At the shores of the Colorado River

Gordon and I are on the shores of the Colorado river in Earp, CA. Life is very very good. We are out of the desert and at the water. In fact, we're sitting in the water. We're wearing swimsuits and dress shirts. Gordon looks like Laurence of Arabia - perhpas on a visit to an Oasis - with swim shorts, a dirty white dress shirt, and a jungle hat. We're floating at water's edge, engrossed searching for rocks. It's a rock competition - who can be the first to find one rock of each color. Gordon wants to keep the rocks to later make a miniature rock garden. The perfect type for a traveling cyclist.

I am reminded of Richard Bode's "Beachcombing at Miramar"

I've been walking the sands of Miramar for a full year now, and durin gthat time, I've met many people who say they would like to become a beachcomber like me. They view it as the easiest job in the world. They think all it takes is the proper garb: white canvas pants rolled up the the knees, faded blue denim shirt, and a straw hat to protect the fact from the sun. A few actually go to a fancy store and pay a fancy price for garments they believe will change them into the sort of person they think they would like to be.

I see them strolling the shore for a month, a week, a few days, their heads down, plucking stones and shells from the sand. But in due corse they dissappear, having returned, I suppose, to that other occupation they had been so desperate to leave behind.

They seem not to know, when they wander the edge of the sea, that a beachcomber's life is a demanding one that calls for discipline and zeal. One must venture down to the beach every day without fail and splash ankle deep in the white surf or walk barefoot on the hot sand. But its not the hiking; it's the endless seeing that causes the psychic strain. It's the richness of life in the tidal zone. Someone not used to such abundance can grow weary quickly trying to gather it all in.

This is how Ed finds us when he stops by on his gulf cart. We met Ed a few hours ago at the shop next door, and he was very friendly and helpful in refering us to a campsite next door where we could play in the water and sit in the shade. Two precious things for people just arriving from the desert.

Ed asks if we would like to join him and his wife for dinner at their house next door. He says his wife is korean, so it will be korean food. We say fantastic! - you had us at 'food.' Later at Ed's house, he offers to have us stay for the night in airconditioned comfort. We happily accept and allow Ed and Suzie to also twist our arms into staying an extra day in order to enjoy a boat ride out on the river. Fantastic fun, and great to meet new friends. More to follow later....