Karuk Trip Happy Camp

Noticed Bud’s hair upon arriving were gray streaks moving through black.

Paul Heaton, jovial soul, accounting glasses, like me, hair a little lack.

Happy Camp was ours to wander, lumber mill’s closed because of an owl.

Strange to me, the owl must have made it thru ravaging fires with other fowl.

Two town restaurants, one pleasant with staff birthday, other town picture history.

As Paul gently narrated the Karuks & Happy Camp became a living feeling story.

Name changed many times, some names pleasant, some answered by shrugging.

The local flavor at the local pub was good-natured banter & beers chugalugging.

Woven basket, intricate, I could hardly see stitches. Saw quickly in temp display.

Flood gates at all the doors to help for three feet at least, if the stream might stray.

Across large parking lot rock carving shop, to make articulated carved lamps

Karuks went through much striving to gain government recognition in camps.

It is a wonderful place Happy Camp. Joke about getting a window near road.

Get someone pissed off, for whatever reason, target for a drive by shoot gun load.

Shown nice steepled Catholic Church that was rebuilt after being burnt down.

Only 20 Catholics, not enough to fund church, so rebuilt by people in the town.

Watched new signpost go up for housing authority, putting new sub-division in.

Old and new melded together with new houses, old houses, and classic log cabin.

Progress didn’t miss this town with newest computer center seen on wide screen.

Mendocino County net training grant, diligent students in corner working serine.

Paul introduced me to Rich who he called the Found Big Foot. Had a car accident.

Lying with tubes & lines keeping him awake from the long sleep. Left a dent.

Rick laughs like Gallagher, the watermelon squisher, and a smile of genuine care.

A ‘no show’ as a fishing guide, anyway the few moments of meeting was a flare.

Chucky or Chuck this gentle ex-Marines enthusiasm just being alive and caring.

We had Marine banter, which he said, around this area, there isn’t much sharing.

His joining the Marines is one the wondrous events I have seen at all Indian sites.

Pride in protecting, in all the wars, seen venerated Indian statues of these fights.

Before leaving given free brochures, pamphlets and notes, history in a glimpse.

Of the 10,000 year history with small camps & for wars, up streams came crimps.

Klamath basin who’s late morning and early evening, gives the sun little time,

To shine on this contrasting mosaic of nature & colors on the winding river spine.

Roland James April 2001