Thinking inside the box (1923)

ECONOMY

As I write the following blog entry I live alone on the asphalt, miles from my mountain neighbors in a truck that was built by International in Huntsville Alabama, and earn my living by the labor of my ass in the drivers seat only. I have lived here 6 months 3 weeks. At present I am a sojourner in "civilized" life.



I should not obtrude my affairs so much on the notice of my readers if very particular inquiries hadn't been made by my townsmen concerning my mode of life, which some would call impertinent. Though they do not appear to me at all impertinent, but considering the circumstances very natural and pertinent. Some have asked what I have to eat, If I did not feel lonesome, If I was not afraid, and the like. I will therefore ask those of my readers who have no particular interest to pardon me if I partake to answer some of those questions in this blog.



First, apologies to Thoreau for my bastardization (homage?) to Walden. Lately I've been thinking about the simplicity of my current situation. I have also been listening to (trucker reading) Walden, and I found some interesting parallels in my life and that of Ol' Henry. Even Though I am surrounded by Technology and Machinery I am leading quite the simple life.



I have always lived simply, partially financially determined. But I can also say that to some extent that was self imposed. Once I had enough to cover the basics, I just lost interest in the rat race. Ohiopyle is a haven for those of this mindset, as is any river town and ski area. A lot can be saved through communal support and bartering. In reality coming back to the "real world" has been quite an adjustment. I spent the bulk of the past decade in a town where to most, TV, radio, internet, and the bulk of the outside world is an occasional diversion from playing in the woods. I had forgotten that smiling and saying hello to someone puts many on the defensive.



The house I lived in previous to driving was about 45o sq. ft. and had no indoor plumbing. As a river guide I spent one summer in a tent, and the rest of my whitewater career at El Rancho Relaxo (later with the addition of a couch "El Rancho Deluxo") a guide house with usually no less than 25 people around. This meant there was rarely any difficulty getting a hack circle together. These were some of the financially poorest, but best times of my life.








I would also frequently sleep in my Honda Element, a vehicle I bought specifically for that purpose. If you want to get a good sunrise picture it's best to be there the night before. In February I would park outside my school gate and sleep until class started. Working 80-100 hour weeks meant unnecessary driving time had to go. In short I have always been extremely flexible with where I lay my head down at night.




I enjoyed the communal life , but I am equally comfortable being alone. Actually in matters of employment I prefer not having a superior breathing down my neck. Having a proclivity for telling people what I think no matter the result has in the past caused many a bridge to burn, usually while I'm standing on it, and on a few occasions even before I've crossed. I have through trial and error found a nice balance between individuality and knowing when being a smartass just isn't worth the hassle. I figured all that out in a mere 35 years. Take a tip from me, A district justice has little use for your opinions on their job performance.



I'm amazed that since I already spent a lot of time living out of my Element, I didn't trade up to living out of a larger vehicle sooner. It is the reality of living full time in a truck is where I have found those similarities with the simple living of Thoreau.

My truck is about 7x7x9 and my storage unit is 9.5x19.5x8. This works out to 248 sq. ft and 1923 cubic ft. respectively. Together this equals a 15x16 room with a 8 ft ceiling. Here is where everything I have in the world rests, including me. I spend the bulk of my time in the truck, about the same dimensions as a standard 1/2 bathroom. A 15x16 room is slightly larger than average, but keep in mind that my Honda also goes in this space. So, my physical footprint is quite small compared to an average 2000 sq. ft. (18,000 cubic ft.) home.



Consider this, go around your house and gather everything you use in an average month. This includes the bedroom, clothing, bathroom, den, kitchen, pantry, tool shed, etc, you get the picture. How much do you think all that stuff weighs? Also, where are you going to put all of it?


Lets consider utilities. My electricity comes from my truck. Yes, this uses diesel to run, and it could be said that by ecological terms I'm full of it considering my profession. I figured driving truck was better than my other option of being a baby seal clubber. But I'll defend myself weakly by saying that I am personally benefiting from the consumer lifestyles of our nation (buy more heavy stuff from far away people!) Think bottled water! I rarely idle the truck for AC (interior temps over 100 the exception) and drive in a more conservative manner. My overall fuel economy is in the 7.5 mpg range. Better than a Hummer! My idle time is expected to be less than 40%, at last review mine was 4%. My plumbing is nonexistent, although I do use facilities at truck stops. Living in a small space attunes you to all of your consumption and waste since weight, space, and hygiene come into play.








Many of the things I carry need to serve multiple purposes, those that don't go to storage. My bike (currently Miss Kitty #3) is exercise and transportation. You really combine your trips or do without when your vehicle / home is restricted from most areas. My Element has seen probably around 500 miles since February, and actually the inactivity has not been good for it. The 40,000 mile warranty on those new tires will last me a looooong time. My old extension pole I used for drywall is great for washing the truck, cleaning the windshield, and collapses to be the handle for my trailer cleaning push broom. My computer is a GPS, bank, photo album, music & book library, and movie theatre. My 300 watt rice cooker also is a veggie steamer and high powered crock pot. My microwave is in storage, but I do carry a small propane BBQ grill. Food prep becomes an exercise in how simple can I make this (think salads) because dish washing without water sucks. I learned to deal with that in my last house. When you carry all your water with you you learn to do without certain things. Pasta, unfortunately is one of them.

I use less resources than ever before in my life (diesel not included) and have made little sacrifice to do so. I understand this is a lifestyle that appeals to quite a small amount of people. But consider the travel (not always in the direction of choice) and opportunity. Outside of driving across Nebraska It's rarely boring. I have always had an aversion to jobs that I don't love. Much like the things I carry this profession serves many proposes.

And next time I'm in Concord MA there's a little pond I want to check out.

The force was strong with the young Jedi lighthouse, but wait... there is another. I had previously mentioned that there was a much grander holy mess along I-68. Here, partially hiding behind the windmill tower section is "THE ARK"

For as long as I've been going down this highway I could always look forward to what I like to call Noah's procrastination. I don't know how long this construction project has been stalled (due to lack of funding and larger lack of common sense) but I could always rest assured that as I climbed the hill toward it I wouldn't be seeing any crews at work. Not much to show for 32 1/2 years work. It appears Noah has bitten off a tad more than he can chew. Could it be a sign from above that this could be a monumental waste altogether?

I can't possibly elaborate any better than the 30 yr anniversary article

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06106/682602-85.stm

or the godsark homepage itself

http://www.godsark.org/index.html

be sure to click the icon (picture of the hollow shell of I beams) just to the left of "main" for the whole construction story.

In my search for the Ark website I happened across a book it was featured in called "Roadside Religion" It's a tour of the stranger religious sites in the country, something I may have to pick up to continue with the quality odd icon photos. The Ark was good enough to make the cover!

Enjoy.