Hello Homies and Happy Holidays!
So much going on recently it's hard to keep up with the blog but I want to fill you in because besides hanging with some friends in Tucson I've also successfully demonstrated my proof-of-concept for being able to camp in one place for multiple days in Vanessa and (ostensibly) work on my book. The first part has gone very well, with me setting new records for nights of stay in one place (without starting the engine, therefore powering all devices with solar, and feeding myself without refrigeration) and I'm still working on the second part, though I've made microscopic but finite progress.
You see, I'm not satisfied to just drive around all the time exploring incredibly beautiful places. For one thing, it's unsustainable as there must be a finite number of such places, and for another thing it's unecological because I'd be burning a bunch of fuel (and time driving, delightful as it is) for no apparent reason. Rather I can only justify my current lifestyle to myself if I'm working toward some long-range goal of a valuable deliverable of some kind which I rationalize (so far) is my novel (historical fiction, for any stranger who wandered in here accidentally and can't find their way out).
To that end I have to be able to park in one place, for up to the BLM and National Forest Maximum Default Stay time of 14 days and be productive. This month has seen the beginning of my attempts to do so.
The commentary attached to the pics sketches my journey, and show views of the three places I've been camping recently, as described below:
First three nights at abandoned missile site here (State land, Sheriff came by to check me out second evening and said it was okay for me to camp there although technically it was State land and I was supposed to have a permit, but he didn't work for the state...)
Then I went into Old Vail for groceries, lunch at a bar and grill, and back to a place very near the previous place, here.
Then, after return to Tucson for holiday concert, I have now arrived here. BLM Ranger showed up first morning and let me know it's okay to spend 14 days here but he doesn't usually see people camping here. So far I like it because I haven't seen any other of the public though sometimes I can hear them driving past on the nearby dirt roads. And if I get the urge to gamble there's a casino across the street.
Data collection continues. Be well and joyful of spirit.
--Chris
