One of the things that stroke me in America is the fact that everybody is suppose to be equal. That some are more equal then others is very obvious. Age is not a topic you talk about. The word nigger is not allowed. Don't make jokes about gay people, old people or other nationalities. Don't talk politics, don't talk religion. Don't write your sex on your resume. Woman and man are equal. In general, don't categorize people. For me it was something to learn fast, but I think I never managed.
Let me explain the reason why I am talking about all this. Yesterday I drove from Red Rocks into Death Valley. I have visited Death Valley a couple times before, but never made it to the race tracks area. I have heard about it and it always fascinated me. So today after leaving my Silicon Valley friends, Z and T behind I feel a bit lonely and treat myself on a side trip to the race tracks. The road leading to the area is not paved, but my Oto handles it with ease. Maybe I got to comfortable, but the fact is I blow out my rear tire. Not just a leak, no its kind of gone.
There is still day light, so I set myself to work. Get all the tools out and unscrew the spare tire. But hold on, what the hack is this. All my tires have an lock bolt, so people can't steal the tire with a normal wrench from the Oto. I am not stealing my own tire, but I do not posses the special unlocking wrench either. Hmmm, I am pretty stuck. I try screw driver, wrench, pliers but nothing seems to unscrew this damm lock bolt. After 15 minutes 2 bikers (Z and D) come down the road. They are useless when it comes to my situation, but very interesting to talk too.
Most of the people I met so far are Biologists, Geographers or Teachers. And mapping is one of the returning topics in this trip. I made maps before in my life (people even bike on my maps) (irisentoreopreis.nl), and the most precious item I posses is the world map my dad once gave me.
Mapping is however something different, and D who works for the biggest mapping software company ESRI can finally explain me what it is. As I have asked the only car who past us, to call the rangers and tell about my situation, help is on the way and nothing else can be done then hang out. We talk for more then an hr and the sun is long set when Z and D finally take off. I cook myself a dinner and go to bed. In the middle of the night I am woken up by ranger C. He can not do much, but will come back in the morning with the special tool. When I ask him why he made it out this late to find me, his answer is striking: Because you are a single woman its mandatory for me to come and check on you. This night I am more equal then others, sorry guys !!!
But to finish the story. I wake up an make myself a coffee, no ranger yet. I make myself breakfast, no ranger yet. D bikes back up to check on me, no ranger yet. I am making myself comfortable and start reading, no ranger yet. When I start wondering whats next, an Australian hottie, pulls over. Nine years on the road and knowledge about cars. A tries to fit a socket over my locking bolt, but non of the sockets we have is the right size. After fixing As flat tire and tying down his battery, we pop open a beer. What else to do and its after 12 anyway. A is however on it, and stops cars until he finds the right size socket. It becomes quite a scene, and as A is in total charge, I just start making pictures. A does the job (I make up for it the next time we meet) and I can continue my way to the race tracks.
The race tracks are magic, and I totally enjoy the stroll around the plain. The theory is that the rocks are moving over the plain by wind, when either water or ice breaks the surface friction. Its totally worth the trouble to check this out. Without a spare tire, the journey continues slow, very slow, and I spend the night in the middle of nowhere. I enjoy these moments by myself. Another 30 miles brings me back to pavement and to J and K in Mammoth Lakes.
Dag,
Iris (Death Valley, 2021 miles)
