December 9, 2012

Attention Walmart shoppers!!! Roamer in aisle one!!!
Barbour, West Virginia

We pulled into a truck stop to make a pit stop. As we exited the Roamer we were approached by a young driver who had just parked his red flatbed on the end of the row. He had all the usual Roamer questions--"What is that?" "What do you do with it?" "Do you really live in it?" "What about those tires?" As we wandered into the building I asked him how long he'd been driving a truck. He revealed that he was kind of an ex-Amish. In reality, he really defines himself as a "Modern Amish." He used to be a wood cutter. Ten years ago he decided he wanted to see the country so he left his small town in Ohio and became a truck driver.

He had an infectious smile and a genuine warmth about him. There was sincerity in his eyes. He shared with us what it was like to grow up with no electricity, no TV, no car. Transportation was by horse and buggy and ironically, he was seriously injured as a youth when a truck hit his buggy. He went on to tell us what it was like to be a truck driver. He hauled all kinds of things, from sand to cattle. He was especially proud of the fact that the cattle he delivered to the slaughter house weren't injured in transit. That seemed to be important to him. When he's not on the road, he returns to his roots in Ohio.

After we all used the facilities, we gave him a tour of our home. He invited us to visit his Amish community and take photographs. After we exchanged phone numbers he headed back to his rig for a nap and we got back on the road.

Oddly enough, Steve and I felt some kind of connection with Dave, the ex-Amish truck driver. What was it? Why were we supposed to cross paths with him? Just like Curtis, the blacksmith, we met him for a reason. It was no coincidence. One of the reasons we decided to take this journey in the EarthRoamer was to simplify our lives and get back to what's important. Simple living has been a major tenet of Dave's life. And while we're not ready to give up electricity, the TV or our rig, we have a lot to learn from the amazing people we meet along the way. It's about being present to those seemingly random encounters that enrich our lives in untold ways. We will definitely be going to Ohio.

December 8, 2012

Rudy's Room
Manor Grove Nursing Home
St. Louis, Missouri

I approached his room with trepidation, not knowing what to expect. He was sleeping soundly on his back, not in his usual fetal position. Apparently, that's pretty much all he does these days. I looked around his tiny room, the center of his universe now. I saw a TV that's rarely turned off, tuned to The Newlywed Game, a wheelchair, a package of adult diapers. There were some framed photos of family neatly lined up on the window sill, a bulletin board randomly covered with pictures of familiar places, a plastic jack-o-lantern and a small table-top Christmas tree--a few reminders of life as he once knew it.

I stood and watched him sleep for awhile. It's remarkable how good he looks at 91. He's smaller now but he still has a full head of snowy white hair. He didn't stir, even when I made noise. He looked peaceful, not agitated like the last time I saw him. I wondered what he was dreaming about--his Belgian family in Mishawaka, the Navy, Swarthmore College, electrical engineering, his English bride Rosemary, his four daughters, his beloved Michigan...

A stroke is a cruel thing. It has robbed him of his dignity and his quality of life. He can no longer will his body to do what he wants it to do. So he sleeps...

I didn't wake him. I wanted to. I wanted to see if he still knew me. But I didn't want to intrude upon the one place that gives him peace--his dreams. Dad, I hope you're dreaming of Halloween candy, golden retrievers, duck hunting, beach picnics, Point Betsie Lighthouse, Tennessee Ernie Ford, crossword puzzles, "Blame It on Rio," Studebakers..............


As a tribute to my dad, Steve and I have decided to name our Earth Roamer "Rudy."

December 7, 2012

University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri

Boondocked at Walmart in Salina, Kansas last night after a very long day of driving from Dacono, Colorado.
Headed for St. Louis this morning. Stopped at the University of Missouri in Columbia on the way. Steve and I graduated from Mizzou in 1970. I have been back in the past 5 years but Steve hadn't been back since 1975! We didn't recognize much except the columns in from of Jesse Hall. So much has changed...and for the better, I might add.
After roamin' down memory lane, we continued on to St. Louis where my family lives. We're boondocking in my sister Lisa's driveway tonight and leave for Virginia tomorrow. Just two more days of boring interstate driving...

December 6, 2012

Dustin's Tire Tango
EarthRoamer
Dacono, Colorado

Spent the day at EarthRoamer getting the tires rotated and tweaking a few things. The craftsmen who build the EarthRoamer are extraordinary! The choreography is something to behold.
We leave this afternoon for the east coast as we make our way back to Virginia.

Roamer quote of the day: "Damn! What the hell is that? How come so many bolts on the tires?"

December 5, 2012

Self-portrait
Rainbow Laundromat
Longmont, Colorado

Blue Beacon Truck Wash
Waiting our turn...

The Roamer's first bath

All clean!!!

We're back in Dacono, Colorado. Today was wash day for all. I don't think I've been to a laundromat since college. Nothing has really changed...except it takes more quarters! 

Roamer quote of the day: "I saw your camping assault vehicle--cool rig!"

December 4, 2012

Center for American Values
Pueblo, Colorado
Portraits  of over 140 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients
Photographer-Nick Del Calzo

Steve and Mike Cafasso

We stopped in Pueblo on our way back to Dacono to catch up with our friend Mike Cafasso. He's a fellow AMI (Association for Managers of Innovation) member and is currently Vice President of Operations at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center. He's one extraordinary human being who makes things happen. The healthcare industry needs his creative, compassionate spirit!!!

After lunch, Mike took us to see the exhibit of portraits of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, four of whom are from Pueblo.The Center for American Values was established by recipient Drew Dix in 2010 to "honor the extreme sacrifices made to help sustain America's values and to ensure these extraordinary actions are preserved...forever." It promotes honor, integrity and patriotism.

Steve and I left Pueblo feeling inspired by Mike and his vision for the future. We started thinking about our encounter with the blacksmith, Curtis Green, and realized that while these two men have gone down very different paths, they both share a unique generosity of spirit. The synchronicity of meeting them a day apart is thought-provoking. There really are no coincidences...

December 3, 2012

Blacksmith
Chama, New Mexico

As we roam this planet, we are constantly in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us. But even more inspiring are the people whose paths we cross. We pulled the Roamer off the road to make a sandwich when I noticed a sign across the way: "Made in Chama! Not in China!" Intrigued, I wandered across the road and took a photograph. A man, who could have been the Marlborough Man, was standing in the doorway watching me. I struck up a conversation and he told me he was a blacksmith. I asked if it was okay to go into his shop and look around and he said to go right ahead. He makes beautiful hand forged knives, furniture, and sculptures out of old horse shoes. He graduated from art school and worked in the corporate world until his spirit was nearly crushed. He decided to reconnect to his childhood passion and become a blacksmith. He makes his living selling his creations out of two old trailers on the side of the road.
Steve joined us and we shared stories for about an hour. Curtis' story is one of survival and an indomitable spirit. He came back from a serious car accident after dying three times. When he recovered, he discovered he had new abilities that he'd never had before. He's had more struggles than one person should have to bear (financial, health, family) but he's always bounced back. He ought to be cynical but he's one of the most open people I've ever met. He's convinced that there are no coincidences. Things happen for a reason. Our brief encounter with Curtis left an indelible impression on both of us. He's right...there are no coincidences.

The blacksmith shop

Raw materials

Curtis Green, Blacksmith
"There are no coincidences."