Desert Squad

This weekend was a success in more ways than one.  I sold some bracelets, enough to cover the vendor’s pass and some gas money; however, the highlight of the weekend was hanging out with some artists I met at the Maker’s Market.  All three of us set up next to each other and were inseparable throughout the whole weekend.  Sinéad is an artist from New Jersey living in her van with her spirited dog named Boyfriend.  Right from the get go, she was extremely vocal in her views on feminism and the patriarchy, so immediately I knew we would get along.  And as soon as I set up next to Jana, her sweet demeanor and connection with the earth made it easy to feel comfortable and have fun for my first live market.  She’s from Sonoma Valley and lives partially in her van and partially in a cob house within a self sustaining community.  

All weekend, after we put a few hours each day into selling our goods, we weaved through the crowd of van dwellers, dogs, and dirt clouds - drinking, hiking, laughing, listening to music, and meeting random people.  It was refreshing to be around others who appreciate making things with their hands, prioritize enjoying life by living with less, and share a similar lifestyle.  All three of us also had a shared abhorrence to the idea of marriage or being tied down which fueled our sassiness and connection even more.  We ended the weekend exchanging our handmade goods with one another and made a loose plan to meet in Joshua Tree this winter.  

After the gathering, exhausted and covered in a new layer of filth, on top of an old layer I collected from a month of not showering, I needed a night of cold, clean air without having to drive too far to get it.  I headed up Mount Hood and parked for the night.  The next morning, still brain dead from the weekend and completely saturated in dirt, I drove to Portland to do laundry and get an oil change - which ended up taking all day due to some warning lights and incorrect oil that was used.  I finally solved the issues and decided to camp at a KOA in Cascade Locks where I could do the rest of the van chores all in one place and sleep with the doors open - with the weather being as hot as it is.  Finally got my shower.  

Heading to Wyoming tomorrow.

Left to right:  Me, Jana (@lineagecrafts) , and Sinéad (@sineadderade).  Photo taken by our friend, “Timmy”.