We visited the home of a younger family who lives on the Mesa, which is a flat secluded land outside of Taos. What's amazing about most of the houses out here is that they're Earthships, which are houses that the landowners make completely out of recycled materials, be it bottles, cans, tires, etc. While theirs isn't the most tidy of an example, and not entirely finished, it's because these folks get flown all over the world to build beautiful renditions of these Earthships in unbelievably short amounts of time. These folks are the real deal. Secluded from regular civilization on a vast stretch of land miles outside of Taos, they live off the radar and due to their ability to build their own homes aren't susceptible to the normal costs and conditions of normal expenses. While this makes obtaining water, electricity, and other supplies harder to get, it makes their general style of life much more eccentric and valuable to them, and they choose this lifestyle over that of the norm unanimously.

Earthships on the Mesa.
Outside Taos, New Mexico.

The drive from Las Vegas, Nevada was a long, hot, and slow journey out of what we dubbed “Death Valley.” Averaging somewhere around 35 miles an hour, the JB welds on our radiator were popping faster then our packs of Emergen-C. Sick, hot, low on water and killed by time, we drove through Arizona and New Mexico almost in silence. If there were any lands for us to hold our breath in, this was it. Snailing through Zion National Park, Navajo lands, the sacred Four Corners, and over the Continental Divide, our pace may have reduced our spirits but the lands did not cripple us. We knew we were safe as the beauty of the ancient rocks embraced and humbled us. Then, climbing the mountains to unveil a beautiful green valley, we arrived in the town of Taos knowing we would find friends, yet unaware of where and when.

We dropped the bus at Aaron K's out on the Mesa (the Mesa is a vast stretch of sage brush desert about 30 minuets outside of Taos. It is home to many who choose to live life for themselves, off the grid, but more on that later.). Aaron had seen and worked on the bus before when the Vermont Joy Parade had rolled through town a few years earlier. This and Aaron's assurance gave us much hope to a speedy recovery, so we settled into town with good faith that our trusty home would be out of the doc's in no time.

We were lucky enough to find a cheap motel, rental car that fit us all (two in the hatchback trunk), and a beautiful cafe with welcoming patrons and employees who quickly gave us the lay of the land. Displaced from our bunks and mobility we made the Wired? Cafe our home and were able to start uploading and editing again. Messages of love from friends and followers who missed us during our desert solitude quickly uplifted our spirit. We created a new website that we believe portrays our mission and journey more efficiently. We have added an interactive survey we hope you will all take the time to fill out so we can add your dreams to the Manifesto. 

We were invited to camp out on the land of Elliot Haas , whose love of permaculture has created a beautiful oasis North of town. Amongst glorious ponds, gardens, and willow trees we set up our still playa-dusted tents and cuddled for warmth in the cold desert nights. Our time with Elliot, a proficient master on many levels, reminded us of the wonder and glory that working with the land has on the soul. We stuffed our faces with exotic sea buckthorn berries from his garden and felt our energy levels incline and our fevers break. 

Our stay in Taos re-mystified our souls, stripped us of our melancholy, and put us back in pace. As time itself seemed to wax and wane, one day turned into ten days and then became ten minuets. We were lucky to find old and new friends, joy, love, and smiles all throughout the Land of Entrapment. Hot springs and welcoming hugs reminded us all why we got on the bus five short (and long) weeks ago. The ole' bus got herself a nice sealed up radiator and a much needed tire rotation. One long deep breath later and we are on the road again, and our glasses aren’t just half full, they are overflowing.
Words by- Ren
Photos by - Raychel