Journalist's Report

February 12, 2008

Mary Roach -- guest journalist



Today Cheryl and Mic went out to collect soil samples in the
salty-looking soil of the riverbed. It took them a long time to get
out there because Mary the visiting writer was slowing them down. They
had to help Mary get dressed, help her put her ATV into reverse, help
her figure out that after you say something over the walkie talkie you
have to take your finger off the button to hear the reply. Duh.
Thankfully Mary is only here for one day.
Soon we arrived at the riverbed. Cheryl took out her burner
lighter to sterilize the scoopula. There seemed to be a problem.
"Is there a flame?" said Mic.
"There was in the lab," replied Cheryl. Mic offered to try it,
and eventually got it to work. But Cheryl didn't have to feel bad for
very long, because then Mic dropped the sterilized scoopula into the
dirt.
There was some discussion as to which white stuff was salt and
which was calcite.
The group walked about ten miles -- okay, half a mile --
collecting their samples in little vials that are very very hard to
close and open when you are wearing oven mitts on your hands.
Mic did some exploring on the banks of the riverbed. He
discovered some interesting tracks that we all hoped were not cougars.
What else. Mic told a very funny joke about what kind of music
geologists listen to. (Rock music.)
After collecting six samples, our GPS battery was running low, so
we went back. Mic was unable to restrain the green monster and soon
disappeared over the ridge. Mary lost sight of Mic, missed the
turn-off and would now be arriving in Las Vegas, were it not for the
miracle of battery-operated communications systems.
It was a wonderful afternoon, and Mary gained new respect for
astronauts and all the physical discomforts they endure. She is
recuperating nicely.