Merry Christmas from Walden Pond

I am spending Christmas in the Boston area. Yesterday I walked the two mile trail around Walden Pond. Here, 152 years ago, Henry David Thoreau lived in small cabin and wrote his famous book Walden, where he discussed, among other things, his simple life there. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler," he wrote. Today, virtually nothing remains of the cabin besides stone markers that outline where it once stood.

I took a photo of the cabin site with my cell phone camera. As I did, I noticed that I was receiving a broadband connection with the Verizon cell tower. I thought that if I had brought my laptop computer along with me I could sit on the ground inside Thoreau's cabin and write a little essay and then post it to the Internet right there and then using my high speed cell phone connection.

I wonder what Thoreau would think about that. I think he would either be horrified or impressed. But I really don't know.

Oh. . . by the way, if you want to stay at Walden Pond today you can hole up at the Thoreau Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Where's Clark Kent?

Okay. . . so where is Clark Kent? And where is Superman? They need a road, too.

Rockin' and Rollin' in Wal-Mart parking lots

Meet two guys who travel in an old black motorhome playing rock and roll in Wal-Mart parking lots. "We played at 30 so far," one of the guys explains, but he never says how many of them they were kicked out of. See them perform and listen as they explain their theories on life, fame and Wal-Mart. Then try to figure out what the heck they are saying, as you scratch your head thinking "Huh?" Hey, it's a weird world, what can I say? (it takes about 20 seconds for the video to start).

Ouch, ouch and ouch!

This is why when you drive a recreational vehicle that you must pay attention to details. Such as: how low is the bridge that you are about to go under? How low is the overhang on the gas station you are about to enter? And in this case, how low is the bar that you will need to fit under in order to proceed? Hopefully, you will never replicate the situation you see here.

Chipmunk invader

This little fellow invaded my campsite in the Lassen National Forest in Northern California. He was seeking crackers. I gave him a few bites. This was in the days before I became politically correct and quit feeding wild animals. But this guy was not wild at all. But, yeah, I should not have feed him. Sorry. Anyway, I put a cracker in the botton of my empty coffee mug, which I placed on my picnic table. It was a boring day. I was alone. This was the best entertainment. Anyway, I like this photo.

Fifteen cent burgers

Yes, there was a time when you could purchase a McDonald's hamburger for the grand price of 15 cents. I did it. I know. Then they went to 18 cents. I actually remember ordering lunch -- couple a' burgers and a Coke -- and giving a dollar bill in payment, and getting change back. Yup. True. And maybe you think I am old, so that this was a long time ago. Yeah, I'm sorta old, but not that old. It wasn't so long ago. But time flies, so what do I know?

A turkey with a certain something extra

Pictured is a turkey. But I have a picture of another turkey to show you that is perhaps 500 times more interesting. But if you are easily offended by fake sexual images, then do not look. In other words, if you are humor-less or cannot appreciate a great sight gag, then please move onto another web page. On the other hand, if you have a sense of humor and do not plan to write to me about how awful I am for telling you about this photograph, then please look here.

Video of full-time RVing family: Part One

Here is an excellent report from ABC TV's Nightline program about a young family that is living and traveling full-time in a motorhome. Here is part one of the two part series. Check back next week for the conclusion.