There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir, We must rise and follow her; When from every hill of flame she calls and calls each vagabond

This blog, which has never been well maintained, has been given a new purpose. I've begun a project that, at the risk of sounding dramatic, may develop into a theme that defines the next chapter in my life. Anyone that sees me routinely, has heard me go on about "the vardo." The vardo is freedom and imagination and romance and storytelling and escape and love; more than all things it is love.

A vardo is a traditional horse-drawn wagon used by English Romani People or 'Gypsies.'

More examples of vardos:

The latter two photos are good examples of "bow-top" style vardos, the third photo being that of an "open-lot" vardo which, in the place of a sealed entrance, has an opening and heavy drapes that can be drawn closed. The bow-top is constructed of steam-bent ash strips and straight ash cross-members. The "skeleton" of the wagon is covered with decorative fabric which can be seen from the interior, wool insulation then water-proof canvass on the exterior. Our vardo will be a bow-top of this type though not an open-lot. We will have a sealed entrance as this will be our living quarters on the playa this year and perhaps for years to come.

Our only departures from tradition regard the canvass top and the chassis. Ours will, of course, not be horse-drawn, it will be constructed on a steel, tow-behind, modern trailer chassis which should prove to be much more highway friendly. Regarding the canvass, all traditional vardos seem to be appointed with teal canvass coverings. Neither Sarah-Leith nor I are particularly fond of the colour and because we've found no historical significance for it, we're going to choose one that better suits our tastes.

This blog, in its beginning, will serve as a journal of the design and construction of the vardo. Expect lots of progress pics and technical jargon and the occasional venting of inevitable headaches and speed-bumps. Upon completion, the blog will serve as a travel journal. The latest date set for the vardos maiden voyage is August 20th of this year, when we push off for Black Rock City in advance of the event to set up camp, though I'm hoping to have the raw construction of it done before that. After Burning Man, we are heading to San Francisco to visit friends. We are in need of a place to park the thing for a few days. If you know of anyone in the bay area with a warehouse or yard and wouldn't mind gypsy guests, put me in touch with them.

After San Francisco, tentative plans are to take the coastal highway up to Red Woods National Forest to park the vardo among the oldest trees on earth. After that, is unknown. There are daydreams of staying on the road for a while, travelling from town to town finding carpentry work here and there. I will have all of my tools in the back of the truck after burning man anyhow. So long as I have Sarah-Leith and Lola by my side, I suppose I could travel indefinitely. That is, now, just a daydream but like the vardo itself, daydreams can sometimes become reality.

I dedicate the construction of this vessel to it's queen, my gypsy, my love, Sarah-Leith, whom I love with all of the atoms buzzing inside me. She willed its creation and my love for her will go into each stroke of my saw and pare of my chisel. In its pine and canvass walls I will feel next to her no matter where she is in the world.

I suppose now would be the time to mention that this blog may be a bit sappy at times. Anyone that knows me should have expected that. I hope you enjoy the blog as much as I'm sure to enjoy the build.

With Regards,
Josh