Jean Claude - The Amazingly Efficient Traveller
Musings—Jul 19, 2010
His name was Jean Claude (JC) and he was from the north of Montreal. It was only by happenstance that we met, but I think I won’t forget him any time soon.
One early evening in mid June, JC stumbled upon the rocky shoreline of our ocean-side home and was admiring the rocks and the beauty that surrounds us. After some friendly chatting (in his French laden English, and my very limited French), we invited him to come in for something to drink. He graciously accepted our offer and we embarked on an unexpected, enjoyable evening with our new friend and fellow adventurer.
He was a very interesting, colorful, energetic man who was on a grand summer-long adventure. His solo journey had already taken him to most of the eastern side of New Brunswick, the Nova Scotian shore edging the Bay of Fundy and along the southwestern and south shores.
His journey would take him along the east coast up to Cape Breton, and then along the northern portion of our tiny province, before heading back to his home about 70 kilometres north of Montreal.
I enjoyed our evening together, and after we said what I thought were our ‘goodbyes’, he headed to the vacant land bedside our home to sleep in his ‘home’.
When he drove in our driveway early the next morning he once again thanked us for our hospitality and for opening our home to him the previous evening. He excitedly showed us his ‘home’—I was awestruck by this man’s ingenious creativity and the resourcefulness he demonstrated that turned this 24 year old truck into his summer home.
You see, JC was a real explorer—all the needed belongings for his grand adventure was within that retrofitted 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. The passenger and back seats were removed to allow ample room for storage and sleeping areas. I could see the limited space was divided into zones—food in this zone, sleeping in that zone, clothing in yet another, and so on.
Did you notice I said ‘needed’ belongings? All he had were the things he really needed to survive and to make his trip an enjoyable one. He travelled as simply as he could, and he didn’t want for anything.
He bathed in the waters of the ocean, lakes and rivers as needed, and did his laundry there too. Food and kitchen storage was done with the use of a few dishpans that were seemingly filled haphazardly (although closer inspection revealed an organized system to ensure he could find what he was looking for).
Cold food storage was not an issue since he had geared up a large, plywood encased cooler onto the once-used spare tire holder (the spare tire which was now conveniently attached to the front of the truck). The exterior of the tailgate’s swing-out door proudly held the retrofitted cooler which would stay cold by propane when he camped, and electrically by the truck’s battery when he was driving. Ingenious!
His sleeping area was a raised platform he’d built in the back of the well-used blue truck. No space was wasted. There was storage underneath for 2 lawn chairs (one for him and one for any guest who would share his company), camp stove, a small selection of items needed to prepare and eat the meals alfresco. Clothing and personal items were in the backpack near the cab of his ‘home’. Other required items were strategically located within the inner confines of the truck. No extras anywhere – only what he really needed.
We often don’t strive for this level of simplicity in our own lives. But imagine what it would be like to have an unburdened stretch of time when you were as free as JC was.
It makes me pine for the simpler times of renting a cottage in nearby Green Bay. We took only what we needed and the simple focus of the furnished rooms (3 in all, if you count the bathroom!) and minimally stocked kitchen ensured a carefree vacation that was devoid of any stress or worry about ‘stuff’.
Imagine if we could create that level of simplicity in our homes and day-to-day lives. Yes…imagine indeed. Ahhhhh I can feel it already.
