While the Gull Flies

Who would believe that any event during a trip to Seattle, Washington, for the World's Fair in August of 1962 could be more memorable than the exposition itself? However, as a six-year-old girl, getting lost in the woods of Puget Sound for over six hours is very memorable, even after 55 years.

Most of the events in this story are true. I often wonder what became of the Cain family - Bud, Doreen, Cathy, Cheryl, Bud Junior, and Curtis. Although my parents George and Shirley Thomas and I had a great time with them that summer, we lost track of them when we moved away from Spokane, Washington, in August 1969. Who knows, maybe one of them will come across my book and contact me!

My parents had told me to stay close to the older kids before we went down near the water to watch for jellyfish during ebb tide. I am sure that no Seagull, let alone one named Kittiwake Karl, followed me into the woods on my adventure that resulted in my being missing; however, pretending that one did makes the whole experience seem a little less frightening!

I did learn a lot from the experience, especially that I really should have minded my parents for my own good! Even as a six-year-old, it was obvious to me when found how scared and upset they were after hearing I had wandered away. Even though I don't remember getting into trouble, I never did that again!