Wharf Road, Killara.  N.S.W. 2071.

Dear Dudu,

The trip has been very smooth till today, it's a bit choppy and the pool is really like a big surf.  We are going to hire a car in Honolulu for the day and drive to a quiet beach for a surf, we are making up a foursome with two Japanese we've met on the ship.  The food and entertainment are really great.

Love Dave and Pennie.