090304 - JIM
March 4, 2009In this age of the internet, … the information age, with instant access to almost any subject on the planet and beyond, I am always perplexed when simple questions are asked and the answer is a blank stare followed by “I don’t know.”
We are currently in Winterhaven, California, which is across the border from Yuma, Arizona. In the past month, the change in weather has been remarkable. It seems we were just trying to stay warm at night with our little heater on when the temperature was in the 40’s and now we turn on the air conditioner to combat 90 degrees in the daytime. Although it is supposed to cool down to the low 80’s next week, it sure feels good to be complaining about the heat.
Anyway, since it has been quite boring and our routine consists of sleeping in, going for a late morning walk … a late breakfast and then the afternoon by the pool reading and chatting with our constantly changing new neighbors, we have been desperately searching for some newsworthy story to pass along to you.
During one of our nature walks around the campground I happened to notice a small mound, in a fenced off area near the exit to the park, marked by a small plaque with a painting of a sleeping Mexican which had only one word on it … JIM. As you might expect, it piqued my curiosity. Could it be a grave site of some former camp owner or dweller, or perhaps an old Indian or Mexican plot that for some reason could not be disturbed or moved. No date or reference other than the marker. See photos.
Expecting either some great urban legend or old west cowboy historical story, I began to make inquiries of the local campers and employees. Some were unaware of what I was talking about but the most common expression was the classic “I don’t know”. After more than 20 inquiries, including the camp manager, I seemed to have hit a dead (pardon the expression) end.
Some assured me (although with no grounds or proof) that there was no actual body in the mound, while others seem to share some of my curiosity but not enough to pursue the thought.
Even Peter took some interest in the area for a moment, sniffing and surveying, but alas he too lost interest when the possibility of either food or sensory excitement became non-existent.
With the wealth of knowledge we all possess now from watching all the CSI TV shows, I began to imagine that some form of modern diagnostic equipment should be brought in … perhaps ground seeking x-ray, or ultrasound scanning or some soil sampling device to detect bone calcium, etc … or the ultimate task of exhumation … but alas … I refrained from going public and retreated to my computer to write this brief epitaph to JIM.
I would like to think of this site as the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN CAMPER. His place at the exit is to extend a greeting of happy trails and safe travel to all who leave the
campground and venture forth.
If you ever find yourself at The Pilot Knob RV Park in Winterhaven, off the interstate 8 (Sidewinder exit_#164); look for JIM and offer a silent greeting.
We are currently in Winterhaven, California, which is across the border from Yuma, Arizona. In the past month, the change in weather has been remarkable. It seems we were just trying to stay warm at night with our little heater on when the temperature was in the 40’s and now we turn on the air conditioner to combat 90 degrees in the daytime. Although it is supposed to cool down to the low 80’s next week, it sure feels good to be complaining about the heat.
Anyway, since it has been quite boring and our routine consists of sleeping in, going for a late morning walk … a late breakfast and then the afternoon by the pool reading and chatting with our constantly changing new neighbors, we have been desperately searching for some newsworthy story to pass along to you.
During one of our nature walks around the campground I happened to notice a small mound, in a fenced off area near the exit to the park, marked by a small plaque with a painting of a sleeping Mexican which had only one word on it … JIM. As you might expect, it piqued my curiosity. Could it be a grave site of some former camp owner or dweller, or perhaps an old Indian or Mexican plot that for some reason could not be disturbed or moved. No date or reference other than the marker. See photos.
Expecting either some great urban legend or old west cowboy historical story, I began to make inquiries of the local campers and employees. Some were unaware of what I was talking about but the most common expression was the classic “I don’t know”. After more than 20 inquiries, including the camp manager, I seemed to have hit a dead (pardon the expression) end.
Some assured me (although with no grounds or proof) that there was no actual body in the mound, while others seem to share some of my curiosity but not enough to pursue the thought.
Even Peter took some interest in the area for a moment, sniffing and surveying, but alas he too lost interest when the possibility of either food or sensory excitement became non-existent.
With the wealth of knowledge we all possess now from watching all the CSI TV shows, I began to imagine that some form of modern diagnostic equipment should be brought in … perhaps ground seeking x-ray, or ultrasound scanning or some soil sampling device to detect bone calcium, etc … or the ultimate task of exhumation … but alas … I refrained from going public and retreated to my computer to write this brief epitaph to JIM.
I would like to think of this site as the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN CAMPER. His place at the exit is to extend a greeting of happy trails and safe travel to all who leave the
campground and venture forth.If you ever find yourself at The Pilot Knob RV Park in Winterhaven, off the interstate 8 (Sidewinder exit_#164); look for JIM and offer a silent greeting.
posted by The Highway Guys @ 2:05 PM
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