Podcast and Prose of Needles California
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When in Needles, California
When in Needles, California you might get lucky and have an almost perfect day. You might wake up at the crack of 4 PM on a Sunday afternoon. You’ll pull the comforter off of the window which you put up there in the morning so you could sleep through the sunlight. If you’re smart you will wander round town and end up at the Denny’s where all the locals look at you when you walk in. Don’t worry. Right after they look at you they will smile and when you’re seated the counting crows will sing “Round Here” as the waitress gets your coffee.
The thing about Needles is that it is buried in the middle of three of the most amazing landmarks of America. The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, The Mojave Desert, and The Colorado River. I saw the mountains from Vegas and I drove through the desert to get here so I felt an urge to go down to the river and complete the trifecta. So I asked the waitress:
Me: Can I ask you something?
Waitress: Sure thing sweetie.
Me: (Blushing ‘cause she called me sweetie) Are you from around here?
Waitress: Mmm-hmm
Me: Well is it possible to see the Colorado River? Ya know its almost sunset and I was thinking it might be nice to watch the sunset over the river.
Waitress: What a great idea. You’re right it’s beautiful.
Me: Well, how do I get there?
Now this is where you have to follow closely
Waitress: You make a left out of the Denny’s. You get on the Highway and go back West one exit. Make a right off the exit its called River Rd. And then you…Well do you want a public area or somewhere secluded and quiet?
Me: Guess
Waitress: Secluded and quiet right? There’s a road called Washing Machine Road about 2 miles down on the right. Make a right and follow a dirt road down about a mile. It will say no cars but keep going. You’ll see some trenches from where the river flooded a few years back. Walk past that and there is a quiet little inlet you’ll have all to yourself. Its my private spot so don’t tell anyone.
Me: Really?
Waitress: Mmm hmm. You’ll love it. Its bitchin’
Now. If you’re lucky you’ll have your ipod and you’ll play some Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson for the drive. You’ll go past a street sign that will say Historic Route 66. And when you finally get to the place the waitress told you about you will thank god for her and her wisdom. Because…if you shut off your car and radio and step out you will see a beautiful deep clear river with the mountains in the background. The sun will begin to set and splash purple all over the sky with the abandon of a finger painting Kindergartner. The ducks will dive and surface. A lizard will crawl right up next to you on the rock where you are sitting. The coyotes will call in the distance. A jack rabbit will dart across the dirt path. And then if you close your eyes and listen you will here distant voices of kids in a pick up truck across the other side of the river. You will be reminded of the beauty and fleeting moments of youth as they push, wrestle, swear, kiss, and then skim stones. You will hear the bullfrogs and loons call and a tree of a million birds drown it all out. And a duck will dive down and will not surface for a while. You imagine him under the current of it all. And you might be tempted at this point to wish with all your heart that you were not alone. That someone was with you to share this. You might also be tempted at this point to pray in your mind to loved ones who have passed away who suddenly feel so close to you. And you might wish they were with you here and now. And then the duck surfaces across the other side. And the truth is that you would never have been here unless you were alone. And then silence as if the evening is beating and breathing. And if you sit quiet. You will realize that this goes on every night. This goes on every night! But this night was meant for you. This is a nightly miracle revealed to you by a waitress that called you sweetie. A waitress that was once one of the kids in a pick up truck across the way. In a town where this all goes on every night. As wars are fought. And people chase money and careers. And we entertain ourselves with new electronic devices daily. As we email and as the evening papers are rolling on the presses to tell us what’s news. In Needles California this miraculous show goes on every night. And you got lucky enough to notice.
Needles California [5:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
When In Needles California [5:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
