Valley of the Skookum

The beginning of the story of the Skookum in Orting, Washington, 1973-1977: The wind paused to fill its cheeks, seeking direction for its next mighty onslaught. It blew fresh off the glaciers of Mt. Rainier, freezing everything in its path to a still-frame of winter glory. Northwest natives knew the secret of the wind: With it came the low, mournful cries of Skookum, the great man-beast of the mountain. Generations of fathers and sons passed on the knowledge of the elusive tribe of giants. Skookums? grotesque likenesses graced Totem poles in each village and peopled campfire tales. Skookum was part of the Indian world. Each year, at the first sign of autumn, Skookum would retire to the caves on the Great Mountain. They would stay there until the scent of the thaw reached their nostrils from the valley below. Finally, winter began to lose its hold on the land and mournful cries could be heard on the wind?