Field Notes: Dispatch 38 – Palm Desert California, USA
Sunday, March 31, 2018
Greeting Fellow Adventurers!
Another season of research has concluded here in the desert. As I write these notes beneath the canvas shade of the tent’s awning I can see the boys packing the last of three months collecting efforts into the canvas bags that will be tied to the pack mules in the morning. Our train from town, twelve kilometers away, leaves tomorrow afternoon.
As many of you have read in the scientific journals, I have been researching the local tribesman's custom of an activity called Pickle Ball. It is an ancient sport practiced in this desert region and was originally played using the shrunken (pickled) head an unfortunate member of a rival tribe called a “country club.” I have discovered that the club is actually a flat paddle-like weapon that can propel the pickled head to tremendous velocities. Somewhat macabre, but scientifically fascinating.
This very morning while I was bidding farewell to the ignorant savages on their playing field, I noticed that they did not seem very sorry to see me leave. I believe they are quite fond of me and may see me as a kind of white man deity. Several husky fellows had brought an old rusty pressure cooker, vinegar and herbs of a strange sort. One hardy chap went so far as to hold a mason jar next to my head and began jabbering to the others in their unintelligible lingo. I think they may speak Canadian, but I am not sure. Certainly they are a very strange people who are preoccupied with the maple leaf, this from a tree that does not grow in the local biome. Again, fascinating. Anyway, I was forced to make a hasty departure and it required a bit of work with my old Colt six-shooter to spook them back.
Well, to wrap up, I just want to say that the whole safari team has missed you all and that we will return to our little cottage on the Snake River Tuesday evening. Scout and I have enjoyed the warm climes here with our wonderful Minnesota and Idaho friends, but nothing is quite like our Idaho home.
Live boldly,
Old Trout
Me in camp two days ago...
Research tent and one of the boys...
