Shortly after I was born Dad began working for the Frisco Railway. He frequently worked the shift from midnight to 7:00 a.m. which meant we were continually cautioned, "Shh, Dad is asleep." My younger brother remembered this when he sang the Christmas carol,"It came upon the midnight shift." Most of the time, however, Dad worked the shift from 3:00 until midnight so he had more time with his family. Dad worked for the railway for 39 years.
One of the perks of working for the railroad was the free passes to travel. Christmas 1937 Dad got us all on board and headed from Missouri to Arizona to visit Grandparents. One of the tourist stops made on that trip was to visit the Hole in the Rock, a formation in Papago Park in Phoenix. It can be seen for miles around and a favorite climb, especially for younger legs. Posing with Mom and Dad were John, age 4, Vena, age 2 and Fred, 2 months old.
Last week Fred and I climbed up to that Hole in the Rock and had a picture taken again, after 73 years. I wonder, did it take those little 2 and 4 year old legs as long as it did us to climb? It may not be monumental in the world but it was fun for us to do this. Thanks, Fred.
