Glenda Larke

Back in the early 90s, my husband and I were in a place Ghardaia, in the Saharan desert of Algeria, a town founded in 1048 AD. It was here that I found the idea for part of the Random Rain trilogy, in the way that these desert people found water for their homes and date palm groves. We were there in December, I remember – and they were receiving their first rain for the year.

Yesterday, in the wadi that cuts the town in two, a flash flood killed 30 people and up to 600 houses were destroyed. Oh dear, sometimes I think what I write is prophetic. (Remember The Tainted, which was published a month or two before the Asian Tsunami?)

When you read Book 1 of Random Rain, Stormquest, remember the people of Ghardaia and the life they lead, balanced between drought and the need for flooding. Today I am thinking of them, their hospitality, and their beautiful town.

And last week we were in Yosemite. Now, if there is anything one knows about Yosemite, it is the famous Yosemite Falls, right? Well here it is.That’s right – no water. End of summer, you see. Sigh.

Dunno what hour of the day it is, and I am not sure what day of the week either – but at least I am home. Thirty-five hours from door to door…

So now it’s time to sort through the memories. Here is some more from Yosemite. First stop after the sequoias was the Glacier Point Road, with views over Half Dome, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall and other peaks. Stunning scenery.

Above: note the waterfall…I shall explain why tomorrow.

Above: we could see lots of people actually climbing the Half Dome from the back and coming to stand on that overhanging ledge on the left. Nope, my days of doing things like that are over. Now I just stand and stare.

While standing there, I watched a pair of Red-tailed Hawks catch the thermals and circle effortlessly over the valley, later joined by a Turkey Vulture. There could be no better moment in time than that to pay tribute to men like John Muir – people ahead of their time – who determined that this should remain for future generations like ours to enjoy. The first bill that protected the area was signed by Lincoln in 1864.

The park area has a human history of 9,000 years. (Sorry all you creationists out there; facts are facts).

I am off back to Malaysia today. Saying goodbye to second daughter and venturing into the wilds of LAX to see if this time I can get through the queues (because I have a paper ticket) and the security in under 3 or so hours in time to get on the plane.

We returned to L.A. yesterday, after our holiday in Yosemite and San Francisco – more of which later. Suffice it to say that high on the places to visit was Borderlands, the specialty bookstore in Valencia St, Mission district – and an absolute must on the itinerary of any sff reader. Or in fact, cat lover. This is Ripley the hairless Sphinx cat. Patting it is rather like running your hand over a balloon filled with water. Sort of rubbery on the outside and soggy inside… Every time I pointed the camera in its direction it looked away in that delightfully non-obliging way common to all felines. Gotta love ’em.

Came away from Borderlands with still more books to try and fit in suitcases and still remain under the weight limit. Wish me luck.

I have visited a heck of a lot of National Parks in my lifetime, from Ecuador to Poland, Scotland to Australia. I have worked in National Parks throughout Malaysia. I have seen some of the most wonderful things that the earth has to offer us…And I can still say wow at what nature and millions of years of evolution has wrought.

Heard in the Park:
Teacher talking to students mentions saving the planet, value of recycling, being green, etc.
Student mutters to fellow student: “Save the planet; recycle homework.”