LINDA'S WAY---LEAN LIVING LADY LOVES LIBERTY

A MESSAGE TO THE GRANDMOTHERS OF AMERICA:  You too can go a-roaming! CHEAPLY

                                    I met her here---in Poncho Villa St Park---Columbus, NM

It's lovely---stretches about a quarter mile south---hot though, this time of year. This pict of me was taken during recent eclipse.

Saw her van---knew there was a story

So I sidled over----friendly Hi---I'm your neighbor Randy etc---feel my way slowly and easily---toward THE STORY. (actually, I enjoy the process---story or no story)

AAH but there's a story here---an interesting one.  In the next few days I came to visit often.  She's from NC--living on savings---one day got exasperated at the waste of rent--began to camp out---decided to come see the west.  Amuses herself reading---heavy stuff--history etc. She relished a conversation we had on metaphysics---knows how to converse:  talk a little---listen a little. (surprising how rare that skill is)

Soon Social security will kick in and she  feels secure.  It takes so little to live this lifestyle --she cannot starve.  She's saving for a new truck.  This van is 24 yrs old--has 170,000 miles---but runs good.  Accomodations (bed/storage etc are modest---I made some suggestions.)  I believe that van living is the quickest---most efficient way to live on the road. 

Her cook stove---cleverly shielded from the wind and a box of accessories .

Here's the  $80,000 alternative to simple van living---$70,000 of that unnecessary--$10,00 will buy an adequate van and you'll have a great time making it comfortable.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES;  Linda leads a happy life---travels veeeery slowly from park to park--moving to higher elevations as the summer progresses. Has a few friends that do the same and frequently cross paths with her.  American grandmothers too often live to please their children and not themselves.  HIT THE ROAD GRAMMA ---you can do it---Let linda inspire you---It's cheap--cheap--cheap----and wonderful out here.  Long lazy days of reading in the local library (where this was written) chatting with new and interesting people, seeing amazing sights.  Your kids, perhaps, are exploiting you.  Live your final years with gusto.