Remember documentaries on bands touring? Definite similarities. Periods of extreme, high octane energy followed by the inevitable collapse. Right now, with all of us exhausted from the traveling, we are recovering. I slept all afternoon today; apparently most everyone else did too.

Apparently there are mechanics who advertise vehicle inspection services on eBay for buyers. Doing it all over, I wouldn’t have even gone to Midwest to look at the bus, and would have concurrently employed several around the country months before our arrival in St. Charles. Happily so far, so good.

The Mamos performed pagamento today at a confluence of gorgeous creeks bursting with life. With my feet submerged in the cool, clean water, I witnessed life free from the pressure of humanity. Baby and mature fish swimming lazily; the mesmerizing water skeeters erratically spazzing across the surface; and reeds and other plants in and out of the water, so green and lush, some far over our heads, all framed by the towering forest. We were happy to soak in the marvel that is our planet.