Simplicity is a simple thing to say; But... saddlin' that bronc and ridin' it out is a lot more difficult than it might look when you first walk out into the sunrise.
The thing is, even though that thing that sits twixt your ears whispers in earnest that you'll be happier with less in the pack on your back, a lifetime of droning conditioning that "more and bigger is better" is a hard wind to run against. It's been tattooed on your brain.
I am very VERY much wanting a lighter, simpler, more austere outfit to wander with... and when I sit outside in the screen room while the rain falls... I think how much more pleasant it is; smelling the perfume of the rain freshened air, and the sound of it on the canvas over my head...
... and even the feel of the soft mist of the screen filtered rain brushing against my face; than being inside four hard walls.
And there's more in a simpler outfit. The more complicated and luxurious a rig or outfit is... not only does it cost more to buy it in the first place, it takes ever more to maintain all those parts and replace them when they fail.
Cost is time. The more you can shave the cost of purchase, maintenance and/or eventual replacement... the MORE TIME you preserve to invest in your passions. Simply... the easier your spirit rides.
I see these monster rigs... 40 feet and more; and try to visualize myself living in one. In camp the luxury is fine I am sure... the cost and ordeal of shoving that much machinery down the road, personally, makes my liver quiver.
For me... the mental gyrations involved in operating and maintaining a lot of tangled and complex "stuff" is by far the heaviest of the burden, far out weighing it's cost in labor and dollars.
It's the release I get from that burden on my spirit, that rides along with a heavy load of "things" (when those things are left laying behind me) that is exhilarating to my soul.
That's one of the great joys of my Yamaha... putting it in the wind is a soul shining joy in itself... not... a teeth clenching ordeal to get through to get where I'm going.
Now, if those big rigs and complex piles of "stuff" float your boat, understand, that is a fine thing.
For me... just the old 30 footer I haul now has grown too big. I aspire for less.
No idea just now exactly how I can get there... or even what "there" is... but toward a simpler and more "in" the world "there" is the direction I am riding.
See you along the way
Brian
Brian
7 comments:
I agree with what you are saying about maintenance taking more time away from what you are traveling for. I had nothing more than a winterized Class C last winter and remember more than once telling myself it had too many moving parts.
I've spent over two years while working a job, thinking how to go small but I have 3 hounds and I have yet to come up with a solution, even after 2 months of retirement.
I understand what you are saying. Good points.
When you figure it out, let me know :))
Simplicity comes at a cost and it takes a while to let go of what we've been brainwashed to believe is necessary…like smartphone/internet connectivity from boondock places. It's nice, very convenient, but is it necessary? We could save over 160 buck a month by dropping it and just using libraries as we find them. Bobbie could do it, but I get withdrawal shakes just thinking about it :)
We've tried everything rig wise, as you know…small to big to small and big again (well, a class c "big"). In the end we bought the Lazy Daze (Goldie) because it was old and fully depreciated out, paid less than ten grand. I figure we can afford to fix a few things and still be money ahead and have a good roof over out heads on the road. Tents are too simple, I'm too old to camp like that anymore :)). It's the perfect rig paradox…a moving target, for sure. Good post, hot topic.
Box Canyon Mark
As I get older, I yearn for simplicity, but my broken bones yearn for comfort. I need a 6 inch memory foam to sleep at night, and when I put it on my cot, it tips inwards and I end up sleeping in a sort of ditch and thinking maybe I've died during the night and been buried...
Well, you know how it goes. It's a fine line between the two and I personally haven't yet figured out how to walk the line, unlike Johnny Cash.
Ya NAILED it... again.
Happy Trails.
Don't be asking us--how many rigs have we owned??? We have a beautiful, older, fully depreciated motorhome for sale Brian! :)) We do love our old Country Coach--yes, it's big but so very comfortable and the cowboy can work on it. No slides and no jacks to fight with. It will probably last us the rest of our RVing time.
Ahh Cowboy.The old saying goes, "If mama aint happy, an't nobody going to be happy". As long as your wife is happy with those conditions, you have it made.
All depends huh? Some ladies like the out doors, but don't want the hassle of tripping over her partner in a hut on wheels for 6 cold months of the year.
The real trick is to find what she really likes, and what she just tolerates because she loves you..
Then again, if we still need to make a living on the road, how much man stuff to we have to haul with us to make that happen?
This simplified living sure is complicated.
Simple is my middle name .... I am a boondocker and use a cargo trailer. I am not a handyman, just have a bed, Engel 12 volt fridge, coleman 2 burner stove and some solar power. Live outside anyway, cargo trailer is nice to get out of the weather and sleep. I am single and do not need to keep a nice lady happy. In my 3rd year of fulltiming and having a blast.
Trainman
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