From landing on frozen lakes to negotiating San Francisco Streets during childbirth Jewel is not destined to be the teacher her mother wished for. Nor is Mike willing to help his best friend shoot a Fairbanks murderer. Cody and Laurie with unusual fortitude make Gold Mining and wilderness living work deep in the Alaska Range mountains near McKinley Park while adopting a Vietnamese boy of unknown age. Who is home schooled in the far north. Then gains a pilot's license before a driver's license as well as combat in two wars.

Charles and Minerva give Mike and Jewel fits while succeeding-well almost-in both their chosen fields: Charles finishing High School and College in six years and a Doctorate at 20 though rarely talking; Minerva motorcycling across the US at 18 with a half wolf pup in her basket before halting in Greenwich Village.