Wonders Calling from the Mystical Coast

Something large was moving through the emerald fir trees that touched the golden hour colors of the sky.

Mama Black Bear crashed through a tall shrub with plate-sized red flowers. She was growling and huffing.

Eileen screeched.

Rupert dropped the four-month-old, ten-pound Black Bear cub that he was cradling like a pet dog next to his chest.

It was a Spring afternoon in 1898 in the green wilderness of the Mystical Coast.

Baby Black Bear had looked cute and lonely hanging onto the Douglas Fir tree. Rupert did not see Mama Bear, but she was not far away.

When Baby Bear looked at Rupert with big, curious eyes framed by fur, it reminded him of Eilèen's little dog, Bootsie.

Rupert crept over to the little shape holding onto the tree. The baby creature had never seen something like this and it watched him, unafraid.

The teenage boy couldn't resist picking up the little animal.

Baby Bear felt cuddled the way she felt curled against her Mama.

She was still feeling helpless, dependent, and afraid to be alone. She clung to the new warm body holding her.

Then Mama Bear charged out of the trees.

Mama Bear's plate size paws were raised, her teeth bared.

When Rupert let go, Baby Bear landed on soft fir needles. The cub's squeals pierced the air.

Then the small fuzzy ball scooted into the trees.

Earlier, Mama Bear left her cub clinging to the tree while she went to forage nearby. She often did this.

Mama was still extra hungry after the winter semi-hibernation in the temperate climate of the coast.

Sleeping in a dug out hole inside of a volcanic rock cave near the beach, she awakened only once in awhile to forage for food.

After her one pound baby bear was born in their winter home, the long periods of sleeping without eating had left her weight reduced.

During Autumn Mama Bear dined with enjoyment on the chinook salmon swimming in the river to go upstream and lay their eggs. 

Standing almost 6 feet tall on her hind legs, she weighed 300 pounds after the Autumn feasting in preparation for winter.

Baby Bear nursed and did not open her eyes or walk until she was almost 8 weeks old. At three months she only weighed 5 pounds and at four months she was still a fluffy ball of fur.

On the day the roguish young boy from the city approached the tree and decided to pick up the cute, furry bundle, Mama Bear was hungrily seeking food. She needed to build her weight and strength while still nursing Baby.

Now Mama roared and huffed at the stranger, slapping the ground with her giant paws, wondering where Baby was now hiding.

Months earlier, in the big city to the far south, one night eleven year old Eileen peered around the doorway and listened to her parents talking. Her fluffy little dog, brown with white stockings, with big eyes, curled up next to her.

“Hush, Bootsie. SSShhhh.” Eileen stroked the little head and Bootsie smiled up at her.

Fine tapestries covered the windows of the Victorian mansion on a hill above the bay in California. Cable cars of the 1890s chugged nearby and their bells echoed in the evening.

In 1898 the city already had close to 300,000 people with many more in the surrounding towns. Tall, elaborate buildings rose high against the sky everywhere.

The streets were busy and crowded. Some people were even leaving to return to a quieter country life.

“Jeremiah, our sons are running with a bad group of boys. I'm worried. This is so different from when I grew up in the countryside. We need to do something.”

Eileen’s mother, Colleen, was direct and to the point.

Rupert, age 17, and Ronnie, 15, had been good kids when they were younger. Now they expressed their teenage energy with pranks that were becoming serious.

Playing after school with other boys, they were escorted by police back to the house when their behavior became too rowdy.

"Rupert is almost an adult. When is he going to start acting like one?" Colleen's brow furrowed.

Jeremiah said, "I think he's feeling lost. Somehow he has to find his way." This sounded vague to Colleen.

Colleen felt her husband was a kind man, sensitive, a deep thinker, and a bookworm, but he was too slow to act in Colleen’s opinion.

Jeremiah’s thoughts drifted. He felt he had lost his sense of wonder about life while living in the city. 

"What if we left the city?"

Eileen’s ears perked up. This sounded like an important talk.

She heard a creek on the stairs and her sister, Mary Ellen, tip-toed over to listen also.

Eileen’s father sat holding a paper with sketches of a lighthouse beacon shining, ocean waves, birds flying, and ships.

Dreams of exploring pristine beaches and discovering secret valleys floated through his mind. 

Jeremiah saw a peaceful place where he heard the sounds of wind in the trees and birds warbling.

By contrast, from outside came the chug of a steam-powered cable car and the hum of the marketplace crowds.

“Land for Homesteaders,” said Colleen. Look at this. We could start over.”

She held out a paper leaflet.

Colleen was always the restless, active, adventurous one, sometimes impatient. 

Only a small push or pull was needed for Jeremiah to reach out for a future in a life he knew he would love.

"Look. Lakes and rivers, fishing for salmon." At Colleen's words Jeremiah smiled.

Eyes widening, Eileen’s mouth dropped open.

Jeremiah said, “I am grateful your father left us this home. Moving here and working downtown has been an experience."

"I am sorry our children are not getting the kind of childhood that I had, surrounded by greenery, trees, and nature."

“Darling, we need to get out of here, we need to go.” Colleen’s voice was soft but urgent. 

“But leaving life with the modern conveniences of cable cars, shopping, and this home.” Jeremiah felt inertia sweep over him. 

“I’m afraid, Colleen.” Jeremiah’s voice was low and he looked into her eyes. “Can city folks like ourselves survive in that isolated wilderness?”

Colleen lived on a farm before her family moved to the city. She said. “I know we could do it. I'm ready to leave the city."

The next day there was pounding on the front door. It was law enforcement bringing Colleen and Jeremiah’s sons to the front door. Rupert, the family troublemaker, had done it again.

Standing in front of his family, Rupert's face burned with shame. The whirlpool of a teen-age boy's childish impulses and emerging adult's wisdom clashed like ocean currents from different directions.

Eileen stood outside the library, trying to hear. There were raised voices but she could not understand what was said.

After the officials left her parents and brothers stared at each other in the library.

“That’s it. This is the last time. Something needs to be done.” Eileen heard her mother’s voice.

The group sat silently for a long while. Jeremiah felt inner wants and urges building until they surged.

He admitted to himself he would love to explore the wilderness and find a homestead. A sense of wonder began to grow and fill him.

He sighed. The mental conflict was over. He knew what to do.

Colleen spoke. "Children, what would you think about moving out of the city?"

Jeremiah spoke, “We want to move to the far north where we can get a big piece of land. We are leaving the city."

Colleen blew out a relieved sigh. 

“Kids, I’ll tell you more about it later.” Jeremiah felt too overwhelmed to talk now.

Like pulling on loose threads, the family's city life unraveled while they took steps to move away. But they were weaving a new fabric of life and embracing the unknown.

 He would need some quiet time to rest and build up his energy again. He felt happy but exhausted.

For several days Jeremiah retreated to his private office, studying papers in the peaceful room. When he emerged he was energetic and ready to take action.

Colleen already had packed up some of their things and prepared the house for buyers to see.

They acted quickly, selling the house, then putting cherished possessions into storage. Jeremiah gave notice and resigned from his job.

Eileen and Mary Ellen, along with Rupert and Ronald, felt mixtures of sadness leaving their home and friends, but also excitement and exhilaration about the adventure ahead of them.

On a sunny Spring morning they boarded a train going to the far north. They had reached a point of no return. It was really going to happen.

“Look at this!” Rupert held a paper and his other three siblings leaned over to see it.

Rolling mountain foothills dotted with trees were outside the window of the train. The family sat in several rows of seats.

The paper Rupert held said, “Mystical Coast – Where Lighthouse Beacon Welcomes Travelers.”

Another line said, "No Strangers Here, Only Future Friends."

Underneath in smaller letters it said, “Coastal Living, Fishing, Dense Forests, Mountains, Endless Beaches, Lakes, Rivers.”

A paragraph below said, “Village of Mystic Beach – population 300 people. Lumbering, fishing, hunting, boating, wildlife, river port, docks, shops, post office, newspaper, two sawmills, livery for horses and wagons, eateries and hotel. Everything you need.”

Then in big letters,”Land – Homesteads – Apply Here.” -

“300 people,” said Rupert. “What is this going to be like?”

“I’m not sure I want to live there,” said Ronnie.

“Forests and wildlife,” said Eileen. “I can’t wait!”

Mary Ellen listened and considered it all, quietly. She reached for her book and began to read.

In another seat Colleen and Jeremiah talked.

“I will try to get a job in the offices for one of the sawmills,” Jeremiah said. “I could also do some office and accounting work for some of the businesses. Maybe open my own business offering these services.”

“If I keep a kitchen garden and we have a small farm, I’m sure we can make it,” said Colleen.

“Plus there’s fishing and clamming. We can put Rupert and Ronnie to work on that.” Jeremiah thought this would keep the boys out of trouble.

Outside the train, the view was changing to steeper foothills and fir trees. While they continued going north they reached the area of giant fir trees. Everyone clustered at the train window.

When they passed the ocean views with ragged volcanic sea stacks rising from the churning waves they were speechless. Then they traveled through more forests.

The train slowed. “Bear Bay coming up,” came the conductor’s call.

The family gathered their belongings and stood by the door. They stayed the night in Bear Bay at a hotel. In the morning they went to the docks and booked a boat trip across the wide expanse of water.

The man at the port had kind eyes. He explained the rest of the trip to them. “On the other side you’ll meet your wagon and driver. Then it’s 25 miles or so to the wide inlet at Green Trees ‘River. Another boat ride to cross it.

You can rent rooms there at a home where people take in overnight travelers. Then again take a wagon and horses, using the beach highway at low tide on the wet sand for 25 miles to the riverside across from your village.

There you’ll cross in large rowboats. There is a hotel where you can stay while you find somewhere to live.”

Days of adventure passed quickly during the journey. Everyone in the family had visions of their new life. 

The shared dream pulled them closer together than they had ever been. Bonds became stronger. They listened to each other more closely. They used more eye contact. Offers to help and words of encouragement began to flow.

Colleen noticed this. “Have you noticed how different the kids are now?” Jeremiah replied, “We’re all different. The new life is changing us already. I feel it.”

Finally late one afternoon they rode in a long, wide rowboat and crossed the river to the port and docks at the village of Mystic Beach.

The river connected with the ocean and boats did navigate the bar there, but only when the weather, waves and swells made it safe enough. The river itself was full of salmon and other fish species. The locals were avid fishermen and fisherwomen.

In the gold light of the sunset, Colleen, Jeremiah and their children saw a picturesque collection of buildings wavering in a glow, framed by the emerald of forested mountains.

“It looks like a dream,” whispered Colleen to Jeremiah.

“Like a story in a book,” he said back.

Their rowboat docked and they climbed out onto a dock. 

“Follow me,” said one of the sailors who rowed the boat. “The hotel is this way.”

He continued, “I want to warn you about the wildlife here. A few days ago a large cougar was seen walking near the village in the yard in front of someone’s house. 

This is also the home of many Black Bears. They hibernate in the winter, coming out sometimes to forage. Mama Bears have their cubs in the hibernation nests. 

Black Bears usually are afraid of humans and want to avoid us. But if you disturb a Mama Bear and her cub she will defend her baby. 

Now that winter is over the bears are awake and out eating to build their weight up again after the long winter mostly without food while they slept.

Don’t bother the Black Bears if you see them. Stand tall, make a loud sound and yell, but don’t run away. Running can make them chase you.”

Rupert and Ronnie listened with great interest, their brows raised. “What an exciting place. They were going to like their new home here.”

The family rented several connected rooms, unpacked, had a supper and collapsed with exhaustion into happy slumbers, dreaming of their new home.

After breakfast the next day Jeremiah went over to the land office to get information about homesteads. Colleen went to see what necessities and provisions the small shops had in their stock.

Colleen gave directions.

“Kids, stay together. Rupert and Ronnie, you are the oldest and I am depending on you. Look after your sisters. Stay out if trouble. You can watch the boats at the port or wait in the hotel lobby.” 

“We will. I promise,” said Rupert and Ronnie, speaking together.

The whole village was only a small string of buildings along the river. The kids saw everything there in a short while. and Rupert wanted to explore more.

“Let’s go walk just a little further. It will be ok.” He led the way inland along a path and took another path that zig zagged up a forested hillside.

“Look at these huge flowers! The size of dinner plates.” Mary Ellen’s voice was low and soft. 

Flowering shrubs were mixed with fir trees.

They heard a soft scraping sound. Rounding a corner they saw a fuzzy dark shape the size of a small ten pound dog hanging onto a tree.

“Wait here,” said Rupert. He crept closer, slowly.

“You’re so cute,” he whispered.

Rupert didn’t stop to think.

He reached out and grabbed the furry bundle in his arms, holding it next to his chest.

A high pitched squeak pierced the quiet of the forest.

The brush crackled and something large was coming through it.

Mama Bear came crashing into the clearing. Her mouth was open and her teeth were huge and sharp. 

Eileen, Mary Ellen and Ronnie screamed.

Rupert released the bear cub and froze. The little creature scooted into the bushes. More squeals from the baby bear sounded.

Mama Bear looked after the disappearing cub. She pounded the ground with her giant paw.

Then she leaped after her baby bear and ran into the bushes.

Rupert turned and they all ran back down the trail in the opposite direction from the bears. 

That night Rupert confessed the whole story to Colleen and Jeremiah.

“I thought my life was over. That Black Bear would have torn me to pieces.

I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”

Rupert was shaking again while he told the story.

“If you want to survive in the wilderness, you have to do things differently than we did in the big city,” said Jeremiah.

“I know,” said Rupert. He felt the experience had wiped the slate clean in part of his mind. It was like being reborn.

"Seeing the bears was wonderful. Too bad I spoiled it. Next time I will know better."

Rupert felt his fear fading and began to think of the bears with a sense of wonder.

“You can trust me, Father. I mean it. I’ll be a different person from now on.”

“When you explore the unknown, son, do it with caution and plans, not wild impulses.”

“I know that now, Father.”

Already Rupert was looking forward to the next time he got to see bears in the wild, from a distance, of course.

“Rupert, let’s go together to look at the homestead plots tomorrow with the land agent. I want to hear your opinions.”

Rupert stood tall, with his shoulders back and his chin level. He had faced possible death today because of his foolish mistakes. Now he was bouncing back from it.

Something deep in his soul stirred and began to glow.

Like shedding old clothing, he let go of his foolish ways.

Here in the wilderness Rupert found his way.

Without a map, he felt the call of the Mystical Coast leading him to the heart of a new life.