REASSEMBLING THE TRIBE AT SADDLE MOUNTAIN

IT'S BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE WE HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLYASSEMBLED HERE.

WE SCATTERED FOR THE SUMMER BUT SOME OF US COULD NOT BEAR TO PART,

SO A FEW OF US STAYED TOGETHER THROUGH THE SUMMER.  NOW WE REAAEMBLE!.

 

You may remember these lovely mountains 40 miles west of Phoenix.

Now we are back---here is the first wave of returnees gathered to establish how we are going to deal with the corona virus.  It was a good meeting and we set a good policy to protect ourselves.

Our rigsare strung along this road.

And C.B. unveils his latest electronic marvel:  giant screen movies for our entertainment.

For the guitar crowd, a practice session.

Hiking in the morning for the vigorous.

Games at two for gamers.

Slow shuffling walkers at 5.

Snoozing, solitude and privacy at any time desired.

And that's the way we while away the days.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  I REMIND MYSELF  WHAT I AM DOING OUT HERE IN THIS DESERT WITH THIS SELECT GROUP OF FRIENDS:  WE ARE REINVENTING THE TRIBE,

Making it voluntary, free, fun, supportive, even transformative.  .

TWO WONDERS AND A POEM

C

CAMPED IN THE SHADOW OF A WONDER--MEXICAN HAT

A town and a rock in the Utah desert..

Hundreds have come to see it since we've been here.

Its story a million years old.

You might imagine the details

Buried in sediment layers under the sea.

Pressure makes them stone,.

rising with the Colorado plateau uplift five states wide.

Then weathering away of its layer --all but this wonderous rock

can't guess why, but there it is,  balanced 

on its pinnacle. Wonder enough!

As I gather myself to leave, a second wonder begins.

Perhaps you can see the visitors  under the hat.

 Two of them. I was unprepared for what came next.

Can you see this amazing man defying gravity on the underside of the hat?

                                                  Slowly he makes his way to the edge                                                                                 

Then on top!

And his buddy also!. They wandered all around the rock--seemingly unafraid it might fall

Needless to say, I was dazzled.  I waved--they waved back.

 Here's what came to my mind:

"WHAT A PIECE OF WORK IS MAN.

HOW NOBLE IN REASON,

HOW INFINITE IN FACULTY.

IN MOVING HOW EXPRESS AND ADMIRABLE.

IN ACTION, HOW LIKE AN ANGEL.

IN APPREHENION. HOW LIKE A GOD.

THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD.

THE PARAGON OF ANIMAL."

(My readers may recognize this quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet)

My happy tribe--moves on through monument valley to Flagstaff.

RANDY PHILOPHIZES:  Wonder: a verb, a noun, an emotion.  I let this wonder remind me of the greater wonder: that of being able to wonder. Only humans wonder; are puzzled and dazzled.

A gift we are born with

can be lost by crude living.

I keep my gift.

I wonder at my very being.

Perhaps my wonder-ing can lead me out of myself

where wonders abound.

t

AN AMAZING VISITOR

 I'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT AFTER I CATCH UP A BIT.

We went to Colorado and settled in on our old campsite on the side of this mountain just 5 miles outside Buena Vista.

Down the hill, by a stream and semi hidden is a humble cabin that has peaked my curiosity for several years now.  It is precisely the same dimensions  as Thoreau's famous cabin on Walden pond.  This time I lucked out--the owner came camping---I engaged him.  And No, it was not built with Thoreau in mind---just a coincidence.

After two weeks we decided to get seriously into the mountains by moving across Monarch pass to Montrose , to Ouray and then to Silverton.

Settling along a lovely creek  nearby.

 Made friends with several others--one of which took us in his mountain climbing vehicle to a magical lake at 12 thousand feet.  Pictures later.

Then we went across Wolf Creek Pass--a legendary climb immortalized in a truckers song as a "bearcat of a pass".  

On the other side we found a lovely plateau and stayed 2 weeks while we worked on an internet presentation of my Walt Whitman performance.

Then we backtracked a hundred or so miles to Salida. finding this gem of a free parking place near Brown's Canyon

at the base of these famous mountains--the college peaks--all 14,000 ft or more and named for the colleges--Harvard, Yale, Princton and one other I forget.

We had a group meeting  to discuss a serious event coming our way.  All of us are out of qarentine and do not mask up.  We're "family".  We decided to stay put and face the worst of it.

Christy gave me this splendid expensive mattress.  It's way too big as you can see--so I'll have to cut it down to size.

AND THEN IT CAME---A REAL LIVE SNOWSTORM.  ABOUT A FOOT OF IT.

It was a shocker to wake up to this.  But it was beautiful--haven't seen anything like it ever.

Next morning I'm snowed in but I have two days worth of power stored in my 6 batteries plus a full supply of food, water and propane for my fine heater.  No problem:  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,

We all went out to play.  The dog loved it even more.

I probably will never see this sight again. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" are gone away

and only we remain.

I went to work clearing my solar panels---they charge my batteries nicely even on overcast days.

I tried to make a snow angel.

AND THEN IT ALL WENT AWAY IN 3 DAYS FLAT.  Today it's 80 degrees and lovely.  We've been here 2 weeks and plan to move tomorrow to a new spot.  

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES: I THINK OF THIS GROUP AS A BOLD EXPERIMENT IN FRIENDSHIP; HOW TO GROW IT AND HOW TO ENJOY IT.  It is wonderful to be surrounded by quality people who enjoy being surrounded by you--- a pool of wisdom, skills, experience and empathy readily available for the drinking.

WHERE THE COOL IS

Where the Cool Is

To all who sizzle at a hundred three,

Come to the mountains and camp with me.

See on your road map the color green

Shows the mountains cool and clean.

For every thousand feet you climb,

Four degrees are left behind.

Keep on climbing and it’s for sure,

You’ll find the perfect temperature

Somewhere between the heat below

And the chill of mountain snow.

Find a spot near aspen trees;

Let nature cool you with her breeze.

WE ARE IN THE COOL--AND COOLING OUR HEELS  while the pandemic rages across the country.  We have camped at 5 spots on the Colorado Plateau  which covers 5 states with altitudes around 7000 feet. (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah)

You may remember yhat a handful of us chose not to scatter for the summer but hung around this lovely free spot 30 or so miles west of Phoenix to wait out the corona virus pandemic.

Got a bit warm so me alll moved uphill

to the Mogollion rim, high country of Arizona outside Payson
till we tired of it and moved on---

to this lovely lakefront spot near Concho, az for 2 weeks.

By this time I sorely needed a haircut.

We moved to this terrific spot outside Springerville, Az at 9000 feet elevation and perfectly cool.

Then crossed over to New Mexico

and through the flatland plains 

passing the El Malpais Nat'l monument 

and settling in at Bushrod's place--my oldest friend.

where I bought a badly needed new chair.  Christy approved kt.

Then goes with me to the Taos high bridge across the Rio Grande.

Notice anything dirrerent about me?  I got a haircut

People sometimes come to this bridge to die--jumping to the river and rocks below in about 3 seconds.  Several of these machines beg them to think things over, press that red button  and talk to someone.  THERE IS HOPE it says in large letters..

Christy and I stayed the night

so as to appreciate these wonders next morning,  They are called EARTH SHIPS by the locals---made of largely recycled materials, lovingly and artfully constructed as off-the-grid, self-sufficient  homes.

There are about 50 of them in a vast meadow----cost about $40,000 upward to build.

And then we made our way to a grand plateau--elevation 8,250 ft--perfect--near Salida, CO.

7 of us are nestled along a cliff and among the trees.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  SWEET PEOPLE--THIS IS THE LIFE YOU HAVE BEEN FANTASIZING---living as cheaply as a flock of sparrows, connected like a herd of wild horses, free as the wind, embraced by a great set of friends.  It's doable and we are living proof.

A BIG IDEA IN MOTION---MUSIC AND MIND CAMP

WE ARE TWO YEARS IN MOTION NOW---HERE'S MY VISION IN A SHORT ESSAY.

MY VISION OF MUSIC AND MIND CAMP

Millions fantasize living on the road. About a million actually do it. If you are one of us then you have faced the three primary challenges of: 1. Getting mobile 2. getting comfortably mobile and 3, getting connected. Within a year on the road you likely have achieved all three. Many organizations have formed to fill our need for connection. You will likely find good friends and travel adventures. That may be enough for you. If so, congratulations---dream fulfilled.

Many, however, also begin to feel a need for meaning---a feeling of aliveness, purposefulness and connection. This is not so easily found---but here is my theory—and a major reason I helped create the MUSIC AND MIND camp:

Meaning is a feeling---a fleeting feeling that exist between the beginning and end of certain projects---projects that grow out of our FASCINATIONS. Some things fascinate us and some things don't. Out of my set of fascinations I think up a project---like writing this essay. Until this project is completed, I feel meaningful---engaged---alive--on purpose. This group that I camp with helps me discover my set of fascinations and create projects for myself. Perhaps it would do the same for you. Perhaps we can keep ourselves meaningfully fascinated for a lifetime with endless projects.

Many of our people are fascinated with music---hence half our name, and many of our group projects.

One of our recent group projects was a dance hike---a hike where music is played from a vehicle slowly leading us as we dance our way along. It was a terrific success—lots of other campers joined us on our way. We have dances, recording sessions, performances and assorted musical activities.

Music and Mind camp is a community of about 70 people who subscribe to a few simple ideas. Check our page on facebook for the list. We are about 2 years old and here are some ideas we are experimenting with: One big idea is that our group can invent its own culture beginning at zero and letting time and experience show us which ideas work and which don't. In short, we will let evolution shape our community.  Feel free to visit us and see for yourself.

Here are some more ideas we are considering:

1. That it might be fun and useful to know and be known. So we have invented interesting techniques to do so.
2. That members who have specialized knowledge and wish to share can do so.
3. That our activities are voluntary.
4. That individuality, solitude and privacy are respected.
5. That we charge no fees.
6. That we prefer to be legal.
7. That disagreements are dealt with in an enlightened way
8. Come and go as you wish.
9. Form your own group from like minded friends you meet here.
   These and lots of other ideas have been incorporated into our culture. We will also consider your ideas, we welcome the happy spread of these ideas of association.

SPEECH TO A LIONS CLUB

I WAS ASKED TO BE GUEST SPEAKER AT A LION'S CLUB AND I WILL LET YOU LISTEN IN TO MY CONCLUDING WORDS.  I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT WHAT I HAD TO SAY.  My host told me later that the whole town was abuzz the next day at its content. I was billed as a mobile philosopher who collected wisdom from the road.

The final place I’ll tell you about is Saline Valley, a very remote oasis in the desert of California, now incorporated into Death Valley National Park. It’s been some years since I’ve been there, but it’s so unusual I’ll tell you about it.

Folks call it Saline Hot Springs, and it’s located about 60 miles out in the Mojave Desert. Hot water, lots of it, pours from the top of a small hill. Long ago, hippies built several stair-stepped concrete hot tubs. I drove out there with a full supply of water and food. What I saw and experienced there inspires me yet. A tiny green oasis with grass and trees and a goldfish pond. Free camping with some most unusual companions.

One of the traditions there is that each tub has a conversation level; the lower tub is for gossip and scandal and complaints. The next tub up is for current events, sports talk, cars, movies and such. The third tup up is where you discuss principles and politics–like truth, beauty, etc. The fourth tub is for really deep talk: metaphysics, religion, spirituality, ethics, the meaning of life.

I gossiped in the lower tub, talked current events in the second, and principles in the third. And a great conversation it was! Here’s a sample of third tub conversation: What is money? It is condensed energy. What is wisdom? Knowing that you don’t know. What is progress? The increase of options. Truth? It’s what corresponds to reality. What is creativity? Concept transfer. Imagination? Thinking about what is not. The difference between Democrats and Republicans? One will sacrifice a little freedom for a little more equality. The other will sacrifice a little equality for a little more freedom. What’s the cure for joblessness? Short careers. For homelessness? Cheap houses. Who knows for sure the right way to live? Nobody. Ethics is an evolving process. What we think is right is just the current fabric of agreement.

Then I moved on up to the fourth tub and discussed really heavy, deep questions of metaphysics. What is the meaning of life? Best theory? Eternity, adventuring in time; cosmic drama. Why is there evil? It thickens the plot; drives the action (and the alternative is worse: boredom). Why is there death? It puts urgency in life. Makes us get on with things. What should we do with our lives? Three things: Respond to our fascinations (some things fascinate us, some things don’t), wake up our creativity, and become fascinating (influence someone).

How to deal with our problems? Consider them neither inherently good or bad, just the next thing to do. What is the good life? Solving an endless series of interesting problems. (The bad life is solving the same old problems over and over.)

I conclude by telling you a few things that I have learned. The first is that I don’t know anything for sure. And neither does anyone else. Our theories about life can always be improved.

That freedom is addictive.

That journey is more important than destination. (Movement more important than location.)

I’ve learned how to have a lot of friends: be interested.

How to have no friends at all: be interesting.

That being nice is more important than being smart.

Thank you for your attention. I’m open to questions.

PERFECTLY POSITIONED for a PANDEMIC

THIRTY MILES INTO THE DESERT----FULL WATER  & FUEL TANKS -- FOOD FOR A MONTH--FRIENDS ON EVERY SIDE OF ME--FREE PARKING ON BLM LAND---PHONE AND INTERNET CONNECTION---GREAT SCENERY--CLEAN AIR--MODERATE TEMPERATURE.

looks like this

and this

and this

and this

a tiny house--don't understand why this idea is better than the trailer beside it.

My friends climbed that beautiful mountain.  I photographed them.  Can you see them going up?  They walk 4 miles every morning--I walk two in the evening.

Near the top---they are in very good shape.

We meet at 10 am--stay 6 ft apart.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  aaaH SWEET PEOPLE, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO  LIVE.

Out of a base membership of about 70--at any given time there are from 10 to 20 of us camping together.  We keep in contact by facebook.  Details on Music and Mind camp.