The Honey roads-it to Burning Man

Preparing and just getting TO Burning Man is a large part of the challenge!  This is true for both people and vehicles!

Your vehicle can be your motel at burning man.  Compared to staying in a tent, I prefer any vehicle that can be slept in, even a car.

It's the wind-storms, the dust, it's the noise, it's the heat and even at times, the cold!

A motor home is a luxurious amenity to have at burning man.  It can also be a liability if it's not prepared.

photo by http://campstella.wordpress.com

In the same way that a person gets rigorously tested for physical survival at Burning Man a vehicle gets challenged too.  People often load their vehicles up with more gear than seems reasonable.  It's fascinating to see the vehicles coming in, loaded up with things to build everything from domes, art-stuctures, play-grounds, igloo-yurts and art cars, to basic provisions of tents, food, water, bikes and other building materials.  Vehicles loaded up so high, some looks like the Grinches slay!

Savvy burners know if they don't use a dust-mask and protective eye-wear, it could ruin their experience.  Protecting ones physical self from the alkaline dust is a survival necessity.  In the same way, it's wise to pick up a new air-filter for your vehicle and keep it sealed in a plastic bag until you are out of the dust, or use it when your vehicle coughs and stalls on the way out.  It's also a good idea to seal off any open vents that dust would seep in through  and install reflective, insulate material on windows for the time there.

One of the most difficult things for a vintage vehicle like the Honey, is the drive getting there and getting through the ten mile line which could take up to 8 hours. Burning Man is always held the last week of August and in a remote part of blistering-hot Nevada!  It seems it is for this reason, that gates have traditionally opened later in the day.  Fortunately they stage the vehicle lines so you can turn off your engines between moves.

I have had more tires blow in the heat of the day than I can count fingers.  And going in and out of Black Rock City is no exception.

Though it seems there would be a million friendly hands to help, this is not so.  First of all there are not good pull-off areas, and one risks getting stuck in deep sand on the sides of the highway.  For two, people are exhausted on the drive out.  First timers are overwhelmed and sometimes ill.  Many are late getting back to work, the take-down of the projects is always more taxing and time consuming than expected.  I saw a single women change her own tire while three little kids stood and watched her on the side.  It bothered me, but I didn't stop either, the sand was deep there, and I was driving on my own dually flat.



One strategy when you have dually wheels (double wheels, six total, four on the back) is to cut the shredded pieces off of a blown tire because it's possible to drive on the other one.  Realistically, for me to change a tire, on a heavy motorhome with little crappy jacks and no real proper tools, could take half a day and be unsafe if I could even do it.  Instead, I've discovered cutting the loose pieces off with a heavy-duty scissors or knife and then driving to the nearest tire-shop is a far better option.



Something to be aware of regarding duallys is that they do need to line-up like puzzle pieces.  I learned this the hard way when the attendant at the gas station in Gerlach, the old mining town on the way in, did not know this and the tires wobbled when I drove away.

You might want to consider calling your insurance company ahead and add extra road-service assistance before heading to burning man --because it is truly in the middle of nowhere.  It won't add much to your policy if you have a newer vehicle then you can take it off again when you return home.  Vintage vehicles however, will cost a lot, unless they have other newer vehicles on the same policy.

Hopefully when you leave burning man, your feet will be in good shape as you have worn protective footwear to keep damage from the alkaline soil, at a minimimum.  However, your vehicle wasn't wearing boots like you.  To combat this, after a long pressure wash, hand spray the undersides and metal components with a mixture of vinegar/water to stop any corrosion that may have begun.  The Department of Public Works (DPW) for Black Rock City does this and their vehicles seem to last forever!

Well that's if for this post.  More about Burning Man coming soon...

Money Lasts Forever When Your Livin' In the Honey

I made an agreement with myself two years ago, when I skipped town in the Honey, to spend money only on essentials!  I had about eighteen thousand dollars with me when I left.  That may seem like a lot of cash to some people but that is all I had after liquidating my entire life at the age of forty!

I was not feeling too confident about the amount at the time because my lifestyle of the past would have easily spent that amount in two months!  Of course that included expenditures of the typical western world such as mortgage payments, insurances, vehicle payments, toys, vacations ...need I go on?

My first test had been fixing up the Honey.  That meant making everything work and making it nice enough that I could live in it, without buying anything new unless it was essential!

No easy feat as I was in the generation that was now the biggest new habitual consumer.  I knew that must be true because they were playing 80's songs in the stores now!  Ya... listening to The Cures, Love Song while shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond made me want to buy something that would make me feel like I did then!  Hmmmm like when I owned a used waterbed --"I need these silky red sheets!". 

Though I wanted to follow my habitually, perceived bliss and go shopping for everything that would be perfect to make it amazing, instead, I reminded myself that it would actually make more work for me as there would be more stuff to get rid of!  Yes I said work, and work I was done with --at least for awhile!

I had decided to get RID of everything I owned except what would fit and could be used in the Honey.  That said, I put impractical things in the Honey, that I didn't want to part with and I could justify because they were useful, like two extremely heavy Le Creuset pots!! Dumb to have in a motor home!

Instead of buying new curtains I made them out of a favorite tablecloth that had been sitting lonely in a drawer with the ten others that I would be getting rid of!  You get the idea...

You know, in actuality that wasn't my first test!  My first test was not buying an iphone when they came out!  I love mac products!  Again I reminded myself that my BlackBerry was truly, good enough for my life of rejuvenation that was calling me!  The idea was, every dollar unspent would allow me more time traveling, playing and rejuvenating after a busy life!  And I was NOT about to wait until I was 80 to do it!

Essentials I had determined, were quality food, gas to get from place to place, propane for hot-water and cooking, and repairs.  Thats about it!  Plus red wine! -because you gotta have that! 

Essentials do not include more clothing, because, as was later proven, my teeny-tiny closet in the Honey still held more clothes then I would actually wear!  Getting rid of a closet full of clothes felt even better then taking a big crap after turkey-day!

And don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!

So on it went...I personalized the interior of the Honey with all my favorite things.  I collaged the ceiling above my bed with the Van Gogh art book that I didn't want to sell for 50 cents at the garage sale.  Yay, it would finally be viewed!  I hung up all the cool baskets from a past trip to Bali for my fruit and vegetables.  On and on it went until all my favorite things had purpose were packaged up nicely in a little 21ft gift to myself, called the Honey!

Do you know that the first night I slept in it, I got tickles in my tummy!  It occurred to me that I had not felt that type of tickles since being a kid on Christmas Eve!  But I bought a house twice and didn't feel tickles, and new cars and didn't and motorcycles and didn't.  What an odd phenomena? --this must mean something ...good!?!

The Honey was ready, everything was working and felt great!  I allowed myself one indulgence of perceived control over fear, I made one exception to the essentials.  I bought a hand/foot pump for the honey and hooked it into the system.  I wanted to ensure that I would always be able to get the water out of the water tank even if the battery went dead.  I recently removed it after having never needed it.  What was I thinking, I had a saw!


Well that all began two years ago, though it seems like a lifetime ago!  ...and guess what? I still have money left!!

Camp Walmart and other fine Strategies

Parking in Cities with the Honey is no easy task!  Over the last two years, I have learned some important tips and strategies I want to share with you so that when you get fired from your job and then loose everything on the stock market you can still travel and live comfortably in a motorhome. wink. ;-)

Lots of things have changed in my life over the past two years.  For one, I seek Walmarts now! I buy large amounts of motor-oil to keep the Honey in her happy place! I drink wine, she guzzles motor oil, which comes from exotic countries and supports our finest, world leaders (sarcasm).  

More importantly I go there for it's no harassment, overnight parking policy.  However, more and more often I am discovering exceptions to the rule.  Many towns and cities are implementing ordinances that override Walmart, prohibiting overnight parking on private-store lots.  

Do unsuspecting council-member voters realize how this effects travelers passing through? Or worse, those who are down-and-out and find Walmart the only safe and legal place to sleep in their cars?!

The story goes that Sam Waltons son died of suicide after going broke and being unable to find a safe place to sleep in his car. Ironic. It seems the entrepreneur owner had compassion and felt no one should experience that.  He then implemented the policy.  I also heard it was written so firm that it could never be changed.  Now, town and city councils have found a way to override the policy outside of the corporation.

Did you know that almost all towns and cities prohibit  "occupying" a vehicle overnight when parked on public streets?  

I can tell you from experience, it's almost worse then getting a ticket to get a knock on the door by a police officer when all cozied up in your bed and parked for the night on a quiet street.  

To compensate I now park right in front of the police department!  The perceived strategy is that they actually, won't bother me because they assume no one is dumb enough to occupy a vehicle here.  If they do knock I will say I wanted to feel safe and that was why I parked there, thus activating their hero n' duty archetypes!  Great to do in towns like Berkeley but don't even try it in ones such as Chula Vista, California.

Another option for overnight parking in a city, if you have the time, is to find a fitting residential neighborhood.  Stay away from perfectly manicured neighborhoods.  Neighborhoods can be ok if they are eclectic and therefore include laid-back people.  Look for artistic creative front-yards and nice, but not too perfect homes.  But even so, you won't know until you try.  Be choosy about which houses you park near.

There is always a risk that you could get a knock on the door by the police no matter how smart you have choosen, especially if you leave your headlights on --oops!

In residential neighborhoods your chances are also better if you can find a spot nearer an apartment building, it's less obvious who you belong to, or rather that you don't belong!!  

Places to avoid overnight parking are shopping malls, and almost all private business lots.  Many have roaming private security. Forget about tempting public parks, cops will come by and harass even in the daytime if your in an old motorhome.  If you see bank or a school nearby, just keep going!  

The other most reliable source of parking is public streets.  Sometimes, I get lucky and find a nice quiet street where no one will bother me and better yet, I won't bother them!  Where I can get in and out of my back door, permeate the air while cooking with garlic and not feel like a criminal.  Industrial areas in older parts of towns can offer great options such as the one in this photo below, which was taken in Culver City Los Angeles.  Industrial areas can be great but sometimes a little spooky and dark at night.

A thoughtful option for city street parking is near a nursing home or near a small hospital.  It could look like you might be visiting and maybe no one will have a cold enough heart to report you!

If you are going to park in a historical or downtown area around small businesses stay on the quieter side-streets, what was quiet at midnight, could become very traffic heavy by morning!

Always check for signs at the ends of the blocks for any additional posted rules, such as: no vehicles over eighty inches wide and high --this was a fifty dollar ticket I got for being a beach, eye-sore!

There are some cities that I have never been harassed in.  Like San Francisco. Move around for the street cleaners there is no issue.  One could move around endlessly and live there, --actually many do!

For me living in a motorhome in a city is tiresome and life-draining after just a few days unless I am in a rare, good spot with good things nearby to do.  Cities can feel lonelier then being alone in the desert!

Another strategy to use if it seems right is to pull the window blinds/curtains open before climbing into bed then close the bunk curtain.  This way it appears that no one is in there.  So sneaky, aye? It works!

Well so are the overnight parking lessons from life in the Honey while in the cities, passed on to you.  One thing is certain, It's always worth taking the time to find a secure location before settling in for a night if you want to enjoy the city!

Honey Life in the Cities

It's been two years of traveling and living in the Honey!  Other then site-seeing, or picking someone up at an airport, life in the city is is often somewhat task related for me now.

When I arrive in a populated area the first thing I usually do is search out the nearest Starbucks, a laundromat, Trader Joes, if there is one and Walmart.

Ironically, what I avoided during my previous life are now home-bases on the road, when in cities.

Now, I dig Starbucks! It's the only place with truly free wifi, a plethora of electricity outlets (most locations) comfortable seating, stays open late, and the employees don't seem to notice that I sit there for hours.

Though I don't partake of Carmel Machiatto's, I do enjoy the fifty-cents refills.  They can be endless and in many different locations as long as you keep the paper Starbucks cup!

Note: a new cup is required a few times a year for marketing during seasonal changes and a perceptive employee will notice if your cup is different on the wrong day, which can be embarrassing.

Laundromats are often an uncomfortable yet fascinating experience.  I try to find them in places like Beverly Hills so that I don't have to guard my clothes or visit with the local, brown-paper-bag-carrying, street folks (drunks) that seem to be naturally attracted, like bees, to the Honey!

Laundromats aren't exactly everywhere, though it would seem.  Like drive-in theaters, they are a dying breed and something of quirky interest.

The worst mat I have ever visited was in Garberville, Northern California I referred to it as the Methmat because there was missing teeth in most of the patrons.  My favorites have all been in Mexico where they are honored to fold your clothes for you and you are treated like high-class because you can afford the laundromat. 

I seek out good ole' Trader Joes for my six essentials, two that include wine and chocolate, peanut-butter cups.  I wasn't going to tell you the others, but I will.  They are Dutch, windmill cookies, Mediterranean hummus, Old-Amsterdam aged Gouda cheese and Arugula.   

Every day I get down on my knees and thank God for two-buck chuck --Traders Joes cheap red wine.  

Rumor has it the price was contracted as a way to prevent the wife from getting the Charles Shaw winery in a divorce. Very clever, I hope it doesn't effect my personal karma --sorry Mrs. X-Shaw! 

Why do I seek Walmart now? For one, to buy large amounts of motor-oil to keep Honey in her happy place, I drink the wine; she guzzles motor oil from exotic countries!  (see next post)

Deep Creek Hot Springs, Trails and Bowen Ranch

Please enjoy this video as an update to an older, popular blog post. 

Most recently I've come from the beautiful Deep Creek Hot Springs where I soaked and sunned and hiked.

Hiking is unavoidable there as it's a two to five mile hike in AND out, depending on which trail is chosen.  Either way this includes a 2,000 ft butt-engaging climb on the way out!

The lake Arrowhead route is off the historical Pacific Crest Trail.  A 2500 mile trail from mexico to canada.  It's an hour if you need to drive around to it so generally you would choose your trail based on where you were coming from!  The trail is somewhat shorter , however I found it to be steeper, and you don't have to cross the ice-cold river to get to the hot spring pools!  There is no cost for parking from it's entry point.

Pay No Bribes!

Unless you like agricultural parades and political rallies, Ciudad Constitucion, Mexico is not a tour destination but a necessary pass through on the way to someplace great.  A place I wish was so not memorable for me.

Driving slowly through town I thought are you kidding! when a police vehicle turned to follow me but ignored the hotrod that just peeled out!  I became extra alert at proper driving even though it wasn't going to be about that. 




My heart picked up speed during the excruciating three kilometers, as it followed me to the end of town.  Instead of pulling over, when the flashing lights came on, with a big gulp, I turned left into the last Pemax station.

I continued to ignore it and preceded to order fuel and elicit help from the attendant. 

“Zoom, zoom!” he said, making lots of hand signals and confirming they were corrupt!  

As I paid, he shook his head sympathetically and pointed to the other side of the road where the vehicle was now waiting for me in the shadows.  Double-dread!!  

It was getting dark now, with my headlights on I drove carefully to my unavoidable sentence. The good cop came up first and indicated the bad cop was waiting to see my license for a seat-belt ticket.  He returned shaking his head indicating that the bad cop was very unhappy with my license!

I pulled out more documents knowing what they wanted was a large money bill folded under it.  Each time he returned shaking his head! 

Then the good cop became a bad cop too!  He followed me into the depths of the Honey to watch me find my passport.  Then, even worse!  The sound of a knock on the back door and the bad cop saying, “unlock door”.  

Doomed, I was now crammed in the Honey between two bad men!  I gingerly pulled my passport out of a stashed money box.  I couldn't believe my luck!  Somehow they missed seeing me quickly, stash a huge wad of money under the cushion!  Perhaps things were looking up after all?

I got a new idea and indicated I finally understood exactly what they wanted!  They seemed more relieved then me!  Excited to show them, I held my breath as I slid past the bad cop and indicated they should follow me.  Suprised that they did, outdoors a newfound confidence rose up in me, I scolded at them in bad espanol mixed with charades!  "Mujer, tranquilo!"  -lady, driving along peacefully I motioned... "You...!"  -shaking fingers at them! "Policia -no bueno!".   

Reality hit! They were now going to steal everything, kill me in a painful way and leave me in the desert with the snakes!  

Instead I remembered my plan! I quickly stepped aside and pointed to my license plate.  "There! Me license!" I said laughing happily with a big smile, shrugging my shoulders, as if it was all just a silly misunderstanding.  They look more annoyed then ever!

Just then a large bus came chugging down the road, perhaps it was full of witnesses!  My right hand went straight up in the air!  The bus brake-lights flashed ON!

In less time then it takes to say “no pay bribe” I was free again!  And off the Honey and I went as fast as we could go!  To our next adventure!

   

Welcome Militar, neck & shoulder massage! Mexico

Well, well my little massage-on -the-beach, business was taking off!  I even got to do energy work on some special folks, like the Mayor of a favorite ski town in Colorado, Breakenridge; circa mayor, from back in the days when the Honey was also amazing! I got to know and work on the legendary founder of the local National Outdoor Leadership school, Tap, a sweet man in his 80's who sailed into the Baja de Concepcion in the 70's (see future posts about Tap).



In my spare time I created a shady outdoor waiting area complete with hurricane damaged furniture and magazines from the nearby dump.  I put up a large eraseboard with my schedule and a clip board with a pen tied to it, for people to sign-up for massage times.  I was feeling confident and getting settled into my new routine of a working life-style and it felt great after rejuvenating for months!


One morning I was hidden away in the palm salon giving someone a massage.  My feet were planted in the sand and I could hear the gentle lull of the water lapping against the shore just a few steps away.  The tide was beginning to come in again, it was so relaxing. Then I heard a loud noise on the other side of the bushes.  It sounded like big trucks getting parked and men unloading things.  I had previously occupied that great piece of real estate until I moved here, next door.  Here there was natural shade but no palapa.  A palapa is a cozy shack for shade and shelter, made from palm fronds and costs an extra dollar a day.

I peered through the palm leaves and saw that there were indeed big  trucks and apparently they came with strong men in uniforms carrying guns!  I was a little surprised to discover the Mexican military was setting up camp next door!  All of my experiences at check-points in Mexico with the Militar were positive, so initially I was only curious about why they would camp here.  Then, a few minutes later, OH NO!  I thought --I am working illegally!!  Flashes of me getting in big trouble flooded my imagination!  I finished the massage and said goodbye and as discreetly as possible took my fee.  I saw that there were already two young men standing near the entrance to my private, massage paradise and looking curiously at my set-up and at me.  Crap! They were looking at my erase board!  Whew! On advice, I had not posted a price for massages!!




I panicked and went and hid in the Honey!  What should I do?  Flee!? Then I calmed down and got an idea.  I would offer free massages!


I hurried to the erase board and changed the posting.  I wrote:

"!WELCOME Militar !! massage" 

then on second thought I added

"neck and shoulder"

I couldn't quite see myself giving them full-body massages!

I had concluded that since I was already in obvious jeopardy that I would set myself up with them to prove I was not doing anything illegal.

Sure enough the young guys had gone back to camp and apparently told the leader guy who came and looked at the sign.  He was with another guy who seemed to be interpreting it for him.  Then the leader came into my camp and approached me.  My heart was racing.  In typical Mexican mannerism he casually and politely said good day and how are you --and then said to me "What is fee?".  They took the bait!!  I said "No fee".  He looked at me like I might not be telling the truth so I added that I only accept gifts if someone wants to share and then I emphasized that there was no fee.  He seemed unsure and repeated "what is fee?".  I gave him the example that sometimes people give me food after I give them a massage, I showed him the banana that was in my hand and said "like this!" but as a gift!

A few minutes later, mister strong-and-scary, who carries a gun, the military leader, took his shirt off, laid on the table and melted under the neck and shoulder massage I started to give him.  He emphasized that he was very, very sore from all the stress and needed a hard, very deep massage.  I didn't take that SO seriously until I heard all the other guys lining up to be next for their massage.  Oh dread!  I would be at it all day there were so many of them!!  Then I got another idea.  If I gave him a REALLY deep massage, he would report it to everyone and they wouldn't want the humiliation.  So I gave this guy such a deep massage he cried.  Literally, he lifted his head up and spoke to me and said "I am crying, ow".  I played dumb and pursued on, he told me three times he was crying!  When he got up from the table he showed me with his fingers to cry means that tears come from the eyes and said that he cried, again.  I smiled at him and said "thank you!".  I asked him if he was the leader, he told me he was the Colonel!  He left and came back a few minutes later and gave me a big red apple.  He actually gave it to me gingerly, as if he wasn't sure I deserved even that.

Luckily it was siesta time and I disappeared for awhile that day. The military guys didn't sign up for massages.  They did borrow a kettle for making coffee and they were friendly and polite.  For several days they made trips in a big boat out into the bay looking for an apparent bail of drugs. The group dwindled down from about twenty men at first, to a few, then one day they were all gone. I don't know if they completed their mission but it was a great relief!