A Gentle Prod

I generally don't think of myself as the preachy type, particularly when it comes to pushing this mobile and simple life. After all, the prospect of owning your house and car outright, and for such a relatively small amount, really ought to do a fine enough job of selling itself. 

And that's not even getting into the many other benefits of this wheeled existence: free electricity courtesy of old man Helios, the convenience of having everything you own with you at all times, peace of mind from having so few material things to take care of, and perhaps best of all, the freedom to get up and go anytime the mood strikes.

See what I mean?

But for the few wannabe-nomad fence-sitters out there in need of a bit more prodding, I offer a couple of news items that have caught my attention in recent days. One on how electricity prices are set to soar in the near future, and another on the real housing collapse that's on the horizon.

Sort of makes the thought of owning (i.e. really owning) a home (wheeled or otherwise, but I'm partial to the former) with a few solar panels stuck to the roof sound like an even better idea than it already is. Which is saying something.

Scooter

I can't seem to find the post now, but several months ago, I recall pointing out how out of the several dozens of aspiring full-time nomads that I've met throughout my travels, not even one had managed to take the plunge into this lifestyle yet. Well folks, I'm happy to report that not only has the first of you finally set actual toes in these nomadic waters, but that I had the chance to briefly meet the fellow yesterday afternoon.

He goes by the name of Scooter, and is one of many bright spots to have come out of all the Yahoo insanity of last year. Since then, we've spoken on the phone a few times and exchanged many emails as I've done what I can to shepherd the man through the transition to this way of life. As of a month or so ago, Scooter – my very first protégé! – is now wheeled, living small, and soaking up the fruits that such freedom presents.

Bike Missing?

Spotted earlier today while walking to the grocery store...

If you're bike has gone missing, you might want to check with this guy.

Fan-Tastic

Big kudos are in order for the good people at Fan-Tastic Vent. They make what I'm pretty sure is the industry standard RV roof vent/fan, and when a small plastic part on mine broke recently, I called them to find out about getting the correct replacement part.

First, a real human answered the phone, who then immediately connected me to a member of their technical staff. I explained what I needed, and without hesitation, was told that the part would be sent to me right away – free of charge. No tedious warranty procedure, proof of ownership requirements, or even shipping charges – just me giving out Q's address so they could send what I need. How about that?

Fred

My three-day respite on Malibu's Zuma Beach drew to a close Wednesday evening, and after a brief stopover in downtown LA to catch some live music, followed by a day around the old neighborhood taking care of a few things, I'm back up at Q's ranch for a few days. And with temperatures in the 60s here today, not only did I beat the heat while over yonder, but I nailed the dismount. 

All of which begs the question – who needs air conditioning when you've got wheels down under?

Speaking of down under, I had a rather triumphant welding job done to the tailpipe this morning. The offending weld had come lose about a year ago, and fearing at the time that it would amount to a costly repair (in the form of a new tailpipe), I hacked together my own fix using a soup can and some steel wire. Let's roll back the clock and see the before and after from last September...