4/4/09: The Queen of Spades by Bob Riggs

A lot of friends have headed off to Sun Valley, Idaho. Leaving the boys to hold

down the fort. Their plan to join them was wrought with disaster. The thought of

hitchhiking along I-84 or 75 at night in a blizzard and freezing their tootsies off, or

worse, cooled their plans of joining their friend's in wonderful sunny downtown

Sun Valley. So to avoid disaster and possibly even death by freezing they

decided to spend most of it sitting in a friend's nice warm and dry living room

while working on not getting a date with the queen of spade's. Or if by chance

one of them did get a date with the queen then he wanted to get as many of her

relative's and cousin's, the trumps, as he could. Then he would attempt to shoot

the moon. Thus sinking any chance his friends might have of winning the hand.

This was all nice and good, but after a while they started to look for something a

little more stimulating

This stimulation, this ray of hope, came to them in the form of news of a party

being held by some girls at a beach cabin in Rockaway. Now they had completely

given up on getting to Sun Valley. But there was no way they would be giving up

on this last ray of hope for an eventful and exciting spring vacation. A cabin full of

girls in Rockaway was not to be denied, forgotten nor avoided. This was a must do

situation. This was do or die. Compared to Sun Valley this would be a walk in the

park. This was in the bank!

So plans are made then rejected and made again. Finally a plan with some merit

comes to mind. The plan is to pool their money and buy just enough beer to bribe

a friend, any friend, into giving them a ride down to this cabin full of girls. With

enough money left over to sweeten the pot, but only if necessary, with a little gas

money. The boys really like this plan because it involves beer and bribery plus a

little scheming. And of course, not having to ask a parent for a ride had nothing to

do with it what so ever!

The search is on and the friend is found. And he accepts the bribe and some of

the gas money. The boys are off to a late start but now they are off and running.

And the trip down is full of excitement, hope and anticipation of the up and coming

event.

Upon reaching Rockaway the driver ask a very simple question. A should have been

thought of question by the boys. This question being, which one of the hundreds of

cabins are these girls having this party at? With quick thinking, their reply to his

question was simple and some what direct, "Why we just drive around to each one

of the hundreds of cabins, one at a time, and we'll be sure to spot it right off". This

was not the answer their friend was looking for. And here he explains that this fact,

which cabin, should have been made apparent to him before they left Lake Oswego.

He then made it quite clear that driving around and checking out each and every

cabin of the hundreds of cabins in Rockaway was not part of the deal. So he made

them a counter offer. His offer was simple and just. He would give them a ride back

to Lake Oswego at no additional charge or he would let them off anywhere in

Rockaway. As long as it was within the next two minutes. For he had to get back to

Lake Oswego. He had a pressing engagement. Something about a girl, a date, or

something like that!

The boys knew they were close and therefore would not be detoured from their goal.

So a hastily plan "B" was put into effect. This plan was also simple and thorough

leaving nothing to chance. They would start off at the south end of the beach and

work their way north. Checking out each and every cabin, out of the hundreds, as

they walked north along the beach. This way they would be sure not to miss a cabin

full of girls. They figured a cabin with a party going on inside it would be like a

beacon to them. Similar to a light house. And how could they miss that! So their

friend lets them out at the south end of the beach and wishes them good luck. He

looked kind of sad, as if he knew he was never going to see them alive again and

thought the boys had chosen a death march to nowhere. It is now way past sunset

and the temperature is dropping fast.

Upon getting out onto the beach the boys quickly learned that walking in soft sand is

not a lot of fun. It's also extremely tiring, nor was it easy to make a lot of progress.

So they moved further down to the tide line. Here the sand was harder and much

easier to walk on. But the cabins were further away and they would have to take

turns on who would trudge back up through the soft sand to check out each cabin

with a light on.

After an hour or maybe an hour and a half of checking out each and every cabin on

the beach with a light on, they wondered if they had made a costly and deadly

mistake. It was getting bitterly cold and worse yet, they were almost out of beer. The

thought of spending a cold, damp night on the beach was looming before them. The

thought of sleeping with only a sand blanket to keep them warm was unappealing

and plagued their every thought.

Ever since they had gotten out of their friend's car it seemed fate had been working

against them every step of the way. It's been one obstacle after another. And maybe

they should have taken their friend up on his offer of a free ride back to Lake

Oswego and a nice warm living room. But the boys put their heads down in pure

determination and move forward to face the next obstacle that fate would place in

their path. They didn't have long to wait for fate to show them the next obstacle. For

in front of them blocking their path up the beach is a raging river. More like a creek

than a river, or maybe a stream, a trickle? It flows from a gully up near the railroad

tracks down in front of them and out into the ocean. At night it looks like it's a long

way across. Even more important, they're not able to tell how deep it really is. But it

might as well be a raging river because the boys know full well that getting wet here

is not an option they can afford to take. They'll have to take the time to go around.

Thus again slowing down their progress. So they trudge reluctantly up through the

soft sand to the gully. Here there is an small railroad trestle they can climb up and

cross over the stream and then back down to the beach. Then they can continue

their trek up the beach looking for the lighthouse with the beacon of light that will

lead them to the cabin full of girls that are having the party, which is their prize.

Some insight here is the boys are unaware that if the fickle finger of fate had not led

them safely to this exact location, at this exact time, most of the following wouldn't

have taken place.

As the boys are starting to ascend the railroad trestle a siren goes off. The boys

instinctively take cover along the bank of the gully. Upon doing so they realize that

the siren cannot be for them. They have just arrived and no knows they are here.

Even more important, they know they haven't done anything wrong, yet!

At this same moment, they hear a big commotion taking place on top of the bank

above them. This commotion is being made by a bunch of kids coming out of the

little red beach cabin by the railroad tracks.. They're coming out to check on why the

siren went off. Many of the Ho Ha's and Yo Ho's sound vaguely and somewhat

strangely familiar. So without giving their location away they sneak a peek over the

top of the bank. Here to their surprise and complete disbelief they see so an so! And

there's Timmy and next to her is Becky. And look over there it's Julie and so an so!

Now the boys realize they have stumbled blindly onto to very party goers' they have

been seeking. This is the prize they have been looking for, this is the reason for all

their planning and trouble. At this moment the thought of having to spend the night

with only a sand blanket to keep them warm instantly vanishes into oblivion. Also at

this exact moment they become ecstatic and overjoyed and know now that God

really, really does love them. And with this thought in mind the boys leap up out of

the gully and onto the top of the bank. Then raising their hands up over their heads

and shouting with elation "YEAH, YEAH, OH YEAH!". Here some of the boys might

even have done a little victory dance.

This leaping up out of the gully makes it appear as though the boys have appeared

out of thin air. Thus startling the party goers that had come out of the cabin to see

why the siren had gone off. The party goers soon recover and instantly recognize the

boys standing in front of them with their hands over their head's shouting "YEAH,

YEAH, OH YEAH!". Now what you hear is total mayhem as every one is talking and

shouting at the same time. You hear: "Where did you come from", "We made it",

"How did you get here", " You made it", "We actually found it", " You just popped up

out of nowhere". Then they all decide it would be nicer if they continued this

conversation in the warmth of the cabin.

Once in the warmth of the cabin the boys reiterate all the plans and tribulations they

had made and endured to get there. These included missing out on the Sun Valley

trip. The buying of the beer. The bribing of a friend. The trip down to Rockaway. Not

being able to locate the cabin right off. The offer for a free ride home, then refusing

the ride. Then getting out of the nice warm car into the cold, damp dark night to

continue their search for the cabin on foot. From a beach they were not familiar with.

Here many of the girls felt this showed these boys really do have true grit. Some of

the other party goers felt it showed something completely different than true grit!

At this point it was noted that the beer supply had dwindled down to a point that

need to be attended too. So one of the girls pops up off the floor and states: "Well

then, I'll just have to go and get some more beer!". Then she disappears into the

corner bedroom. Apparently to change from her cutoffs and sweatshirt to something

more suitable for buying beer. For the boys this was a startling event. They were

thinking about this shortage but knew that Purcellies's Market was to far away for

them to get to, beside there was the problem of not having a car. On asking if this

girl was able, the reply was, " When she puts her mind up to something, the best

thing to do was to stay back!" This really impressed the boys. And they figured they

would let this play out and hold themselves in reserve, in the event her plan didn't

work out. The girl emerges from the bedroom dressed in more suitable attire than

her cutoffs. She then hand picks her comancheros. Then they are off into the night

on a very crucial mission.

Now the party goers start to pair off as they wait for the comancheros and their

leader to return. The conversations die down to small talk between the pairs. This

small talk does not last long as the comancheros and their leader burst thru the back

door laden down with their booty. Shouting, "Mission Accomplished!". This kicks the

revelry of this party into high gear as the comancheros tell how their leader, Karen,

flambooseled the bartender with her coy and sly girlish ways then left him standing

there in the dark all by himself waving to them as they sped off into the night with

their booty. This story telling brings out rounds and rounds of laughter. Why, there

might have been even some good old fashion knee slapping going on here!

It's now into the wee hours of the morning and it's been a long day for all concern.

The party goers have paired off and are now searching for any little nook, crack and

or cranny that would hopefully afford them some sort of privacy. But this beach cabin

was made for at the most two couples, and it now contains at least three, four,

maybe even five times that many. So any hope of a little privacy is minimal at best.

But these are kids from Lake Oswego so they'll make due with whatever they can

come up with.

Now, for some, it's well known that this evening might have turned out a little

differently for at least two of the party goers'. If, and only if, "The Hand", "That Hand",

would have kept to its self! But no! It had to make its way out and about,

meandering, searching, exploring, checking out all things in it's path. And it's not

what, "The Hand", found, but what, "The Hand", did not find that caused all the

commotion. The jumping up off that bed and shrieking. And then the quick

reshuffling of all those bodies on that bed that night up in that loft of that little red

beach cabin just across the railroad tracks, next to the railroad trestle on the south

side of Rockaway beach, Oregon.

Here we will practice being discreet and let those who know, know and let those who

don't, don't. An let digression be the better part of valor and move onto the activities

of the following morning.

The following morning everyone is getting ready to leave for home, the parents are

on their way and the boys know they are not suppose to be here. But the boys are

here, OOPS!, without a ride home. There is much concern over this. But the boys

knowing they've had a great time. They explain to everyone that not having a ride

home is no big problem. This will be a walk in the park. Why this will give them a

great opportunity to practice the "Manly art of Hitchhiking". So after some light hugs,

kisses and some back slapping the boys one by one start to mosey across the

railroad tracks to good old U.S. 101. Here the girls watch as the boys depart and

some of them feel these boys have again shown them what it is to have true grit.

While some of the others feel it is really something other than true grit. As they all

reach U.S. 101 the boys look back across the railroad tracks to the girls that are still

standing and waving to them, hoping for the best for these boys of true grit, from the

back of that little red beach cabin just across the railroad track by the railroad trestle

at the south side of Rockaway Beach, Oregon.

Here the boys stick out their thumbs which is a requirement of the code of the

"Manly Art Of Hitchhiking". And soon enough have a ride that takes them north to

the junction of U.S. 101 and State Highway 26. Here they are let out and start the

eastward part of their journey. Again, they do not have to wait long before getting a

ride. This ride ends at the junction of state highway 26 and the cut off to Banks and

Forest Grove Here they continue their track eastward on State Highway 26. At this

point the easy rides seem to have disappeared as several cars just pass them by

without even a second look.

Now the boys decide they have to make an adjustment to, "The Manly Art of

Hitchhiking". They decide that all of them on hearing a car would begin to count. The

first boy would then turn around and stick his thumb out on hearing the car. But the

second boy would not turn till having counted to three. The third boy would then turn

on the count of six. And so on. Thus giving the passing motorist an impression that

they were watching some very organized and intelligent boys. Not just some mindless
riff raft walking along the side of the road with their thumbs out. What they got for their

efforts was every little kid riding in a passing car would point, wave and then stick

out his tongue, make a funny face at them and laugh as the car sped on by. After a

couple of times of this the boys again agreed to make yet another slight adjustment

to "The Manly Art Of Hitchhiking". They decided when each took his turn to turn

around and face the oncoming car he would stick out his thumb but also go down

onto his right knee as if presenting himself to the Queen of England. But, again this

brought the same results as before.

Once again the boys decide they have to make yet another, but only a slightly

minor adjustment to "The Manly Art Of Hitchhiking". As the next car approaches

them, they all at the same time, turn and drop to both knees and then place both

their hands under their chins and shout "Please, Please Give Us A Ride ,Please!

The first car on this first attempt pulls over. All the boys run up to the car and get in.

Once in the car, the driver comments that he has seen a lot of hitchhikers in his days

but none of them had that approach and that this had to be a first!

It's amazing how the "The Manly Art Of Hitchhiking" can be so quickly reduced to the

simple "Art of Begging". Then again, even further reduced to the even more simple,
"Art Of Pleading". And just how effective the, "Art of Pleading", really is compared to,

"The Manly Art Of Hitchhiking"! Once again the boys have demonstrated that true

grit is mostly a manner of determining its presentation.

Before the boys know it they are back in their friends living room trying once again

not to get a date with the queen of spade's. Each telling their version's of the story

and remembering the girls and all the fun they have had over the last 24 hours. And

admitting to each other that this was much more fun that any trip to sunny Sun

Valley could ever have been.

A short note here. Every summer I rent a beach cabin in Rockaway for my kids

and grand kids to frolic out of. And just about every year I drive down to take

them out for Pizza. And every time I approach the south side of Rockaway, I

look across the railroad tracks and see that little red beach cabin by the railroad

trestle. Here I remember all the revelry and comradery that was shared that

night with a great group of friends. If I had the chance to do it all over again the

same way, I would jump at that chance without even blinking an eye. Even

knowing that if Bob Torrance had the simple directions given above, many times

I might add, he would have, like a bee to honey, delivered the boys to the front

door of that beach cabin full of girls in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. But then

again, I'll always wonder who it was that was responsible for those, " M - I - C -

K - E - Y- - - M - O - U - S - E", directions to that cabin full of girls in Rockaway

Beach, Oregon!!

Leader of the

Comancheros                 The Girls                              The Hand

Karen Olsen                      Timmy Palmer                      Julie West

                                            Carol Rolfe

                                            Becky Robins

                                            Diane Rubinstien

                                            Judy Vanebo

The Boys including                                                     The Boys of Questionable

The Comancheros                                                                      True Grit

Dave Berentson                                                              Pat McGuire

Chase Osborne                                                               Bob Riggs

Ray Pardo (*)                                                                   Tom Solhiem (*)

Dan Patterson                                                                 Unkn (*)

Wendal Schollander (*)                                                 

Unkn (*)

Unkn (*)

Unkn (*)

Notes:  1.) (*) Denotes the persons thought to have participated.

             2.) Unkn are persons known to have participated but their names are unknown at this time. The author apologizes for this but he can't seem to remember all the participants from 47 years ago. Something about age or something like that! So any help in this would be greatly appreciated not only by the author but by all who participated.

            3.) Here, I also would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan & Betsy Patterson for their input. Thank you.

 
                                                                             THE RED CABIN