Google it...

I had to replace my veggie oil filter again this morning after only maybe 250 miles....grrrr

I decided to change both filters - the pre-filter & the main filter - this time with the hope that I can go thousands of miles before having to change once again...

Heading south on I5, I make a 'brief' stop at the same rest stop I also paused there a couple years ago to allow my grandchild to play in the snow, to his amazed thrill! Today it is not snowing and there is no snow on the ground but only in the distant mountains. But it feels cold enough and spitting what is no rain that I do not want to linger.

After capturing this photo of the snow-crested mountains, I take off back to the Mesa Verde prison that incarcerates refugees caught by border patrol and ICE, attempting to relocate here in the u.s.ofa.

The gate is open when I get there so I follow the sidewalk to the double set of double doors at the entrance into the building.

A disemodied voice asks "what do you want?" I peak around the next door and see an Amazon womon in a dark blue uniform partially visible behind a door & more panes of glass, standing next to a security check point not unlike that at airports: the counter where you put valuables to be screened before walking thru the metal detector.

I project towards the voice & explain in my most unthreatening voice that I'm trying to get an update on the hunger strike. She pauses, startled, then says she can't help me. I tell her I understand but who can help me? Then I hear the door click and she's opening it & coming out so I anticipate she's going to come out into the foyer to whisper secretly to me.

But she's only allowing someone pushing a cart to pass through from the prison and leave the building.

So I ask her who can help me find out about the strike. She tells me to call headquarters. I ask if she means ICE. She says no, GEO corporate office. When I ask for that number, she tells me to Google it.

Nah.

I rush out the building to catch the man pushing the cart with mostly empty trays except one that has a huge sandwich wrapped in saran wrap and what looks like maybe a salad and some fresh fruit.

I ask him about the hunger strike. He also claims to know nothing but thinks he remembers something about it at the Golden State Annex, in fact, he's sure it is taking place there and not here at Mesa Verde. I ask him if he's providing food for prisoners here and he nods saying for guards and employees as well. When I ask if he provides the same meals for both, he refuses to answer and wishes me a good day.