The Idiot, now almost fully recovered from spinal surgery three months ago, is preparing for a November MedTrek from Gaza across Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula to Alexandria.
Why is he getting in shape for the next leg of his walk around the Mediterranean Sea by hiking in the pleasant summer fog on the Pacific Ocean between Trinidad and Arcata in Humboldt County, CA?
Although the climate, topography, people, history, economy and virtually everything else are radically different from Egypt’s, The Idiot thrives on a walking workout on the frequently sandy oceanside.
Naturally there are some sights on his Pacific walk that he probably won’t witness in the southern Mediterranean.
The trees, rock formations and fog on the Pacific won’t be found on the Mediterranean shore of the Sinai.
Although there are some similarities between fishermen and fishing boats wherever they are, the Pacific Ocean (this is the dock in Trinidad, CA) and the Mediterranean Sea are two distinctly different bodies of water.
The jagged shoreline of the Pacific Ocean in Northern California is vibrant and varied compared to the somewhat homogenous seaside in the Sinai.
Well-tended paths like the Hammond Trail in McKinleyville certainly won’t be found on the Mediterranean.
Informative signs, spotted regularly on the walk from Trinidad to Arcata (this one is on the footbridge across Mad River), are unlikely to be part of the Sinai landscape.
The Idiot probably won’t run into a blonde American chiropractor in Egypt like he did in Trinidad.
(Photo: Liz Chapin)
It is possible, of course, that some seaside scenes on Clam Beach between Trinidad and Arcata could be replicated on the Mediterranean. After all, stretches of expansive seaside, horses and humans in the waves, seagulls taking flight and wildlife chilling on the sand are all found on the Mediterreanan.
The expansive seaside on Clam Beach between Trinidad and McKinleyville/Arcata.
Horses being lapped by Pacific Ocean waves on Clam Beach in Humboldt County, CA.
A seagull disturbed by The Idiot takes off to fly across the Pacific Ocean.
Humans enjoy walking in the chilly Pacific as much as they do in the warmer Mediterranean.
The Idiot left these harbor seals at the mouth of the Mad River in peace and won’t disturb any wildlife he finds on the Mediterranean.
There is, of course, one thing that can definitely both be found on both the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean.
The Idiot will MedTrek along the Mediterranean Sea with the same passion and gusto that he felt on the Pacific Ocean.
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