I volunteered to be the facilitator of a wandering tribe for 10 weeks. We began in the desert east of Borrego Springs, CA with 17 adventurers
including these two wonderful children confronting a giant scorpion and grasshopper.
Wending our way to the ever mysterious Slabs and eye catching art
and amazing people---like this man who addressed a group of us from atop a hay bale--declaring his intention to dome over this giant tank with bits of fused colored glass.
Our "tribe borrowed this compound to throw a party and dance.
We visited a "hobbit house" built of cob under this magical tree.
As our caravan continued we attracted new members--topping out at 60 by the time we reached our destination of Quartzsite, AZ,
where we joined up with 3000 more travelers like ourselves and I had the opportunity to address the entire crowd. Here is some of what I said to them:
WE ARE THE SPROUTING SEED OF A BRAND NEW BREED,
LIVING SIMPLE AND LIGHT AND LEAN;
LIVING HAPPY AND FREE LIKE WILD CHEROKEE
IN OUR COZY LITTLE LIVING MACHINES;
A LIFE THAT IS BOLD WITH OURSELVES IN CONTROL;
AND WITH CLUSTERS OF FRIENDS IN AFFECTION
REINVENTING THE TRIBE, HELPING REVIVE
OUR LONG-LOST NATURAL CONNECTION
CHOOSING SUNLIGHT'S GLOW OVER ICE AND SNOW;
ACCEPTANCE OVER SORROW;
ADVENTUROUS GAMES OVER RICHES AND FAME
AND TODAY OVER IFFY TOMORROW.
Sweet people, there are now a million of us living on the road and hard times are likely to send us a million more---who we will welcome and nurture into the comforts and glories of this lifestyle.
They were a wonderful audience and many joined our tribe--now renamed MUSIC AND MIND CAMP.
That's my colleague CB giving details of our new idea.
Then I took a break--traveling first to the Imperial Sand Dunes
And back to the Slabs.
Then into the deep desert with an old friend from 40 years ago.
Finally down this lonely road to a place of solitude for a few days
with this view out my door
and "letting the night overtake me everywhere at home."
RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: WE will start a new thing--a MUSIC AND MIND camp where people who appreciate music and Ideas will drift about the country enjoying one another's company and encouraging each to find the things that fascinate them, respond to them creatively and sharing whatever they wish to share. You are welcome to join us at any stage of our travel. Yuma, AZ will be our next stop.