Getting on the road is a luxury for some, a means of survival or simply just the lifestyle of choice. We crave exploration, nomadic living and adventuring, and are willing to sacrifice for it.

 

Its amazing to me to watch people through thick and thin move. Whether it’s hopping trains to a new town, a road trip to Alaska, trailering horses over mountain passes, or to completely immerse yourself into the wilderness. A new stretch of highway, the wind on your face or just watching it all disappear in the rear view mirror.

 

Your choice of rig; goose-neck with living quarters, truck campers, RV, motor homes, roof top tents, or a bed roll. It’s all part of the conversation and holds the same result. Though, writing on a half deflated air mattress in a stuffy hot tent, I cant help but notice the 3 horse trailer, full living quarters with a TV, shower bathroom and a generator. It has got me scrolling through market place, knowing full well, its out of the picture. I’m grateful for my “rig”, Hank. A rusted out 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, with a one and a half horse trailer, that seems to injure my horses more than anything, but has treated me fair, and taken me on some epic adventures

Different levels of means, doesn’t take the drive away, no matter what class you fall in, nomadic people seem to be able to get it together. Could be the flight response we all have in us, to flee. Finding satisfaction in the process of leaving. The connection with horses roots deep into feelings of freedom, running through open plains, off into the horizon. The images and the drive to learn how to ride, is to learn how to run. When your legs become the horses legs and the power beneath you multiplies.It’s no wonder some are so drawn to horses, as prey animals, they reflect the nature of freedom to move. Power beauty and grace, functioning dominantly with the limbic system; using bonding and emotional attachment as a means to survive.  The feminine spirit was programmed to build relationship in this way, navigating life through nurturing bonds. The power and the freedom the horse offers and the challenge to tame them, join up or the shadow side of controlling them, has given humans a task for centuries. 

Preference to the, so called, predictability of a strong motor, an “Iron horse” calls to the more tactile of humans. Engineering, welding, building and mastering of the motorbike, seems to give the road warriors a similar feeling of freedom. Relying on their club or community to roll together, share mechanical skills and act almost as a flock. The rumble of the pack gets you in the feels. All with the same passion or inner voice calling  to move.

 

Nothing feels better than arriving, safe and sound, putting your feet up and puring that first beverage after a long day of travel. Only to get on your ride and keep moving. Explore further; further up the mountain side, down the river bend or up into the alpine to get as high as the birds. There is spirituality in exploration; “finding your self” finding your tribe, or just creating purpose, drive and team work. I wear a piece of my mares tail, to be sure she is still with me in spirit on all the adventures I go on, as I lost her before we could explore together.Exploration is a gift, though, being nomadic is not always a luxury. Moving from ranches each season trying to gain appreciation and respect enough to let you come back for another, or to simply keep you from being misused and abused. Living the van life on the road has become more than a trend over the last decade, but the only option for many people. Full time living on the streets, functioning on foot is also a reality for some. The search for shelter, food, and a safe place to land. At it’s core, this is what we are trying to reenact, within our own personal tolerance. The grit, strength and heart of the people surviving in the wilderness, on the streets or parked out at Walmart, surpass us all.

It’s all so romantic.  Sleeping in the dirt, the freedom of not having a plan, taking a step away from society and noise. Not ignorant to the less Instagram worthy side of sleeping in parking lots and showering at community centers when the opportunity presents itself. It’s all a beautiful dream when it plus 20 outside, dry and sunny. Come October, grittiness may start to fade.  Still willing to do it, and curious about how long it could last before the dreaming of espresso machines, spas, log houses and the material things, start to take over, or even just a better rig.