Between our freshman and sophomore years, I worked at Swiftcurrent Inn, a motel in Glacier National Park. When I walked in to work on the first day, I was surprised to be greeted by name. Rich Tittle also was assigned to work at Swiftcurrent Inn that summer. Along with two other employees, we formed a hiking group. On our days off, we hiked and explored the park. It was a wonderful summer. Among other duties, Rich was in charge of purchasing books for the small bookstand at the motel. One day, I overheard a man comment to a family member – this is the best selection of books I’ve ever seen. And it was….
Barb Windschill Sommer ’68
———————————————————–
In the spring of 1967, I was looking for someone to travel through Europe with for the summer. I found Rich and Dave Baker. That spring, someone at Carleton had arranged for a discount round trip plane fare from New York to London if there were at least 30 (I think) of us, and if we all flew out and back on the same dates. We’d be independent travelers once we arrived. Rich was going to travel with Dave. Dave (with a loan from his dad) was buying a new VW beetle at the factory in Germany. When I learned that Rich and Dave were looking for one or two people to join them and share car expenses, I boldly said that I would. They said good. Roger Poore also traveled with us for a week or two. We didn’t know each other very well beforehand, but we turned out to be amazingly compatible travel companions. We were so lucky!! We usually stayed in Youth Hostels. Rich and Dave had taken French and I had taken German so we were sort of covered everywhere we went except Italy, where Rich had fun using his Latin on ancient Roman inscriptions. Rich had a bit more flexibility in his budget than Dave and I, but we were all mindful of expenses. Rich’s mom had given him her credit card to take us all out for one splurge dinner. It was a great treat. We planned to share the driving, but only Dave and I could drive a stick-shift before the trip. Rich was eager to learn. One afternoon, Rich and I were waiting in the car on a narrow street in Rome while Dave met a friend from home. We had to move the car and Rich decided now or never, and took us on a stall and start drive around the block. We made it unscathed, but I’ve never forgotten it, either! The streets of Rome are an extremely nerve-wracking place to learn to shift gears, but Rich was courageous. Both Rich and Dave were good photographers. They had good cameras and took slides of the trip. I took basic snapshots. We all focused on composition, but they had fun talking about f-stops, too. When we got back to Carleton in the fall, they gave a wonderful side show in my dorm’s lounge. I have had many wonderful travel experiences since then, but that summer with Rich and Dave set the standard – three friends, young, unencumbered, curious about the world, and happy. My snapshots have faded, but not the memories. I would have loved to reminisce with Rich and Dave at reunion and see their slides once more.
Pam McLevy Morse ’68
Richard Tittle ’68
8 November 2011
Comments
Between our freshman and sophomore years, I worked at Swiftcurrent Inn, a motel in Glacier National Park. When I walked in to work on the first day, I was surprised to be greeted by name. Rich Tittle also was assigned to work at Swiftcurrent Inn that summer. Along with two other employees, we formed a hiking group. On our days off, we hiked and explored the park. It was a wonderful summer. Among other duties, Rich was in charge of purchasing books for the small bookstand at the motel. One day, I overheard a man comment to a family member - this is the best selection of books I've ever seen. And it was....
In the spring of 1967, I was looking for someone to travel through Europe with for the summer. I found Rich and Dave Baker. That spring, someone at Carleton had arranged for a discount round trip plane fare from New York to London if there were at least 30 (I think) of us, and if we all flew out and back on the same dates. We’d be independent travelers once we arrived. Rich was going to travel with Dave. Dave (with a loan from his dad) was buying a new VW beetle at the factory in Germany. When I learned that Rich and Dave were looking for one or two people to join them and share car expenses, I boldly said that I would. They said good. Roger Poore also travelled with us for a week or two. We didn’t know each other very well beforehand, but we turned out to be amazingly compatible travel companions. We were so lucky!! We usually stayed in Youth Hostels. Rich and Dave had taken French and I had taken German so we were sort of covered everywhere we went except Italy, where Rich had fun using his Latin on ancient Roman inscriptions. Rich had a bit more flexibility in his budget than Dave and I, but we were all mindful of expenses. Rich’s mom had given him her credit card to take us all out for one splurge dinner. It was a great treat. We planned to share the driving, but only Dave and I could drive a stick-shift before the trip. Rich was eager to learn. One afternoon, Rich and I were waiting in the car on a narrow street in Rome while Dave met a friend from home. We had to move the car and Rich decided now or never, and took us on a stall and start drive around the block. We made it unscathed, but I’ve never forgotten it, either! The streets of Rome are an extremely nerve-wracking place to learn to shift gears, but Rich was courageous. Both Rich and Dave were good photographers. They had good cameras and took slides of the trip. I took basic snapshots. We all focused on composition, but they had fun talking about f-stops, too. When we got back to Carleton in the fall, they gave a wonderful side show in my dorm’s lounge. I have had many wonderful travel experiences since then, but that summer with Rich and Dave set the standard - three friends, young, unencumbered, curious about the world, and happy. My snapshots have faded, but not the memories. I would have loved to reminisce with Rich and Dave at reunion and see their slides once more. Pam McLevy Morse