The Troubardours: AMIR THE WILD
The best part of choosing an adventurous life is that you meet adventurous souls on the same roads you travel— “The Troubardours” is an ongoing series where I share the stories of amazing, interesting and inspiring friends who travel under the direction of their own compass.
Amir Kirata is a wild man, and a bonafide Troubardour.
I met Amir years ago when I was building Troubardour (the bar)— he was coincidentally next door building his` tiny home. We both had white modified overlander Toyota 4Runners so we chatted and he told me he was about to go in a big life adventure just as I was about to do the same. I could sense his determination. Even though he had no idea where he was going, he knew he was going somewhere important.
I've watched him trail and explore his life with bravery, integrity, sharing it openly for no reason other than to share the joy he gets from feeling the wind take him from city to city, his house in tow, with his loyal dog and companion by his side.
Amir symbolizes the desire that so many people have to let go and find out what life would bring if you just traveled with no schedule or route, but with just the present moment as your co-passenger. Amir's 4runner is not a car—it's a sailboat on land.
Adventure is not just a hobby, or a sport, it is a mindset in which you simply focus on doing things that turn on your soul.
What is the back story behind your travels and your adventure?
In my final year of college, I started looking at jobs in the field of wildlife and conservation biology. I found that the jobs were all over the country, and typically only seasonal positions. I saw an opportunity to travel the country, but didn’t want to deal with finding roommates.
I built my tiny home/utility trailer home conversion in the next 6 months after graduating, and began my terrestrial travels of this beautiful country. After working two jobs in my field of study, I soon discovered that it’s better to travel where my spirit pulls me and find a job, than to travel only where the job brings me. After making that discovery, I allowed myself the ability to see the country on my own terms.
To assure that I saw as much of my country’s beautiful landscape, and didn’t blow up my little old 4runner, or get run off the road by truckers, I avoided all major highways. I drove only state highways and the country roads through the Appalachian mountains all the way down to Florida. The drive from New Hampshire to Florida can be done in 24 hours... I took two weeks, finding wonder and appreciation in every state I meandered through on my way. I encountered obstacles and adversity that I couldn’t have overcome alone, which led to me making new friends, and memories.
Over the past three years, I continued west across the southern states all the way to southwest Texas, then north through the Rocky Mountains almost to the Canada/Montana border, and west farther till I reached the Pacific coast of Washington, where I live currently.
The theme of that first two weeks has remained throughout my travels. I still avoid highways, always taking my time to appreciate where I’m at. New struggles present themselves often, but as the universe would have it, I continue to meet good people willing to help - which further inspires me to help those in need whom i meet along the way. I believe that positive energy is attracted when it is radiated out - a theory constantly reaffirmed in every chapter of my journey.
What aspects of your personality has this trip permanently altered and how?
I have learned that resourcefulness, self reliance, and confidence in your abilities will take you farther than you think.
human interaction can be your greatest tool for survival. Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers, ask for help, or offer your help. The law of attraction is REAL - put out positivity and you will receive it.
What advice can you give anyone that has always desired to roam wild?
you are in control of your life, and you only have one to life. Stop making excuses why not, face your fears, let go of your inhibitions and pull the trigger.
If your trip was an adventure what would be one interesting chapter you can share?
2020 alone was a chapter containing many chapters. I spent most of the winter and spring living on the Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Az. I slept under the stars most nights, rode my mountain bike almost every day, learned some of the ways of the indigenous people who lived there for centuries, and adapted to life in the desert. When summer started creeping in and the desert became too warm for my dog and I, we packed up and caravanned north with two kindred spirits I met there. They became two of my best friends.
What’s your relationship with coffee?
coffee is a luxury that brings me back to the comforting feeling of “home”. While on the road, or living in the wilderness without modern comforts and conveniences, it’s important to sometimes have little things that lift your spirit. Wherever I am, at the top of a mountain, in the middle of the desert, deep In a remote forest, or huddled up in a canyon cave - a fresh cup of hot coffee reminds me that everywhere can feel like home.
What is freedom to you?
freedom is being capable of choosing to do what you want to do with your life exactly on your terms. Live where you want, love who you want, do whatever brings a smile to your face and fills your heart. I am grateful to be fortunate enough to have found freedom in so many aspects of my life. I created this freedom for myself, and I wish this for everyone.
What is the ultimate life to you?
the ultimate life is one where you can experience all the joy and supreme beauty that life has to offer on our planet. To make connections with man and nature, to love and understand yourself, and for me, the ultimate life is to find your own feeling of purpose. To find purpose in my life and have something to strive for is to be fulfilled.
