The Yeager family set out for a month-long summer road trip on June 16th of 1973.

Their first stop was Chicago, then they stopped in a few places in Colorado and Wyoming.

The bulk of the trip, though, was going to see various scenic spots in Montana because

they were scouting out a place they might want to move to.

The father of the family, Bill, had been to Montana before and was quite fond of the

state.

The trip was a breath of fresh air for Bill and his wife, Marietta, as they hadn't

taken such an extensive road trip together since they started their family.

They had five children, all ranging from age 16 to their youngest, Susie, who was just

seven years old, and they finally decided she was old enough to go on a big summer road

trip.

They were just over a week into their trip when they arrived at the Missouri State

Headquarters Park in Montana.

The park marks the spot where the Missouri River starts and the Yeagers were excited to

explore the expanse of wilderness around the river.

They spent a few days camping and taking in the sights and Marietta's parents drove up

from Arizona to spend time with them.

On Sunday the 24th, the children went to bed bundled up because of the chill in the air.

Susie's eldest brother and grandparents slept in the camper van while Marietta and William

had a shell in the back of their grandparents' truck.

This left the four youngest children altogether in another tent where they were free to chat

late into the night.

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