Day 2, Catalina State Park

Hike to Romero Pools, by Wyatt Pedigo

Today we embarked on a 5 mile hike up into the breathtaking wilderness of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The hike started out in the early morning while the sun was still low as were the temperatures. But as we gained elevation the landscape changed dramatically and so did the temperature. The land slowly got steeper until we were hiking along ravines; it went from desert shrubs to cacti clinging to the side of mountains. As the day progressed the sun got higher in the air and the temperatures rose. Despite the heat, the mood among the group was still cheery and people were laughing and joking the whole way. Finally we reached half way we stopped to talk, we noticed that we were running short on time and needed to meet John Fife later that afternoon. The goal of the hike was to reach the springs high up in the mountains. This is where the group decided to split up, some members of the group started a leisurely hike back to the cars, and the rest of the group went onto the springs. After about another 30 minutes of hiking the group reached the springs were we enjoyed a nice quick lunch then started our descent back to the cars were we met up with the rest of the group.

John Fife, by Mario Tofiño

He did not look like a priest; he was more a cowboy than a reverend. Denim clothes and cowboy boots. He started talking about the Mexican-American War, called the Yankee invasion in Mexico. He told us the reasons because of which Mexico declared war to the U.S.

He went through the historical patterns in this area and the several changes in the enforcement of the border that have happened since the 1800’s, like the Border Patrol, a few more changes in the way people looked at the issue, the Bracero Program and different way that this issue has been dealt with.

He also told us his story and how he had helped the Central-American immigrants in the 80’s and how he created several social and humanitarian movements, he went to jail because he gave shelter to refugees that were fleeing Central-America and fought the government.

He was an engaging speaker, you could feel how powerful this issue is to him, and that made his words powerful to us, I couldn’t stop listening to his words, I couldn’t let them go, it was amazing how fast this man made me devour his words and wait for them. Time flew past us, and then he left. Even then I still felt the courage and decisiveness of this man, he did what he thought the best and went with that until the end, wherever it took him. He stayed loyal to his principles and didn’t betray them.