The Nielsen Kids Sometime Around 1952

Here we are, four little kids squatting down along the driveway in front of our house! Reed holding Baby Gayla, Ruth & Rosalin. Ordinarily, a photo like this one has very little significance except that it captured a snippet of time more than 50 years ago. However, the expression on Ruth's face speaks volumes! On this day we were all dressed & ready for a one time trip to Yellowstone National Park. Aunt Virginia took care of Gayla while we were gone and we should have left Ruth with Aunt Virginia too. Three year old Ruth was very naughty the whole time we were riding in the car. We were captive in the car for hours listening to Ruth chant, "I want soda pop, I want soda pop, I want soda pop! She kept it up all day!

By the time we arrived in Yellowstone Park the weather was acting up too. It was a fierce thunder & lightening storm with pounding rain. Bolts of lightening flashed in the road right in front of our car as Dad drove us around looking for a camping spot. Eventually we found a spot & Dad got out in the rain to set up the tent, scooping at the puddles with his shoes to move water out of the way.

While Dad was out in the rain, we were watching from the car. Nearby campers were in their tents getting ready for bed & we got our eyes full watching the silohettes of one couple as they changed their clothes. The side show was soon over & we were settling down in the tent for the night...all except Mom! She said there was a drip hitting her in the face all night.

The sun shined in the morning & Dad cooked breakfast over the campfire. We saw the sights in Yellowstone then we found a better camping spot right in close view of "Old Faithful." The people in the next spot were very friendly & we were anxious to have Dad set up tent, however, camping another night wasn't setting well with Mom! She absolutely refused to consider staying no matter how much we begged & pleaded. Knowing how I feel about camping now, I can see how repulsive it must have been to even think of trying to sleep another night in a stinky, wet tent!