Until last fall, I believed that connecting with kindred spirits was a high I’d only experience in the warmth of hot springs. But after years of solo travels, I took a leap into community—and in doing so, I found friendships that became family.
Sappy, I know, but I wanted to take this space to go into depth on how healing it was to park my van home amongst hundreds of other nomads for weeks in the desert at a nomad gathering called Skooliepalooza (Skoolie).🚐
How to Get to Skoolie – No Magic School Bus Needed
Skoolie is a nomad gathering in western Arizona that first began around 2016.
Living in Phoenix for college and most of my 20s, I had heard of Skoolie but never made it until this year. I was confused about the difference between the unofficial and official event, so I asked my friend Nelson (who is the reason I attended Northwest Nomads last year, and the reason many of us know each other). He told me:
“A key difference between this annual gathering and other regional events is that it has traditionally always been non-organized non-monetized and simply run by the people who show up. Over the last 14 months that has changed and caused great division and confusion in what was a wonderful organic event. The humans tend to do these things and that’s OK.
Skoolie in January took place on public land outside of Ehrenberg, Arizona will always be the best natural gathering with the highest concentrated of actual nomadic folk in America.”
I actually only wanted to spend the weekend at Skooliepalooza, but when I saw the community connectedness and the incredible people I called my neighbors, I decided to allow myself to flow fully into the experience.
Nurturing Through Sharing Food, Medicines and More
I felt like a fish out of water at first. The nearly 24 hour ‘wub wubz’ 💀the pirate ship blasting bass💀 is quite the reality shift from the tranquil wild hot springs I usually call home.
On the first night there was an intense dog attack nearby and my propane stove had a leak that led me to burnt bangs (never light your stove if you sense a leak, learn from me).
I was ready to leave, but my new neighbor Sarah convinced me to stay a bit longer and see what good could happen. I’m so glad I did.
The next morning our neighbor Reaux hosted a mad hatter tea party with herbal medicines to help with life on the road. Chats over tea by our Nissan NV 2500s were so healing, and we danced it out each night with our neighbors.
Movement: Dance, Yoga, Dance on Top of Rigs
One of my favorite memories was dancing on top of 5-6 rigs put together with all of my fellow wild nomads. Thanks to all of the people who made that happen with their speakers and possibly messing up their shocks from people bouncing on top for hours.
I also loved that there were many opportunities to heal communally through bodywork, yoga, sound healing, and of course your medicine of choice. I enjoyed several psychedelics when the set and setting felt right, and cozying up to a fire felt so right for songs and crazy stories from lives on the road.
Several days were spent in circle outside of ‘The Library’ – where our friend Aidan created a safe space for poetry sharing and creating.
Skoolie Tip: Bring around a journal and pen for pop-up inspiration – and also a plate and cup, of course! So much free food to go around like nacho parties, pancakes, and potlucks.
How Can We Continue to Co-Create Community?
If you looked at the Skoolie FB page vs. real life you’d see completely different realities.
Of course, this many people gathering will have its ups and downs, but I felt safe with a large family-like circle around me. And, eager to meet up on travels as well as create hubs on shared land together.
Skoolie is truly a create-your-own-adventure whether you go to the OG Skoolie in Ehrenburg or the trademarked one near Quartzite, you’re bound to meet amazing nomads ready to share the joys of life with.
Hot Springs Nearby
El Dorado Hot Springs
I had to go to a hot springs before and after Skoolie, since there was absolutely no water out there.
El Dorado Hot Springs is between Quartzite and Phoenix right off the I-10. You can camp or choose to day soak, and I would describe the water as warm … not hot.
I’ll start with the pros. El Dorado is accessible and has mineral-rich waters. With baby goats, 24-hour soaking, and friends to camp with, I had a great time.
But, it’s one of the only hot springs I would warn against visiting as a solo woman. I hike in the middle of the night to hot springs deep in the forest, and for years have met only pleasant people.
Maybe it’s because this hot springs is by the highway and truck stop, but it feels like being a solo woman here could feel unsafe at times.
There is also a free hot springs called Holtville near Yuma. It is also directly by a highway but has wonderful healing waters.
I’m still planning most of my life around hot springs, but I look forward to these community events several times a year and being a siren to pull people into the pools to heal after so much movement.
