We spent Friday night camped in a big open field near a reservoir just outside of Yosemite National Park. Frankly, since it was the start of the long Memorial Day weekend we were lucky to find a spot. Hundreds of campers were flowing into the campsite. Big rigs, smaller pop-ups and lots and lots of tents.
We were in an area where there were no reservations and no specific sites......you just drove around until you found a spot that worked for you and set up. Just below us, closer to the water, were several dozen families with tents, shade tents, picnic tables crammed with coolers, kids with bikes and soccer balls. Teenagers swimming in the reservoir, adults popping cans of beer......music wafting on the breeze. Hispanic music......Hispanic families. And us.
American flags flying, the sound of air mattresses as they were inflated, a kite in the air. Conversations. Laughter. More cars and trucks arriving......more tents set up. Were were surrounded by friends and families ready to enjoy each other's company and celebrate Memorial Day. We were surrounded by Hispanic families......a two person "white" island in the center of smiling Hispanic families.
It was an interesting flip.....to see yourselves as the minority. We waved to our neighbors as they set up tents and they waved back. But that was the only real interaction. I suppose we could have walked over to say hello.....but everyone seemed so busy as "Happy Birthday" banners were hung from some tents and food was prepared. So we just sort of stayed in our site and read our books and walked our dog and ate our dinner.
As it was getting darker kids were getting a bit louder and lots of chasing games wound between the sites. Kids weren't being "naughty"....they were having a blast on a pre-summer evening.
But the mom's were in tight control....suddenly I heard a loud mother voice yell "Gregory you come right back down here right now!" And Gregory did what she asked.
Not Carlos, or Juan or any other name I might have assumed I would hear......it was Gregory acting up. Gregory.
Welcome to the melting pot.....welcome to America.
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