Blond, Black, and Blue

by Ruth Temple Taul

  A letter is the best way to go, since everyone has caller I.D. Do not put a return address on your envelope, Allison has promised to take the letters to the post office in another town to mail them.

  In this state alone we have had 87 women killed this year. We have four who have been crippled for life another four who have disappeared and are probably dead.

  That is not counting people like ourselves who are scarred physically and emotionally, often for life.

  Any of you who hope to stay with your husband, do yourselves a favor if he ever touches you again, let him know you are prepared to tell everyone the two of you are acquainted with that he is an abuser.

  Get registered at the police station let your husband know it. In fact, call your friends and his relatives before you return. His employer should be next. This may seem to be severe, but it does not compare with being killed or crippled for life. You will find that as long as you cover up his abuse, he will continue to do it..

  Caitlyn had set up different recreational programs for the ladies. They had been so successful and therapeutic, other Safe House managers had visited to study their programs.

  Mrs. Appleton had been well pleased with her monthly report. It was heart-warming to know how many women’s lives her generosity had improved.

  Chapter Twelve

  DANIEL, MEANWHILE, HAD MET with Ben and Victor to plan their itinerary through Alaska. They would drive to Seattle Washington to take the ferry for the Marine Highway. They would drive their cars aboard the ferry and would see scenery that was mind boggling in the beauty of it. They would see whales, penguins, and glaciers up close.

  They would see mountains that had literally split in half during the big earthquake and that the very magnitude of it caused a Tsunami in Sun City, California.

  Caitlyn needed a vacation and Daniel was going to see that she had a memorable one. Maybe she would sleep nights then.

  Their group would debark at Skagway to visit the town. There they put their vehicles aboard a train and rode to Whitehorse and the Alaskan highway. They would stay at a ‘Bed Breakfast’ while they fished for salmon in the Kenai river. One day was reserved for the men folk to take a charter boat fishing for halibut.

  Finally the day arrived for them to begin their drive to Seattle. Aunt Betty and Ben rode with Daniel in their van. Logan and Sarah wanted to ride with Victor so they could play games with their children on the way across country.

  The group stopped at their motel mid-afternoon, spent two hours in the pool then had a leisurely dinner. Everyone slept soundly that night waking up rested and excited to continue their trip.

  As they had driven through Montana it was decided their next big vacation would be exploring the West. Montana had stolen their hearts!

  After three exhilarating days on the road, the group went aboard the ferry that would take them over the Marine Highway to Skagway, Alaska. The ferry was very comfortable as they had cabins on the deck level, with big picture windows where they were out of the wind and mist.

  Logan and Reid preferred to stand on deck using their binoculars to search for signs of a whale. Daniel accompanied them and had his movie camera working when a whale surfaced not more than ten feet from the ferry. The whale was facing the boat which startled the boys, as the whale seemed to look them over, then give a huge shower as it expelled water from the blow hole. Then, as if it lost interest, the whale nose dived back into the watery deep, slapping the water with his tail, making a sound similar to a cannon. Daniel had caught it all on film, including the expression on the boys faces.

  Logan had dropped his binoculars when the whale surfaced, they had slid off the softly rolling deck. The boys ran inside at once, frightened out of their wits. The encounter was too unexpected, the whale too big and the sound much too loud!

  Within minutes they were both laughing hysterically about the scare. They were not inside long before they spied a polar bear on shore.

  As the ship rounded a bend in the river, a monumental cliff dwarfed the ship. On an outcropping sat a flock of puffins, their colorful beaks and feathers shining in the sun.

  The scenery was so beautiful even the children were enthralled. No matter what the scenery was nearby, the snow covered mountains were always in the distance. As this was summer in Alaska, the sun shone all day and most of the night. The space between the clouds and the land was always colorful, Then at sunset the scenery could take your breath away.

  The party had much to discuss at dinner that night. The fun of the ship, the sights they had seen were talked about excitedly.

  The boys had seen people with tents on deck and thought it would be cool to sleep there too.

  “Not until you are a little older boys. You sleep in your room so I will know you are safe,” Daniel replied.

  The following day the ferry stopped at a native village. There was a huge totem pole in the center of it with a sign nearby explaining the different symbols on the pole.

  The children’s favorites were the display of local art and souvenirs. The crafts were amazing. Carved from whale bones were ships, bears, birds and dolls. From the round green stones that covered the beaches they made seals, dogs and birds. Of the many items made from fur, the two boys bought fur vests and caps. The girls each got a fur cape. There was even one small enough for Isabella.

  They returned to the ferry with a good supply of native crafts. Of course Daniel had filmed it all, including the little village.

  As the ferry continued, they passed a forest of tall trees and at the edge of the trees were several Moose. They raised their mammoth heads to watch the ferry pass.

  When passing a glacier as tall as a mountain, a sound like cracking thunder reverberated across the water. Then to their surprise a chunk of ice as big as a ten story building broke away, making a giant splash as it fell in the water to become an iceberg.

  A crew member explained to the boys that the breaking away was called calving. Just as though a cow had birthed a calf.

  “Wow! We will have so much to tell our classmates when we go back to school!” Logan exclaimed.

  As the ferry continued, they passed cheerful little towns with colorful houses with children playing in the yard. Meantime the ferry had a pod of whales playing near the ship. Their bodies were mostly under water and were much smaller than the big whale that surfaced to look at them, however, there would be three or four water spouts at once as they exercised their blow holes.

  The children were especially excited when the Captain steered the ferry closer to the beach that seemed to be covered with seals of all sizes. Some of them slid down an icy bank right into the water, only to get out and do it all over again. They were delightful to watch and had Isabella laughing and clapping her little hands.

  “Dad, if we went home today, this has already been a great vacation,” Reid told Victor.

  “Son, we are not nearly finished with our trip, it is my first time in Alaska too. We will all have our lives enriched with this trip. Do you feel fortunate to have friends to travel with?” Victor asked.

  “Dad, you will never know how glad Amber I are to be with you,” he answered.

  “I think I’m happier with the two of you than I ever could have been without you. After all, you two helped me to win Millie, she made all our lives better,” Victor said with a smile.

  “We will be getting off the ferry onto a train at Skagway. That will take us to the Alaskan Highway then we will drive to Seward our hotel. Soon after that we will be on the Kenai river to do some salmon fishing,” Victor concluded, with his arm across Reid’s shoulder.

  When the ferry reached Skagway, Reid looked up at Victor and asked, “Dad, do you really want to keep Amber and me? I know it takes a lot of your money to keep two kids. We have been learning about stuff like that in school.”

  “Son, I do not want you to ever worry about me not wanting you. Aft
er my wife died I had no one until you came along. Tell me, would you rather live in a foster home and inherit my money when I pass away or help me spend it so we can travel?” Victor asked seriously.

  “I would rather be with you even if you had no money. Amber I had no one until you came for us. I do not think I even knew I had a grandfather,” Reid said softly.

  “While my wife was so sick, I forgot I had grandchildren. She was sick most of your life. I am sorry you never got to know her,” he said.

  “That is alright Dad, we got to know Mom. We can not even remember our other Mom,” Logan said wistfully.

  Victor’s heart swelled at Reid’s way of voicing his love and appreciation. What a joy these children had turned out to be!

  In Skagway, which was a surprisingly busy little town, the group planned to see the Klondike Gold Rush National Park, the “Trail of ‘98 Museum, and other local sights.

  The town of Skagway was famous for the part it played in the big 1898 gold rush. Men had rushed into Skagway by the hundreds. The line to the surveyors office would often be three blocks long.

  After seeing the great museum the children were anxious to explore the ‘Gold Rush Trail’ because the curator at the museum had told them that many people had found relics of the miners. Some had left Skagway very rich other’s left poor and broke. Many had discarded their equipment along the trail.

  Daniel carried Isabella in a sling seat on his back, which she found exciting and funny. She laughed at everything he did and Daniel adored her to distraction.

  The young boys ran ahead of the adults looking for the discarded items the departing miners had tossed aside.

  Logan spied something shiny, then asked his Dad if he might explore it.

  “Of course son, I will watch until you are back on the trail. You boys must remember that these forests are home to some very big bears. They might mistake you for lunch. Remember the storekeeper said every year there is someone who loses his life to these bears, thinking it can not happen to them,” Daniel continued.

  Logan was beside himself when he found a tin cup with the name ‘Soapy Smith’ scratched on it.

  Victor was next to see a treasure, and showed it to Reid, who went scrambling down the hill to explore his exciting discovery. There Reid discovered an old mining pan partly submerged in the ground.

  Reid was ecstatic with his find, The screen on the bottom was still intact! It was an honest to goodness real gold panning seine!

  “Dad, if we come to some water, may I seine for gold?” he asked excitedly.

  “Of course you may, if you need help I’m here to help you,” Victor answered, happy for his son.

  The two girls and the ladies were mesmerized at the beauty and size of the many flowers, the brilliance of their colors.

  “Who would have ever dreamed they would find such beauty in the wilderness,” said Caitlyn, in awe of the Creator’s handiwork.

  They spent the morning on the trail and were more than happy to return to Skagway and the restaurant there.

  At the proprietors suggestion the adults ordered the elk steaks. They were unbelievably delicious! “We will have to have these again while we are in Alaska,” Ben promised.

  The train ride over and around mountains was another thrill for the adults. The panoramic view was breathtaking with something new and different around every curve of the snowcapped mountain!

  The children were tired from the mornings hiking and quickly fell into a blissful slumber, hardly moving during the train ride. Everyone was rested and relaxed when they reached the Alaskan highway, the feelings of wonder would stay with them always.

  Now to Seward and the motel that would be their home until time to go home to Massachusetts. After a rest and a long hot showers, the refreshed group found a restaurant that served only soup. There were three choices but one price paid for all of the delicious soup you desired. It was perfect and hit the spot for the party.

  Afterward the party went in different directions since the ladies wanted to visit the shops that specialized in the local jade.

  The men were more interested in booking their passage aboard the fishing boat. They had heard there was no problem catching your limit of halibut. Since both Logan and Reid were experienced at fishing, this was to be a special treat. They were booked for deep sea fishing three days later. The men decided to visit Seward today and fish the Kenai river the following day. Being advised to wear knee high rubber boots, they proceeded to purchase boots for all the men folk and to let the ladies decide whether they would rather fish or shop.

  They had also been advised to be on the river early. It seemed that fishermen from all over the world visited Alaska every year and were here for the first run of salmon. It seems the first run are the crème de la crème, they had started arriving in the Kenai river two days ago.

  Logan and Reid were terrified that the salmon would have been gone before they would have a chance to fish. Daniel assured them there would be plenty of fish left.

  The following morning found men and boys standing in line for the ferry that would take them across the Kenai river. The closer river bank being marshy and covered with tall grass.

  As they boarded the ferry, Logan asked the Captain if he thought the fish would still be running today.

  “You two boys come up here and stand by me. Now, look into the water,” he said.

  “Holy cow!,” exclaimed Reid.

  “Dad, come quick! There’s a billion salmon down there, just look!, ”Logan shouted.

  “There’s hardly enough room for water there’s so many!” shouted Reid.

  “Well boys, I do not think you have to worry too much about the salmon being gone too soon,” the pilot assured them.

  Daniel had been to the game warden to get a brochure on the rules and regulations for Salmon and other wildlife.

  “Boys, I had forgotten to remind you of the limit being three fish each trip, they must be snagged in the mouth. The fish are so thick in the water you might snag one on the tail or fin. If you should do so, you must throw it back in the river. The Game Wardens are watching with binoculars to make sure no one breaks the rules. Another caution, the river bank is a steep drop off so never stand with your back to the river. If you fell in, the water would fill your boots and pull you down in the river. The current is swift and the water ice cold. Children are rarely on the Kenai, but it is an experience I wanted you to share with us.

  In about an hour there will be fishermen lining the river as far down the Kenai as you can see. I’m telling you this so you will be very careful when you cast a line. You do not want to hook a person. They would take a dim view of having to dig a fish hook out of their arm, ”Daniel advised.

  Thanking the boat Captain, they soon stepped ashore excited over who might catch the first fish.

  The boys took Daniel’s advice seriously and within two hours they had all caught their limit. What a day! What a great experience. The boys could hardly wait to show their mom’s their beautiful salmon.

  Daniel had already made arrangements with a local business to filet, freeze, and store their bounty. He had also purchased a box of elk steaks to be sent home with their fish.

  In the excitement of telling the ladies about catching the salmon, the boys implored their Dads to go again because they might never get back to Alaska.

  Of course the Dads acquiesced, each one proud of the boys they were blessed to call son.

  While they were fishing the following day, the ladies were audience to a miracle. After opening the curtain on the rear window, they saw a frightening sight, a moose just a few feet away. She was acting very strange, turning around and around, then pawing the ground.

  Millie was the first to realize the Moose was about to give birth. “Caitlyn! Bring the girls over here they must see this,” Millie said.

  “What is the Moose doing?�
� Amber asked.

  “She is going to have a baby. Be very still and quiet, we must not startle her. I’m getting my camera so we can show the men folk what they missed today,” Betty said excitedly as she ran for her camcorder.

  The ladies watched fascinated while the female Moose prepared the ground for her calf.

  Sarah squealed when she saw two little hooves protrude, then a minute later the calf dropped to the ground and the mother was licking her offspring lovingly. Soon the calf was attempting to stand up.

  Amber and Sarah were enthralled with the wonder of it all. When the calf managed to balance on all four legs, it was wobbly with the long legs about to buckle, but soon it went hunting for milk.

  “How does the baby Moose know where the milk is Mom?” Amber asked.

  “Nature programmed it that way so it could survive Honey,” Millie replied.

  They kept recording and watching until the calf had finished suckling , then the mother and her calf lay down under some trees.

  Realizing it was nearly lunch time, and that they had all missed breakfast, the five of them left to visit their favorite restaurant.

  The little girls could not stop talking about the wonderful wisdom of Nature. While they were still talking about it inside the restaurant, the waitress explained the reason the Moose was so near their motel.

  “When they have their calves in the mountains, the bears will get them. The Moose is smart enough to realize the bears will not come around people, so they started having their babies near town. They are very protective of their calves so never go near them. They can be very dangerous, but when the calf is old enough to run, they will go back to the mountains. I hope you enjoy Alaska, and come back again,” she said.

  The ladies enjoyed a delicious lunch of fried halibut cooked in flavored oil, served with tarter sauce and lemon. The salad was finely shredded cabbage in a hot creamy sauce and baked sweet potatoes.