YOU WANNA LIVE THIS WAY---Part 3---SALIDA--LEADVILLE

NO NEED FOR MOBILE PEOPLE TO EVER SUFFER THE HEAT.  The saving formula to know is that each thousand feet of elevation lowers the temperature 4 degrees on average.  Colorado is therefore perfect for the summer--just pick the elevation you're comfortable in.

Denver was too warm so I started climbing till nightfall caught me--selected an exit at random and soon happened upon this closed road----Perfect---I settled in right there.

Turns out I was near  Dinosaur ridge museum. So I walked over and got the story.

Can you appreciate the fact that you're looking at a giant's footprint that is 65 million years old.

West on 70 the serious mountains show themselves

The Eisenhower tunnel--one of the great ones--right through that mountain.  The highest tunnel in the world--11,000 feet.

These are MCMANSIONS west of Denver--hundreds of them.

Further West at Dillon--even bigger mansions.  Locals told me they are owned largely by out of staters who use them only a few weeks a year.  I'm sure they are legal, but there's something immoral about this vast waste of resources.  There are better things to do with wealth.

Boondocking in Dillon was a challenge--but I found a nearby frisby golf course and spent the night.

The town is ritzy ritzy with fashion name brand stores. For some reason I'm uncomfortable --even resentful of towns like this. Living a ritzy ritzy life is a sure sign that you're an asshole. Goddammit there are important things to be done and we need you, your creativity and your money.  Keep in mind what happened to the Nobles during the French revolition.

Towns like this---Leadville---old-- historic--with colorful characters--don't set me off like Dillon does. 

A man might choose this town to die in.  Can you read the sign around my neck: says HERE LIES LES MOORE---NO LESS NO MORE

Just outside town, a vast open forest invites me to camp free and enjoy mountain views.

I stayed about 2 weeks with a variety of companions ---got chilly and moved to the forest outside Salida--about 3000 feet downhill and 12 degrees warmer.  Down there a thousand feet is the beautiful Arkansas river valley.  Love the view from my door.

Camped and hiked with an old friend here

Those are both "fourteener" mountains.

Higher up the mountain is a vast meadow with great views in several directions---it waits for you to come camp here--free of charge.

One day we ran across this wierd thing---left it alone.

And then we came back to town and clustered beside the river.  For those with sharp eyes that's the popular blogger Kimbo Polo's rig in the middle.

Morning walk with companions Jeanne, dog Riley and in the middle is the  blogger Kimbo Polo.

The beautiful Arkansas River.  Arguably the most beautiful in the US 

because it was selected by Christo for this whopper of a project he calls "OVER THE RIVER".

These three views show how it will look from high in the air,  from the river level and just above it.  it will be  miles long in 4 separate segments making its way through a canyon south of town..

Like his other awesome projects it will stay up only two weeks. Read about it here .

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  If and when you become a butterfly, you too will flit about--resting on this flower and that one--drinking the nectar of small charming towns like Salida and Leadville.  It really is possible and incredibly cheap.  It's all I can do to spend $600 a month--everything included.

At this moment a million of you out there could squirm your way out of your cocoon and lift into the air to join me on the road.  In the words of Walt Whitman:

 " Come--travel with me!  However sweet these laid up stores, however convenient this dwelling--we cannot remain here.  However calm these waters, however secure this harbor we must not anchor here.  Together the inducements shall seem greater.

We shall sail wild and pathless seas---we will go where the winds blow, waves dash and the Yankee Clipper speeds by under full sail."

PEOPLEFLOW---part 2

CONTINUING WITH THE FLOW OF PERSONALITIES THROUGH MY LIFE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS OR SO.

Meet "Ayla" (modern day equivalent of the heroine of CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR) using that ancient spear throwing device the atlatl.  Her personality proved to be as interesting as the weapon.

Meet "ED" who approached me on the street and invited me to dinner.  Turns out he wanted to give me the Christian sales pitch.  Nice guy--means well--but knows almost nothing about Christianity--its orgins or implications.  I delayed till I could bear it no longer--then gently asked some of the tough questions.  Dealing with believers is very much like discussing the Santa Clause myth with children:

when and if to break the unsettling news to them that life is a mystery--- that to be enjoyed must be embraced--that believing myths to be factual--is life wasting escapism. 

Meet Pam a delightful local who recognized me from the movie WITHOUT BOUNDS.  (It's a heady experience--I will try to contain my ego) I invited her in for tea.  She was charmed by the movie message of freedom and wanted a few tips. (I gave it my best shot)

A campground party--conceived and executed by my companion Kat.  She drew cute picture invitations and had me pass them out to (hopefully) interesting personalities.  They came--we played self revelatory games that she devised---we munched---and as usual all the guys fell in love with her.

(the game:  each wrote several jobs we'd held on slips of paper--then we drew them out and guessed who had done that job)

And then one day Elvis came to town--great performer--announced a dance contest.

Down they all went--serious boogiers all---but Kat was the winner.  If you look close you can see the metal around her neck.

Chatted with this guy on the street--loved his bold blue hair. (someday I will be bold enough to do it)  You'd think he was a hippy---not so!

He was towing this---So he's a respectable father/citizen.  I followed him inside a restaurant and lo--he took charge as though he were the manager or owner.  (hurray for bold individuqalism)

Then one day I got suddenly ill--severe pain in lower left gut.  Drove to Denver VA and was treated in 30 minutes---including cat scan and blood work.  Turns out it was either a kidney stone passing or more likely an episode of diverticulitis.  I SAY THE VA DELIVERS GREAT MEDICAL SERVICE.  Anyway, the pain went away and hasn't returned---sooo back to life on the road.

Spent the night at Dinasaur Park and next day this kind lady gave me a special tour and lecture. (I gave her my card and told her I would write about the museum.--did you know that it was right here that the world first became convinced of the reality of these giants.)

Then I went to Leadville---America's loftiest city--10,000 ft.  Wonderfully cool--chilly at night.

Camped with this lovely lady--old friend--Jeanne

and her delightful doggie Riley

Soon we are joined by old friend CB (who eats healthy)

And lives comfortably in his truck.  Few people live as cozily as he--even in rigs.  He owns a super luxurious Airstream trailer but much of the time prefers the simplicity of his truck.

His electronics are state of the art (solar power, refrigeration, great sound system)--we gather around

to watch hours of HOUSE OF CARDS.  

Then we are joined by 21 yr old Japanese student Sheomi--who camps the night with us. She is here to climb Mt  Elbert---Colorado's highest peak.

CB's music is so good we all get up to dance.

Next day the two ladies move on and two more move in.  Meet Nancy and Alisa.

They also like to dance.  Great companions--daily walks, campfires, conversations and side trips to town--lovable boston terrior.  Enjoyed their company for a week.

Then returned to Salida and the company of Jeanne--perched high o a ridge at 8000 ft.  Been here a week--will move downtown when I finish writing this.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  More of the personalities that have poured through my life---each is "gold bearing" and as they flow through the sluice  box that I am---they deposit bits of gold into me.

(Gold is wisdom, information, inspiration, warm memories)

Addendum: At Maxcactus's suggestion I include some of my techniques for approaching strangers.

• I approach with a playful, friendly smile---usually with a "Hi".
• Ask an easy question--or make a comment--usually related to the situation: e.g. "That's a classic old rig you got there--How long have you had it?"
• Pay careful attention to their response--looking them in the eye.
• Build my next response on what they just said. Often it will suggest a follow up question and voila--the conversation is rolling--Let it flow toward their passions--that's where the gold is! 
• Get the "feel" of the person and respond appropriately--
• I Keep in mind what I'm really after:  an authentic unfolding of their personality and values and notable experiences.  Specialized data is occasionally useful.  All of these will very often flow out of them naturally and easily in the presence of someone genuinely interested in them.
• Have a feel for when to gently close the interaction.

PEOPLEFLOW

AN ABBREVIATED ACCOUNT OF THE PERSONALITIES THAT HAVE FLOWED INTO MY LIFE IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS OR SO.

Meet Kat---up from Cottonwood, Az --an amazing lady --artist--dancer--teacher---first class citizen who makes it her mission to enjoy and improve whatever situation she finds herself in--a true  AUTOTELIC personality.

I took her to the mountains one day and she disappeared for awhile.  When I found her, she was too absorbed to notice my presence.

Eventually she let me see what she was doing.

Old friend Paul Namkung, owner of 3 Ravens Coffee shop Tierra Amarilla, NM showed up here at Salida's art fair to sell his WORLD DRUMS.  He sold 3 while I sat and drummed with him.

Meet Eric--volunteer host of Salida East free campground---a most interesting guy who has devoted years of his life to adventurous learning---has sailed the oceans with famous personalities you would know---has evolved a unique plan and philosophy which is written and will be published soon.

Example of his gold: "Those who have not done great things try to convince others that

they have through the telling of great stories. Those who have done

great things merely continue to do them." - Eric Wolery (Spiritual

Freedom Series book 1) click here

Meet Janet---an old friend I crossed paths with in the woods.  She is amazingly bold, adventurous, and as unselfconscious as anyone I know.  She exercises in the mornings to rock music.

Meet Matthew and Devon, a fascinating and inventive couple who wander and live in this van--

selling real orchids like this preserved in  resin

from display stands like this.  Believe it or not, they sold them on 5th ave in New York City.

Interested? contact devon.orchidtreasures@gmail.com 

Devon shows off their pet--it's alive---and much loved.

One day, out of the blue this couple knocked on my door.  Friends from many years ago.  Mort and Betty---showing off their latest travel rig--a self engineered van for side trips from their huge motor home.

And to demonstrate how RVers learn from one another--I asked to see his "wallet".Sure enough, it's exactly like mine---a lifestyle of cards and bills contained by a single clip.  He taught me the trick some 15 years ago.

Meet Superman Steve Fuller--age 45- that I met just off the Continental Divide Trail.  He's in a race and is averaging more than 100 miles per day.  He does not expect to win because the winner will often travel 200 miles per day in this 25 day challenge.

An likely, you recognize by now---Wayne Wirs --that mysterious vagabond mystic  author and guru that the universe sends into my life from time to time. (always urging me to notice synchronicity) 

Today--by amazing coincidence--(synchronicity) his timing is perfect to meet two terrific strangers--Stephanie and Paul (on the left)--and together with autotelic lady--Kat--we all sat down to an in-depth conversation.

(Neither Wayne nor Kat will talk trivia for long)

Stephanie has a very bold hobby--which she ropes her hubby into:  She arranges to go and  meet-- in person--people who -interest her.

Today that was me---and so they drove from Denver to Salida for that purpose.  I'm honored. I hope she "got her money's worth".  (certainly with Kat and Wayne thrown in the mix)

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  SO IT GOES---FASCINATING PEOPLE "FLOW" INTO MY LIFE.

Probably into your life as well.  When I feel a personality "flowing" into my life--I try to transform myself into a sluicebox --letting the full personality stream through---and afterwards---at odd times--I discover the "gold"  that has unbeknownst to me, accumulated in the catch bin.

I"m tired but I have more flow to tell you about