The ad was posted in the local gazette.  It was small, barely noticeable, and just what the Webbers were looking for.  It read:

 For rent – A cabin in the woods bordered by a bluff overlooking the ocean.  Close to Olympic National Park and hiking trails.  Contact Eileen Phillips at Neah Bay Office. 

“What better place for a family vacation?” thought Bob and Diane.  They envisioned a log cabin in the woods with a stone hearth fireplace.  They saw a rustic kitchen with charming views of forest and bluffs with the ocean in the background.  What their Pontiac Torrent drove up to was a very different picture.

The kids had been restless.  It had been a long drive from Port Angeles.  The sky had gone from blue to white to an eerie gray.  Mist and fog were rolling off the Pacific, or was it the Strait of Juan de Fuca?

“Mom, Dad, the weather looks bad,” whined Jacqueline.“

It will clear up.  You’ll see,” Diane retorted.

“We’ll be swimming and fishing in no time,” Bob assured.

Both parents were growing more and more concerned about the family vacation.  Maybe they should have watched the weather channel more closely.  Maybe they should have taken in to account the 50 mile drive and the long flight from Arizona.

“What does this place look like?” Freddy was always the inquisitive one.

“I’m not sure, hon, it is a log cabin and I bet it’s cool,” replied Diane.

“You mean there was no photo or Virtual Tour?” Jacqueline rolled her eyes clearly disgusted by her parents’ actions.

The sign read, “Neah Bay Welcomes You”.  A dirt road led to the cabin and the bluff beyond.  So different from Scottsdale and yet something felt similar, familiar, if you will.

“I’m not staying there!” Jacqueline balked.

Her parents couldn’t argue.  It was definitely not what they expected.  Only Freddy seemed mildly enthused. 

“Hey, this is kind of cool,” Freddy said.  He was skeptical but open to the possibility of adventure. 

The cabin was not so much a log cabin as a wood plank shack.  There were things hanging on rope from the eaves.  There were pots, pans, ladles, and wind chimes.  The chimes looked to be made of bone.  These particularly fascinated Freddy.  He was pretty sure they were made from birds’ wings, but wasn’t completely certain. 

Diane was part horrified and part mortified.  She felt she had let the family down.  Her free-spirited ways had ruined a family outing.  She and her husband were always so lucky, but this time proved to be the end of their streak and the beginning of their folly.  Why had they gone with a property that hadn’t a picture attached? 

“Let’s make the best of it,” Diane said, though it was mostly to herself. 

The door was opened offering a glimpse of half burned candles dripping wax on the solitary table.  The chairs were broken.  There were no cobwebs, a sure sign of recent activity.  The counters were wood; almost the same as the exterior, but were covered by something.  Rat droppings! 

Diane took Bob outside, “We can’t stay here.  It isn’t sanitary.” 

“I know.  I’ll get in the car and drive back into town and see if there is a Motel,” Bob said. 

“It’s too far.  There must be a nearby town, something small with a Bed and Breakfast – a Super 8, anything would be better.”  Diane was on the verge of hysterics. 

Bob searched his pockets for his keys. 

Diane started back to the cabin. 

Bob’s head was down looking at his fingers wondering what became of his keys.  He didn’t look up, not once.  Even as the sound of footfalls neared, he assumed it was one of the kids or Diane.  He didn’t take the time to even think that the footsteps were coming not from the cabin but from the wilderness.  There was a crack against his skull.

“What the – “he yelled as he fell toward the ground, stunned, hurt and dazed. It took him some time to clear his head from the stars.  He could hear Diane and the kids yelling.  He could hear something else, too.  It was the voice of an older man.  He was yelling. 

“You filthy Injuns!  Get off my property or I’ll string you up and scalp the lot of yah!” 

“Do we look like the Makah peoples to you?”  Bob had regained himself. 

The old man stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment. 

“No, I suppose not.”  Then he was back with a vengeance – “What are you doing on my property.  Get off my land!”  He started waving around his shot gun. 

“Now hold on a second, we rented this cabin,” said Bob. 

“No you didn’t.  This is my house.  That cabin is up the road.  Now why are you in my house, moving my stuff?  Can’t you just enjoy your place?  Must you people always try to move into my area?”  The old man was miffed! 

“Up the road?”  Bob missed the continuing road. 

“I’m sorry, we just assumed that the first clearing-“ 

“That’s what they all say.  I better have all my things intact.  If I’m missing anything – one piece of a wind chime…” Now he was looking directly at Freddy. 

Freddy opened his hand and placed the bone back on the table. “I’m – I’m sorry, sir.  I was just curious about what type of bone and I was going to return it, I – I promise.” 

“It’s an Injun bone, boy.  Thems are thieves.  They steal your dreams.” 

“Okay, well, Bob are you all right?”  Diane grabbed for her husband’s wrist and made a hasty exit with the children in tow. 

Once at a safe distance she turned, “I’m sorry if we trespassed.” 

The old man waved his hand in dismissal.  She didn’t care.  She didn’t mean a word she said. She took the keys from Bob and drove them further up the road. 

When the trees fell away, there was a perfect log cabin.  It was just like the one Diane and Bob envisioned.  Too bad they were unable to enjoy it.