October 7, 1967

Dear Family,

Believe it or not, the Smoggy McKays are responsible for this decker. As Lloyd said, Carol finally
bugged him into writing. Thanks Carol! The only news from that pall of Smog is that Brian is walking or
as Lloyd says; “he looks like a drunken Charlie Chaplin leading a band, while trying to walk the wrong way
on a conveyor belt.” Lloyd passed the Sgts exam—just. He thinks he just possibly might make it if we all
pray for him.

I had quite a hectic time in Mexico City. I had had a hard day in Guadalajara I had to do a lot of
walking. We got into Mexico about 9:00 P.M. and had to walk about a mile from the plane to the
Customs inspection point. Then my baggage turned up missing and I had to walk all the way back to the
Areonaves Office before I found it. I got to a hotel about 11:00 P.M. and had charley horses all night.

I know now what happens to old Mexican cowboys—they make them into jet pilots. They take
off like a vaquero spurring his horse—straight up! They land rough, like a Vaquero pulling his horse back
on his haunches and making him crow hop.

I had a bad scare when I got on the plane last Thursday morning to come home. We left very
early and a copy of the morning paper (Mexican) was lying on each seat. I had not heard the outcome of
the first game of the World Series so I quickly turned to the sport section. When I finally turned back to
the front page I saw a black bordered box in the middle of it. And caught the word Gua… It said that a
professor in Mexico had caught the record of a bad earthquake in the vicinity of Gua… on the
seismograph. He said it was nine pint something intensity and that the tidal wave would probably wash
out Hawaii.

I read the item over half a dozen times. You may well imagine I was in sweat and a dither. When
we got to Tucson I rushed to the telephone and called Mother. “What about our children” I croaked.
“Well, what about them?” Mother answered. “What about our children?” She knew nothing of the
earthquake, there was nothing in the morning paper. I called the FAA and they knew nothing either.
The manger here was very kind. He called Los Angles and advised me that it was not true. The only
thing we could conclude was that the Mexican Professor got drunk and stumbled over his Seismograph-
jiggling the graph. Anyway it could happen, so you Stobbes keep it in mind and be prepared.

I was very happy to find upon my return, that Mother’s knee is much, much better; she had
abandoned her cane and was swinging that leg like she wanted to dance. I don’t know if it was the
cortisone taking effect or my being away.

Just before I left for Mexico we received a very tristul letter from Debby McKay. Tell her that we
will answer her soon, Fran and while we are not going to promise her anything, to keep her fingers
crossed.

We love you all

Dad

(Look Lloyd, Page #1!)