3rd Annual Winter Rubber Tramp Rendezvous

Quartzsite, Arizona - “Super Bowl Festivities in the Arizona desert…does it get any better than this?”  This is the thought that occurred to me tonight as I sat around a small TV amidst the remnants of the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, joking around, eating homemade soup, lots of chips, dips and a few brews.  Oh and let there be cake, as well!  All powered by the sunny, gorgeous days we’ve been having here in the desert.  Nothing like being off the grid (which a small percentage of the people in the US are doing) and watching the Super Bowl (something that MANY people in the US are doing).

Is my first post in nearly 9 months really about the Super Bowl?  No, at least not in its essence.  This post is about the camaraderie and connections that this 3^rd Annual Winter RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) has fostered.  I have met some amazing people during the last month and reconnected with friends from the past 3 years.  And that is really what this is all about.  Gathering together and creating connections.  These connections have led to discussions and wonderful friendships.  All under the warmth of the Arizona sun.

Now to try to sum up the last year of my life would be nearly impossible.  It would also be quite a task.  One which I am not up to challenge.  Instead, I will simple say that many things have occurred, life has been lived, experiences have been, well, experienced.  And life goes on.  Am I still happy, three years after leaving the comforts of my home and taking to the road?  Absolutely.  No questions asked.  While I look back fondly at the connections and friendships I made in Denver, I am so truly happy being out on the road, living each day for me.  That’s right, I live each day for me.  Not work.  Not obligations or appointments or any of the number of things that bog us down in the daily life.  But instead, I spent my days enjoying the company of like minded souls, conversing about nothing and everything.  Life is grand, I tell you.  Life is grand.  And there is always cake.  How can it get any better than that??

The Cirque (and I) go to Portland!

Portland, Oregon - Something unusual is in the air today...the sun.  Though I have been soaked to the bone with the wet Northwest climate, the sun is out today, creating a wonderful vibe in the city of Portland.  I have traveled up here to work with the Cirque du Soleil for the next 6 weeks, while also giving me an opportunity to explore yet another area of the country.  The first thing I found out is that living in a motor home in the rainy Northwest is much more challenging than I had imagined.  I am finding out that my rig is nowhere near waterproof...not even water-resistant, really.  All those times that I procrastinated on resealing the roof has come back and enacted its revenge upon me.  The dampness contained within it's confines is palpable.  So the logical steps for me is to get outside my four walls!  I am finding that cabin fever can run rampant if you let the weather outside dictate your daily plans.

Thus, I have been making a concerted effort to go outside my walls and explore.  One of the main reasons for making this voyage to the Northwest was to visit with friends up in this area of the country, check out the local attractions and immerse myself in its culture.  Since I will be heading back to the mountains of California for my summer job in the National Forest, I figured it would be a good time to get my dose of live music, tasty foods and other activities that are nonexistent while in the remote areas that I haunt in the summer months.  If anyone out there has any good recommendations for exploring the area, please leave a comment for me!

The Life and Times of the Cirquador Kid!

Santa Monica, CA - When living the life whimsical, you can get into some interesting situations.  You can also come across some very interesting employment opportunities.  Case in point: I am now working for the Cirque du Soleil in Santa Monica, California.  In typical fashion, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.  A chance encounter with a fellow van dweller in the deserts of Arizona garnered a friendship.  Through that friendship, I learned that the Cirque du Soleil was hiring people through a temp agency in Los Angeles.  The rest is history, I suppose.  Or at least history in progress at this point.

My first impression of working for the Cirque?  Amazing.  I am an usher for the show and thus get the opportunity to see the show nearly every day.  I'm assuming that at some point I will tire of the show through repetition, though I have a strong feeling that will not be anytime soon.  Small acrobats flying through the air, lithe forms with fluid movements gliding and sailing across the stage.  The shear strength and agility of these performers is on the verge of superhuman.  For me, they conjure the images of superheroes, though that may be in part to the fact that they wear tights.  I can only imagine the training and discipline they have had to endure throughout their years.  Hell, I struggle just to do a handstand.  For the majority of the show my mouth is gaped open in awe.  And for the other part, I'm somewhere between giggling and guffawing.  It is truly an entertaining spectacle.

I must give props to both Cirque du Soleil and Adecco, the worldwide temporary staffing company, for their treatment of employees.  From conversations with people employed directly through Cirque,which is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, I get the feeling that it is an amazing company to work for.  Their employees work hard and the company treats them with respect and rewards them with great benefits.  They are well taken care of to be certain.  As for Adecco, I can only speak to the people that hired me and those that manage us on a daily basis.  The one thing that can be said - they are happy to be there.  Honestly, that says a lot.  That happiness with their jobs translates to them treating all of us especially well.  Thus, it provides a great work environment to be a part of.

I do feel so lucky to have added this to my repertoire of experiences.  After all, isn't that what life is really all about?  Stories you can tell and experiences you can share.  Well, my shift starts in less than an hour...so it's off to the circus for me!

My Life as a Procrastinator

Adelanto, CA - Yikes.  That's all I have to say, really.  I have no good excuse for my 8 month sabbatical from writing.  Certainly things have occurred, life has been lived, roads have been traveled...you get the picture.  I could blame it on writer's block or lie and say I've been too busy.  But I think I will just fall back on the good ol' standby of Procrastination, a lifelong companion of mine.  After a month, I thought "wow, I should really write some of this down".  After two months, I didn't know where to start and what to include...it's not easy condensing one's life to a few paragraphs.  After six months, the task became so incredibly daunting, that I just ignored it.

Yet, after meeting up in the desert with 90 other like-minded people for the 2nd Annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, I felt somewhat reinspired to jot things down, if for no other reason than to document where I've been and who I've met.  At the very least, I can look back 20 years from now and say "I did what?!?!"  So that's a plus.

So how does one sum up life for a period of seven months?  Certainly not well.  Maybe one day I'll come back and write more about each of these, but for now, here is a quick list:

• Backpacked the Lost Coast Trail in Northern California - a 4 day, 26 mile point to point endeavor that had me witness some of the most gorgeous scenery I've seen
• Started training for a Search & Rescue Team in Fresno, CA
• Returned to Lake Edison in the Sierra National Forest for another summer of campground hosting
• Backpacked 5 or 6 more trips during the summer months in the forest
• Had several friends come visit me at the campground, including a visit from my parents, who drove their truck camper out from Michigan and stayed with me for almost 3 weeks (yes, my parents have a truck camper...clearly this is where I get my wanderlust)
• Volunteered on a WWOOF farm near San Luis Obispo in October (Carrizo Lavender Farm) and helped build an EcoDome (similar to rammed earth home)
• Traveled to Baja, Mexico for some relaxation and community work (helping Santa deliver toys, medicine, food and clothing to almost a dozen remote villages)
• Met up with friends in San Luis Obispo for the New Year
• Attended the 2nd Annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in Quartzsite, AZ
• Visited Slab City (some call it "The Slabs") in California

OK, that is about the lamest summation I've written, but for now it will have to do.  I simply wanted to post something to help jump-start me into writing mode.  I'll see ya down the road...

It feels like Home

Vermillion Campground, Sierra National Forest, CA - I know it’s clique, but home really is where the heart is…and at this moment, I feel right at home.  Today I arrived at Vermillion Campground on Lake Thomas A. Edison, located in the Sierra National Forest of California.   I worked at the same location for the better part of last summer, finally heading off the mountain in early October.  Now, a mere 8 months later, I am back again and feeling euphoric about the coming months.  I spent the majority of the day relocating both my motorhome and tow vehicle back to the campground from Huntington Lake.  Though the distance is a mere 21 miles between the two, 17 of those miles are a single lane paved road with a ton of exposure to sheer drops.  Driving the motorhome, it took me just under 3 hours to complete the journey…that may seem long for 21 miles, but I had to stay in 1^st gear the entire time to climb hills and descend slopes.  Upon arrival, I started working on getting the campground to cleaned up for opening day this Friday.  That was followed by going back to Huntington Lake (21 miles) to get my tow vehicle, lovingly called “The Blizzard” (she is as white as a snow bank).  Driving “the Blizzard” back to Vermillion without the difficulty maneuvering the motorhome, it took just over an hour to make it back.

At this point I was exhausted and just wanted to relax, but I still needed to level the RV so that I could use my refrigerator.  Yet if it wasn’t for this final task that I had to complete prior to settling down for the night, I never would have seen the image that took me by surprise.  I happened to gaze east over the lake and I witnessed the moon idly sitting above the snow covered mountains, just ever so briefly filtering through the branches of the Jeffery pine surrounding me.  It was breathtaking.  And that is when I realized that this is where I want to be.  And that this is where my heart lies…

Dear Earth, I planted a tree for you!

Madera, CA - Today is the day we pay homage to the beautiful lands surrounding us.   One of my first recollections I have of hearing about Earth Day back in the 80's or 90's, was the idea to plant a tree on this special day to signify your commitment to preserving nature and making a positive change to our environment.  In more recent years, it seems that Earth Day has become a miniature marketing opportunity for companies to get you to buy their "earth-friendly" products.  But let's get back to basics, shall we?  Wouldn't it be so much better to focus on things like reducing our imprint by using less water, electricity, fossil fuels and such?  Or maybe just go plant a tree?  And that is how I shall segue into my most recent adventures...

For the past two months, I have been volunteering on organic farms here in California through a program called WWOOF (World-Wide Organization of Organic Farms).  The premise of the program is quite simple...you help out on the farm doing various projects in exchange for free room and board.  Not only do I have a free place to stay and food provided to me, but I also have the opportunity to gain knowledge in the many facets of organic farming.  The first 3 weeks of WWOOF-ing had me in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California, working on an organic blueberry farm.  At that particular farm we were primarily clearing brush and working on a greenhouse.  At my current farm (Casa Rosa Farms), they primarily raise sheep and grow organic olives (for olive oil) and almonds.  It has been a wonderful experience working on a plethora of projects, such as installing an electric fence, caring for sheep, bottle feeding two baby lambs (2 weeks old), weeding the orchards and, yes, planting trees.  Since arriving here 4 weeks ago, I have helped plant about 100 almond trees and 40 pomegranate trees.  I figure this should keep me square with Mother Earth for at least a few years.  The owners of the farm, Anthony and Rachel, are so very knowledgeable and love to share their knowledge on organic farming, raising animals and everything in-between.  And this, I believe, is the most important thing to remember on Earth Day...Share your knowledge with others so that, collectively, we can make a positive change for our world.

Fellow WWOOF-ers planting almond trees

Ticked!

San Luis Reservoir Wilderness Area near Los Banos, CA - I have spent the better part of my evening on a "search and destroy" mission. The target: the multitude of ticks that have attached themselves to me and my two dogs (Stella and Emmy). You know how in some situations you have phantom-itches or you keep feeling an imaginary insect crawling on you? Well, it's like that except that they are neither phantom nor imaginary. Several times tonight I thought to myself "wow it feels like something is crawling on the back of my neck...I really hope that one is my imagination." Nope, it was real and alive and a tick. Yep, one of those blood sucking disease transmitters. Oh boy.

My day started off innocently enough. Woke up, enjoyed a wonderful breakfast while reading a book, looking out over some beautiful rolling hills. The weather was near perfect and it was nice to dry out from the previous rainstorms I've encountered during the past 3 weeks or so. I wanted to take advantage of this respite from the rain considering the forecasted showers for the next 10 days. Perfect day to hike down to the reservoir and go for a quick dip in the water. It was quite the scenic hike, dropping me down close to 1000' in elevation to the water's edge.

Although it took me a while to finally submerge myself in the chilly water, once I did it felt incredible. It was just nice to sit and relax by the water. Upon my return to my rig, I let the dogs in for a drink of water and suddenly noticed something crawling on Emmy. Crap! Ticks! I evacuated the rig and started my tedious search for the elusive arachnids (they are in the same class as spiders, having 8 legs). I spent a good 30 minutes on each dog, searching through their fur, brushing them, then searching some more.

Once I was done with the first round, I returned to the first dog...and found quite a few more. Back and forth I went for the next hour or so. Finally, I felt pretty good about the thoroughness of my inspection. Now it was my turn. I'll be honest here, it is very difficult and awkward to check yourself for ticks...there are simply areas which are nearly impossible to see unless you are a skilled contortionist...which I am not. But it had to be done, so arming myself with a small mirror and a headlamp, the examination began. Almost immediately I found my first passenger. It was attached about an inch below my belly button...thankfully it stopped there on its southward travels. Yet after checking myself and my clothing for 15 minutes or so, I found no other hitchhikers. "Maybe that will be it" I thought unrealistically. But once inside, I kept noticing a few ticks every time I went by the dogs (which was quite often considering the size of my RV and the fact that I REALLY did not want ticks inside my rig). So even now, some 7 hours later, I am still feeling the creepy-crawlies (some real, some phantoms) and doing the quick search of the dogs...and EVERY single time I look, I find at least one. Ridiculous. This most certainly will have an effect on my slumber tonight. And this really ticks me off. (oh come on, it was just too easy NOT to use a pun somewhere in here!). All things considered, though, I still had a beautiful day filled with sunshine, rolling green hills and a plethora of wild flowers surrounding me. I guess ticks are just part of the package.

My Time in Baja, Mexico

Santa Cruz, CA - Several months ago, at the end of 2010, I had the opportunity to travel down to Baja, Mexico and get involved in some community work. The one thing I heard from all the locals down there was this: the tourists have stopped coming down and it’s hurting the little towns. Plastered all over the media in the US, we see how dangerous it is to travel to Mexico. Yet watching the local Los Angeles news one evening, I was appalled at how much violence there is right here under our noses. I wrote the passage below upon my return to the States, but never got around to typing it up and publishing it. Yet I felt it my duty to come back and share my experiences to help others make an informed decision on travel to Mexico. Please realize there are inherent risks involved each and every time you travel out of the country (or for that matter, traveling right here in the United States). As always, though, being a smart, safe traveler will reduce your chances of encountering troubles along the way. I traveled to Baja several times back in 2001 and 2003, and I followed the same advice this time as I did back then…don’t travel at night, be aware of your surroundings and don’t showcase that you have lots of valuables (which for me was quite easy considering that I have very little valuables). Nothing in life is a guarantee and we each have to decide on the risks we are willing to take. But never forget to live life and enjoy the experiences. Happy travels!

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To all those folks out there that are filled with fear about travels to Baja, Mexico, let me reassure you, the only thing you should fear is the emptiness in your heart and the strong desire to return there once you cross the border back to the United States. The beauty of Baja is tremendous, yet simultaneously quaint. The towns and villages bring one back to times of yore, an era many of us have never truly experienced. This is a land where the beauty of the desert meets the allure of the sea.

I spent the vast majority of my time sleeping under a palm frond thatched palapa, providing me with shelter above me and along two sides. Laying tarps and blankets on the sandy ground, it provided me with the basics of a dwelling. Each and every morning, as I lay snuggled in my sleeping bag, I witnessed several amazing sights. First, the rising of Venus, bright enough to see its reflection glowing in the waters. Next, the sun rising above the mountains and sea, casting its shimmering glow upon the surface of the Bay of Conception (Bahia de Concepcion).

Most days were filled with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, reading and relaxing. Occasionally, I would drive the 15 minutes to the town of Mulége to pick up supplies, visit with people I had met and so forth. And I met some truly wonderful people down there. The locals were friendly and accommodating, greeting you with a sincere “hola” and a smile. The gringos (foreigners) were genuine and respectful of the land and its people. The one common theme about the people I met down in Baja was their lust for life and living on their own terms. Most were not rich, yet they made decisions in their life and made being in Baja a priority for themselves.

Most of the 5 month residents I met (from the US, Australia, Canada, etc.) were in the 50+ age demographic, with the vast majority of these between 60 and 80. Yet these folks were physically and mentally active and so alive with a zest for life. Every Saturday night you would find a large crowd gathered at Ana’s to eat the nightly dinner special, preceded by cutting a rug all night long to work off their meal. It was truly a wonderful experience to behold. I struggled to keep up with these folk!

While down in Baja, I also got involved with a local fellowship run by a co-worker from my summer camp hosting job. We spent a total of about 7days traveling some 600+ miles along mostly dirt roads, visiting remote villages, bringing supplies such as toys, clothing, medicine, eye glasses and food. These villages see very little gringos coming through their parts due to the difficulty getting there. It was such a rewarding experience to meet these amazing folks that are surviving in a harsh desert environment, yet always had smiles on their faces and laughter in their voices. There are truly amazing people.

Happy Anniversary!

Apple Valley, CA - It was one year ago today that I departed Denver, Colorado, the city that I had called home for 8 years. I have been on the road ever since, living the life of a vagabond. I have had many wonderful experiences, met amazing people, reconnected with old friends and made a few new ones. The beauty that I have witnessed over the past year is beyond description. I can only say get out there and explore the world around you. The possibilities are nearly endless. There are so many things out there just waiting for you to stop by and take notice. So get out there, explore, play and have fun.

Well, that is exactly what I have been doing since my summer job ended in October. I've traveled to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco (twice), Bakersfield, Baja (Mexico) and Mammoth Ski Resort. And it has been wonderful to explore so many places and in the case of Baja, be able to give back to the local community by volunteering and distributing food, clothing, medication and toys. Traveling and living a carefree life is a beautiful thing, but it's nice to feel grounded once in a while and truly get involved in helping other people. On the road, that is one method to feel a part of a community. I look forward to getting more involved in the months to come.

That was my "Year in Review" for my anniversary. Yes, that was brief and very incomplete. Yet it was an incredible year filled with experiences, lessons, a better understanding of some things and less of an understanding of others. So it goes.

End O' Summer

Has it really been 4 months since last I wrote a blog post?? And what’s that you say…it’s SEPTEMBER??? The summer has flown by, sentiments stated and felt by many folks out there, I am quite sure. But in the end, once all the marks have been tallied up, it’s been a wonderful summer. It’s been filled with meeting new people, learning new things and exploring the surrounding wilderness as much as possible. I’m not going to lie…I’ve been fortunate to have been “stationed” up in the High Sierras, right off the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, and 5 miles from Mono Hot Springs. Life could certainly be far worse.

How does one go about telling of the experiences of such a large amount of time? Quite simply…you don’t. I could not give justice to my summer in such few words. But I would like to mention something - a theme more than anything. Generosity seemed to flow out of almost every person that has camped up here this summer. Maybe it’s because people are coming up here on vacation and are away from work, so this leads them to a euphoric feeling that seems to permeate every conversation and action. Sure, some of this generosity has roots in the fact that some campers didn’t want to transport any additional stuff back to their home, so I was the natural choice for such bounty. Yet still I was impressed by the general goodwill and generosity that most people exhibited. People leaving me fresh fruit and vegetables, beers, breads, etc. One camper even left me a cooler that he thought I could use. I was simply astounded by the actions of these people. Now I am not saying that everyone was this kind, considerate and goodwill-towards-all-ish. I certainly had those individuals that trashed the campsite, were loud and rude to fellow campers, and were generally disrespectful of the environment. And of course these folks stick out in the mind. Yet if you were to actually do the math, those of the Generous disposition would far outnumber those of the This Land Is Mine To Abuse attitude. And I am very thankful of this fact.

As the summer blends into the cooler weather of fall, I sit here with memories coming to the surface. All the miles of backpacking and hiking, the people I met, the friends I’ve made, the conversations I’ve had. It’s been an amazing summer filled with experiences and relaxation. And where will my adventure take me next? What is my plan? I think I will rely somewhat on the road to guide me on my way. After all, if you plan things too rigidly, you may miss out on the little things that life throws out to you. And that would be a shame to miss…

On the Menu Tonight : Trout!

Shaver Lake, CA - I tried my hand at fishing today , an activity I haven't done in years. As a small child I tried fishing, but quickly boredom had set in and I was done. Ten years ago, while in Alaska, I went fishing twice - once for halibut, another for salmon. The halibut was part of a charter, so while I did catch two large ones, that was all I had to do...reel them in and give them to the guides. We'll call it "fishing lite". When we went fishing for salmon, both myself and the guy with me (Collin) had no idea about fishing. Once we caught one, we knew nothing about doing anything with it, so we threw the traumatized fish back (lucky salmon to be caught by two novice fisherman).

So today, a beautiful, sunny morning, brought me to the shore, intent upon not only catching a fish, but doing something with it...namely, having it become my supper. Being a novice, it was a tremendous help that I hooked up with a fellow camp host, Larry, so he could show me the ropes. Most of it I knew, but it helped having someone there that was knowledgeable.

Using "PowerBait" (something I didn't even know existed prior to visiting Karen & Gina), I landed a sizable (maybe 13"?) trout within the first 20 minutes. Little did I know that this would be it for the rest of the day. Yet this really didn't matter to me. One fish was plenty for me. The remainder of my morning was spent sitting on a rock, overlooking a beautiful lake, soaking up the sun and gazing upon the snow covered mountain peaks surrounding me. Yes, one fish was plenty.

Celebrations and Disappointments

Bakersfield, CA - Last night my night was filled with wonderful Indian cuisine, traditional Indian dancing and other wonderful sights and sounds while attending the Punjabi Cultural Day Festival. Roger's friend, Laura, had VIP tickets to attend this event and it was an incredible experience.

This morning I went for a walk with Stella to a park here in Bakersfield. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. I arrived at the park and was appalled to find the park in utter ruin. I had spent time at this park several times last week and although it was not necessarily the most beautiful park I've visited, it was still a nice, small neighborhood park. Well, after a weekend of apparent abuse, it was left in shambles. Trash everywhere. Littered throughout the park were empty wrapper, containers, plastic silverware, bags and much more. I could not find a single place in this park that did not show signs of weekend abuse. It just makes me so angry when society accepts this sort of behavior. What the hell is wrong with people?! If you are going to use the park, leave it in as good a condition, if not better, than when you arrived. It's just common courtesy and should be a universal rule of society. I'm simply amazed at the blatant disregard of the effects this has on other people. It is the epitome of selfishness.

Yesterday I celebrated life and culture, yet today I am disappointed in society. I know this is a pretty strong statement and I am aware that I am probably blowing this out of proportion, but I just find it very upsetting to come across this kind of behavior. I guess this is one of the reasons I am escaping into the wilderness for the summer.

Alter Egos and Installations

Bakersfield, CA - Since beginning my trip, I have taken on several different "alter egos" that come out as needed. There is "Bill the Surly Mechanic" that arrives when I don the blue coveralls to work on various projects on the rig. Then there is "Georgie Boy"...the dapper gentleman that appears sporting a Derby Hat and jacket. Now I will be adding "First Mate Samuel" to the mix since I just bought an inflatable kayak! Why would I be First Mate and not Captain, you may ask? Well, obviously Stella will be Captain of this seaworthy vessel...duh. The kayak will aid me in exploring the world! (or at least the small lakes in California)

There were several project I was working on while still in Pahrump, one of which was building an outdoor shower attached to my rig! I've placed several photos below for anyone that is interested in the setup...this design was courtesy of Bob and Wayne, fellow van dwellers. I know this may seem trivial since I already have a shower inside my rig, but it is an amazing experience to take a shower outside with the warm sun beaming down upon your shoulders. 'Tis the good life!

After leaving Pahrump, I headed to California to visit my cousin, Karen, who lives in Apple Valley with her partner, Gina, and their two kids, Joe and Josh. I had an incredible time despite the fact that it included having a 10 and 12 year old beat me in basketball. Retribution came in the form of me picking them up and throwing them around. If you can't beat 'em, just throw 'em! Ha!

Now I am sitting in Bakersfield visiting with my friend Roger. We played volleyball in the park yesterday and I learned a valuable lessons...daily walks just doesn't cut it when it comes to jumping, lunging and diving. By the third game my legs were jello and my shoulder was killing me. Roger just laughed at me. So what is the plan tonight? Ultimate Frisbee games, which means more running, lunging and diving. I am so screwed. I will be the slow one on the field that everyone wants to guard. Trust me, though, I am not necessarily complaining...it feels great to get out and run around. Makes me feel like a young chap once again (that was dapper Georgie Boy talking).

Earth Day 2010 - What are you doing to help the Planet?

Pahrump, Nevada - Today is a day we should sit back and reflect upon what we have done to improve the health of Mother Earth and what we plan to do in the coming year. Think of it as a sort of New Year's Resolution, except that instead of quiting this, getting more of that, blah, blah, blah, we focus our attention and energies towards something much more important...our world, our earth. Whether is it small steps or big leaps, doing something, anything, to help the health of our planet will pave the way for a better future.

So, what DID you get Mother Earth for the big day?? Presents are welcome, actions are preferred. I have noticed that by necessity, people living out of their vehicles are conservationists. We don't have access to unlimited supplies of water like those living in sticks & bricks. I thought I was pretty good about this practice, using water very sparingly, but since meeting up with other van dwellers here in Pahrump, I have learned many valuable lessons. One example is the use of spray bottles. There are tons of applications for this, such as misting dirty dishes prior to washing, wetting your toothbrush and mouth, spraying on yourself to assist with "sink showers",...the list goes on and on. I only used 2 ounces of water in a week for brushing my teeth...now THAT is conservation!

Some people may not realize how important water conservation is to our planet. I read a statistic recently that stated 1% of the total electricity consumption of the United States is used in the treatment of our water. Per a 2005 statistic, the United States uses 3.8 trillion Kilowatt Hours/year. Thus, this equates to 38 billion Kilowatt Hours per year for water treatment alone. We can significantly reduce this power consumption by utilizing water conservation in our homes and daily lives. Take shorter showers, don't leave the water on while doing dishes or brushing your teeth, do full loads of laundry, etc. Little steps can go a long way to preserving our world.

One of those little steps that I am doing in my rig...Worms! I just "harvested" my first batch of compost made from my vermiculture bin (worm composting). I learned some valuable lessons from this first attempt, but still ended up with a flourishing worm population and plenty of 'castings' to help fertilize my plants. Which leads me to another thing I am doing in my rig...growing a little indoor garden! I've successfully planted green onions and basil, while unsuccessfully planted tomatoes (second attempt will happen in the next few days). So far, the plants are doing extremely well. I'll give ya updates in the months to come.

So what did I get our planet for Earth Day? A present and an action. I bought another solar panel formy rig and will be installing it tomorrow. Trying to make a big difference a little bit at a time...

Summer Employment!

Still in Pahrump, NV - It looks like I have plans for the summer! I have been camping with other van dwellers for the past few weeks and several of them have summer jobs as camp hosts. With their help and connections, I was able to secure a job as a camp host in the mountains of California for the summer! I will be near Shaver Lake, which is about an hour east of Fresno, CA. I will be in the forest, several miles from both a lake and a small mountain town. The job starts May 10 and goes through October. Plenty of time to explore the area and practice my new hobbies!

I've enjoyed the past 4 months having no set schedule and letting my whims dictate my movement. Yet it does feel good to have my summer plans set. I learned from my time at Belle's ranch that while I do enjoy the life of a nomad, I also like having tasks and things to occupy my time. I loved the job of feeding the animals every day! I think I will feel the same about this summer...cleaning sites and chatting with people camping.

On another note, I have just updated my "Thoughts of Green" page (access it via the link towards the top of this page). If you have a moment, go on over and let me know what you think! I wanted it to me more of a resource page, but I am still trying to figure out how to best utilize the space. Let me know your feedback!

In the Company of Fellow Van Dwellers

Pahrump, NV - I had thought several times prior to being on the road that there is the potential of boredom setting in at some point. I'm here to report that I no longer think that will be an issue. I've been on the road for almost 3 months (living in the RV for nearly 6 months) and I am finding that my days are constantly filled with activities, chores, laughter, learning, playing and much more. I've experience countless beautiful sunsets, starry nights and blue sky days (throw in there a few snowy days as well).

I'm currently in the town of Pahrump, Nevada. I came here to meet up with other folks who have chosen to live the life of a modern day nomad. Ten of us congregated here…me, AstroBri, Wayne, Bob, Steve, Kate, Charlene, PJ, Cheri and Paul. It's been wonderful to meet up with like-minded people who have been doing this for years. The stories leading up to living in a vehicle are as varied as the individuals, yet we all have those common elements that binds us together…a love for the outdoors and a desire to live in a nontraditional manner. I’ve got to be honest here…It feels a bit like home.

I think the main thing that impresses me most with the people that I’ve met is their ability to give. All of them have given freely both personal belongings and personal knowledge. While some of this giving is part of the constant "downsizing" and "purging" that vehicular living necessitates, it is still remarkable. Equally impressive is the knowledge that is shared within this group of individuals. Just in the short time that I’ve been here (1 week) I’ve learned so much. From Kate

I've expanded my knitting knowledge to include hat making and increasing/decreasing stitches;from Cheri I've learned how to make wire jewelry; from Wayne I've learned some things about my RV engine and being a great host; Bob has endless van living information, including solar and employment; Steve showed us his stunt kite flying skills and solar knowledge; Charlene knows turtle repair (don’t ask).

So that brings me back to my original point: will I get bored while traveling and living? Doubtful considering all the new things I’m learning and all that I want to learn. Who has time to be bored?

Belle Starr's Silverado Ranch, Bisbee, AZ

As I am about to depart from Belle Starr's Silverado Ranch to once again hit the open road, I want to reflect upon my experiences here on the ranch. I arrived at Belle's on February 17th and thought I would only stay for a few days. Well, just over 5 weeks later, I am finally about to move on. I fell in love with the animals and the beauty of the land. Nearly every morning, Stella and I would take a walk around the ranch to say "good morning" to all the animals...around 20 burros, 20 horses, a mule, a few donkeys, chickens, peacocks, and dogs. It was an animal lover's paradise.

Considering that my knowledge of horses and burros was pretty much zero when I arrived, by the end, my comfort level had grown tremendously. I still remember the first day walking around, clueless of where to pet the damned animals! That changed very quickly, of course. Within the week I would find myself wrestling with a burro (score: Brian- 0, Burro- 1). We had been trying to separate out the pregnant burros from the rest and at the last moment, one of those that was preggers made a break for it. I grabbed it around the neck and had stopped it from bolting! Oh the pride that I felt...for at least 2 seconds, at which point the burro made one last effort and suddenly I found myself on my ass in a cloud of dust. So I dusted off my pride and my pants, then gave it another go. Eventually we separated out the ones we thought were "with child", though its rather hard to tell. They all kinda bulge out to some extent. Maybe the ones we took aside were simply well feed. I suppose I'll never know.

During my stay I met some interesting and great people. Belle was the perpetual presence on the ranch and I enjoyed my daily chats with her. She has an amazing story, so if you ever get a chance to visit, you should lend her your ear for a good bit of time. She has so many wonderful ideas and aspirations for the ranch, but unfortunately, no one to help her follow through consistently. But I don't doubt for a second that she will make it happen...somehow.

As the weather begins to sizzle slightly, my journey will take me north to cooler climes. I've heard mention from others on the road that the desert wild flowers are something to behold. I didn't give it too much thought until I started noticing the flowers starting to bloom. It's simply spectacular to see so many delicate colors in an environment that is typically so...well, brown. I can't wait to see what's around the next corner...

The Moments We Wish Away

Yesterday almost felt like I had a big date. I showered, shaved, cut my hair…felt like a new man! Then I was also planning on cooking a steak I bought, but after all that hygiene crap, the day got away from me and I didn’t have time to make a big dinner. Instead I spent way too long making a huge batch of pico de gallo so snacks were my dinner.

Today is Friday. The question begs…why do I still know that? At this point, days of the week are rather insignificant for me. I have been unemployed since early December, yet for some reason I still retain that…skill? Maybe habit is more like it. It seems that in our society, we count things. Even people who say “oh no, I am horrible at math…I just hate it” subconsciously (or consciously) count things all day long in so many places: How many people are in front of me in line? How many minutes do I have until I can go home? How many days until my WEEKEND starts?? I’m sure if I analyzed it further, I could find a dozen things or more.

I already regret that I am about to use such a horrible cliché, but it just fits. I guess what I am trying to get to in this note is (cliché warning!) how much we have become slave to our systems and lives. I call them systems because that is what they really are…ways to get through the day and on to the next. So many times we find ourselves wishing away our lives…I can’t wait until Friday! I can’t wait until I get home! I can’t wait to go out! We want that thing coming up instead of simply enjoying the moment. I know this has been said so many times before, but it really is important to live in the moment, otherwise we may find that one of these days we run out of moments.

The reason I even brought this up, though, is because I still find myself thinking “it’s Friday, I should be doing something!” Yet why does this even matter? I’m unemployed, traveling around in an RV with rarely a schedule in mind. It does not matter what day of the week it is…I still have the same options. That is how hard it is to break the Monday through Friday “habit”, or monotony. So tonight I cooked my dinner over my campfire while I enjoyed a much deserved Tecate cerveza. Now I sit and write and sip my single malt scotch. And I am enjoying this very simple moment. Good Night all!

The Playground that Time Forgot

On the outskirts of the small town of Rodeo, NM, I discovered an old playground surrounded by the desert. I've dubbed it "The Playground that Time Forgot". Stella and I played for a bit...and she learned to push me around on the merry-go-round! Well, sorta. She kept trying to jump on me but each time she would push me away and around. Very confusing for her, but totally fun for me!

I really can't believe it's been a month since last I wrote on this

blog. I'm unemployed, yet can't seem to find the time to write a few paragraphs. I guess I just haven't been in a writing mood of late. This is just a quick post, the next one will be a bit longer...

Oh and I came across these two quotes and I thought they were simply perfect considering my adventures. Hope you enjoy!

"They laughed, because she was different"

"She laughed, because they were all the same"

---

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than

by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Imagine a black funnel of living, flying bats erupting from an enormous cave, spiraling into the air in search of insects to consume. Well, imagine is what I had to do since the bats were not present while I was there. They are there for the summer months only...because apparently they are smarter than I and must have a finger on the pulse of weatherchannel.com.

Yet the trip was still amazing and it was fun to try and imagine such a sight. The enormity and beauty of the caverns themselves are beyond my ability to paint a verbal picture and my little camera could not even come close to capturing the detail of the formations. This is simply one place that you will all need to visit. And I recommend the summer months...that's when I will try to make a trip back. The one thing that kept popping into my head while I hiked down into the cave...imagine being the person to first explore these caves. They are seemingly endless, reaching into the darkness for miles and miles. Simply amazing.

As evening approached, though, I needed a place to camp for the night. After researching some options, I decide on going with an old (abandoned?) BLM campground nearby. It was free to stay, which has been a major factor for many of my decisions. The one concern I had was the person who wrote about this place on the internet mentioned that although 4WD was not necessary, a high vehicle clearance was. Well, my RV sits pretty high off the ground and I have very little reservations about giving it a try (some may question my intelligence at this point...and you people would be correct in this questioning). It started out decent enough...slow going, but steady progress. Conditions deteriorated rather quickly...inversely proportional to my speed. It took me 45 minutes to go the last mile to the campground. Large ruts in the road and a narrow path surrounded by cacti and trees contributed to the turtle pace I was maintaining. Damage Toll Taken: side mirror bent from tree, part of the siding on the RV was damaged, mud everywhere. Once I arrived, though, I felt very safe. Mostly because in my mind all I could think was "who in the hell would come out on this road??" Not a soul was seen during my stay.

I certainly could have spent more time at this campground since there were several caves nearby that you could explore (several miles worth of caves), though everywhere mentioned that proper equipment and at least 3 people should explore these caves. Thus, no exploration for

me. Next time...