David K - 10-24-2004 at 11:56 PM
One of the most exciting events for Choral Pepper was her discovery of a giant cave mural.
While enroute from San Ignacio to San Francisco de la Sierra, in a helicopter, Choral saw the ancient art work. With her was J.W. Black (the inventor
of the off road machines Gardner utilized) and Mexico's national anthropolgist, Dr. Carlos Margain.
They set the copter down on a mesa across the canyon from the cave. Dr. Margain told Choral it will be named for her. "No cave will be named after me,
unless I physically go to that cave!" exclaimed Pepper.
With that, she and J.W. climbed down then up the cliff to reach that cave. Dr. Margain took this picture with a telephoto lens.
Choral related to me they really took quite a risk of falling to their deaths here.
David K - 10-24-2004 at 11:59 PM
Having reached the cave, they were in awe. Here is J.W. Black looking up at the huge figures.
David K - 10-25-2004 at 12:02 AM
Here is Choral Pepper at the cave she spotted from the helicopter. Having reached it physically, she permitted Dr. Margain to officially name it after
her.
The cave is NOT visible from the canyon floor, only from above and by helicopter which flys lower and slower than an airplane.
This cave art is not shown in Crosby's books and was unknown to anyone since the time it was created, a true discovery!
[Edited on 10-25-2004 by David K]
Dr. Margain's Map of the Painted Caves
David K - 10-25-2004 at 12:18 AM
The southernmost cave shown is 'Pepper Cave' so named by Mexico's official national anthropolgist!
The other caves discovered or visited by the Gardner party members also had names given by Margain. However, political correctness has changed the
names Margain assigned to them to all Spanish names since.
Choral with Uncle Erle
David K - 10-25-2004 at 12:26 AM
Erle Stanley Gardner was a happy man when in Baja with his friends!
A letter from Choral Pepper, May, 2001
David K - 10-25-2004 at 12:34 AM
A year before she passed away, Choral asked me to read this to my guests at Viva Baja #2. She so wanted to attend and even reserved a hotel room. The
cancer was just too much for her, unfortunately. This was hard to read and keep a dry eye... I was so very, very honored to receive this, from her...
a very special Baja hero of mine...
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
Color photo
academicanarchist - 10-25-2004 at 05:46 AM
David. Post the color photo of the cave.
synch - 10-25-2004 at 08:22 AM
Fantastic!
jide - 10-25-2004 at 10:26 AM
Hey David, where did you find this map? I can't really read it, do you display a larger version on your website by any chance?
Neal Johns - 10-25-2004 at 06:06 PM
All you guys and gals just gotta to to the cave paintings. It's a heck of a mule ride!