Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 25

Monday, Sep. 17, 2007

Friendly America

Morro Rock - San Simeon State Park

Distance: 72.35 km, Time: 5:09:21 hrs, Total: 782.97 km

The Hiker & Biker was not far away from the beach, therefore I stuffed my things in my small tent and left with my camera to explore seashore. I went under a small bridge with the Highway 1 over me and came to a very natural beach.

The beach was made of many rocks between them rough sand. I walked over algae washed up from the sea, many real fresh. Surpisingly there was not even one animal to discover; there was no human being around...

Climbing between the rocks I discovered that the back of my hand had some regular brown spots while the rest was white. It took a while to figure out the reason. It was my mesh gloves which protected me under the mesh but not in between. So, taking off my gloves the back of my hand looked like a bride on an Indian wedding with paintings on their hands...

Taking the picutures I realized that the battery of my camera was critically low. Back to my tent I wanted to recharge it but there was no plug to be found. Therefore I walked towards the entrance where the big RVs parked and planned to aske them where I could load my batteris.

I went to the largest of them and ran into Gary from Bakersfield/California who was accidentially the host of the campground. As the state parks try to cut costs they do not let a ranger (who costs salaly!) supervise the campground but ‘hire‘ one of the campers to overtake the duties of a ranger. In return this host can camp for free.

I told him about the problem with me charging the battery he did not say a lot but only opened the side of his RV and plugged my charger with the battery in one out the many outlets. As it was already very dark he asked me about the charging time. I told him that it was getting late and I would pick it up tomorrow. We had some small talk about traveling in general and suddenly he asked me if I want to have a beer. I could not be unpolite and we sat down and had a very nice conversation. Later his wife joined us and she told me about of one German guests, a great fan of Elvis. He travelled with his guitar and perfomred for the couple some songs of his idol,“without any German accent“ as Gary emphasized. His wife told me that their German guest continued to New Orleans, a musical center of the USA.

When mentioning New Orleans I am not talking about the famous song 'City of New Orleans' by Arlo Guthries which is the name of a train. But I remembered that in one Clint Eastwood movie a woman asked him why he stayed in New Orleans. Dirty Harry answered that ‘I put my suitcase down to have a look at this city and when I wanted to grab it again it was gone...‘ We all had a great laugh and a good time with beer and a great conversation but i became real late and I did not want to bother them too much. As we separated the wife went into her RV and gave me a strawberry-banana compote ‘for my way‘ which she made by herself. This small gesture let my heart beat faster in a touching way and even typing this I have a very warm feeling in my heart.

Back to my own tent I noticed an elderly lonely man sitting on the bench before his tent and a yellow small Kia not far away from him. Even from the distance I could see that he was not looking happy so I walked to him and asked him if I could join him. He was a little surprised but had a smile on his face. In the beginning we talked about the nice weather and travel in general.

He continued to tell me about his life. He worked many year in the American healthcare system but two years ago his mother got seriously ill. As the closest relative he took care of her nearly 24 hous a day until she died not long ago. Around the same time his very close elder brother died also. As a single he could not go over these two looses very easily and was reminded that his life will be over some time too!

I do not remember exactly what Bible words I used and what of my experiences I shared to comfort him. I encouraged him to find a new lease to life from the experiences he had while serving the loved ones and not be discouraged but rather to be strong for them and positive to himself. As more we talked as more he opened up until in a mood of joy he went back to his tent and opened a bottle of red wine. We talked until 10:30 pm when went back into my small tent.

Sometimes its strange how days develop, when we are called to help others we never knew before and will never see again. Sometimes I ask myself how would it be if humans just try to be humans, if we really could create a human paradise on earth! I think it is very much possible but first we have to overcome or conquer one's weaker self: the own ego!

"38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6)" 

(to be continued)