When I was 10, my grandparents, mother, and I loaded up the Chevy and went to Grass Valley, California to visit relatives. It was a trip of many firsts for me, but when I came across these two photos the other day, I had to share the highlight of my journey.
Uncle Orville and Aunt Mae Littleton were born in 1885 and 1883 respectively. This photo shows them all dolled up, but the second photo I'll be sharing shows why they were so cool.
I fell head over heels for Uncle Orville. He was a Renaissance man. Archaeologist, professor, artist, prospector, writer... it seemed like he could (and did) do it all, and he was a splendid raconteur. I was so mesmerized by him that I remember very little about Aunt Mae who spent most of our visit chatting with my grandmother.
Uncle Orville and Aunt Mae would often go out in the Mojave Desert for fun. It was a perfect spot for someone who's both archaeologist and prospector, eh? One day, Aunt Mae was standing not far from the car waiting for Orville to return from rambling when she looked down at the ground around her feet and saw ants working little beads up out of their hill. Aunt Mae was standing on an Indian burial site, and in his role as archaeologist and professor, Uncle Orville would oversee the excavation.
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| Uncle Orville & Aunt Mae out in the Mojave Desert |
Don't you love their car-- and of course one goes trekking out in the desert wearing pearls just like Aunt Mae!
When we came back to Illinois, Mom had a large painting that Uncle Orville had not only painted but made the frame for, and I had a lump of fool's gold in a little jar, a matchbox filled with tiny beads, three arrowheads, two shell ornaments, daydreams of being an archaeologist, and memories!
Just to show that an adventurous spirit runs in the family, here's another photo I ran across...
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| Denis & me out in the Mojave Desert |
Thank you for sharing this story, Cathy! It sounds as though your aunt and uncle were really interesting people. I love the photographs, too (and, yes, I do love that car!). How serendipitous that your aunt uncle ended up on an Indian burial site - that in itself must have been such an adventure, and I'll bet they'd be pleased to see that you inherited their sense of wonder.
ReplyDeleteI think Uncle Orville could recognize a kindred spirit in me even though I was only ten!
DeleteHow fascinating! I can understand your attraction to your Uncle Orville and his interests. I've always been attracted to archaeology, but he had so many intriguing enthusiasms! Love the story of the discovery of the Indian burial site. :)
ReplyDeleteI love looking up at the sky, but sometimes it's a good idea to take a look at where you're putting your feet!
DeleteWhat great photos! They sound like quite a couple, the kind of people who live life to the fullest. Thanks for sharing their story.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sam.
DeleteI love that Aunt Mae wore her pearls while trekking in the desert! What an adventure, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it, Gretchen. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat fascinating people. Uncle Orville sounds like such an interesting person, and Aunt Mae could keep up with him. Not so easy. I admire her, too.
ReplyDeleteHow old were they when you visited them? What year was that trip to the Mojave Desert?
Glad that you were able to visit them and learn about their adventures, and that you, too, are an explorer.
They were both in their early eighties, and I don't know the year of that trip to the Mojave Desert. The car looks to be 1930s vintage and would put both of them at about the age of 50. If you're talking about the trip in which Aunt Mae watched the ants working the beads out of the ground, I don't know. I was ten-- I can't remember all the details! LOL
DeleteWhat a great story and memory. I recently had to drive thru the Mojave and it sure has some beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteYes, it certainly does, but some of those trails are extremely rough!
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