If you recall my last post, I was struggling just a bit. The road was rough, both figuratively and literally. The start of my journey was not as simple and easy as I’d hoped. I was on my way to Badlands National Park, when I looked at the weather report. It was going to be 105 degrees on the day we were to arrive. That was not going to work for an old man and a dog living in a tiny metal box. So we found a campground in Mitchell, SD and decided to wait out the worst of the heat.
Self-doubts started to flare again until I heard a voice say “Can your dog have a treat?” I looked up and there was Ben with his dog Otto. I said “Of course!” and we exchanged introductions and spent the next two days hanging out together, sharing some wine one evening and Mexican food the next day. Ben is a photographer (which I was also, in a previous life…back in the days of film!) and had built out his van himself. He too was sorting out some things about life on the road in a van. We swapped stories and concerns, and in the end, I felt much more comfortable about who I am and what I’m doing.
At one point in our many conversations, we touched on Jeff Bezos, his ride to outer space , and cowboy hat and, of course, his billions of dollars. Ben spoke of money being energy and sitting on that much money without letting it flow through to others presented quite a blockage of energy. I concurred. I thought about this most of the night, and realized that energy comes in many forms: Kindness is energy. Words are energy. Sharing food and drink is energy.
Ben and Otto packed up and pulled out of camp this morning. They are heading east and tomorrow Cosmo and I are heading west. Ships in the night. And yet energy was exchanged. Laughter. Words of encouragement. Kindness, however brief.
I am feeling renewed. I am back on track. This journey started in Peru with the realization that I Live Here! This journey is about connecting with the earth, and its people. It is about finding beauty wherever I go, and appreciating all that this world has to offer.
So thank you, Ben (and Otto) for the energy exchange. Your kindness and encouragement helped put me back on the right path. I will head out to the badlands tomorrow, feeling strong, and capable once again.
You can see some of Ben’s work on his website at http://www.benzmund.com
Nomadland in reality. Glad that you were reinvigorated.
Scott, What a beautiful post. Ben had been feeling pretty down about our trip and just down in general over the state of the world. I’m so happy you both connected and made such a positive impact on each other. Cheers to you and your journey, and sharing your light. Sad I missed meeting you in person, but seems that you were the perfect person at the perfect time for Ben.
May our paths cross in the future,
Kirsten
Hi Kirsten,
I too had been starting to feel a bit down. I have lived in this van since last September, and I love it. But once I sold everything I owned that didn’t fit in the van, sold my sticks and bricks building and hit the road, the doubts started to set in. Meeting Ben re-envigorated me as well. I once again remembered why I wanted to do this–to feel connected to the earth, and to meet new people and to be reminded in these often ugly times that there are good people everywhere. If we look for people who disagree with us, we will surely find them, but if we remain open, then someone like Ben comes along.
I have had such a better attitude since meeting Ben, and I wake up to beautiful sunrises every morning that remind me how lucky I am to live on this planet at this time.
I too am sorry I didn’t meet you, but perhaps Ben’s being alone facilitated our meeting and sharing and resulted in both of us getting back on track. The road ahead is a long one. We’ll have plenty of time to meet. As “our people” say…”See you down the road.”
Enjoy your journey.
Scott