March 4, 1973 (Letter from Van)

We were really glad to hear from you!  You had us surprised for a day or so, but we knew we would eventually hear from you.  At first we had the impression that possibly you had decided to go further north for employment.  But with no sign of your whereabouts at hand the thought of you returning est crossed our thoughts.  We couldn't figure why you would leave your sandals and sleeping bag.  But we'll keep your sleeping bag, only until we cross paths again.

We agree 100% of your non-apologetic mood toward the Cottage!  I couldn't believe that you'd take the easy way out and return to the Cottage.  I knew it wouldn't last.  I'm sure that once my time comes to terminate that job it won't cross my mind to make any return engagements there.  I'm glad you have found such a well-paying job so soon.

I still regret to say that my car and I are not on understanding terms.  But one day we will come to know each other.  It's only a matter of time and patience.

Well Paul, all that I have to say now is that you sure missed a few pleasant sunny days, knowing that cold wintry days still prevail there.

I hope your paths of existence there are full of joy and happiness.  Take care yourself also Paul and write when you can.  "Though you have departed, still a part of you lingers."

By the way, Art Frink is still is wondering whatever happened to Paul Nelson, and I guess he'll keep right on wondering!

November 21, 1972 (Letter from Van and Randy)

Today is Randy's and my last day of a three week vacation that we took from the Cottage.  It started out to be a two-week vacation but we liked it so well that we took an extra week off.  We both regret that we're going back. If my car was done we probably would have looked for day jobs.

Pot is picking up as far as quality goes.  There's been a little primo also.

We've been going to quite a few concerts lately.  Our night life was just beginning and now it's just part of the past since we started back to work.  But I'm going to try and hold out until the beginning of summer.

It seems like Christmas is just around the corner.  They already have Christmas decorations up in town.  It doesn't seem like Christmas is almost here, until I go to the shopping plazas and see people scurrying like ants to buy presents for their loved ones.  I guess I'm still used to seeing snow and catching a cold about this time of year.  Don't get me wrong about the weather.  It still get semi-cold at night.  It drops to the high 40's.

Before you know it school will finally cease just as fast as summer ended for you.

Well, I'm hoping you had a fine Thanksgiving Day as we will try to have a good one in spite of work.  Van

Howdy Paul, thought I would drop you a few lines too, to stretch out the letter to make it look good.  As Van said our three weeks off wasn't really what we expected since we were going to go up north until we found out that his car wasn't going to be ready at all.  Van has hassled trying to get his car together for so long we have just about given up hope.  If we are lucky we will be cruising by mid-December.

Van and I really lucked out for Christmas though.  Normally they close Christmas Eve and our days off fall on Christmas and the day after so we have three days off for holiday.  You can be sure we will be up to more than hanging around here.

It's far  out that you saw Steve Miller.  We saw him last week with Commander Cody -- a pretty good show for sure.  Van and I smoked twelve primo joints.  Whoa what a rush that was.

So when are you coming back out anyway.  School should be out for your pretty soon.

Well our hour of turmoil is just about upon us unfortunately.  Take care of yourself and write back soon.

Until later this is Randy signing off.

October 13, 1972 (Letter from Van)

It's really good to hear form you Paul.  It sounds as though you are giving yourself a real workout.  I'd hate to have to work your hours and still attend classes.  But, at lest you work alone without having someone over your shoulder everytime you turn around.  I have to keep on my toes, especially after having been given Jim Bonner's station and his schedule.  He went on vacation for the month of October.  If he comes back, I believe he will only be working on weekends.  So that leaves me pretty well off having his station.  Of course, Boyd got a little irritated Art moved me into Jim's station instead of moving Boys into it.  At least I still know I'm on Art's good side and not having to put up with the games he plays, like some employees there, is a relief in itself.

Randy and I are really getting spoiled as far as the "smoke it" goes.  In the past 2 weeks alone we have gone through $300 worth of primo hash oil.  You think you got loaded from the "Columbo" this past summer, don't you.  Well, you wouldn't ever believe how loaded Randy and I have gotten after going through two $10 joints in one day.  I'd send you a sample but I really don't want to risk it.  Being caught with oil iis like being caught with heroin.  They really hand you for it.  After all, oil is 4 times as potent as primo hash.  Approximately 62% THC content is obtained in oil, compared to 4% in weed.  It's quite an extreme, believe me.

Randy and I went to the Joe Cocker concert two weeks ago in Long Beach.  It wasn't as good as we had anticipated it to be.  John Mark Almond played also.  They were the whole show.  On Oct 23rd, we are going to see Elton John and Family at the Forum.  We also have tickets for the Moody's Nov 1st, which incidentally begins a two week vacation for us.  I asked Art for a two week vacation which we both badly need.  Between you and I, I gave him the line that we wanted to go East and visit our parents.  But actually we hope to go north to Frisco and Oregon.  The Cottage never did close down, as expected, so that completely bummed us out for sure.  So that prompted me to take the initiate and ask for a couple weeks off.

As for my car, that's another story.  Three weeks ago I had my car towed to a mechanic in Newport to have him put it back together for me.  I got tired of hassling with it.  There it sits, still waiting for the bearings to arrive.  The mechanic was having trouble locating the correct size bearing so I finally told him where he could get them.  So I hope it will be ready before the Elton John concert because I had previously planned to drive there.

The weather here is beginning to sour a bit, as it has been raining off and on lately.  But I keep telling Randy things are going to change once the car is on the road.  I say it encouragingly, continuously to keep ourselves from thinking about the boredom we are experiencing.  After all, the end of November begins the peak of all who fall under the sign of the Capricorn, of which I am a part of.  Things should start picking up soon, I hope.  It does sound encouraging, though, doesn't it!  Well, all I can say now is that time will tell.  We'll continue with an up to date smoke it scene as each month becomes a little better.  Take care and write soon Paul.