Before Parkfield truly becomes a ghost town I thought it would be nice to say a few parting words about a place I truly love and some truly amazing scientists who made the Parkfield Project interesting, fun, exciting and probably the most papered topic in the history of earthquake prediction.

They are standing down the instruments now and soon we won't be peeking in on this little burg through the Internet anymore. On first impressions I was truly surprised when I went through town the first time that no one could see any of the instruments. But opportunity knocked and in time I got to see all of them and it was fun to walk along the SAF, collect my beautiful green chert nodules and see those prized possessions. Parkfield to me became more than a science project when I made friends with the locals, worked in their Garden of Stone and was fed by them, which was such a surprise. Then I prayed with them on Little Middle Mountain one Easter morning. I felt at home then.

But the greatest part of this story isn't about the instruments at Parkfield but the delightful people who made the Parkfield Project come to life. Alan Lindh is probably one of the most interesting of the group. A terrific scientist, soft spoken and a person who thinks every word before he ever says one. John Langbein got the job of running the two color laser because he was the only one who had any experience with them before he came on board. He has a great sense of humor. I never met Bill Bakun as he always seemed to be tucked away somewhere working and we all know he wrote fervently as well. And my personal favorite was Tom McEvilly. I'm sure he saw the 6.0 from the other side and probably did a little victory dance. He too was an outstanding scientist and a good friend to so many. Of course they were the core group. Parkfield reached out and touched hundreds of scientists from all over the world in its 30+ year life.

Iwas touched by Parkfield as well. It gave me a starting place to learn about intense fault study, understanding instrument reading, theory and opened the doors for me to become acquainted with "Dr.-Senator-Astronaut Harrison S.c.h.m.i.t.t" (censor doesn't like his name)who created the idea and made it possible for the project to have a life. I guess if you go to the Moon looking at earthquake prediction may take on a different perspective.

Sometime in the next few weeks I'm going to make my final trip to Parkfield and say goodbye. The prediction and the promise are yet a dream left unfulfilled by these valiant scientists, but it is not a failure by any stretch of the imagination. From earthquake preparedness to warnings and public information there is nothing that has surpassed the development and implementation of the program. It has the potential to be used again in a different place and hopefully one that has more frequent moderate earthquakes.

The future of Parkfield is in SAFOD now. Let us hope all of the projects intentions will be successful.

Petra