July 29 - Aug 11: Offline Ordeal

From three days of serenity beside a beach on a small lake to fairgrounds with maybe 200 vehicles for eleven days, I have had such poor cell reception that calls dropped and the Internet was impossible to access. I went through withdrawal, as the world outside that line of trees ceased to exist. When a bar would come floating by, beeps and dings would signal connectivity, but by the time I’d grab the phone, there would be nothing where the bars should be.

As I write this, I am sitting in a large open field with a thinning collection of  skoolies, vans, trucks, and RVs as the sun slowly moves the shade and those of us remaining in this circle move our chairs with it. My feet are up on a camp table I may or may not keep. The wind has the smell of rain. This gathering in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula ends tomorrow and I begin to make my way west. 

I almost perfected “being” as opposed to “doing.” I made friends, found kindred souls, and peopled more than usual. I was comfortable enough to step outside my comfort zone a few times … for instance when I bought a pair of pants instead of the skirt I intended, and then went back for a second pair … and forced outside it other times, such as driving to get the replacement refrigerator from the shipping company by myself. 

For the first time since I went on the road, I have a freezer. I refurbished my wardrobe thanks to one of the vendors. I ate only about half the food I was sure I needed. I did simple workings, collected full moon thunderstorm rain, burned a lot of candles, picked wildflowers, gave things away, and traded protection charms and mead for Warrior Goddess beer and the application of a purple mask to my hair. 

The days slid by, blending one into another, until it’s time to pack up and move on. I can only check one thing off my Needs Doing list because, in large part, I tried to find someone to do things like lifting crates, rigging up something to replace couch legs, and troubleshooting why my fridge no longer slides in all the way. If I keep not wanting to do these things myself, it will be a sign it’s time to get off the road.