MEET A QUEEN OF THE ROAD

I INTRODUCE TO YOU CHRIS CARRINGTON----  A real life queen of the road---someone so beautifully adapted to the mobile lifestyle that she could serve as a model to all who yearn to break free of their cocoon and fly. 

4 years ago she began her travels after a 20 year career as a health inspector for the state of Vermont.

 

The perfect rig for a solitary traveler--a Toyota powered Dolphin motor home that will go about anywhere.  15 MPG --very dependable---cost under $10,000---containing all the creature comforts a sensible person could desire. 

Illustrating the lightweight simplicity of her lifestyle----2 keys!  How many keys do you use?

 

She agrees to an in depth interview. Her good humored candor amazes me.  She is single--- debt-free---comfortably mobile----frugal--efficient in a hundred ways---computer savvy----financially comfortable---low carbon footprint----smart---sociable, with a wide network of friends---never bored--never lonely---is an atheist--- not superstitious.   I resolve to dig deeper for clues that you might find useful.

 

Housekeeping--- impecable----bed enough

 

kitchen, fridge, bath and storage enough.  Stashed somewhere is all the equipment needed for her antique business---including her current crop of antiques which she sells on e-bay, earning about $200 a month. (has tallied more than 10,000 transactions and 5000 positive feedback comments) 

 

Workspace and dining area.  Electronically she is well up to speed--with solar panels, inverter, phone, mifi for internet access and 2 laptops.

 

 Yesterday she fixed her truck (check engine light) by unlocking its computer  code.  Today I find her repairing a bike tire.

 

Chris at age 38----a sensual knockout---but hear me sweet readers---she's more of a knockout now for the life wisdom she embodies---says NOW is the happiest time of her life and that it keeps getting better.

 

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:   After much digging in her history---a theory emerges---how she evolved to such a blessed state:  AN UN-NURTURING MOTHER  persuaded her very early to look elsewhere for nurture and guidance.  SHE CHOSE TO LOOK WITHIN!---and to be her own meaning and morality maker. ( Her ethics are eclectic and extremely functional.)

A second cause of her extraordinary happiness is a HABIT OF SAYING YES TO OPPORTUNITIES.

 something she learned early---by accident---a spontaneous yes---brought such rich enjoyment that she said YES and Yes again---it became a SELF ENHANCING SPIRAL UPWARD:  Yes led to rich experience and more yesses to more richness-etc. ( people who say NO habitually--- spiral downward)

There you have it dear readers---a great suggestion for reaching a blessed life: 1. SELF RELIANCE 2. SAYING YES TO OPPORTUNITIES.

 

A TALE OF TWO MEETINGS--- PARTY AND PURPOSE

The contrast of these two meetings in two days with our friends---set me thinking.

This meeting was about fun.  A party with crab legs, lobster tails and all the fixings.  Also light,lively

conversation with lots of laughter.

 

Next day, this group (plus me) gathered to exchange ideas--to enrich ourselves. We had focused conversation where everyone participated.  I think we all went away feeling enlarged.

 

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  Conversations are of 4 kinds:

1. Ritual---(hello how are you etc)

2. Pastime-----cars, sports, gossip,trivia.

3. Work talk

4. Intimate talk----what you really feel---want---think--have done.

I think that intimate talk is the only kind that can stimulate personal growth---the elevation of our being.  I think we all want more than fun---even more than happiness.  We want the satisfaction that comes from personal growth and making a contribution.   

MOVIE MAKERS ARRIVE: QUEST-FOR-COMMUNITY CARAVAN FEATURED

AN OPPORTUNITY TO "SOUND OUR RAUCUS YAHOO ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS OF THE WORLD" (Whitman)
Tell the world about our delightful circle of traveling friends.

HOW BOUT THAT? Somehow documentary film makers heard of our caravan----drove here to Lake Heron State Park, NM to interview us----one at a time---and then in cluster.

Meet Michael Tubbs (left) and Aaron----- documentary team based in Stephen F. Austin College--Texas----setting up in my Kitchen.  Terrific professional team---they asked great questions---for more than an hour---gave me the space to have my say. 

Aaron inside Laurie's rig---he's 6 ft 4 in--and it shows here. The ladies soon had a nickname for him: HUNKOLA!

They pitched their tent and stayed the night.

Laurie in her hammock---not the least bit camera shy.

And I thought they were going to move into her famous "casbah".

Laurie was thrilled when the film maker asked to use the song she wrote for my birthday 'Between The Highway and Wind' in their documentary. See the behind the scenes shooting, mis-takes and all of the filming of the song here: 

Chris being interviewed.  She has an awesome story---I hope to tell it soon--a life of adventure---And she is better adapted to the road than anyone I've met---including me.

One day during a group conference in my rig---they asked to film it.  We obliged.

Then I took them down to meet our Mystic-in-temporary-residence Wayne Wirs. ( www.waynewirs.blogspot.com ) who lives (appropriately enough) in the nearby boondocks

Regretably he chose not to be interviewed---a shame because he is superbly articulate about his take on life.

Laurie serenades our guest in early morning song.

And after it's all over we gather to share impressions.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience---felt that the filmmakers were fair in their inquiry.  We all look forward to its screening --perhaps early next year.  Thanks to Bob Wells for the origional contact and for championing this lifestyle. (www.cheaprvliving.com )

RANDY COMMENTS: I told the camera that our caravan is designed to connect a special breed of traveler we call a hero journeyer (from the Joseph Campbell book HERO OF A THOUSAND FACES). People who feel called to wander into the "unknown" in quest of  adventure, personal fulfillment and expression.( Synopsis here )While we often travel alone we suspect that temporarily connecting can do wonders for our individual experiences---such as mutual inspiration ---multiplying our information---effectiveness --etc.

I believe that we hero-journeyers can create an entirely new culture----the pattern of which could be useful to the next million heroes to take to the open road.  We believe that "knotting up"---tribalizing----coming together is a basic human urge and need.

UPDATE: IN A FEW DAYS WE WILL BE LEAVING LAKE HERON STATE PARK AND MAKING OUR WAY TO EAGLES NEST STATE PARK, NM.  All who are interested in our venture are welcome to visit us there. 

BUDDHA'S BUDDIES---HOW CAN A HANDFUL OF FRIENDS ENRICH THE WORLD?

ANSWER: HATCH A NEW IDEA AND HELP IT GO VIRAL IN THE WORLD.

I REMIND ALL WHO HAVE BENEFITTED FROM BUDDHA'S INSIGHTS----of the critical role
 that his friends played.  When he left his principality in quest of  spiritual answers----it was a band of monks already living in the forest that befriended him and no doubt brought him up to speed about the essential questions: the nature of existence and how best to navigate in it.  Eventually he received a lightning bolt of an answer (the 4 noble truths) and hurried back to share it with his friends.  They accepted the new insights and worked with Buddha to make his message GO VIRAL.  It spread around the world and blesses all who receive it to this day.

I AM NOT ENLIGHTENED-----HAVE NOT BEEN STRUCK BY A THUNDERBOLT OF INSIGHT but I take as my mission to call together  for a time --personalities who are on a "HERO'S JOURNEY" --"forest dwelling friends"--if you will --to collectively discover THE MIDDLE WAY OF RELATING WITH THE WORLD  (balancing solitude and society)

 My conviction is that everyone on a hero's journey has lightning bolt truth within them---and that it emerges in bits and chunks in the normal course of living.  I intend to gather up this wisdom---organize it and hand it to the world. (as I did with the Oracle:  http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2008/07/dating-oracle.html  )

 My second conviction is that  Hero journeyers---engaging each other---in a conducive environment ---TRANSFORM --into super hero journeyers---(much as ordinary grasshoppers who engage in clustering-- transform into super-grasshoppers---bigger/stronger/bolder) (or as rocks in a tumbler polish each other)

I am learning how to bring Hero Journeyers together and how to facilitate their engagement---from the Heroes themselves.

Here's a brief pictoral update of our doings.

We are settled on beatiful Lake Heron, NM

We go on occasional expeditions---this day to a spanish village church for it annual festival. An interesting experience to see the local folk bond in doctrine and ritual---celebrate in song.  I thought how wonderful this would be----the bonding---ritual and all---IF WE COULD JUST LEAVE OFF THE DOCTRINES.  They are unnecessary---unprovable---divide humanity. Can you see Laurie boldly participating--(she always does) and privately 'honing' it to fit her own philosophy. 

Afterwards the villagers march in solumn procession.

to the fiesta site. Lots of fun--great dancing.

One day we decide to settle an important issue: Are Oreo cookies better than their Wal-Mart imitation---Great value brand.  The bets are made and Ginger agrees to administer a blind taste test to three of us. I'm betting you can't taste the difference---and GV is $1 cheaper.

Mark goes first ---eyes closed---is this tidbit--the real thing or not?

Turns out you can tell the difference---And the winner is: Laurie of course.

One day I took my friends to the legendary Lito's Ballroom to see the  Shoes of mystery---(for some photos and my take on the place click here): http://mobilecodgers.blogspot.com/2011/08/last-dance-at-litos-ballroom.html I've commented previously about Ginger's fascination with abandoned shoes--photographs them for an upcoming book.  In reality I have no idea why these hundred or so shoes are piled here---Is it related to the collapse of the building? Anybody out there know?

Laurie seized the opportunity to create a youtube video of  her singing a song

 in the ballroom cleverly entitled Standing room only. 

Watch her here:

Saturday's from 1 to 4 pm musicians entertain patrons of the Three Ravens Coffee house.

Meet our newest friend Chris---who explored the countryside around Tierra Amarillo one day--treating me to a senior citizen lunch.  She has led an astonishing --adventurous life that she has allowed me to share with you on another occasion.

On my birthday--my friends throw a party for me---This is Ginger---ever-resplendent--bringing goodies.

Center is a new friend Libby--camp host--Texas gal.  On the left is Jim Jaillette, blogger and author--fellow caravaner.  Then singer/songwriter, Laurie---Then Guru/blogger/author Wayne wirs--then Ginger.  Almost hidden is Mark---captain of the magnificent Blue Bird motor home You've seen.  Then Chris our newest friend.  At Jim's suggestion---everyone told the first time they met me.

And wouldn't you know it---Laurie wrote me a song: "Between the Highway and the Wind"

Ginger made this lovely rainbow pendant for me.

This is Wayne Wirs--clean shaven---Blogger extraordinaire--a real American Sadhu--who drops by occasionally---always delightful--at peace with the world and its maker.  I've challenged myself on occasion to summarize his views.  Better yet check him out for yourself. http://waynewirs.com/  His latest work is---surprisingly---a diet book---with a--spiritual slant that I'm finding to be painless and effective.  Here he is 30 pounds lighter than when I last saw him.  Says he may drop 30 more.

It says:

If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy.

If it weremerely challenging, that would be no problem'

But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world

and a desire to enjoy the world.

That makes it hard to plan the day.

                                                                                          E.B.White

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: I know what he means---Trying to improve the world requires creative thinking and writing and acting.  I make an effort because  I'm not satisfied to merely amuse myself---I bet you aren't either.  The people I know who are on a Hero's Journey --care about the well being of the world and search for a way to make a difference for the better.  Our caravan has a fairly modest goal (in my opinion) that we hope will go viral: We want people on a Hero's journey to freely connect and share their being and their views and experiences with other Journeyers.  An empowering protocol for these path crossings is what we are working on.  

MANIFESTO OF THE MOBILE MILLION

AN INVITATION TO YOU.

WE THE MOBILE MILLION living lives of abundant simplicity-- know how to liberate millions from needless drudgery, ease stress, increase happiness, simplify life, open up a million new jobs, improve health, diminish fears and consumption, stimulate wonder, activate creativity, connect with supportive friends.

Marshal your wits / resources and take to the open road! JOIN US!
We are already out here---a million strong---waiting to welcome you.

We live marvelous lives at an amazingly small cost-----you can too---we will guide you.

We have disconnected from the electrical grid---but not from the electronic. We are powered by the sun

We are learning new forms of friendship----to connect without confining---to inspire without interfering.

We claim the continent in our travels--"enjoying the land but owning it not"----"letting the night overtake us everywhere at home". (Thoreau)

Millions of you already have enough money and do not know it---you are working out of habit/false fears/conventionality / greed / materialism / ignorance.  You can (currently) strike out on your journey for $500 a month or less.  "Time is the currency of life" (Laurie Theodora)  and you may be wasting it.

Early and long freedom is the appropriate fruit / gift of the industrial revolution.   Pluck--eat--it is delicious.

You want to go on a hero's journey. (perhaps everyone does---: " HERO OF A THOUSAND FACES" by Joseph Campbell)  You yearn for simplicity, mobility, adventure, connection, self discovery / self expression.

You cannot know your own wonder until you wander.

You will likely reinvent / revise-- your religion / metaphysics / philosophy--- in your travels.

In your travels you will come to know yourself ----seeing yourself reflected in all that you meet.

"All you ever wanted to do was contribute" (Erhard)----and you will find valuable clues in your travels about what you wish to give.

You will learn to easily / gracefully ----connect and disconnect.

You will grow --amazingly---as you absorb traits that you admire in others.

You will face "demons" and "dragons" ---endure dark nights of the soul---be lonely at times----and somehow----triumph---learning something valuable.

And Then--when you feel the urge--- you will return and share with those you left behind what you have learned.

And the cycle will be complete.