Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Breaking the Cycle

Living in a tipi is an adventure in and of itself. But it's not just about saving money on rent by living in a tipi. It's an adventure. It's an experiment to see how far a modern man, spoiled by technology, convenience and comfort can go in return to a life-style of self-reliance and self-efficacy.
For some background information about myself: I don't have advanced skills in survival or primitive living, I've certainly never lived in anything other than a modern house or apartment. Up until a few weeks ago, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I have started a fire. I have a decent amount of backpacking/backcountry travel experience but nothing more than a few days out on the trails with all the equipment I need. I have no skills, only a dream.
A desire to free myself from some of the things we have come to believe we need in our lives. A desire to show others they could do it, too. It's about finding out what I have the ability to do for myself, and what it feels like to live that way as apposed to how I'm used to living. I have no desire to ostracize myself from society, I just want to know what it's like to be a little less dependent on everything it offers. I want to know what it's like to live in closer harmony with the earth. I want to know what it's like to go back in time. As Jeremiah Johnson says to Del Gue when he suggests Jeremiah gets out of the mountains, back to town to avoid the Indians looking to kill him
"I've been to a town, Del"
Well, I've been to a town, too. And I'm still in a town, but I wonder what it's like not to need anything form that town, not to need anything that you can't do with your own two hands. Some would accuse me of romanticizing a life that is difficult and unnecessary given the advances we have made. They would be right, I have a tendency to do that kind of thing. This is the beginning of my journey. I don't know how long it will last, how far I will go, or what I will discover, but this is the journey I have chosen and it's exciting to be living the life you want to live.

4 comments:

  1. Well, the question on my mind is what happens when winter arrives? I know you may not have answered that question yourself yet, but I know you have thought about it, and I will be watching to see.

    Also, can you learn how to cook the grasshoppers really good and safe for me for October?

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  2. I want to know what you are sleeping on/in. Sleeping bag? The ground? Kimba and I had a good run this week and talked about you some...nothing bad. :)

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  3. Mike,

    I've made a bad on the ground out of a raised bed of dirt, blankets for insulation, and a large sleeping bag.

    Rob,

    and adventure, indeed!

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