The definition of home is a personal thing. It can be a physical place, a region, people we love, or all of these.
For me the world is home. I spend a great deal of time in my 'yard', which is whatever environment I have parked in for the moment. It's a surreal lifestyle in many ways, not the least of which is the constantly changing view I awaken to each morning when traveling like I currently am.
I feel amazing kinship with the humans I meet along the way. Even in my current situation in Mexico as a beginning speaker of Español, I feel the connection with all whom I've stumbled through communicating with. They've been sweet and entertained by my attempts to actually speak their language! I gain a bit more ability with every encounter. And of course, Hella is a huge hit everywhere I go. People often hoot and whistle with big smiles and thumbs up as we roll by. This rig really is magic. I cannot imagine doing what I do in a modern overland rig. I'm sure the experience would be dramatically different on many levels. I'll stick with rolling vintage, thanks!
So, back to 'Home'. Of course, the people I love will always be my heart's home. But, in the physical world, after giving up all that I have to be free to do what I do, the world has genuinely become my home.
There is no geographic place that I consider home anymore. Home is simply wherever I am. It dawned on me anew last evening as the rain began and a few coyotes trotted by a couple hundred feet in front of me. I feel so much more connected to the physical world now than I ever did when living in a conventional home. I see really sweet and beautiful homes everywhere I travel and no matter how awesome they may be, I wouldn't trade my little truck house for any of them. This life of such freedom and environmental diversity is constantly inspiring to me.
I may sound like a nomad life evangelist but Im really not! It's definitely not for everyone. And please don't confuse my life with those for whom terrible circumstances have forced them to live in their vehicles. The only people I know who enjoy this lifestyle are the ones who chose it. I am one of the lucky ones, for sure. Blessed to enjoy this path and make purposeful use of what it makes possible.
It's New Year's Eve and I wanted to wish you all a blessed and inspired 2022! I sincerely wish that you feel grounded and home wherever you are. Sincere thanks to all of you who help support the Jackdaw mission!
¡Feliz año nuevo!
Rico
