May 2001
Detour Version 1.0
Day 11
“The Seed Collector of Oatman”
Based upon a dirt biker’s advice during a Day 10 gas stop in Flagstaff, we continued from Kingman via Oatman en route Needles California as a prestage to crossing the Mojave desert on I40. We left Kingman at 0700 without breakfast as we wanted the Mojave done before midday.
Our engine’s early morning rhythmic thrum-thrum-thrum’s were sounding their best of the trip almost as if the two motors had found a cross air, mechanical synchronicity. West of Kingman, we noticed one and then a second gent stooped over at the roadside amongst some wildflowers, each with a large white plastic bucket, engaged in some unknown activity. Steve and I slowed down, stopped, consulted and returned to gent #2 to enquire.
He was gathering wild yellow marigold seed heads. He resold them to the state DOTs of CA and AZ, utility and mining companies.
He was 5’ 7”; possessed a full head of moderate length, light brown, sun bleached hair; bronzed skin, spry; wiry; clear pale blue eyes; wore clean Bermuda shorts, no cap, knee and elbow pads, fingerless gloves stained with yellow powder; an easy talker, even to two black clad strange figures. He earned $7/lb., averaging $11-12/hour, all cash, five-hour days, 10 months per year doing all of his picking in the early AM hours. Better than working at Kmart, Walmart and Home Depot, the “killers of 20th century American civilianization as we know and treasure it.” Big Boxed Destroyers of Worlds.
State and Federal governments require despoiled lands (mines, stripped forested area, power lines, berms along improved/widened roads) be returned to their natural states using indigenous plants. No big seed or plant companies serviced this supply demand need. AZ and CA are oblivious to the fact that desert annual wildflowers self-seed. They require annual reseeding of reclaimed areas (probably coming to the east of the Mississippi real soon). In fact, these western state DOTs regularly water these desert roadside areas to encourage flower growth. After the flowers go to seed but well after the Seedman and his fellow collectors pick the berms clean, state road crews mow down the spent plants. Ergo, the state does all the hard work here, and our Seedman harvests the bounty.
Seedman first visited the Oatman area twenty plus years ago from Oregon. He had a great job with that state’s DOT, loved his small Oregon town of residence and surrounding rural area, but he fell head over heels in love with the desert and knew he had to live there. Returned home. Sold everything. Immigrated. Bought a trailer and a lot. Lot had a natural spring with a decent seasonal 4-5 gallon/minute flow rate. His steady flow needs were one gallon/minute with storage tanks. For regular dependable water needs, wells thereabouts were on the order of 1200 feet deep; at $20/foot drilling cost; a well was a $25K per hole plus pumping, plumbing. filtering and storage equipment costs plus permits for a grand cost of $30-35K.
Upon arrival he found a job with the AZ state DOT as a mechanic — decent pay, and benefits too, since no one wanted postings out there. He “reduced his work BS factor” to near zero. Retired with pension to do nothing but seed harvesting, grow his own food, hike, and write. He was overwhelmingly full of joy and drug-free mellow.
Intends to take Social Security at 62: “Why wait, since one could die before 67 and not get any of the dough and good times at 63, 64 and so one.” Gave me great pause to consider such a course for myself.
He lives in a sparsely populated desert community he quietly cherishes. Loves desert gardening, truly at peace.
In response to my comment that I’d never seen a desert so full of wildflower blooms, he said that the year’s rain and snow falls were once in a decade events. The last four months had seen an entire average year’s moisture delivery. Last time for this type of desert bloom was 94 or 95.
Derived Seedman Wisdom:
· Just as nature takes advantage, so should man.
· Strike while Social Security iron is hot. Take money, commence living Life Part 3.0. TEMPUS FUGIT.
Later after we parted, Steve and I believed we saw Seedman’s trailer off to the north of the old road. In contrast to its surroundings, it sat in a green field with multiple trees and bushes.
The mother road to Oatman was superb, full of ups-n-downs, with many technically demanding switchbacks and off-camber, tight back-n-forths. We’re getting proficient at riding as well as we do more of these demanding road sections. Inside and east of Oatman there were a slew of feral donkeys in the road — the remnants of the local mining work force long since unneeded after the local mines metals played out. These portly creatures are treated and fed like pets by the locals and tourists alike. One jackass tried to merge with us around a curve. Horn honking and steering at his ass did the trick.
Brunch at a locally owned Needles CA diner – the Hungry Bear. This small place is the hometown of the PEANUTS comic strip character Snoopy’s pork pie hat wearing, brother Joe. IIRC, Joe talked to cacti and didn’t care much for cities.
After the Mojave desert. We skirted around to the north of LA. We did a little of the Angeles County forest roads before reaching a ROAD CLOSED sign. They were still closed for post winter season cleaning. Backtracking to grinding our teeth on high speed multi-lane west coast gantlet roads (CA14 and I5). As an unexpected off-menu treat we rode with and through a dust devil. Lots of grit in our mouths and ping-ping-ping from all sides y th debris. Hack tuie!!
Ran into an afternoon fog on the Pacific Coast Highway and CA 101 en route Santa Barbara on the coast. We’ve now completed our weather condition portfolio checklist as hurricane and tornadic winds were just a matter of scale not speed or force during the previous days. We’ll likely see serious fog tomorrow AM.
Stayed at Steve’s lodging pick — the ALA MAR motel across from the Santa Barbara bay beach. One night cost more than the last five nights combined. Based on the recently relocated Las Vegas resident manager’s recommendation, we dined down the street at the FISHOUSE. Most excellent.
Day 11 miscellany and counts:
Daily Windshield Bug Smash Bingo Game winners: Yellow
Query count as of the end of Day 11:
Where’re you going? – 13
What’s that? (Steve’s Valkyrie) – 5
Damsels in distress? – 5
Select Photos From Day 11
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