THE DEADLY DESERT SUN
The desert deadly in summer
For there's usually a long, dry, spell
When the sun beats down on the desert
And the heat rises from up hell.
We were just a couple of carefree guys
Took our bikes for a morning ride
Took along a couple cans of beer
To get over the party last night.
Our bikes rode along fast and easy
Around bushes and over the dunes.
But, the sun was hotter than ever that day
It was time to leave—all too soon.
John turned back and headed for camp
I cranked up to follow him.
But, I just couldn't seem to catch up
And the trail through the washes grew dim.
I know I should have been there by now
I've been driving for quite a while.
Bike's out of gas, I must make it on foot
It couldn't be more than a mile.
There's no place to hide from the sun
That unforgiving tyrant on high
The Palo Verde gives what shade it can
But, without water—I know I will die.
Did I pass that tree an hour ago?
Haven't I been here before, dear God!
My legs keep buckling,—I've fallen again
I must rest here——before I go on.
My throat is so thick I can't swallow
My boots are getting too tight
I'll just unlace them down to here
Hard to breath, my head is so light
As I sit here waiting—to catch my breath
I know the city I see isn't real
Yet, I tear oft my clothes and keep running
Toward the city,—the heat I don't feel
My boots, I really don't need them
They seem to be slowing me down
My canteen is empty and useless
So, I'll just toss them here on the ground.
The city has disappeared from my view
Now, there's only that deadly sun.
If I can just reach that meadow up there
My worries will all be done.
DeAnza Rescue found him next morning
Two hundred feet from where his bike fell.
The deadly sun had drained him of life
With the heat from the depths of hell.
©1994 Stacy Vellas July 28
Two young men from the coast came over the mountain to ride on the Borrego dunes. They set up camp the night before. Early in the morning they left for a ride on the dune. They decided to go back to camp around noon. One man turned and went back thinking his companion was right behind him. Several people rode out looking for him but they couldn't find him. They called for De Anza Rescue late in that afternoon.
De Anza came and set up the bus on the hill and radio equipment on each rig. We searched for him all night. Early the next morning a Border Patrol plane spotted his motorcycle where it fell and they found his body not too far away. He was already dead even before we started our search. I was with the group that looked for him but I wasn't with the group that brought him in, but I felt so sad over his death. He was only nineteen.
Stacy Vellas, Brawley
THE DEADLY DESERT SUN The desert deadly in summer For there's usually a long, dry, spell When the sun beats down on the desert And the heat rises from up hell. We were just a couple of carefree guys Took our bikes for a morning ride Took along a couple cans of beer To get over the party last night. Our bikes rode along fast and easy Around bushes and over the dunes. But, the sun was hotter than ever that day It was time to leave—all too soon. John turned back and headed for camp I cranked up to follow him. But, I just couldn't seem to catch up And the trail through the washes grew dim. I know I should have been there by now I've been driving for quite a while. Bike's out of gas, I must make it on foot It couldn't be more than a mile. There's no place to hide from the sun That unforgiving tyrant on high The Palo Verde gives what shade it can But, without water—I know I will die. Did I pass that tree an hour ago? Haven't I been here before, dear God! My legs keep buckling,—I've fallen again I must rest here——before I go on. My throat is so thick I can't swallow My boots are getting too tight I'll just unlace them down to here Hard to breath, my head is so light As I sit here waiting—to catch my breath I know the city I see isn't real Yet, I tear oft my clothes and keep running Toward the city,—the heat I don't feel My boots, I really don't need them They seem to be slowing me down My canteen is empty and useless So, I'll just toss them here on the ground. The city has disappeared from my view Now, there's only that deadly sun. If I can just reach that meadow up there My worries will all be done. DeAnza Rescue found him next morning Two hundred feet from where his bike fell. The deadly sun had drained him of life With the heat from the depths of hell. ©1994 Stacy Vellas July 28Two young men from the coast came over the mountain to ride on the Borrego dunes. They set up camp the night before. Early in the morning they left for a ride on the dune. They decided to go back to camp around noon. One man turned and went back thinking his companion was right behind him. Several people rode out looking for him but they couldn't find him. They called for De Anza Rescue late in that afternoon.