Wandrin Blog

To draw a potential reader to the book, marketing types have included the words on the book's cover, "A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1,700 Miles of Australian Outback".

After an apprenticeship learning all about camels near Alice Springs, the author sets out west across the deserts of Australia with her dog and four camels. Braving the elements and loving every minute of it, Davidson also meets, befriends and establishes a sincere empathy for the aboriginal peoples. Like many a travel adventure book, this courageous journey leading camels across the Australian desert also brings the author to a deeper self understanding.

Southeastern Utah is where Everett Ruess disappeared in 1934. Mark A. Taylor's book Sandstone Sunsets quotes from a Ruess letter written in that year:

"As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon, I think. I have not tired of the wilderness; rather enjoy its beauty and the vagrant life I lead, more keenly all the time. I prefer the saddle to the streetcar, the star-sprinkled sky to a roof, the obscure and difficult trail, leading into the unknown, to any paved highway, and the deep peace of the wild to the discontent bred by cities."

In this small book, Taylor tells his story to solve the disappearance of Ruess. From Ruess' letters, several exploratory hikes and visits with those who met Ruess in his Utah travels, Taylor comes to some perhaps interesting theories about Ruess' disappearance. Although a book about Ruess' disappearance, the book is also about the author learning about himself. His conclusion: "What a magnificent time to live!"


Previously read book...Several years ago when passing through Utah, I bought the book "Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty". This is a collection of his letters to family and friends which provide an insight into his almost mono-minded appreciation and adulation of the desert wilderness of Utah.


Exploring Canyonlands last spring... Ruess' disappearance came to mind earlier this year when I was exploring the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. Arriving at the Visitor Center, there was a note on the door about a back country hiker/camper who had not returned at the scheduled date. Search and rescue teams were arriving along with dog trackers. The next day helicopters were shuttled back and forth to the remote parts of the park in search of the missing hiker.

When letters arrived at friends and relatives a few days later, those letters indicated that the hiker was not returning from his camping trip. Since he knew the area from previous visits, there were lots of places where he could have decided that some very narrow slot canyon could be a place to be and never be found again.

However, perhaps that is what he wanted everyone to think. Perhaps he decided to start a new life. Just start walking south and end up in a little Mexican village for the rest of his natural days. Maybe...

Each guest had a traditional family side dish for the dinner. However, it seemed one thing was missing. The bird. So I headed out in search of a feathered creature for the spit on the grill.

The quail was way too small.



The ostrich was way too large.



This turkey was the perfect size. However, this turkey like the quail and ostrich were fast. That saved them.



Actually, they were all safe from any hunting skills I may have. My idea of tracking and hunting a meal is finding a well stocked grocery store.

Yup. It's a good day. Woke up this morning and there was a reflection in the mirror. Yup. That was a good sign. Thankful for that.

Trying to keep balance in life is tough. However, I am happy and thankful to enjoy the moments of sheer terror -- at least very stressful moments -- within a boring and mundane life.

There is much to be thankful for regardless of the "bad" news that headlines TV, radio and newspapers. Perhaps the bad news is to make us feel better about our miserable lives.

However, for me, my thanks go to my readers. A sincere THANK YOU.

"I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it." -- Henry Emerson Fosdick

Regarding mystery and the natural world.... What vistas, flowers or animal life will be seen on the trail? I'm always learning. After a hike and back a Wandrin Wagon, a search of my reference books or an internet search will answer some questions. Unforunately, that isn't the end. I want to know more.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." -- Buddha


Sunset along the Washington Pacific Coast.

On a recent stay in Silver City, I parked at the Rose Valley RV park. With large lots and parked on the edge of wide open spaces, this one time dairy farm still has the feeling of "rural" with a windmill, a large variety of rusted out farm equipment and other items just leaned up against a fence.



Walking and exploring downtown, I found this bakery -- even though I've given up the search for cinnamon rolls. Billboard painting and advertising on the side of the building is what required the photo. Unfortunately, it was not longer in business. A quick look at the vacant storefront assured me that it had been some time since the place was last a bakery. Competing with large chain grocery stores with in store bakeries is tough -- especially when most purchase decisions are made on price and not quality.



Walking a side street, a gallery and hotel had this statuary art piece at its entrance. To me it was a tribute to that man with an open mind.



An ivy covered wall was slowly taking on the color of fall and eventually -- the lack of leaves and color.



Then there is always the unusual. Can't make up this stuff. The 1st Church of What's Happening was a church at one time. It became a residence and today it remains a privately owned quasi community center for meetings or religious services (Anglicans and Quakers meet here -- according to the marquee) for those without a building. With the stained glass still intact, it seems a logical solution to the expense of building a church for a particular religion.

“Vagabonding is not like bulk shopping: The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home — and the slow, nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries.” – Rolf Potts, Vagabonding (2003)

Although Potts travels the world, my nomadic travel philosophy is similar. There is no USA outline map of the states adorning Wandrin Wagon to be filled in when the state has been visited. There are no 1000 things to do before I die. There is no passport book for all the US National Parks. There is no bucket list. (Whatever that is. Haven't seen the movie.) None of that.

Living my life isn't any sort of competition or driven by lists. My life is to enjoy each moment and explore the world where Wandrin Wagon is parked. Using Wandrin Wagon as a base, that essentially limits my travels to North America. Just checked. The satellite view from Google Mapping indicates there is a bridge across the Panama Canal. That leaves five other continents without bridge access. It's a daunting thought to be able to travel to the tip of South America without flying or taking a boat.

Really, North America could keep me busy for years to come. Actually, it might take another life time -- or two. While I am still on the top side of the green, it will have quality of exploring -- not quantity.

Found some photos looking through the archives. This is why I travel... The redwoods of Northern California.

The sand hill cranes and the snow geese were still arriving at their wintering grounds here at the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Reserve. Those are the most visible of the birds that are seen. There were ducks, herons, fly catchers, hawks and the bald eagle. The serious birders were there with the binoculars, spotting scopes and high end cameras with humongous lens. Watching wildlife and taking photos requires patience. For me it's a chance to be outside enjoying a marvelously natural world.



Hundreds of sand hill cranes were gathered in one field as I drove through the Reserve. No great photo of that stop. The water is protection for the over night rest of the sand hill cranes. Several of my photos were early morning or as the sun was setting.



Thousands of snow geese rest on the flooded fields of the Reserve. There may have been 10,000 snow geese on one pond. There is an incessant racket from the pond as they chatter and clatter, resting, bathing, or just looking good (preening).



An eagle was entertaining himself (or herself) by flying from one sentry tree to another. With each flight, most of the snow geese would rise from pond and circle before settling back on the pond once again waiting for the next movement by the eagle. However, there were some flocks of the snow geese which headed off into the horizon. Not sure where they were headed.





Arrive before the sun peaks over the horizon to the east for one of the more spectacular displays of the snow geese life. The sun was still below the horizon as I parked Silver Slug and walked to the edge of the pond. The usual clatter and chatter from the snow geese was going on. Whatever snow geese talk they were exchanging, there must have some message in there some place. All at once the entire thousands became dead quiet. Within that second of quiet, the entire thousands lifted from the pond surface at one time. Or certainly seemed to be at one time. Have to wonder how come they don't bump into one another. They were headed off to feeding grounds along the Rio Grande Valley. Or maybe it was coffee.



To balance all those bird photos, here is some scenery from the area.

It's been two years since my last visit to the Saguaro SKP co-op park. Since that last visit, I leased a lot. Prior to actually making that decision, I had checked for available lots each week. Finally one came up that met my requirements. The lot had to be bare (only rock) with no improvements. I'm not into maintenance -- especially since I will be here so rarely. My initial plan during this visit is to stay a month. After that I will decide on a week to week basis. For a nomadic guy with itchy feet, one month is a long time to park in one place.

The photo gives an idea what the bare lot looks like with Wandrin Wagon parked next to the utilities (water, electricity and dump). With the judicious use of rock (Arizona landscaping material), the lot is low maintenance. Weed control is included in the annual maintenance fees.

A nearby Silver City peak with the microwave and cell towers was the destination. Boonie Explorer didn't have to talk too hard. I am always ready for a hike. Although Boonie may do this climb on a bicycle, in deference to me we hiked (he wasn't going to be seen with me on my bicycle!). The hikes to cell towers are on roads and up hill for several miles. Uphill is always a good workout. Better than a hiking trail, the graded dirt roadway makes it much easier to carry on a conversation. Since both of us live alone, the opportunity to have an ear that responds is a pleasure. Between us there never was a moment of silence. Exchanging philosophy and resolving many of the worlds ills, it was indeed an enjoyable hike.

Even though my mouth was flapping and probably could hear nothing beyond Boonie's voice, I did spot this variety of collared lizard and the bull snake. Both were out enjoying the morning sun to heat up their cold bodies. I know how they feel.