(Story idea thanks to Sarah Cooper @SarahWV)
“I’m Kiwidinok Silverthorn, but please call me Kiwi.”
“I’m Kiwidinok Silverthorn, but please call me Kiwi.”
“Ah, ‘woman of the wind,’ a lovely name. I’m Karen, Karen Thayer”
“You know the meaning of my name? Amazing.”
“Only because I was a teacher in New York City, besides English, I taught theater, and one of the characters of a play we did every year was Kiwidinok, an Ashinabe woman.”
“The new B & B must be yours, right?”
“Yes, our dream is ready for visitors.”
“Our?”
“My husband passed away shortly after taking early retirement. Before he died, he told me to live our dream.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m dealing with it the best way I know how, and its working.”
At precisely this moment in a place some distance away…
At precisely this moment in a place some distance away…
[Editor's note: "ZZZAP" indicates cyber-travel arrival, "Poof" indicates departure...just sayin']
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 6:
As the mist cleared our intrepid “Adventure Bikers” realized they were no longer at Fort Vancouver, one simply cannot pull the wool…er…mist over their collective eyes for any meaningful length of time.
“We’re not in Kansas anymore,” GotBob quipped.
“We were in Washington State,” DJ Dale began, “Oh, never mind, I’m just a little disoriented.”
“Are there mojitos?” Ines asked, “I could REALLY use one about now.”
“Me too,” Maggie agreed.
“Hurricane!” Sarah exclaimed, “We’re home!”
“Hurricane!” Sarah exclaimed, “We’re home!”
“Hurricane? Home?” Ines said looking around, “This doesn’t look like Danger Bay…or Miami.”
“No, Hurricane West Virginia, my real world home,” Sarah said smiling very widely, “I wonder what the real world me will think…”
“That’s not a good idea,” Lysa, looking a little worried, replied, “Some of my real world friends in Daytona Beach have still not completely recovered from our visit there.”
“Who the heck determines what ‘Real World’ is, anyway?”
“Bob, let’s not go down that road,” Chris said, “It’s guaranteed to cause the mind to attempt mental gymnastics from which it may not recover.”
“Peopledogs!” PepperCooper barked, “We dogpeople don’t waste valuable time worrying about such unimportant things, we simply accept things as they are. You would be wise to do the same. I know exactly what my real world self is doing right now…he’s curled up & fast asleep under Alpha-Sarah’s desk. Alpha-Sarah is busy on her i-phone doing her job (and tweeting). Now let’s do what we came here to do…explore.”
Sometimes, Gentle Reader, it takes a dog to put things in perspective. We’ll return to our travelers and their explorations in the next chapter.
The northeast wind continued to increase in intensity, roiling the Big Lake’s surface to produce impressive ten-foot waves. All the known boats based in the Port of Danger Bay were safely in harbor and secured to their respective berths—save one.
Thus ends Chapter 12.
To be Continued…
(Story idea thanks to Sarah Cooper @SarahWV)
“I valked by dis place, “Svigs,” dey do guude business, ja?”
“Yes, Swigs is very popular around here.”
“I vunder how dey feel about competition?”
“I’m sure Ines will welcome you.”
Karen smiled and thought to herself, “Ja—ve vill zee about dat—ja, ve vill.”
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 5:
Karen Thayer looked out across the relatively calm harbor to the big lake beyond, Lake Superior was restive with the northeast wind sending its waves to crash against the north breakwater, white plums breaking overtop, and causing the fleet of fishing trawlers to return early this day to the sanctuary of the harbor. “So like the Chesapeake, you would have loved this place Harold,” she thought as she turned and inspected the recently completed bed & breakfast they both dreamed of for their retirement. She misted.
“So like the Chesapeake, you would have loved this place Harold...”
Turning, Thayer started walking along 61 towards the main downtown of the village. A walk was just the thing to clear the melancholy she felt thinking of Harold—and it worked. She soon found herself in front of Silverthorn’s Café. A strikingly tall woman was just leaving the café, a woman she recognized as her next door neighbor Karen Stryker. She smiled as they passed but the woman appeared preoccupied and did not respond.
“Good morning,” Kiwi greeted, “may I get you some coffee?”
Thayer visits Silverthorn’s Café
“Oh please,” Thayer replied, “I could use some about now.”
“I’m Kiwidinok Silverthorn, but please call me Kiwi.”
“Ah, ‘woman of the wind,’ a lovely name. I’m Karen, Karen Thayer”
“You know the meaning of my name? Amazing.”
“Only because I was a teacher in New York City, besides English, I taught theater, and one of the characters of a play we did every year was Kiwidinok, an Ashinabe woman.”
“The new B & B must be yours, right?”
“Yes, our dream is ready for visitors.”
“Our?”
“My husband passed away shortly after taking early retirement. Before he died, he told me to live our dream.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m dealing with it the best way I know how, and its working.”
At precisely this moment in a place some distance away…
The Adventure Bikers arrive...somewhere.
To be Continued…
(Story idea thanks to Sarah Cooper @SarahWV)
Meanwhile, far away in the real world…
“Pepper, are you sure that’s how Daisy does it?”
“Yes Alpha-Sarah,” PepperCooper replied, “It’s just that I can’t bay like she can, I think. Maybe you should try, Ralph.”
“Aeow-Woo! Aeo-Woo! Aeo-Woooooo!” Old Ralph bayed his best…nothing happened.
And again.
And again.
Still nothing.
“We’re stuck here?” Ines asked.
“And just what’s wrong with that?” DJ asked, “There’s much more to see around here.”
“Sorry, I DO like it here, it’s just…”
Ines was interrupted by a flash…
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 4:
Ines was interrupted by a flash…
They were momentarily blinded by the lightning-like flash. Whether instinct or prior experience, PepperCooper looked away and was not blinded. He’d been through this before on several occasions and had a feeling something was about to happen a split-second before—and was the first to recover.
“I’ve been expecting you,” PepperCooper arfed as the vapor began to clear.
“I’ve been expecting you,” PepperCooper arfed as the vapor began to clear.
“I had a little trouble finding you. I sensed your howl, and soon after a strong bay—how’d you do that?”
“I did that,” Old Ralph barked, his tail wagging, “I can’t quite see you yet, but I’d recognize that bark anywhere.”
Pepper sidled up to Daisy and very quietly arfed, “This is where we want to go…”
Sarah figured out what had just happened as her sight recovered from the flash, and knew who was responsible. “Dais…” was all she managed before…
“Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Wooooo!”
“Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Wooooo!”
And they were gone!
“Good morning,” Kiwidinok Silverthorn greeted the very tall and…um…interesting looking stranger as she entered the café’, “Welcome to Silverthorn’s. May I get you some coffee?”
“Ja, please,” the tall woman replied, “Ich bin Karen Stryker, und I own Der Beirgarten across da harbor.”
“Welcome to Silverthorn’s. May I get you some coffee?”
“Nice to meet you, Karen, I’m Kiwi Silverthorn. Welcome to Danger Bay. Are you German?”
“Cherman und Danish, but am American citizen. You are…ummm…Native American?”
“Yes, but we, my family and I, refer to ourselves as ‘American Indian,’ as we too came here from somewhere else. Either name works.”
“I valked by dis place, “Svigs,” dey do guude business, ja?”
“Yes, Swigs is very popular around here.”
“I vunder how dey feel about competition?”
“I’m sure Ines will welcome you.”
Karen smiled and thought to herself, “Ja—ve vill zee about dat—ja, ve vill.”
To be Continued…
Just then they heard a “Bow-Woooo” repeated three times, followed immediately by a flash of light and a poof-like sound.
“They haven’t returned yet…right?”
“No Boomer, they haven’t,” Kiwi, looking a bit worried, replied, “We’ve not heard from them.”
“Oh boy,” Boomer sighed.
Well…maybe now we’ll learn the status of our biker-adventurers…or not.
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 3:
Daisy was gone, of that there was little doubt. Boomer called out once or twice knowing that she wouldn’t respond…she was on what she wanted most…an adventure.
” Boomer called out once or twice…”
“Aren’t you concerned?” Hiram asked.
“Naw, not really.”
“Really? You’re not worried about her wandering through cyberspace alone?”
“Think about it, Hiram. Remember when PepperCooper & Daisy came here from the Sparrow and helped defeat Big A’s attempt to take over the village?”
“Good point,” Hiram thought about that, and all the other times Daisy negotiated cyberspace in the past couple of years, the little one does know her way around.”
“It’s a beagle thing.”
“Well fellers, I better git back to th’ station,” Medlar said, “ol’ Peterson’ll be by directly ta pick up his pick-up.”
“Seems like that truck spends a lot of time in your garage.”
“He don’t take good care of it, Hiram. Ever now an’ again the thing breaks down an’ he tries ta fix it himself. He needs ta stay th’ heck out from under th’ hood.”
“I’m off to get some rest, then I’m going to check out the progress on South Silverthorn.”
“Good idea Boomer, me too. Whaddaya say we meet around noon and check it out.”
“See you then, Hiram.”
Meanwhile, far away in the real world…
“Pepper, are you sure that’s how Daisy does it?”
“Pepper, are you sure that’s how Daisy does it?”
“Yes Alpha-Sarah,” PepperCooper replied, “It’s just that I can’t bay like she can, I think. Maybe you should try, Ralph.”
“Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Woo! Aeow-Woooooo!” Old Ralph bayed his best…nothing happened.
And again.
And again.
Still nothing.
“We’re stuck here?” Ines asked.
“And just what’s wrong with that?” DJ asked, “There’s much more to see around here.”
“Sorry, I DO like it here, it’s just…”
Ines was interrupted by a flash…To be Continued…
I spent most of my free time this weekend drawing (and cussing out my computer), and managed to complete the new South Bluff and the businesses located beneath the bluff on South Silverthorn Avenue (Historic US 61).
Graphic of entire bluff & Businesses
PAWZ, Big A’s Eagle Point Tours and the Harbormaster’s Office have relocated there. New businesses include Karen’s Kozy Kabins & Der Beirgarten.
New PAWZ & Karen’s Kozy Kabins
Der Biergarten, Eagle Point Tours & Harbormaster’s Office
Finally, as promised, the one-of-a-kind Codger Collectible Mug images have been completed.
Progress? Not enough!
Tomorrow we continue our current story…with a little luck.
As the tourist industry has picked up dramatically at the Port of Danger Bay, Minnesota, so too has the need for accommodations for our visitors. Lysa’s “Codger Lodge Hotel” simply can’t handle the numbers of visitors to our little (and growing) village.
Karen has built and is now ready to open her cabins (there are ten, not all visible). The problem is…all I know about her is her first name. I need to know her last name, approximate age, her appearance and a little of her history.
Karen’s Kozy Kabins
Here’s your chance to develop an ongoing new character…are you up to this challenge?
Reply by email: oursaintpaul(at)gmail.com or in the comments below.
The prize? The winner receives a one of a kind “Codger Collectible Mug.”
Boomer went into Silverthorn’s Café, where he found his mug already filled with fresh, hot, organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, North Shore roast elixir of the gods. The others soon followed.
“Welcome back,” Kiwi greeted, “your trip was successful.” There was no question there, just a statement.
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 2:
“Doc McLean not only knew we were coming,” Boomer replied, “But had already retired from the clinic. He’ll be here in a week or two.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“Doc called the day after you left,” Kiwi replied, “and told me he was retiring and wanted to set up practice here as a ‘country doc.’ He wondered if there was a place for him here. I told him there would be by the time he arrived.”
Kiwi, Medlar, Hiram & Daisy at Silverthorn’s Café
“An’ me an’ Shaddock fixed up the upstairs of Edith’s fer him,” Medlar added as he and Hiram came up to the counter, “Cap an’ Edith were delighted to provide th’ space.”
“You didn’t let us know?” Hiram asked, “It would have saved us a trip to Thunder River.”
“You enjoyed your trip?”
“Well…yes,” Hiram replied, “Driving Boomer’s car was a hoot!”
“Yeah, your old man got himself pulled over,” Boomer added…helpfully.
“Oh…darling, do you have something to tell me?”
“Some adventure,” Daisy said as she jumped up on the stool next to Boomer, “I got to sit for hours in the back of the car. I’m going to find PepperCooper and see what he’s doing, okay Alpha-Jack?”
“Sure Daisy, whatever, knock yourself out.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Kiwi said as Daisy scampered back outside.
“Why not?”
Just then they heard a “Bow-Woooo” repeated three times, followed immediately by a flash of light and a poof-like sound (which regular “Gentle Readers” will understand, is one way to travel through cyberspace, besides HITS and of course a mysterious fog).
“They haven’t returned yet…right?”
“No Boomer, they haven’t,” Kiwi, looking a bit worried, replied, “We’ve not heard from them.”
“Oh boy,” Boomer sighed, “Daisy is on her way…I hope to wherever they are.”
Well…maybe now we’ll learn the status of our biker-adventurers…or not. To be Continued…
Progress on redrawing the Port of Danger Bay, Minnesota:
“Boomer’s” Cabin-on-the-Rock and DALE.fm are located atop the newly drawn South Bluff overlooking the not yet completed “South Pier” area of Danger Bay. The “South Pier” is directly across the bay from the current downtown area. It is the new home of the large boats, and will become the tourist-friendly part of the village.
Cabin-on-the-Rock & DALEfm on top of the South Bluff
PawZ, the Harbormaster’s office, “Karen’s Kozy Kabins” resort, and other homes & businesses of an expanding Village of Danger Bay will occupy this area.
The West & East ends of Silverthorn Avenue. The redrawn or improved main downtown area of Danger Bay you are most familiar with.
West end of Silverthorn Avenue (Historic 61)
East end of Silverthorn Avenue (Historic 61)
Stay tuned, tomorrow the adventure continues (yes, the bikers are still on the road).
Bernhaven & Smith were right about one thing…Big A was NOT happy. He returned to the port at dusk and after he got his tourists situated at the B & B, he met with Millie, about the only one of his crew with some semblance of reliability.
“We can’t let those two IDIOTS continue to make such boneheaded mistakes, Millie,” Simpson said mildly.
That he didn’t explode in anger was ominous in itself, even more ominous was what he said next:
“Your spineless husband has got to go as well. If you’ll excuse me, I have some calls to make.”
Chapter XII—Urban Renewal—Episode 1:
Not much happens in a small town on the North Shore of Lake Superior at 4:30 in the morning. Oh the gulls are busy following the lone trawler putting it’s way out on the lake with hopes of a morsel or two being tossed off the stern, and there’s a light on here and there as the early folks are beginning to move about, but it is mostly quiet.
Medlar Farkleberry was already at work in the garage of Farkleberry’s Star Service, under the hood of the old Peterson’s Ford pick-up. Lar loved the early morning quiet when he could get his work done without the constant interruption of friends and neighbors stopping by to chat. It’s not that he was anti-social, far from it, but he had work to accomplish, dang it!
A half hour later he heard it, the snarling of a high-powered four-banger negotiating the tight turns and steep hills of old 61. He knew that engine well, after all it was he and his little brother Shaddock who had spent weeks modifying and fitting it into its owner’s little roadster.
“Well that oughta do ‘er,” he said as closed the hood of the old truck, “with Hiram, Boomer an’ that little rascal Daisy comin’ I might’s well give it up fer now. I could use some coffee anyway.”
He met the three returning travelers just as they were struggling out of the little Datsun, well in truth only two were struggling, as Daisy immediately jumped out of the back, and trotted around back of Silverthorn’s, she had some business to take care of before she socialized.
“Mornin’ fellers, how was yer trip?”
“Successful, Lar,” Hiram smiled, “but I’d bet you already knew that, considering that Doc McLean’s office is already ready for him.” He was looking next door at the refurbished Edith’s Smoked Fish building’s second floor doctor’s office.
“You two can stand around jawboning all you wish…coffee…NOW.”
“You two can stand around jawboning all you wish…coffee...NOW.”
Boomer went into Silverthorn’s Café, where he found his mug already filled with fresh, hot, organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, North Shore roast elixir of the gods. The others soon followed.
“Welcome back,” Kiwi greeted, “your trip was successful.” There was no question there, just a statement.
Well…good news travels fast. What about the bad news? To be Continued…
Note to my Gentle Reader:
This blog is beginning a thorough overhaul, and for the next two weeks, new episodes will appear only on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Today you may notice the new banner…please!
