Here’s something I can’t post on the JWT blog:
I was talking to someone about this project recently and describing all of the modifications to the bus, and how we’d be getting along once we’re actually on the trip, and they commented how “green” the whole thing seemed. And they’re right, its a very environmentally friendly project. But that isn’t the point.
Environmentally friendly and practical are starting to mirror each other. Life on the road is practical by necessity. You cannot bring much with you, you cannot generate much waste, you have fewer resources to work with, and because of this you are forced to be practical.
I couldn’t do this trip on diesel fuel, because I could never afford it (the cost getting back from MN was high enough). If I could go across the country on free diesel, I probably would. As it is, we’ll be using cooking oil – for practical reasons, not environmental ones.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the environmental movement, but there are people out there who know and care far more than I do. We’re not trying to promote anything, we’re just doing what works. This is a roadtrip without agenda.
Or at least I wish it could be. It seems sponsors don’t want to jump on anything unless it has a purpose. So what is most likely to happen is I’ll put up a friendly facade until we get what we need, and then dispense with the crap. I’m not looking to preach to anyone.