CHECKING OUT THE SOUTHERN TERMINUS — THE REAL DEAL, 1/3/2015

Of course, I got a later start anyway — put off leaving till almost 1:30 PM (checkout is 1 PM). Stopped at the Morena Village Store — very nice general store; I had 2 scoops of ice cream! Then drove to Campo and to the PCT’s Southern Terminus, where the road got unpaved, very rough, and even very steep at the end. Oh, for the Honda!

But I was thrilled to see the PCT Southern Terminus monument, with its background of the border fence, including the tall sheets of whatever metal it is that so firmly demarcate Mexico from the U.S. and say so cruelly to Mexicans, “You’re not wanted here!”

(It puzzles me: we are a nation of immigrants, each successive wave of newcomers having to endure the violence, resistance, and insults of those who’ve been here longer and who say to themselves, “There goes the neighborhood!”

(That’s what the first native Americans to greet the Norse, Columbus, and the Pilgrims must have said to themselves, too.

(There must be a better answer. The new Americans I know, from Mexico, are hardworking and clean-living. They just ask for a fair chance at a better life. When I set out across the country in Maybelline, Mr. Velazquez told me that was one of the principal things he came to this country for: so his kids could live in a place with well-maintained roads, where little old ladies could set out alone to adventure from one coast to another. Not for welfare, but for free, safer schools — though that’s getting harder to say.

(We should at least decriminalize drugs and make immigration easier.They are the hardest workers of all, and we need them as much as they need us!)

But back to my ramblings: I was running late, as usual, even at Campo, as I looked for a place to park while doing my next hike-lets. So late, in fact, that I thought I’d better take I-8 home instead of exploring State Highway 94, though I did take off on 94, sure I’d be able to find a shortcut to I-8 courtesy of the GPS. Ha! The GPS kept telling me I was still at Morena Village and to take Buckhorn Springs Road north.

Belatedly, I realized that 94 was in a deep valley where multipathing and general invisibility to GPS satellites made accurate navigation highly unlikely, so I enjoyed the very scenic ride all the way on 94 to the connector with I-125 in Spring Valley (?), and eventually to I-5 and home. Lovely young grass produced a green fuzz on all the hillsides. It’ll probably be beautiful till April or May and burn-to-a-crisp season. I look forward to taking that route again!

I’m not sure when my next PCT hike-let will be; the Thor motorhome purchase is proceeding, but Maybelline will do just fine for now.

The WBC class started Tuesday evening, and I think I’m glad I’m taking it. I have so much to get back up to speed with!