It is undeniably the best analysis I have read on the subject of modern nomads. \u00a0 Most articles and books treat those who are compelled to explore as misfit exceptions, social oddities, and sideshows to mainstream American life. \u00a0 Only someone who has the bug himself can begin to understand the inner pressure that motivates us, and the author does a nice job of bridging nomadism and sedentary life so that each side can understand the other.<\/p>\n
This is helpful to me. \u00a0 I have to admit that many times in this blog I have been a nomad snob. \u00a0 Forgive me — I’ve been so enthusiastic about this lifestyle that I’ve become like a reformed addict, trashing “sedentary” life at every opportunity. \u00a0 Without saying so directly, Grant seems to believe that it is in the genes and makes good points about the validity of each lifestyle, although I wish he hadn’t focused quite so much on the grittiest of travelers. \u00a0 Essentially he says, “to each their own.” \u00a0 I think he’s right. \u00a0 There’s nothing wrong with all you people who love your houses. \u00a0 It’s just that I am part of a minority of people who feel very differently. \u00a0 If it is wired into your genetic code and mine, that’s cool with me.<\/p>\n
Apparently Grant lives here in Tucson, at least occasionally between trips. \u00a0 I’m sure we would get along if we met, although we’re nothing alike. \u00a0 He’s a hard-living Brit who thrives on rugged travel (sleeping in the car for weeks, walking the desert for days, riding freight trains with hobos), he smokes, he admits to a fair amount of drug use in the book, he seems at several points to be self-destructive and perhaps even toxic to others except in small doses. \u00a0 I’m far past any interest in living ruggedly except where it is necessary to accomplish a specific goal. \u00a0 I like traveling by Airstream with the occasional tent or hotel thrown in for fun; there’s no need in my lifestyle to sleep in a cold rolling boxcar with vagrants, not even “to get the story”, as Hunter Thompson would say.<\/p>\n
Which brings me back to the house. \u00a0 We could have bought a condo (and seriously considered it) instead of a house. \u00a0 It would have been easier to maintain and there wouldn’t be this renovation task to complete. \u00a0 But at the time we bought, in the place we bought, there was better value in houses than condos. \u00a0 So now we have approximately 9 times the amount of space that we have in the Airstream, which means when we are stationary we can spread out. \u00a0 That extra space means comfort for all involved. \u00a0 It’s one thing to share 200 square feet when the world is your living room; it’s quite another to share 200 square feet when the days are short, the nights are cold, and there are fewer options of things to do outside.<\/p>\n
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