For most people, being stuck in a repair garage for weeks would be a nuisance. For Claudia Konker, it’s just another adventure.
The traveling anthropologist doesn’t have a choice but to stay at Doug Curtis’ auto glass business in Benton until he fixes the roof of her van. The vehicle is her home.
Konker, who comes to Arkansas from Washington state, encountered some trouble in Little Rock when earlier this month water from heavy rainfall leaked through the rusted overhead storage of her Adventure Wagon. She was forced to find shelter fast because the rain was pouring in the back part of the van where she sleeps.
Six months out of the year, for the past five years, Konker has volunteered at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She was in Arkansas two weeks ago to meet a group for kayaking in Mountain View. The weather curbed their recreational plans and she was headed south — until the rain stalled her plans again.
“We had one day of what was supposed to be seven, and I needed to get out of the rain, so I headed to Little Rock,” she said. “I ended up sleeping in a car wash just to get out of the rain.”
Konker eventually ended up at Curtis’ shop so he could fix the roof of her van and get her on her way. She arrived May 7.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the good people of Benton,” she said.
Although, she said she’s pretty sure she’s disrupted the flow of a group of men who come to Curtis’ shop to visit. “I’m sure they’ll be glad when I leave,” she said laughingly.
As an anthropologist, Konker is always taking note of human behavior and how they interact.
“I try to understand people and the people here are nice and honest,” she said. “I can tell there has been a real concerted effort to make the downtown look nice.” She also complimented the Gann Museum, noting she’s seen a lot of museums and was quite impressed with the Benton staple.
She said coming from the West Coast, she had no idea of Arkansas’ photogenic landscape.
“The first time I came to Arkansas, I never knew how beautiful it is and all the little towns are clean and well-tended. You can really tell Arkansans take pride in their place.”
Konker is 65 now. In her mid-50s and a professor in Washington, she had what she calls a “re-evaluation of life.”
“And I’ve noticed it happens to people when they’re between 54 and 56. You look at your dreams and decide if you want to go with them or have them continue being dreams,” she said.
“As a girl, I always wanted to take my house with me. I love nature and wanted to explore the world.
“I lived in Seattle for 24 years in a beautiful home filled with antiques and close to everything. I thought, I could sit there and take care of my house and retire, but I decided I wanted to see the world and I’ve never looked back.”
Konker is now in her 11th year living where ever the road takes her.
“It was worth giving up all those material things,” she said. “I gained my freedom.”
She noted, “If I wasn’t able to communicate or travel, I might feel lonesome, but because I’m not detached, I can travel on and continue meeting wonderful people.”
Groups like the Wondering Individuals’ Network or WIN help people like her stay connected to other lone travelers, Konker said. Through such a group is how Konker met up with the kayakers in Mountain View.
“There are a world of subcultures in the U.S.,” Konker said, adding she’s been to all 50 states.
Living the way she does is quite economical, she noted. Her vehicle does everything a typical RV can do. She cooks in it, sleeps in it and does normal activities in it like working on her laptop and listening to the radio. She does have to find places to shower, but she said it is not hard to find running hot water.
Local libraries are always a good resource for Konker, where she can check out videos and books.
She technically lives with her son, Chris, in SeaTac, Wash., where she casts her vote for any given election.
Through all her adventures, Konker said she’s learned there is someone like Curtis in every town. “Gifted individuals who are very mechanical are rare but they exist in every town,” she said.
Curtis said Konker is “one of the most interesting women I’ve been around. Talking to her is like watching the Discovery Channel. You can ask her anything and I’ve learned a lot from her.”
He said Konker likes to stay busy, noting she’s done all kinds of things in his shop to stay busy, such as cleaning and organizing.
Curtis said he hopes to get her van fixed next week. “I’m working it in as I have time,” he said.
Konker is more than OK with staying in Benton until her van is ready for the road again.
“She’s living her dream,” Curtis said.
Up next on her adventure list, Konker said she’d like to head to places in Canada she’s never been, such as Labrador and New Foundland. “I want to go as far as I can go, and then I’ll head southwest for the winter,” she said.
“I have a million more adventures in me before my body gives up.”
The worst thing that can happen to someone in life, Konker said, is looking back and having regrets. “If people really look at their lives, they should really live so they don’t have regrets. Go for the glory.”
Konker has taught at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and University of Washington in Bothell, Wash.
She has numerous works published on her research and areas of study.
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