During the day the camp crew, headed by Betty McCosker and Roy Ward, looked after the site, built a stage, and generally made themselves useful. While the group was waiting for Marlin the party began. All sorts of delicacies circulated. Noteable among them was the octopus that Doug Mantle furnished. Finally we exhumed the desert deer. It was done to a "T." Hikers and non-hikers, totaling about 60 persons, declared the meat delicious, the best of' any BBQ! Finally the poetry contest began. Adrienne Knute led off the contestants followed by Sherry Harsh (copies of their poems are published elsewhere in this Desert Rage. Then Randy and Glen Barnard sang a song about desert peaks, Roy Ward recited the Cremation of Sam McGee and the Ice Worm Cocktail. Ski and Campy put in an appearance in a two person burro suit. Emil couldn't resist and gave Ski a little pat on the rear end. Randy Danta and Doug Mantle sang a desert duet; Lynna Walker quoted from Jabberwocky and other Lewis Carroll poetry; Terry Rivera sang "Summertime;" Sue Wyman, Terry and Randy played some dueling guitar trios and duets and led the group in song; Norm Rohn dressed as St. Peter interviewed the spirits of Phil Bruce, May Heishi, and the Argus burro for admission into heaven. Joe McCosker sang about when he was young and his boots were new, and "he could run up the peaks all the day through...now that he's older his boots are black and he huffs to the peak and he puffs his way back," but he says "many a laugh I don't mind at all, I'd rather be huffing than not huff at all." Betty McCosker in her burro suit sang a burro song. Gene Clinger did a magic act cutting the ends of a rappel rope to even them up, then joining the pieces together. Steve Langley sang Schiller's "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. All the time Rose Certini, now working for a newspaper in Merced, was taking photos--evidence of the crimes. Marlin Clark twirled his way to further fame successfully demonstrating the Desert Rat Test, and two or three were initiated. Bill Bradley received the Leaders Service award. The Angeles Chapter, at long last, recognized a top leader during an outing when Bill Bradley received the Leaders Service Award. Finally, way in the wee hours of the night the crowd, fat, happy and stupified, went to bed to catch a few hours of sleep. The next morning everyone cleaned up the mess and drove out without anyone getting stuck. Thirteen persons went over to Towne Pass and climbed Towne Peak. Several drove to Darwin Falls. Eric Schumacher and Joan Hack were stuck in the sand for an hour while driving to the town of Darwin. My apologies to all those whose acts I failed to mention and thanks to all of the participants who are the real reason this weekend was successful. Remember this year's motto: "GET YOUR KICKS AT NEXT YEAR'S SIXTH!"

Ron Jones

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