By a factor of many Grants Pass is the most elated by this vehicle. A high percentage of affirming vocalizations.

I don't feel foolish, but it's funny. What terrified me literally yesterday, is a challenge and feeling ready to face today. This is a repeated pattern. If it doesn't kill you grow. I'm........

I don't feel foolish, but it's funny. What terrified me literally yesterday, is a challenge and feeling ready to face today. This is a repeated pattern. If it doesn't kill you grow. I'm........ thinking of the Terrible unknown crushing climbs down from Siskiyou pass for 100 miles. Back roads in the middle of nowhere. But it happens repeatedly. Like depression, or maybe a form of depression, fear, Terror, can be very adaptive. Shocking the nervous system into a brief Retreat, giving time to ponder, regroup, learn.

Who knew? The mountain bike Schwalbe rep said now or tires are less likely go flat, less surface area.

So much hatred. Pretty much empty wide Road. All of a sudden a car slowing down next to me blaring the horn. I was not inclined to look. Hardly even disturbed. But I imagine I would have seen an extended middle finger and rabid hatred on the face, this as I listen to an article on Trump talk in Harrisburg Pennsylvania last week. This as I look at this magnificent land, populated almost entirely by white people, many Blue Collar working people. They are blinded by their Fury, ... See FB May 2017

So much hatred. Pretty much empty wide Road. All of a sudden a car slowing down next to me blaring the horn. I was not inclined to look. Hardly even disturbed. But I imagine I would have seen an extended middle finger and rabid hatred on the face, this as I listen to an article on Trump talk in Harrisburg Pennsylvania last week. This as I look at this magnificent land, populated almost entirely by white people, many Blue Collar working people. They are blinded by their Fury, ...
See

I travel so that the vehicle and its message of renewable energy and loving and commitment can be seen. So, absurdly, the destination generally doesn't matter. At the moment I am moving in the direction of Flint Michigan and Detroit where I think there may be some serious movements to try and improve the world's. I wish to...... FB May 2017

I travel so that the vehicle and its message of renewable energy and loving and commitment can be seen. So, absurdly, the destination generally doesn't matter. At the moment I am moving in the direction of Flint Michigan and Detroit where I think there may be some serious movements to try and improve the world's. I wish to observe and learn and maybe briefly contribute. I expect to be going south of Chicago on my way. Anyone that knows of safe places along the route for my sleeping bag and or tent, it would be a kindness to let me know.

Local public radio conducted a 30-minute interview and indicated they plan to submit it for National syndication. I have no expectations other......

Local public radio conducted a 30-minute interview and indicated they plan to submit it for National syndication. I have no expectations other than it was an interesting experience. An absolutely glorious encounter with three young people last night who provided a place for my sleeping bag in their home. They were quite a ghast at all my religious iconography. I think they were delighted with the hours we spent talking as was I. One in particular was so pleased with the message and saddened that so many her age will be discouraged by what are understood as Christian symbols, as she was initially. I explained that I can no more dispense with the symbols associated with the man Jesus then I could if I were trying educate the world about physics and had reason to try and dispense with the man Einstein. I told her I would like to because of all the baggage that has been hung on the man. But I think it cannot be done. It was a very helpful dialogue for me.

4/27. As I travel the country my sense is that there is one group whose lives materially are okay, my generation. Why are they okay? Because we looted....

As I travel the country my sense is that there is one group whose lives materially are okay, my generation. Why are they okay? Because we looted things. And we're living off of our looting. Correction, we are existing off of our looting. I wish we would choose living, fighting for our kids and grandkids and their future, I wish we were living instead.

4/26. 50 or 60 miles today. 2500 calories. My legs, knees, are hurting. Same amount tomorrow. And the next day. The cold weather here.....

50 or 60 miles today. 2500 calories. My legs, knees, are hurting. Same amount tomorrow. And the next day. The cold weather here is making things a bit dangerous. Earlier today I was a bit frightened, I was fatigued and wet and it was raining and I didn't manage my body temperature well and got very very cold.  Pics https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10211061705651472&id=1620551416

I travel in the hopes of spreading that which infects me. A love for all of creation, an unwillingness to see it destroyed.

I travel in the hopes of spreading that which infects me. A love for all of creation, an unwillingness to see it destroyed.

Minneapolis st. Paul, what shockingly contrasting Spirits I find here. People......

Minneapolis st. Paul, what shockingly contrasting Spirits I find here. People that are extraordinarily and proudly hateful, unkind, vicious. People that are aggressively kind, ferociously good and pleasant. The most blatant racism that personally I've seen. And other folks of profound inclusiveness.

"My sister was at Standing Rock too, for months, said the young waiter who kindly expressed admiration for my facial tattoos. She is......

"My sister was at Standing Rock too, for months, said the young waiter who kindly expressed admiration for my facial tattoos. She is currently in New York touring with Cheryl Angel, he went on. I explained briefly my mission around the country and he expressed thanks. He's a photographer and hopes I can wait here in town until his shift is over so he can do a portrait. I told him on my I'm on my way to spend the night at the house of a water protector who runs food now to the various camps. Joe Plouff

What a day. Hours on the internet and phone trying to find the solution to these odd sized bicycle trailer wheels I needed to replace. Several......

What a day. Hours on the internet and phone trying to find the solution to these odd sized bicycle trailer wheels I needed to replace. Several hours traveling to the bike shop that thought they could help. Serious rain much of the afternoon making traveling a bit hazardous and hypothermic as it so severely reduces visibility. Extraordinary kindness and great expertise at this large family-owned bicycle shop. The owner had done homework online and drove me in his car to another facility where we found tires and wheels that would work. My bill including parts and labor was under $7. He got upset when I objected so I simply accepted the kindness. He and his staff I believe were stirred by the mission, the vehicle, our conversation. I was wet from pedaling in the temperature outside reducing so a bit hypothermic. Presently I am resting in the home of a fellow water protector who reached out to me several days ago and aggressively and kindly offered a place for me to spend the night or maybe two. Not sure about the next couple of days. Most likely I'll begin traveling toward Wisconsin tomorrow and visit another water protector in Western Wisconsin Friday night. Not sure after that. Tired but very appreciative that things seem to be working out.

His photo is of me smiling, it's been a long time since I've done that. As I was taking a photograph of the turtles an hour ago (delayed posting) I noticed a car stopping down......

His photo is of me smiling, it's been a long time since I've done that. As I was taking a photograph of the turtles an hour ago (delayed posting) I noticed a car stopping down the country road across from me. after a while a tall handsome middle-aged fellow begin walking on his side of the street toward the vehicle, hesitant. I said hello and he said hello. We had the most wonderful, painful, sad, Joyous 10 minute conversation, tho I'm afraid I did most of the talking. Frequently he was obviously choking back emotion. I don't think it was what I said as much as he was feeling less alone. About depression, was I ever depressed, did I ever feel sad. He wanted to know my experience because I believe those feelings are Central to him. As I've written and spoken before, I shared with him that only someone that is insane would not be occasionally depressed and sad given the destruction of everything of value going on before eyes. No disrespect to anyone else it is the most important face to face interchange I can recall having in many many days or maybe weeks. We discussed the turtles that I was photographing and with great joy he mentioned Turtle tunnel 2 miles ahead which indeed I went over. He was so glad that in the not-too-distant past efforts had been made to provide a safe Crossing for those Turtles from one wetland to the other. When I mention Standing Rock he also choked Back eMotion, saying that it was very emotional for him. He did not elaborate further and I did not invade his privacy to ask. I didn't mention to him the year in prison for being there I face. Such a privilege, such a joy, to connect heart to heart, soul to soul, with another person. So rare.

"James, you would go to the mouth of Hell singing Hallelujah, right," a kind friend asked? "I have found no price......

"James, you would go to the mouth of Hell singing Hallelujah, right," a kind friend asked? "I have found no price that I wouldn't gladly pay to alter the horrific future faced by Humanity and all creation. On near-death hunger strikes more than I can count I've been at death's door and wanted to go through but there was no one there to collect the price. For staying and documenting Grandma Regina I face $3,000 in fine and a year in prison as do the 48 of us that remained. I know if no price I wouldn't gladly pay."

To those of you helping ease my credit card debt, bless your hearts. All the repair work done, necessary given the callous heavy-handedness of our sisters and brothers in uniform at Standing Rock, and their agents, all of that has been financed on credit card debt as......

To those of you helping ease my credit card debt, bless your hearts. All the repair work done, necessary given the callous heavy-handedness of our sisters and brothers in uniform at Standing Rock, and their agents, all of that has been financed on credit card debt as has been any lodging at bottom rate motels or state parks, food, as the mission around the country to stir hearts has resumed. The donations from those of you recent and in the past is deeply appreciated, wind under the wings of this work..

Are you a missionary, she asked? I was walking out.......

Are you a missionary, she asked? I was walking out to get something from the vehicle having checked into this non corporate coffee shop so that the vehicle, starve the corporate state, could be in this town on the Main Street for three hours or so. This after purchasing a replacement 16 inch tire for the trailer from a local bike shop Although I could have saved a couple of bucks at Walmart just a mile away. I don't freeload and what money I have I'd rather go to a tip than toward purchasing a product so I have a slightly expired, half off, $1.56 muffin in front of me and I'm nursing coffee from the earlier stop. Are you a missionary, she asked? She had seen my shirt. I didn't know how to answer the question, so I thought for a minute and replied, yes, I suppose that I am.

What do you do on cloudy days? The question I get asked so often. Two nice guys in a pickup truck at a quick stop where I just bought..... Fr Apr 16....

What do you do on cloudy days? The question I get asked so often. Two nice guys in a pickup truck at a quick stop where I just bought some bananas and bread peanut butter. Truly nice guys with some level of Wonder and awe toward the vehicle. I said, friend, I am absolutely not trying to belittle your question. What do you do when you drive away from the gas pump. I could see him thinking. I use gas from my tanks. And I use electrons that I stored in batteries on sunny days to power me at night and on cloudy days. I went on to share that obviously our politicians are either f****** idiots or are absolutely lying to us. Jeff Flake, congressman from Arizona or someplace like that, just the other day told his constituents in a meeting, I can't promote solar energy because people need electricity at night. This guy should be locked up for life for either criminal negligence or criminal lying. It was a very pleasant conversation

An hour or two ago I commented that what may be the Hallmark of mental and spiritual health, the ready capacity for Wonder and awe, has rarely been seen by me in Minnesota. Whereas..... Fr Apr 16....

An hour or two ago I commented that what may be the Hallmark of mental and spiritual health, the ready capacity for Wonder and awe, has rarely been seen by me in Minnesota. Whereas that is true it implies that Minnesota may be the problem. That will be unclear to me for months. Yes, it is in stark contrast to my experience traveling through the states beginning in North Carolina and ending in North Dakota November twenty-eight or so. But geography is not the only thing that has changed. It could well be that another six months of of this dying economy has driven people into fear and fear certainly extinguishes the capacity for Wonder and awe. It could be the presence of trump and his cast of Horrors who have egg on our spirit of hatred. Or it could be Minnesota. The coming months will tell me more.

"God bless you," she said. "He just did," I said. She got it, and was stirred at the thought. I was.....

"God bless you," she said. "He just did," I said. She got it, and was stirred at the thought. I was sitting on the asphalt with my back toward the Aldi parking lot eating a can of $0.87 corn beef hash I had just purchased for lunch. May I give you this, she asked? And she placed several curled up dollar bills in my hand. I recognized her from the checkout line where she was just before me and as she was leaving she turned quickly and said to me, I love Jesus too. To which I said, as you do unto the least of these you do unto me. She didn't say anything to that and I thought maybe she didn't like me saying it. So I was surprised that she got my attention in the parking lot. Moments later there was a car behind me and I heard a gentleman's voice and looked, it was her husband, she was driving the car. They wanted to speak more and know what I was doing. They were moved at this Mission, what I'm doing. It was typical of quite a few such encounters when I was in a Walmart parking lot, Home Depot parking lot, elsewhere around town, Caribou Coffee earlier in the morning. Where are you going, they ask. Wherever Hearts can be stirred, I replied. Where is your home? Like my teacher said, the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

The lady before you paid for the next few customers. No charge for your medium cup of coffee." Maybe this was exactly true. More likely I think is that someone bought for Ho......

"The lady before you paid for the next few customers. No charge for your medium cup of coffee." Maybe this was exactly true. More likely I think is that someone bought for homeless people. They guessed I was one maybe. LOL, my teacher said, the son of man has nowhere to rest his head. Either way what a kind thing and what an important seed she planted. Speaking of planting seeds, that's the purpose of the vehicle, that's the purpose of this Mission, that's the purpose of my life, and maybe it should be the purpose of at all. Objectively. Though my body is not particularly happy about it my soul has us select spots such as this where I can sit and work and the vehicle, and I with my signage, can be seen. The next few days are rain and full clouds. As I try to not push this old body too far too fast, today's Journey will be short, about 30 miles, to a state park that seems to be open. I'll use that as a low cost base of operations to take the vehicle around to spots such as this in what is now bedroom communities for Minneapolis, hence fairly dense populations.