So, I don't suppose one of them was named " Soap And Wash Cloth " ??

FYI, I did receive an email from another reader who said several police officers had stopped and checked their IDs.

Why do u have to be a stick in the mud John? Have they done anything to negatively affect your life? Why dont you waste your time on something else?

I saw the bus last night too and thought " hmmmm...yeah-- welcome, Crazy Hippies. You MUST be lost! " Had I known their story, I would have gladly contributed to their free spirit agenda! I was just so excited to see some " freakiness" here!!!!! Carpe Diem, you lovely Hippies and safe travels.

I'd rather see this bus driving around than all the political "visits" we're getting... this one at least has something interesting to see and hear! :-) Heck, I'm a bit jealous. Not that I want to ride around the world on a bus, per se, but that they've made a choice to live this way and are taking advantage of it while they can.

I totally agree with Ashley. I also met these guys over at the Wal-Mart in Lorain yesterday and they were and awesome group of people. I spent nearly two hours with them shooting photos, and I left them with a case of water and a bunch of bags of chips. I left there feeling the same sense of awe as Ashley, and commended them for their lifestyle. Too often, we become overwhelmed in this ocean of chaos, and do not take the time to appreciate living. These kids are living their lives how they want to while staying within the boundaries of man's law, whether others deem it socially acceptable or not. As simple as the moment was, it is something I will never forget, and I look forward to seeing them again one day.

Hey Stacy, I did my share of hippie travels when I was younger. I blazed accross the U.S. and Canada for years, with one little difference.....I had TOOLS with me, and worked in almost EVERY state I passed through! I didn't sit around and wait for a hand out! I stayed at National Parks and campgrounds, and used the showers on a DAILY basis. I worked on an apple farm in Washington, harvested trees in Oregon, picked oranges in Florida....I WORKED my way across the states!! A tool belt full of tools, 2 chain saws and some climbing equipment paid my way.......Stick in the mud??? Tuuuuh....

I agree with John. They should work to pay for the lifestyle they live. That's what this country is supposed to be based on.... Not free handouts.
And John, good for you! I wish I would have had an adventure like that before responsibility got in the way:)

First of all, the guy in Red is NOT a kid, he's about 50 years old. The "kids" were all older teens and young adults. I did see a very young boy (maybe 7) leaning out the window of the bus. I was close enough to see glazed eyes, absolute filth, several animals(also filthy). Made me wonder, were any of those kids runaways, kidnapped, brain-washed? I also saw several police officers checking out their ID's. Hopefully, it was just a bunch of "free spirits" traveling along, although I doubt it....

As a little footnote to my rant, I would like to add that I knew when I left Avon Lake, that I was headed to the west coast. I worked a year to save enough money to set aside a fuel budget....I had enough stashed to get me there and back, just in case things got tight! I even had extra for any vehicle repairs that may have popped up. Can you imagine expecting people to hand you money for fuel to get to your destination????.....Seriously, even a "free spirited lifestyle" has to be funded by SOMEONE!!!......."Ohhhh wow man, peace, love, happiness....oh by the way, ya got some spare change so we can make it a few miles farther down the road??".....In some cases there is a fine line between being free spirited and a bum!

Ashley, If you're interested, here's how I experienced it only mere hours before you. My blog: http://imperialideology.tumblr.com/

Hey Ashley, why don't you try getting your story straight before printing it!

Not only would i NOT give them money for Soap, but i would lock my car and call the police. Or did i miss something? is this 1970 San Francisco or an suburb. Like it or not 99% of Avon Lakers would agree with me. I bet They didn't stop and panhandle in Bay.

Wow if you are on a bus minding your own business asking for a few dollars the "establishment" is up in arms. However, if you sit at home with your legs spread popping out child after child milking the system for thousands people just say a poor mother down on her luck trying to raise her babies. I too am a product of the early 50's and enjoyed the "hippie movement" in the 60's. These people are not rioting, murdering, stealing or causing any harm to the residents so why not get off your high horse and let them be whoever they want to be. And Johnny V. no one has to pat you on the back for doing it "your way" you have done that yourself. If we all did things "your way"it would make for a very cookie cutter society. I say safe travels and God speed on your ventures "hippies".

Well let me say this Johnny the "babies" I did raise I raised them all on my own. No government hand outs, no welfare cheese and food stamps. No one said you didn't have the right to an opinion but are just saying we need not to lose perspective of the fact not everyone does things our way which does NOT make them wrong. And as far as knowing what they are or are not doing, I don't know; however, just because they are not as clean as I choose to be or living in an apartment as nice as mine does not mean they are criminals or thugs. Then again I was not raised to judge everyone figured leave that up to my God to do.

Nancy, did you not just judge me for being judgmental, and did you not just judge a certain group of women for taking "handouts " to help raise their children?? You should go into politics.....you seem to be great at flip flopping!

I pulled over Chu and his group of colorful friends on I-20 in Westbrook TX. They where such nice people and got some great pictures. Best pictures I ever took.

Hello All,
I am the Captain of our RV (bus). My name is Rev. Chu Bbakka. I am originally from Elyria, Ohio. Thank you Ashley and Eric for the beautiful articles on us. Thanks to all of you that do and would defend our lifestyle. Let me address a few things and get the story straight. The RV contains and carries a mobile free kitchen called The Sovereign Nation of Earth's Intergalactic Free Food Cafe and Chai Tea Kitchen (SNoE"s Feed The People for short). Anyone that we find that are hungry we feed them. All of my crew come from all over the country and yes many of them have had a hard of life but what does not kill us only makes us stronger. As for our resolve, We are Freespirited and go where the Lord leads us. My crews has changed many times due to people living their own lives and following their paths.

Not finished will post more later this evening due to the park we are in closing......
Peace Love and Happiness to all (including any haters that we may have) Got to love thine enemies.

I've known Chu most of my life. He's one of the most open, honest people I've ever known, and has always lived a nomadic lifestyle. When he was younger, he also worked his way across America, but is no longer able to do so, through no fault of his own... stuff happens..

Just to let everyone know about the child in my picture I posted of them, he was very smart and very happy. I have to say, If I was a little younger I would not have been afraid to jump on the bus with these people to join them on their adventures. I looked into some of the bus hippies facebooks and most of them where very educated. My gosh some of the most normal people turn bad. These people just enjoy life. Some more of us should try it sometimes. Ashley thank you for posting this. It made my day just as much as it did the day I met them.

I just wanted to chime in one more time since I see the Reverend has graced us with his presence. I wanted to say that my blog post has been re-posted by someone who has taken the time to translate it into Spanish, so I'm sure when you arrive in Guatemala, they will be expecting you. Here's the link to her blog. http://atnightyougetconfused.tumblr.com/post/27659523896/la-ideologia-imperial-comenzo-como-el-mas

A couple thousand years ago a guy named Jesus and his buds went on the same kind of trip...no jobs, no money, no food, just spreading the Word and living off of charity. He said "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

Well Jackie, JC was a carpenter, and his "buds" were all fishermen and from what i have read, did pretty good for themselves....now when the most reverend Chu Bbakka can turn water into wine, and feed masses of people with a few loaves and fishes, let me know.....mmmm kay??

AND FURTHERMORE......(I always wanted to say that)...most of the tribes back then were nomadic, and the only ones that were tollerated to accept handouts were the old and the sick. If you were an able bodied person, you did your part to support your clan.....even children worked!

Let me make you fishers of men.
If they were so prosperous, why did they get Caesar's tax money from the mouth of a fish? Whrich carpenter or fisherman paid for the tomb?
AND FURTHERMORE, there is only one "l" in tolerated.

Oh Johnny V. You are a piece of work. I bet people just love to be around your negative personality. I bet you have friends surrounding you. I bet they dont ask your opinion you just give it and Im positive you know everything. Im sure that with all the hard work you say you have done and all your wonderful qoutes, and the way you judge peoples lifestyles, Im sure there is a place for you in heaven. Why do you even post on here when all you do is put people down.

Well, I'm am with Johnny V. on this one. A bus load of young adults, older adults all with fictitious names and one of them feels the need to hide his identity. Filth, tattoos (and not even nice ones), no money, a self proclaimed "reverend" which brings to mind the likes of Jim Jones and David Koresh to name a few. Sorry, I'm not buying this story ! Being a free spirit is great, until you reach your later teens, after which you had better have a plan and a direction (besides sitting in filth looking for hand outs) and a career choice! Did any of you people happen to click on the links attached to the additional photos?? Drugs, alcohol and out of control kids! One could only imagine the fine cusine this "travelling kitchen" has to offer! Sorry, but NO!.....MOVE ALONG DOWN THE ROAD!!!

I'd just like to add one thing to all of this. I wasn't expecting all of this feedback, this is the most I've ever gotten. I just want to say thank you to all of you people who have been voicing your opinions.

Brian Adcock???.....Buahhhhhahahahaha......guess I'd go by a fictitious name too!!
......Random.....Buahhhhhhhahahahahaha!!!!!!!....what a wuss!

What really turned people away wasnt your "lifestyle" thats something people can ignore. Its the picture with the topless dude, that cant be unseen. Did he really need to take his shirt off? Really?

Awwwww c'mon Andrew.....what's wrong with Chu Bbaaka's knockaa's?? He's just tryin to keep you abreast of his ttravels and free spirited lifestyle! .....I alway's figured him as a bra burner....

I just happen to be related to one of those free spirited ppl and proud of it! Who are we to judge what is correct lifestyle? As long as you aren't hurting anyone live your dreams and do what makes you happy!

Some things are not always what they seem.. I am sure a few of these people are receiving more than just donations. The kid needs to be in school.

Another great article was written about us. http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/high-weirdness-at-edgewater/Content?oid=3026961

Ok. I just get to read this, and I'm nauseous. I'm a 2002 alumni of ALHS, and lived my entire life in that city, and I wouldn't trade my past for anything in the world. I'm shocked that my son, his father, and their family have sparked such heated debates. Yes, you haters out there. That 5 year old is my son, Alex. He's smart, clean, and perfectly fine despite the "deplorable conditions" you say he's raised in. While you all waste months of your life firing insults at each other over the internet, my son lives a life away from television, video games, and bullying by his classmates, and he LEARNS how to be a human being by helping the needy. I couldn't want anything more that for my oldest son to grow up with tolerance and acceptance... two values that Dr. Ross made our classes learn through our entire curriculum. Seeing my son raised maybe not with a silver spoon in his mouth but with a rapidly expanding heart makes me smile every day.