My Trails into the Past

This is my second year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow . I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails Into the Past . I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways. Last year, I wrote about the beginning of my aunt, Lorene Hork’s “around the world” trip in 1853 from Tokyo to California. She had been working in Tokyo for the U.S. Army before she and three of her friends, Mitzie, Donna, and Annie, decided to take a trip to see sights in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Her story continues here. She did not keep a diary or journal, but rather wrote letters back home about her journey, which her family saved. I am so glad I have them now. The journey started in September. On the ship, they were able to swim. “This is the first time in my life I have been able to try for a tan so late in the year. Today and yesterday the sun has been so hot and all day we spent swimming i...