LEARN A NEW WORD:---VACILANDO: DRIFTING WITH DIRECTION---BUT WITHOUT DESTINATION

There is no English equivalent for this Spanish word describing EXACTLY what I am doing.  Here's what it looks like in action.

After sleeping on the altar stone at Stonehenge, I met this nice couple bicycling from the West coast to the east---3000 miles.  Only 2500 to go.

I'm drifting West and I've just  contacted  a holy man on that mountain in the distance.  Recognize it ---It's Mt Hood.  He's up there meditating--and whatever holy men do. We are friends and he's agreed to come down from the mountain and meet me in Hood River, Oregon a few days hence.

I pause at a rest area for a nap and wake surrounded by prisoners.  I walked among them to see what I would feel.  (uneasy) Took this picture surreptitiously.

The river along here is wide and beautiful but it's time to find a place to camp.

On pure instinct I turned into this dead end road. 

Found this great campsite.  Settled in for 2 nights.  Hiked the area.

At the appointed time and place my friend showed up.

Most of my readers will recognize him at once, Wayne Wirs a vagabond mystic I met some years ago.

He shows me the latest tweaks to his rig--overhead storage, etc.

I'm intrigued by the supporting technology and plumbing he's installed in the rear. This type rig may be the best way yet devised to move freely and frugally about the country.

We walk and talk all day---about things mystical and material--while appreciating the wind-powered sub culture here.  The winds here are said to be the best in the world--- 

for kite surfing.  Amazing to watch them skim across the water---and then skim back at the same speed.

Wayne returned to the mountain heights while I passed the night at this hidden nook just outside the city limits.  (How did I find it?  I asked a van dweller)

Continuing West on the Oregon side of the river, I pulled into a spot to find this lovely lady.  Can you guess who she is?  Of course---it's an idealized sculpture of Sacagawea the Indian guide to Lewis and Clarke.

Ah yes, and here she is again---IN SEDONA ARIZONA.  Different dress--same lady. I thought she looked familiar.  And this time I will show you the son she gave birth to on the journey and carried on her back.  (prepare yourself--this is a bit of sculptural genius)

There he is---comforting himself by touching mom's finger. 

Stopped again to see what this guy was doing on his platform above the river.  Fishing of course--sort of--he's just dipping a hoop net into the water. 

And damned if the fish don't just swim right into it.  Wonders won't cease.  He drove to a roadside pull off and offered them for sale.

I'm nearing the western end of the Columbia Gorge---will find a place to settle for the night before crossing Portland.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:    Steinbeck distilled his vacilando into his book TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY. I  find it a very satisfying way to travel.  Next entry I hope to catch up with myself on the coast.  My overall hope is that my adventures distill into something useful I can share..  And If not, I simply will have enjoyed myself.  Not a bad gamble.

Wayne Wirs