Speaking of Tarahumara....

In 1970, Irene Wolt (my first wife) and I crossed the country to move to LA in a Chevy Suburban. We took a substantial side trip through Mexico on the way. I had built a camper into the truck which was ordered with only front seats. Under the bed was enough storage to hold everthing we owned and wanted to move. I believe we spent 10 weeks in Mexico

One of our side trips was a train trip to Copper Canyon. Copper canyon is said to be four times larger than the Grand Canyon. The only access (in 1970) was by train. We took a tourist train (we were the only Americans) with a sleeper car. My strongest memories were of indigenous Tarahumaras along the railside, and rickety appearing trestles crossing incredible gorges. The train went through 83 tunnels and over 36 bridges. Breath taking doesn't even begin.... We stayed a day and night in a motel in Creel, and then came back. Tarahumara Indians are known as the strongest long distance runners in the world.

Irene died this spring. When I visited her a month before her death she was fighting hard against pain and trying to maintain control of her life. She had many friends in a care giving community around he. She had chosen a unique path for her life, continuing to do political and community organizing to the end. Her method for getting by was to develop an incredible set of life skillsallowing her to live on very little income. She co-authored an expose book about the exploitive (of water) development of Los Angeles and the Chandler family (owners of the LA Times) before China Town the movie appeared. She spent time on a variety of environmental issues, and worked on many programs combining cultural activities with politics. She was a producer of a film about the Peace Press, a progressive print shop in LA at which both of us worked.

Irene was an explorer. She took me to places like Copper Canyon and the mountains and deserts of California. She was a rock collector and her hobby maps got us and the Suburban to many places way way way off the beaten track.....ones our four wheel drive could barely manage. A New Year's tradition was a trip with friends to the end of the road in Baja, Mexico on the Gulf Side for camping, fresh caught fish and Mexican hot chocolate. Thank you Irene.