mount shasta

        Vagabonds, delighting in campfires, bedrolls, whiskey and honey, Artie and Leah journeyed westward, getting married along the way. Passing Elko, Artie turned toward his old abode in Oregon. Memories of true friends and joyful solitude were strong.
         Squatters had ransacked all that was of value and then migrated into darker timberland. Vietnam Vets, LURPS, at home in no place but the bush. Their scent reminded Artie of the skunk-ape.
        "No problem. I expected this."
        "Well, the woods are nice. I'll set up camp."
        "Fine. I'm going to hunt up some old friends. Be back soon."



                                                                                                *


         Cherry Blossom heard the Indian and looked up from her washboard and tub.
          "Landsakes! Artie!" She hollered, and began dancing a jig.
          Artie parked the motorcycle and strode up to his dear friend. He gave her a powerful hug. "Oh, Wise Mama! I've missed you. Where's Mister Zig-Zag?"
          "Down by Otter Creek. Lazy-dayzing."
          "Nothing's changed."
          "Oh, I wouldn't say that. Some evil men moved onto your land. Ruined it all."
          "S'OK. My wife is there now. Setting up camp. We'll rebuild. Make it our little Eden."
          "Wife? Artie!" Cherry Blossom  squealed.
          Together they laughed high as a Lodgepole Pine.
          "Tonight I'll bring her bye. Dinner at eight?"
          "Oh, Honey. You've grown into a true man."
          "Shucks, Cherry--"
          "You haven't told me her name."
          "Leah."
          "Leah. Biblical name. Jewish?"
          "Mormon."
         


                                                                                               *


        Mister Zig-Zag and Cherry Blossom spread a blue-and-white checkered cloth over the redwood picnic table, graced it with sprigs of mountain laurel in a fluted vase. They wore their best duds. Blue denim and buckskin, bellbottoms and fringed vests. Covered dishes included scalloped potatoes, greenbeans, sweetcorn, honeybread and white butter.
         "Wonder what she'll look like."
         "Knowing Artie, very nice."
         They heard the Indian climbing the trail. It emerged from the blue twilight mist like silver mercury.
          "Good God!" Mister Zig-Zag in a stentorian huzza-huzza. "Hon, you didn't tell me he rode a machine."
          "You were expecting a ten-speed?"
          "No. A Volvo."
          "Hmm. I see him in a Volvo too. I like that bandana around his head."
          "My old bro has become a Nomad."
          "Oh, my God. Look at her!" Cherry Blossom warbled, "A Rhine maiden!"



                                                                                      *



        "We were married by a Shoshone Medicine Man," Artie smiled. "All perfectly legal. He was Justice of the Peace."
        "He only charged five dollars for the Honeymoon Tee-pee," Leah added.
        They were seated around a campfire with Mister Zig-Zag and Cherry Blossom. Listening to the wind-walkers above the treetops.
        "Wow, far out," Cherry Blossom purred. "That is so romantic."
        Mister Zig-Zag opened another bottle of Boone's Farm. "Say, Bro, you 'member being invited to visit Mount Shasta?"
        "Sure do, Ziggie."
        "Well, then. I propose a foursome."
        "When?"
        "Any time. Tomorrow?"
        Leah patted Mister Zig-Zag's knee. "That sounds wonderful."