Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 19, 1952

B & I on a visit to Erie in search of the “wild sweet-peas” of my early childhood at Ashtabula.

A thundershower at early morning (one clap so near it shook the floor under our feet, while we were at breakfast.). Soon cleared & the day developed into another fresh windy sunlit day.

Neither one of us wanted to go very badly – I made the suggestion, but did not really feel like going – but I was obsessed with the notion of “running to earth” the elusive flowers – (there I found at Duluth three years ago I afterwards concluded were not the ones as they were not purple  enough.

Out S.W. Blvd & then on Route 5 – we tried several times to get in at the lake but it did not seem like the right sort of shore – mostly cliffs – I began to get discouraged, and we had about decided to get lunch somewhere and then return home – when we saw a pleasant looking open–air lunch–bar. We had gone on past, but returned. A delightfully fresh & cool spot & we were famished. Never it seemed to us had we enjoyed eating outdoors so much. The place was spotless, food good, & the people (mother & daughter?) very friendly & wholesome looking.

A family group occupied their attention at first, but when they left, they came over to talk to us. I had heard them mention artists coming over from Chautauqua – and we talked of that then B took the initiative & told them of our quest – the girl said she was sure she had seen the beach–pea growing on Presque Isle Peninsula at Erie.

So with renewed courage, we drove in; – stopping several times for flowers –

A long hot drive thru Erie – eventually find the Presque Isle Rd. (832) – A long sandy Peninsula, with woods & underbrush, small dunes – given over chiefly to bathingetc. The recent high–water level of the lake, playing havoc with the road – in spite of iron-barriers & rocks, the waves wearing away the road. We drove it seemed for miles – all at once we saw some beautiful orange–yellow flowers – we pulled off the road and stopped to look at them and there, right where we had stopped, was growing the long–sought beach-pea – two plants, one with a small cluster of mauve flowers. The whole day suddenly assumed for us a miraculous mood.

We (not without a sense of guilt, & keeping a sharp lookout for park attendants) set at once to digging up the plants, as well as an orange flower and a wild lupin [sic].

We continued on then, driving to the end of the island, when the road made a long loop, & regained itself halfway back to the beginning –

Great quantities of willow cotton, all over the place – in the grass & covering bushes – it gave the place an unpleasantly untidy look.

Drive back, long & hot & tiresome – relieved onlyby one stop, when we ate fruit (cherries & oranges) & salted nuts.

Arrive home about 6:30 – found a letter from Art in which he told us “there was a girl” and maybe a year from now there would be another “Mrs. Charles Burchfield” we are happy for him.

To bed early –

Charles E. Burchfield, June 19, 1952