MY STURDY LITTLE JEEP

This is not where I was yesterday, but represents the way I felt

Polish base, west Antarctica

Well, what did we learn lately?  I don’t know about you, but here is what I learned yesterday:

Do not strike large rocks with your sturdy little jeep.

Do not go to the far end of remote desert washes in your sturdy little jeep unless other vehicles are in company.

Do not be responsible for the transport of one or more women with planes to catch.

Carry plenty of water.

Yesterday I participated in a field trip sponsored by WAVP, the Western Association of Vertebrate Paleontologists.  I think I was invited along for geologic commentary, comic relief – and because I own a sturdy little jeep.  Anyway, all went beautifully until – at the end of the day, and at the remote end of Fish Creek wash – my jeep would not start.  Had I been alone I would have been up that well-known creek without a paddle.  As it was, we got sturdy jeep turned around and started using compression, and then with three women aboard took off for civilization.  About two hours later, having gone up the wrong wash once and later nearly driven off a cliff, I was home, women disposed of, drinking vodka and grapefruit juice.  I think the electrical system in sturdy jeep  was knocked all galley-west by abrupt contact with a rock.  I will find out just as soon as I can figure out how to get the damned – but sturdy – little thing to Tito’s Auto Repair.

So, from now on if I travel alone, which I will endeavor not to do,  I will at least tell people where I’m going.  And I will carry lots of water.