[VAC] 03/01/01 Thursday - EEWCRC

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"East and West of the Colorado River Caravan"

Today's trip to Death Valley had been delayed one day - and for good reason. At yesterday's driver's
meeting, we learned of closed roads due to flooding. Our appreciation for the slipperyness of desert
mud has grown by leaps and bounds this winter. The wide variations in topography among desert areas
is also a new awareness for us. Our easterners idea of sand dunes representing deserts is so far
from reality that we've completely revised our concept of desert(s). 

The drive into this valley was spectacular even for world travelers in our group. There is nothing
like it anywhere else on this planet. The words awesome, massive, extravagant pale in the wake of
experiencing it. Plus, our downhill drive took us nearly 200 feet below sea level. As a scuba diver,
I've never been that deep. Yet, here we were driving along below the ocean floor. 

Our parking spot a Sunset Campground had hundreds of camp sites on gravel. This evening's Happy Hour
extended into our second "caravan provided" dinner (hamburgs, hot dogs, lettuce, tomato and all the
condiments). Working together is easy to do on this caravan. This group is turning out to be a lot
of fun - with much credit going to our Wagon Masters Andy & Judy Richers.  

Other RVers in the campground stop by regularly to talk with us. The topics range from where we came
from, to where we are going, to how come we are from so many different states and how great it is to
see us flying "those big, beautiful flags." Everywhere we have been on this caravan has brought
similar comments from other RVers. None of us were told to bring flags (our USA flag, our home state
flag, the state flag of the state where we are tonight, the flag of other countries and the flags of
WBCCI Officer positions). Yet, on this caravan, most of us have them with us. 

At sunset, a chill was immediately evident. It was time to head over to the auditorium for a Ranger
program. Little did everyone know how engaging and humorous it would be - while at the same time
highly educational. A class act. The walk back to our Airstreams was guided by starlight. Some
caravaners remembered to bring a flashlight.

Terry
tylerbears@airstream.net