The Turtle

i own and drive an Econoline E-250 van.  it used to be a cable van, if you stand just right you can see the shiny "Adelphia" on the side where the company stickers used to be.  it came with a metal divider to separate the two front seats from the rest of the cargo hold.  i toyed with the idea of getting a mobile home but all i saw was miniature crappy specialized mechanical, electrical and plumbing.  i knew i could do better and be more covert and mobile.  the back has a bed built over the wheel well under which is a bin with clothes, a bin with outwear, one cooler for keeping food cold, one cooler for dry food, two water jugs and a tool box. i bought standard van shelving which i configured to hold milk crates. in those crates are kitchen stuff, lantern, books, toiletries and other necessities.  stove, ax, yoga mat, tent occupy the spaces in between.  the van has an inverter to supply AC electric, a kick ass stereo and a lock box to put my laptop and camera inside of.  the only give away that my van is not your standard plumbers/electrician/cable van is the RV vent/fan near the rear over the bed.   I made magnetic curtains for all of the windows and have put up class 1 insulation over the entire cargo hold. 

her name is persephone.  i have seen 45,000 miles of north america through her panoramic windshield.  on a particular trip through the desert on my way to the grand canyon, singing along at full force, it occurred to me that i had everything i needed with me.  i had my home on my back.  i was just like a turtle.  a moment later i stopped at a roadside grouping of native artists selling wares to stretch my legs and see what the tribes in that part of the country considered art and craft.  past the horse hair pottery examples a tray of jewelry lay.  among the eagles and dragonflies a ring of silver topped by a turquoise turtle beckoned.  Of course it fit perfectly, and is the only one i have ever seen.  

i look at the ring on my finger now and it reminds me that whether i am in the van or not, i AM the turtle and my home is on my back, with me at all times.  and just as the turtle cannot separate itself from its shell, neither can i be parted from my connection to all.