Gripping Nature

Copyright © 2006 by James Dean Crandall

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Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 LOVERS

Chapter 2 CHICAGO TO RENO

Chapter 3 HARLEY-DAVIDSON A RIDE

Chapter 4 BOARDING DOCKS

Chapter 5 TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA

Chapter 6 MAKING FRIENDS

Chapter 7 TEX’S STORY

Chapter 8 THE SUMMIT

Chapter 9 THE AVALANCHE

Chapter 10 THE INTRUDER

Chapter 11 GHOST STORIES

Chapter 12 DESPAIR

Chapter 13 RAINBOW TAVERN

Chapter 14 ROY’S CREW

Chapter 15 A HERO’S DEATH

The ice storm of 1952 was documented as the worst storm to hit the Sierra Nevada Mountains in more than one hundred years. Hurricane velocity winds and freshly fallen snow turn mountain slopes into deadly avalanches. Mother Nature has control of life on the mountains and death can be her toy.

All incidents and characters in this story are derived from the life of the author. The situations and victims are based on events independent of the passenger liner, The City of San Francisco. There is no reflection on any real passengers or crewmembers aboard the Southern Pacific passenger liner.

Copyrighted October 19, 2004

Revised copyright March 5, 2005

Revised copyright December 11, 2005

I want to thank my beloved wife, my best friend, for her help and support in the writing of this book. With her insight, love and support, I was able to achieve my goal, and my story. I love you.

I wrote this book to honor the men and women who, without regard for their own lives, risk their own safety and comfort for the unfortunate souls that have fallen helpless to Mother Nature’s unforgiving appetite.

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme

—Mark Twain

Memories are the treasures of life

—James Dean Crandall

Preface

George Donner and a group of eighty-seven pioneer settlers left Illinois in the spring of 1846, expecting to reach and settle in the Sacramento valley before winter. With broken and battered wagons, the pioneers—with weary, weak, and sick friends and family members—made a decision to leave the Oregon Trail and enter California using the Sierra mountain pass. They planned to continue north and enter the valley along the Humboldt River—a route that would shorten the trip by four hundred miles. It was a fatal decision.

* * * *

On the mountain pass, camp was set up near the east end of what is now known as Donner Lake. On October 2, an early winter ice storm hit hard. Overnight, twenty-foot snowdrifts stranded the group. The weary pioneers were sick and dying without sufficient food as Mother Nature cast her wrath of hell over them.

Poor hunting and fishing skills sealed the fate of the doomed Donner Party. Foodless by December 10, Jacob Donner and three others died. Famished, desperate, and freezing, the survivors ate everything edible—including leather book covers and boots—and finally resorting to cannibalism. In an attempt to escape the horror of the Donner camp, ten men, five women, and two Indian guides left on foot, several days later, to continue west through the pass. The harsh weather continued to batter the hungry pioneers and, within a few weeks, they killed and devoured their two Indian guides. Finally after thirty-two days, two men and the five women reached safety in an Indian camp in the Sierra foothills.

On February 19th, a rescue party of seven men left the Indian camp on a rescue mission, returning back to the Donner camp, finding twenty-one survivors, mostly children. (Three died on the return trip.)

* * * *

One hundred five winters later, Mother Nature blasted this mountain range again with her angry fury, setting a new record for the worst storm in history. A record-setting seventy-six feet eight inches of ice covered the mountaintops and dampened the sound of the world. Seven thousand feet above sea level, ice winds reaching speeds of one hundred+ miles per hour imprisoned residents within their homes. The Sierra Nevada Mountain communities were cut off from the rest of the world.

* * * *

With skies clearing and sunlight piercing through the clouds, a sunset of golden daggers is revealed. A train whistle sounds in the distance. The state-of-the-art passenger liner train, The City of San Francisco, is cascading like a tornado across Utah’s Great Salt Flats. Destination: Treasure Island, California. The passenger list includes, representatives to the National Republican Convention in San Francisco, several young soldiers, on their way to Guam and the Far East and a miscellaneous array of civilian passengers.

Chapter 1

LOVERS

A humid summer evening, a salty breeze blows off the choppy San Francisco Bay. Seagulls squalling, looking for leftover fish and bits of food tossed out from the merchants and tourists. Hard at work are the Merchant Marines unloading international ships in the stale salty air. Fisherman’s Wharf a famous romantic place for thousands of tourists daily is an icon stopping point for all types of reasons. A trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a dinner of freshly steamed local crabs, a bottle of Chardonnay wine, a loaf of French bread, and a view of the famous Alcatraz Island, is memorable.

Sucking the sweet meat from the crab claws, crab juice running down his arm, Tony Ashland looks into the blue eyes of his love of his life, his very best friend and soul mate. This is the day he is going to ask Sheila Rose to marry him. Just twenty-one years old Tony can’t imagine spending his life with anyone but Sheila.

Sheila has always been in love with Tony. She has had to wait for him to grow up enough to realize he also loves her. In high school, Sheila was one of the top five prettiest girls at Placer High School. With honey blond hair and a beautiful face, she is five feet seven inches tall and busty. In school she has always been the girl the guys all wanted to date. Sheila has always had a thing for Tony.

Sheila’s friends can’t see the attraction. They think Tony is a rebel and they tell her he won’t ever settle down. Especially after he and another friend got into a little trouble pulling a few practical jokes on the Highway Patrol. They thought it would be funny to steal the carburetors off some squad cars. That prank got them into some serious trouble. Tony and his friend were only sixteen and full of testosterone. They had to spend a few months on juvenile probation. They straightened up after that prank, pretty much! Sheila’s friends still don’t see the good in him that Sheila sees.

Tony is the type of guy that can hang with any group. He played football and was just an average student. His friends are from both sides of the tracks. Tony has a good strong build, an attractive face, a small nose, blondish hair and blue eyes. Tony has a little bad boy in him and Sheila has always been attracted to the bad boy image.

The ring is in Tony’s pocket, he is nervous, and he is waiting for just the right moment to ask the big question.

They have ridden from Auburn, California, on Tony’s new Harley-Davidson to play in the city for the weekend. He always manages to get Sheila to this city. They both love it by the bay. Tony and Sheila have become inseparable; they have become lifetime partners a long time ago.

Tony’s route that he has been scheduled as the caboose man for Southern Pacific ends in San Francisco, and he has had a special rack built on the caboose for carrying his motorcycle. When he finishes his route in the city, he rides to Auburn to meet up with Sheila and her motorcycle riding family. Sheila’s father and mother ride with them as much as their busy schedule will let them. The one-hundred mile trip up highway 40 through the Sierra’s past Donner Lake and into Reno is a common trip. Sheila’s mother is very lucky on the dollar slots in the "Biggest Little City in the World", and loves to show her gamblers talent.

* * * *

Tonight Sheila is wearing a pleated skirt and a button-up sweater. She knows that riding on Tony’s Harley-Davidson motorcycle, in a skirt, drives him wild and driving Tony wild is one of her favorite things to do. Sheila says, Tony’s motorcycle is the ultimate vibrator that money can buy. They both have a turn on.

After a gorging dinner of succulent crab, clam chowder, famous French bread and a little wine, the lover’s leave to cruise the surrounding area. Crossing the Bay Bridge they spend a couple of hours watching the turtle races in Sausalito. Back into the big city Tony is like a kid on his motorcycle going down the famous curvy Lombard Street. Tonight is a special night for Tony, Sheila notices, Tony is acting a little more romantic than usual. He wants to stop tonight at the Old Library Pub for a couple of drinks and he wants to do some dancing. Not the usual thing for him to do, he hates leaving his motorcycle where he can’t keep an eye on it. But tonight he told Sheila he wants to dance close to her. Now Sheila knows something is up with him.

All day Tony has been acting different as Sheila can sense. At first she thought maybe he had something happen at work and didn’t want to talk about it, but that has never happened, Tony always talks to Sheila about everything, she is his best friend, Sheila is confused but she knows that eventually Tony will let her know what is on his mind, he is enjoying himself, he is just different tonight.

On the dance floor, Sheila puts her arms up around Tony’s neck, pressed tightly against him, she takes deep breaths and exhales in his ear, Tony can’t resist her curves and sweet lips on his earlobe.

Tony whispers, You are seducing me, aren’t you?

Sheila leans her head back to look into Tony’s ski blue eyes, she smiles, with her lips glistening in the light, she says, I want to know what is on your mind.

Tony confesses, This is a special night for me and I want us to be alone when I tell you what is on my mind tonight, if you keep breathing in my ear that won’t be very long.

Okay Anthony, Sheila is the only person that can get away with using his Given name, I can play dirty, and I won’t have to wait very long, she puts her lips to his and whispers, Will I?

Leaving the nightclub and wanting to be alone, Sheila tucks her skirt under her legs and takes her place behind Tony on the Harley-Davidson. She knows what Tony is up to tonight, she knows when he bought the ring, but doesn’t want to spoil his big night, so she lets him carry on. Sheila is curios to see just what Tony has on his mind, what setting he has devised for the proposal.

Sheila leans forward and bites Tony’s earlobe, she tells him, My butt is sore and I would love to get off this motorcycle as soon as possible. This morning just before we left your grandmothers motel in Santa Cruz, I threw a coin in that old wishing well of hers, I will tell you later what I wished for. No I will tell you now, I wished that some day we could have some of those giant Red Wood trees in our back yard, like your grandmother has. In her way she is answering Tony’s question, before he asks.

When Tony and Sheila travel and the weather is warm, they spend a lot of time under the stars. They carry a sleeping bag and a blanket in the saddlebags, they find a private place, throw the blanket and bag out and spend the night watching the stars. In the mountains, when they ride in the Sierra’s they usually camp out near rivers and lakes.

One kick starts the Harley, the unique exhaust echoes between the buildings as the Harley leaves the pub. A few city blocks away Tony wants to get his girl alone. Passing beside a wooded grassy area, he pulls into a clear spot wide enough to park his scooter.

The motorcycle parked, they dismount and unpack the sleeping supplies and a magnum of sparkling red wine. The two disappear into the trees, they come to a fence that Tony easily helps Sheila over, and they find a secluded grassy knoll to spread their blanket and sleeping bag. The moon is full, and they have made their bed. Tony prepares to pull the cork on the bottle of red champagne. Sitting on the blanket, Sheila makes herself comfortable. She removes her boots and gazes up at the night time sky. She lays back and remarks how wonderful it is to be on solid ground. The stars are extra bright tonight, she sighs. The moon is so beautiful.

Tony kneels beside his lover. He takes the ring from his pocket and offers it to Sheila. Sheila, I love you more than I can say in words, it would take the rest of my life to show you how much I really love you and I will if you will let me. Will you marry me?"

Sheila takes the engagement ring from his hand, she slides the gold diamond studded ring on her finger. She looks into his eyes and tells him it feels pretty good on her finger, she says there is an amazing power in gold and diamonds. It has made my whole body feel different, there is nothing more in this world that I would rather do. I have dreamt many times about becoming Mrs. Sheila-Anthony Rose. That name has a ring to it that I like.

Tony feels good about asking Sheila to marry him; he feels different about their relationship. He feels bonded to her as one. He is looking at her with love, she can feel his love pulsate through her veins giving her a warm tingling feeling she has never felt. She can actually feel his love.

Tony, Sheila whispers, This ring is as beautiful as your soul, I feel as if our souls have become one.

Tonight my sweet love, I am going to kiss the moonbeams in your eyes and explode the rockets in your head, Tony tells her as he touches his lips gently to hers. His tongue gently slides across her smooth teeth. He holds her head with his hands as they explore each other’s mouths. The moonlight provides enough light for Tony to see her face. They hold each other as Sheila lays back and Tony settles down on top of her.

The rest of the twilight hours are filled with passion as Tony explores Sheila’s body sending Cupid’s arrows all over her receptive organs. Her sensitivity to his touch has her warm fluids flowing and his kisses are elevating her body to a level that she feels as if she is floating on a cloud. The deep breathing and silent moans drive Tony’s passion to the edge. His control suffers as Sheila’s orgasms weaken Tony’s endurance. He wants his love making to last all night and has to slow his driving down to prevent a stall out.

The champagne is untouched, Tony reaches for the bottle and uncorks it, they catch the bubbly overflow in their mouths and Tony admits he forgot to bring glasses as the wine runs down their naked bodies. Sheila says, I don’t mind drinking champagne from your navel. In fact it tastes better this way. She takes the bottle from him, puts her hand on his chest as Tony reclines back she fills his navel with sparking wine and slowly kisses her way down to enjoy a sip of his grape juice.

* * * *

The champagne lasts the rest of the morning as they drink from every possible orifice imaginable. Sheila tells Tony, You turn me on so much when you get dirty, right now, before it gets light I want you to park your sports car in my garage and leave the motor running.

Tony smiles at Sheila’s smiling face, You have such a way with words, but I don’t think I will be able to let it idle very long. They giggle, Then floorboard it, Sheila whispers, as she moans.

Tony’s propped up on his elbow leaning over his fiancé. He marvels at her beautiful naked frame, realizing how lucky he feels to be the one she allows to have his way with her. You know it is beginning to get light and I don’t know where we are. We could be in someone’s back yard, maybe we should get dressed. Sheila stretches her arms above her head stretching her entire body, I feel so good this morning I hate to leave this little love knoll.

Oh my god, Sheila screams as she suddenly sits up, What the hell is that? She points to the horizon; they hear a breaking noise as if something is stepping on twigs in the woods. Tony can see the silhouettes of some sort of creature or creatures, in the lighter sky he sees sharp spear like things surrounding them. He has never seen anything like this before and they are in San Francisco somewhere, not in the mountains. The sky lightens quickly; confused as to what is circling them Tony’s instinct is to get the Hell out of there. At that moment the morning sky lights up the creatures and Tony recognizes the intruders. Sheila, we have to get the Hell out of here right now. I think those are Gazelle’s and I think we’re in the zoo in their pin. Let’s run for it, I don’t know what Gazelle’s eat, but they might think we’re breakfast.

Bare-assed, Tony makes a break for the fence. Sheila frantically grabs their clothes and runs behind him. Tony waits to help her over, and when she is safely on the other side he starts climbing up the fence. Sheila is petrified. Tony is laughing so hard he almost doesn’t make it over and comes close to hanging himself up as he barely clears the top of the fence. Hiding behind some bushes, they quickly get dressed, jump on the bike, and ride to the parking lot beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Still laughing, her ribs hurting, Sheila says, "You never cease to amaze me, and I never in a million years expected you to propose to me in the middle of the night, in the Gazelle pin, in the San Francisco Zoo. You really know how to show a girl a good time, I do love you Tony, you keep me laughing.

Tony remains silent about the whole thing.

Chapter 2

CHICAGO TO RENO

Sitting in the front seat resting his hand on the controls, Thomas Engle is letting it all out; he loves his job as chief engineer on this relatively new state-of-the-art diesel locomotive. The overland speed indicator just hit 85 miles an hour. With a slight smile on his face Thomas pushes the throttle control a little further; nobody can feel the awesome power that Thomas can feel this early morning.

Flatland ahead of him the evening