The Start of a Two Year Journey

Oceanic Steamship Company

S. S. Sierra at Sea

July 19, 1912

 

Sallie Dear,

 

            I have been waiting for something interesting to happen before writing to you but I believe we are going to have an uneventful trip – not even any rough weather – each day is smoother than the one before till now it is just like glass.

            I sit on the right hand of the captain, and he is a perfect circus- can tell the biggest yarns I ever heard. There are some real nice people on board but not very exciting – one man from South Carolina who knows a good many people that I do from there and he just hangs around continually and I can’t move a step without him – he is going to take me to the dance tonight.  It is awfully warm, everyone in the lightest clothes and even then we puff and blow a good bit while walking.

            We had a good time at Marc Island with the McKays.  The families there are awfully nice especially the commandant – we went there for a dinner.  I went on a sailing party and to a tea and loads of people came to call.  Did father tell you about his “Indestructo” trunk?  It came with both ends smashed out so he had to buy a new one and pack everything over again, wasn’t that the limit?  It was fine seeing Admiral [Sebre] again.  If Mrs. Sebre is well enough they want to join us in China or India and I do hope they can.  When we left I had a lovely bunch of these dear little pink rose buds with lace around, two big boxes of candy and several books from the people who came down to see us off.  Mrs. McKay’s sister, younger, who is a nurse, was visiting her too and I just made her talk to me about her cases, training, etc. all the time and tried on one of her uniforms.  Admiral Stanford who is chief of the Bureau of Navigation is on board.  Am glad you found my thimble and will keep it for me.  I can’t tell you how glad I was to get all your letters for you people were the only ones who knew my address.

 

Alice