Choral Pepper

Paula and others,

Choral was a wonderful lady who inspired others to explore the desert and Baja seeking answers to history's many mysteries. See http://vivabaja.com/1757 the second page too.

Erle Stanley Gardner showed up at her Palm Desert office (she published Desert Magazine in the 1960's) and invited her and husband Jack to join in on his Baja expeditions.

From discoveries made with Gardner, she authored a wonderful little book in 1973 on Baja's history and legends.

Choral and I met when she began to work on an expanded edition of that great little book and she admired my excitement and love for Baja. Chapters from it are here on this forum for all to enjoy.

In May, 2001... she wrote the following, I was so very much honored to read it my guests at Viva Baja 2. Her health was deteriorating and could not attend.

From Choral Pepper:

Dear Baja Buffs,

Behind his back, I call David " the new Erle Stanley Gardner." His love for
Baja shares the same dedicated clarity and eagerness to share it as did
Uncle Erle's. I am fortunate enough to have been one of those recipients in
both cases. Erle shared it with his books. David shares it with his Viva
Baja adventures.

I have reached a stage in life in which there is more to look back upon than
forward to. It is not depressing.
What I have to look back upon was so filled with adventure, learning and
beauty that nothing in my limited future could surpass it. There are very
few places in the world that I did not explore during my exciting years as a
nationally syndicated travel columnist after selling Desert Magazine, but
of all the places in the world, Baja stands alone. Not just because it was
more isolated in those days (places like Yap and Zamboanga were isolated,
too), but because there is a spiritual quality about Baja that seeps into
the very soul of those who respond to it. Everyone doesn't., but you who
are here at David's Viva Baja event tonight know exactly what I mean.. We
Baja buffs share a space foreign to superficial types unaware of the
peninsulas unique nature, mysterious history, and tantalizing lore.

During my early days of exploring the desert, I found that the public can be
induced to respect such backcountry areas as Baja -- not by rules and
regimentation, but by education. And the education begins by making its
history exciting and adventurous. When someone goes looking for a lost
treasure, for instance, they are forced to thoroughly research the area.
They aren't just spinning wheels over meaningless, empty land. With
knowledge, comes respect. You all who participate in David's Viva Baja are
doing your part to insure a secure future for Baja. I salute you and would
love to be sharing this evening with you

Sometimes when you are out there trampling through dry, rock-studded
arroyos or watching the moon rise above a cardon forest, send a thought to
me. I'll be sharing it with you in spirit.



Choral Pepper




Thank you Choral for your wonderful contributions and inspiring so many of us to explore Baja!

Here's her book, autographed inside ... 1973 edition

'Corke' (silent e) was her nickname.



[Edited on 5-4-2007 by David K]