Day 3
Independence, 43 F-25F
It was much warmer and definitely not as windy on our third day. It was supposedly 18F at 8 that morning. I had apple and spice oatmeal instead of cinnamon.
We worked outside the whole day, raking and landscaping the area around the firehouse. We raked debris and tumbleweed, and discovered that all of them were uprooted!
At mid-morning, we took a break. One of the staff members had brought brownies, white cheese, and apples. Eating apples at Manzanar seemed to be spiritually fulfilling.
On the old pavement to the firehouse were the inscriptions: 大日本 which means “Large Japan.” I was surprised at how similar Chinese and Japanese writing could be. It means the same thing in Chinese. In fact, numbers and several other words are similar. 
Findings
We found scraps of metal. Some sheets were as big as the bumper of a car as we excavated long tree roots. I found a circular rubber thing that said, “Delco Moraine RO U.S.A. 5453829.” Upon further research at home, I found that it was a rubber knob that probably have been used during Manzanar! Oops…I found it, but I left it somewhere. Either that or we swept it with the rest of the debris. Fortunately, I took a photo:
Then, we went in for lunch in the staff room, which used to be the high school’s stage. It has two doors leading to the attic, but no stairs. Carrie, the park ranger came and told us about how they found old remains including a “prehistoric” pair of glasses that probably belonged to the farmers. After my sandwich and chips, I wandered down to the gift shop for my friends.
After lunch, it was colder and I found an old looking plastic that says “Toast and Peanut Butter” that was probably from Keebler Co. Did they have that in the 1940’s?
Perhaps I was hoping too much to find something special. Then, there were always plenty of scrap metals, concrete, and broken pipes.
We thought we struck gold when my partner found an old plastic card.
Nope. That was probably 6 or 7 years ago. Someone must have lost it. The weather-beaten plastic was fragile.
Glass was very common. Most seemed to be lost pieces from bottles. On the north side of the firehouse, I found old tarp paper, and I think someone found an old window frame.
We finished late at 3 PM or so. My converse and our attire in general were so dirty that we’d be embarrassed to step into a museum. Vagabonds… we tried to wash the dust off.
Eastern California’s Gem
Across the street from the small parking lot, two dogs barked at us. The Eastern California Museum is located in a quiet resident like the small beach park.
There were lots of Native American artifacts: basket, arrowheads, belts, petroglyphs, and more. It showed the land and culture before Independence before the town.
On the other side, there were tons of Manzanar photos and artifacts: shoes, folded cranes, and even a dresser from Manzanar scraps. It probably had one of the largest photo collection. There was also a rusty trumpet and sheet music including the Manzanar Song, which showed the importance of music in their culture. There was, what I believed, the original Manzanar Relocation sign with its haunting chains.
On this side, the entrance had an enormous collection of bird eggs, an upcoming art gallery in the back, a music box that played a Christmas carol, mammoth and sea fossils, coyote teeth dentures, rocks and minerals, an electron generator for Manzanar class demonstrations, old appliances (including photoflash lamps), artifacts from the California aqueduct, a Doctor Dorrance exhibit (he was a doctor, volunteer fireman, and clarinetist), a 3D animated mountain goat exhibit, bottles, currency (including Confederate money), household appliances, and a Washington Press to name a few of everything in the small museum.
Outdoor, there was a collection of old tools, wagons, and edifices. It was amazing because you were quickly transformed into another environment. There, we explored the historic environment. Behind the edifice, there laid a dirt path, aligned with rocks on both sides. First, we walked over a small wooden bridge over running water. I was surprised that the water didn’t freeze over. On the other side, was a beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes, there were broken-down wagons and scrape of metal in the tall bushes. As we walked, we began to hear running water. The path curved once again and we found another small rivulet. It was partially frozen and you can see the stark white ice.
First, we walked over a small wooden bridge over running water. I was surprised that the water didn’t freeze over. On the other side, was a beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes, there were broken-down wagons and scrape of metal in the tall bushes. As we walked, we began to hear running water. The path curved once again and we found another small rivulet. It was partially frozen and you can see the stark white ice. and water running over brown rocks. The scenery was complete with the mountains.
Ethnicity is Real, Race is Man-made, Nationality is Chosen?
I was so tired when we returned that I flipped through channels to find something besides the animal channel I had watched, but it was news hour. This time, we had rice, bean, beef, and cheese burrito with quesadilla, broccoli, carrots, and chip and salsa. My hunger had not subsided despite snacks.
We had an icebreaker TRUE color activity to see our personality identification. Our experience had delve into white racism, but the truth is, anyone can be faulty. In “Are Asian Americans Becoming White,” the author noted that Asian Americans don’t identify as Americans. Despite striving for perfect English, etc. to seem more “American,” some are still seen as “forever foreigners.” Sure, they can’t hide from their generalized race and they can’t change their ethnicity, but if they were born in America and live there, especially their whole life… how can they be a person of a different nationality?
This Journey
This journey helped piece together history, and hopefully, will help people not repeat this history.
Adventurous Memoir 