Spitball Army

[Letter postmarked on 6 August 1941.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Ilinois.  Return addressed to Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.  Letter written on letterhead of Canadian Pacific Hotels, Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Alberta.]

Aug. 5, 1941

Hi Hon,

     I am wondering how you have been and what you have been doing. I guess I can’t find out because I inquired about a forward address and have been told by our tour man that it would be very difficult to make a connection of some sort. I repeat: I am starved for some word from you. It would help this loneliness ever so much.

     We reached Banff at 10 o’clock Mountain Standard Time; that is two hours behind yours. This was Monday. Took a bus ride around the surrounding mountains and then went to the hotel. It was, I repeat, beautiful. I hope you receive the card I sent you immediately upon our arrival. Then we had a supper lunch in the hotel and took a walk downtown and returned to the hotel. We left at 4:00 by bus to Lake Louise. The trip was also beautiful. It is a distance of 41 miles with many points of interest.

     This Lake Louise is prettier than Banff. We arrived at 8:00. We took a bath and then went down to dinner. The massive dining room overlooked the beautiful lake and mountains – a scene that could be framed. As we were finishing our dinner, a full moon began to rise over the mountains and reflected in the blue chrystal clear water of the lake. Honey, I was going mad with want of you. Let me repeat – I certainly missed you something terrible. We finished dinner and walked around a little and retired about 10:30 because we had to get up early this morning – and I mean early. I was up at 7 o’clock and had breakfast and at 9:00 we were on a bus riding around seeing all the points of interest. Because of the mountains, the buses are convertibles, so I was pretty much at home but I still miss my convert and you. At 1:00, we again boarded the train and had lunch, and then started in on your letter. Since yesterday morning at 9:00, we have been in the mountains and will be till we reach the coast. My penmanship is none too good and this rocking train in the mountains doesn’t help in the least, does it?

     The only reason for my not writing a letter sooner is because I couldn’t find any paper. (Incidently, at this minute we are passing through a 5-mile tunnel.) I am happy in finding some stationery. I hope you have been getting my cars because I have been writing every day. Let me tell you, I almost missed the train twice mailing your cards, and I’m not fooling.

     The first day and a half was a train ride, so there is not much to tell. (Just got out of the tunnel.) As I said, it was all flat and no change in scenery and not much to tell. (An R.A.F. boy of 19 years old just passed through and I just finished a big international chat on the air force with him. He was very interesting, too. He really has a soft job, and sees his girl every night till 10:30 and 2:00 two nights a week and gets paid for it. I have flown 15 hours more than he has. Some guy you have – hey, gal?

     To-morrow we get into Vancouver at 6:00 in the morning, shop in the morning, and go sight-seeing in the afternoon because the shops are closed. In the evening, we finally board the boat for the north. I don’t know when you will get my mail off of the boat, so don’t blame me for any delay, Hon.

     Well, I can’t think of any thing else to say except to repeat that I miss you terribly, Hon, and be a good girl and think of me a little.

With all my love,
Dick