Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

60.  The day, however, was ideal working - cold, windy, exhilaration - the sky over-cast with scudding clouds. I should have been on the spot earlier, for shortly afternoon the clouds began to break, and by mid afternoon, the sky was almost cleared, destroying the effect I wanted.

     At 4:00, I quit work, and drove westward to the point where several years ago, the creek washed away the road, (necessitating a new road further back, over the hill) - Parts of the old road are still here, altho the creek is steadily eating its way toward the new one, It is a pleasant spot, with wide expansive views in all direction. I ate my lunch facing up-creek, where the stream made a bend - the sunlight on the raw yellow green poplars and deep pines, and the rapids made a very romantic scene.

     Evening  tired + in a daze - My face was sun and wind burnt.[i]

                   May 5 -

     To Zoar Valley again - As yesterday , I delayed so long in deciding to come down, I had less time that (sic) I should have had - However today I decided to introduce one of the breaks in the clouds showing the rich cobalt sky, which will add to the effect.

     There seemed to be more, and different people about the place. One young man, a son, came out and said that his mother had talked of nothing else yesterday afternoon and evening, of my picture. I forgot to mention yesterday, that the oldest boy, probably 6 or 7, would come at intervals to see me work, and was dazzled by my picture.