Ready to hit the road!
After our return from China, Steve and I had to sit in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, for about three weeks to recover from whatever nasty virus we caught on the way home. We got out of there on Sunday, March 22nd, and headed over to spend some time in Why, Arizona, our home. Steve has a big 5th wheel that he leaves here and there is plenty of room on our lot for my rig, too. I hardly spent any time here this past winter because of being busy in New Mexico, and it's nice to be back.
We used to drive from TorC to Why in one day, but we're not getting any younger. I've learned that for me, with lots of arthritis, I do better driving or even riding for just a few hours a day. We are thinking of adopting the Rule of Twos on our West Coast meanderings this spring and summer--that is, never drive more than 200 miles in a day, arrive at your campsite by 2 pm, and stay at least two nights once you get someplace.
Steve at Karchner Caverns campground
On this two-day drive, we stopped at Kartchner Caverns State Park just south of Benson, Arizona, and stayed at the campground overnight and went on the Big Room tour the next morning. It was delightful, and I was so appreciative of being able to walk this tour without a cane, in contrast to the time I was there about four years ago. It made it much easier to concentrate on what the ranger tour guide was saying. We also stopped in Tucson to have lunch with friends, so our second day on the road, while only driving about 160 miles, was very full. It was good practice for when we really get moving.
We've been slightly delayed here in Why, too, due to taking care of our annual checkups and such at the community health clinic in nearby Ajo. I need a tooth pulled and we're going to Casa Grande on Monday to see an oral surgeon because the extraction might be complicated. And it's been hot enough here that we're really feeling ready to get going!
To-do list on a hot day in the desert
We'd originally thought we'd head pretty much due west from Why and go to Yuma and parts of southern California on our way to the West Coast. However, these health-related delays mean it's going to be quite hot traveling that way. So, after my appointment on Monday, we're going to head to northern Arizona and explore and cool off for a while, and we'll probably head west on I-40.
So, in the meantime, we've been just biding our time here. My cat, Sonja Begonia, has started a travel journal:
I'm working on an altered book. Here are pictures of the cover and a page that I've altered:
After some contemplation, I have removed the word "eBay" from the title of my blog. Since qualifying for Social Security Disability last summer, I no longer sell much on eBay. I may sell a few fun vintage finds along the road as I travel, but the focus of my life has changed to art-and-travel more than eBay-and-travel.
I do have a book nearly completed about selling on eBay while traveling in an RV, and I will probably publish that within the next month or two. But what I really want to do on the road in upcoming months is art abandonment. Making art and leaving it for the right "patron" to find, accept and enjoy.
Abandoned in the travel section at the local public library
Surprisingly, some of the members the art abandonment group to which I belong seem kind of attached to their artwork and what response it receives from the people who find it. To me, one of the major reasons to abandon artwork is the removal of ego from the process of making and distributing art. To abandon means to let go of all concern for or interest in the outcome, and abandonment in this sense is my intention. But, yes, I must admit, I checked to see if my first abandonment had disappeared, and it was gratifying on some level that it had.
For years I have been practicing "letting go" of many things, but, as the saying goes, sometimes the things I let go of have claw marks all over them. I think this is gonna be good for me. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
I love the idea of "art abandonment". I do the same thing with books. I sell used books and sometimes I come across books that I loved reading but I know won't sell (old paperbacks, etc.) so I throw stickies in them wishing people a good read and leave them in fast food restaurants, park benches, etc. I'm always hoping those books find a good home, as I hope your art finds itself in the hands of someone who will appreciate it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, and it already feels like something I'll mull for a while.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous plan! I make knitted scarves and hats and leave them in parks around detroit for cold folks. But real Art sounds more fun
ReplyDeleteThat's funny - once when I was over-nighting in a Wal-Mart, I took my dog outside to go potty in the morning, and there was a small blanket draped over a bush near the motor home. It handmade and brand new, no one was around, so I took it. I laundered it, just in case, and my dog and I used it for a couple of years. Then I gave it to someone else on the road. I'm sure your items are finding good homes, too. :)
Delete"Art abandonment" is simply lovely. It's part of the reason I write the blog. I am less attached to what I write. Sometimes I find it's helpful to others. But the blog feels like I'm writing into the ether. Journey on!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of art abandonment, and abandonment in general.
ReplyDeleteI've been leaving stickies in books, new, used, and library, ever since I saw my very first sticky eons ago. I started leaving the books too, when traveling in Greece, and now do it here at home. The idea of messages to the unknown, from the unknown gives me a little frisson of joy.
Wonderful post. Thought provoking. Thank you!
What a great idea! Leaving a sticky note to the unknown recipient makes it all the more fun!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of abandoning art. It is so fun to find something that's pretty and/or useful. I'm sure you are adding a happy place to lots of people's days when they find one. :)
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