Manzanar Japanese-American Internment Camp...

If you have been reading my blog, you're aware of my love for the U.S. By following  the simple rules of paying my taxes and obeying the laws, Barley and I are allowed to galavant as we please in America's wonderlands. Piece of cake! 

That being said, I know my country makes mistakes. IE: requiring bear canisters, Operation Plumbbob (testing the effects of nuclear blasts on U.S soldiers), the Republican  Tea Party and sadly the internment of Japanese Americans (without due process) from their west coast homes and businesses after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. 

I felt compelled to make a stop at Manzanar in the Owens Valley to see the historical remains of America's less then stellar moments. 

In February 1942, FDR issued Presidential Order 9066, authorizing the removal of those who might thwart the war effort. In other words, Japanese Americans who were guilty by association. 

At Manzanar's peak, 10,000 evacuees resided in an Army barracks type of living situation. Often times, strangers lived with strangers. Personal space went out the door. Sanitation was an afterthought. These people were robbed of there rights! 

After nuking Japan, the war in the Pacific ended. The internees were free to leave. For their troubles, they were handed $25 each. Not even a sorry for the inconvenience. 

It wasn't until 1988, the U.S. Civil Liberties Act awarded the survivors $20,000 each and a formal apology. Too little, too late.

BTW: No Japanese American was ever accused or arrested for espionage during WWII. 

If one individual loses their Constitutional rights, we all lose.

Goodnight from Lone Pine, CA

The Palisades, John Muir Wilderness...

"The mountains are calling and I must go." John Muir

So I went! For one last hurrah backpack trip into the eastern Sierra Nevada. If you remember from my last post, the garments in my backpack were beginning to outweigh the food items. This time it was a good thing.  I woke to White Death (AKA snow). Yech! 

Jews don't do snow. We are NOT the "Frozen Chosen." 

Ma Nature and my achy knees, shoulders, back and other extremities are telling me it's time to go for gentler hikes. I've been going uphill for well over a month. My body is saying "Bring  on Kansas!"

So...mañana I'll be heading to Sequoia National Park to hug a few of the big guys. The great thing about trees is they won't run away from an embrace. Wish I could say the same thing about my infrequent dates.

Goodnight from Lone Pine, California

Morgan Pass, John Muir Wilderness...

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks" John Muir

I woke up knackered! I was undergoing a low battery morning despite two pots of coffee. A glance at the sky showed more gray masses blocking out the Robin's egg blue background. The smell of burning trees hung heavy in the air from a distant fire. My motivation stunk on ice.

However, the thought that doing a laundry would be the highlight of my day drove me and Barley up to Little Lakes Trailhead. I soon found out I made the right choice. My sweaty laundry could wait.

There's mentions on Google of folks motoring up this pass. I saw a relic of a chassis so it must be true. All that was prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964. No! No! No! To motorized vehicles or even bicycles. Good, it's quieter that way. 

I'm heading in mañana for two nights of my last hurrah backpack trip into the Sierra Nevada. When the pounds of clothes your carrying outweighs the food items, it's time to call it a season. 

The area is named the Palisades, and it won't disappoint. Nothing here has so far.

From one of the photos, you can see the season is changing. Brrr! in the high country when the sunsets. 

Enjoy your weekend. I will...