Van Morisson’s Gypsy in My Soul played over the radio as I departed Eugene, Oregon bound for Northern California. Like my tenacious Box Turtle back home in Anacortes, for the next few years I would be hauling my dwelling with me. I was amazed at the ease with which my new truck pulled the twenty-seven foot fifth wheel trailer now attached to her. The naming of my vehicles a tradition, with smudge stick in hand I christened my 2006 Ford TurboDiesel F250- Athena: strong, bold and brave.

An...