MULE TRAIN NOMADS: A message from the WILDERNESS

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We do carry a gun, but only use it to protect ourselves . . . mostly from rabid animals. When you live out in the wilderness as we do, everything soon becomes as one . . . and to do thoughtless harm to any creature would be to hurt ourselves. We just like to look at the wild beasts and birds with whom we share this land and-as we might be the first humans they've ever seen-the animals often come close to stare at us.

Many folks also wonder whether we get bored without access to TV, radio, and newspapers . . . or how we earn money and handle illnesses.

Boredom has never been a problem for us, simply because we always have plenty to do. I-for instance-take care of the children, wash our clothes by hand, milk the goat, and so forth. Even our cooking takes a good deal of time . . . because every meal is made "from scratch". (But at least I don't have to worry about spilling food on my carpet!)

Gene gathers wood, watches that the hobbled mules don't wander off while they graze, keeps the equipment mended, fishes, and spends time with the boys.

Luke manages to keep quite busy, too. He helps both his father and me, swims when were near water, or just plays around the camp. Since we own no store-bought toys, our eldest uses his lively imagination to make up his own games.

And no . . . we don't miss the mass media. The outdoors is our television, and the birds, the wind, and the rivers are our music. We'd rather not know about the crime and injustice that go on in the "civilized" rat race.

As for money, we don't need a lot . . . just enough to purchase our food supplies and a few odds and ends. Our "grubstake" the money we accumulated by selling our truck and other oddments before we began this new life-left us with some small savings . . . and my husband does ranch work when necessary.

Our family hasn't had to deal with a single illness since we took to the woods. However-if sickness ever did strike-we take care of the problem as best we could until we could get to a doctor.

Gene hasn't had a driver's license for five years, and mine is about to expire. I doubt if I'll renew it, though . . . you don't need a license to drive a mule yet.

So many people tell us they wish they were young enough to do what we're doing. Well, I'll be 30 in another year, and Gene will be 47 in November. But we're going to stay in our wilderness until were too old to ride . . . and that may be never! After all, we have a complete life . . . each one of us is happy with the others and with our surroundings!

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