A Miles-Long Call for Dinner

During the early 60’s, Betty Marcum occupied the post of fire observer on Orcas Island. Mrs. Marcum lived in a cabin on the summit of Mount Constitution, just about 300 feet from the tower where she performed her duties.

One evening, Betty’s boyfriend Harold had taken it upon himself to cook his lady dinner while she was on lookout duty at the tower. When all was ready, he went over to the phone to call Betty to eat.

The problem was that Harold, for the life of him, could not figure out the number for the tower. Rather than risk the food going cold, he came up with a solution. Harold phoned Betty’s mother—many miles away in the Obstruction Pass area—who subsequently called the tower to let her know it was time to eat.

Betty and Harold soon married, and Betty still lives on Orcas Island on the property originally owned by her great-grandparents.