The Klondike Gold Rush 1897-98 and Searching for Scallop Shells

Low Tide at Crosby Landing - Brewster Bay - Cape Cod

What does the 1897-98 Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska have to do with scallop shells? Not much, it's just that I've been researching for my fourth suspenseful historical fiction and my head has been filled with facts, pictures, and plot lines.

 I also needed to find scallop shells. They're a nice decoration for my books.

Did you know that the scallop shell is the only shell that doesn't break when you drill a hole in it?

If you squint, you can see me clutching a plastic bag filled with shells.

I knew the tide was going to be at its lowest between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. As soon as Tim closed the gallery, we left for the beach with bags in hand to carry our treasures (scallop shells) home. The empty shells seemed sparse at first and we grew disappointed. We continued walking further East as the water grew cooler and the sun descended lower on the horizon. Just as we decided to turn around, I spotted several medium size shells. I noticed Tim, on my far right, bending over to pick up some shells. I was encouraged to step further into sections of deeper water.

Tim joined me in the mid-calf water. He laughed and said, "Well, we've got flashlights on our phones, if we need them."

I agreed and we kept walking.

When it grew too dark to see the shells and our feet felt like ice, we turned around. 

With bags half full of seashells, we headed for the car. 

Braving the elements, even in small adventures like ours in search of treasure, reminded me of what I'd discovered in researching the Klondike Gold Rush or sometimes it's called the Yukon Gold Rush.  

 The Canadian authorities in 1897 wouldn't let you climb over the mountain pass into Canada if you didn't have a year supply of goods (over 1000 lbs) to keep you alive.

The Chillkoot Pass

The prospective miners had to carry these supplies up and over the mountain to get to the Yukon River either on their backs, on horses or mules.  Oftentimes they hired the native people to carry it for them. The Tlingit people of Southeastern Alaska played a major role in this tragic event for many of the 100, 000 people who desired a quick fortune.  Most never had success. Many died or stayed in Alaska for lack of money to return to their home.

Once over the pass, they continued to where the gold was last found.

I stopped a minute to take in the beauty of the sunset and calmness of the ocean. Tim came up alongside of me. I looked over to him.  "I'd probably make a good partner for you if we decided to go and find gold back in 1897."

He held my hand and said, "I believe you're right. We do like adventure, don't we?"

In total we gathered almost 100 shells, claiming a good haul and no casualties.

Stay tuned to my blog for further developments surrounding my fourth suspenseful historical novel,

The Old Cape Blood Ruby. This suspenseful tale has everything to do with Maria Hallett and her descendants, plus Provincetown and Alaska in 1897-1899. 

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