THIS IS FUN---BUT DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING?

MY STEPMOTHER ONCE ASKED ME WHAT I WOULD HAVE TO SHOW FOR ALL MY TRAVELS.  It's a fair question and deserves consideration.  Perhaps it's closely related to the question I've asked in the title: does it mean anything?  I hope to address both of them in my philosophizing section. Meanwhile, here's the sort of activity in question:

Our group moved south from Leadville settling on a mountainside overlooking Buena Vista--stayed here a pleasant 2 weeks.

Earlier, I managed to interview on film the one and only Bob Wells, founder of Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, perhaps America's foremost spokesman for the free, mobile life. When I learn where it may be seen, I will direct you to it.

From one side of the Arkansas river valley, we moved to the other--again looking down on the lovely town of Buena Vista. That's our friendly, half coyote, dog Pelado in the foreground.

We are joined by Jo in her exquisit diesel powered cab over camper.  I caught her enjoying the rooftop exit----great for stargazing too.

My mentor/blogger Kabloonie joins us for awhile.  He is camera hostile so I won't tell you which seat he occupies.

Just across the creek from us is this near-replica of Henry David Thoreau's cabin. No doubt the owner intends to enjoy the solitude that Thoreau enjoyed.  If I had met him (or her) I would have urged him to bless us with the deep wisdom of  "Walden Pond".

Eventually we moved some 25 miles south to the mountainside (Forestry road 250) above Salida and to a lovely spot found by Jeanne that I enjoyed last year.  Here's the view from my door--perhaps a thousand foot drop to the valley below. My companions parked perilously close to the edge.  A stiff wind could have tumbled them over the edge.

The famed Arkansas River.  Declared by artist Christo the most beautiful in America.  And it is the subject of his next incredible project he calls COVER THE RIVER.  Check it out here. It's mind boggling what he intends to do.

One day Barb declared both myself and CB SHAGGY--and in need of a haircut--which she promptly provided.  (the oldest of 9 children--she was made the beautician for all her siblings--and is self taught.  Did a great job) And PS:  Note that I am losing weight with a new strategy: Never get seriously hungry but seize opportune moments to exercise tiny restraints.  In a year, I expect to be 20 pounds lighter.

This turbulence is deliberately engineered for recreation such as this.  One can "play" right there till he's tired.  The backsurge of water holds kayakers and boarders in place.

Local artist do interesting things like this.

Barb installed her magic chair---wonderfully comfortable.

One day she and I hiked a portion of the Colorado trail---a terrific footpath wending its way across the mountains from Denver to Durango.

One day Kathy got a brilliant idea and started a super complex project of building a collapsible room 

on the side of her truck.  Will show the completed project when it's done.

CB bought a new bass guitar to accompany Barb.  They're sounding good.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING?? ---ALL THIS TRAVEL AND PERSONAL AMUSEMENT?? Does it do us any good?? Does it do the world any good?

We could be out working---making stuff--instead of consuming stuff---serving others instead of amusing ourselves.

CB emphasizes that our carbon footprint is dramatically low for Americans. We often go a month between gasoline fillups.  Not owning a house is a big gift to the world. (there are now about a million of us housless, but not homeless,) full timers. (you're welcome America)

BUT MORE SERIOUSLY: Does this drifty travel do us personally any good? Yeah, I think it does!

I see people all the time who do not travel.  Their world is smaller than mine! To prove this dramatically to yourself, go visit the Amish or Hutterites. Living very restrictive lives they have stifled their spirits, their curiosity, their imagination.  Imagine the best of them engaging a mind like David Attenborough or Richard Dawkins. Polished minds require broad perspectives! Travel helps!

So now I can answer my stepmother's question: What I have to show for all my travel IS MY BEING---HOPEFULLY MY EVOLVED CHARACTER, MY INSIGHT.  I KNOW HOW TO BETTER COMMUNICATE, APPRECIATE, INITIATE---TO BE ALIVE IN THE WORLD.

The important difference between one person and another is the complexity of their character.

For a more detailed examination of Meaning click here .