antibiotics and tipis...

Alright. So I think we are on a five day curse. Or something like that. We just left the Earth Mountain Education Farm, near Trinidad, Colorado. We were supposed to stay a week, but left two days early due to my health... gosh darn these antibiotics and infections. honestly. BUT I will explain below why leaving was the best idea.

The farm in itself was an amazing experience. A big learning opportunity for sure. It is about an hour from civilization at an elevation of 7000+ feet. We got there just after the crew had finished tie dying anything that once was white. I was greeted by a barefoot ragamuffin child named Justice and his mom Joni, who was the creator of this hippie commune in the hills. Joni and her family, Carter (husband) Justice (5 year old sun) and Orion (1 year old son) are an off the grid family living on a community/education farm and creating a co-op in town. They eat all whole foods, cook in an outdoor kitchen on a wood stove and all the water comes from rain catchment system. They have self composting toilets and rain water, solar heated showers. Our "shitter" was a hole in the ground with a toilet seat made from two tires. Needless to say, I haven't showered in 5 days, and I smell like all things foul. The kitchen was over run with flies, and it was very difficult to get my hands clean. It was an eye opening experience, and I would have liked to fall into a rhythm there, but my body wasn't having it.

Some of the tasks we did were putting up a tipi, planting cabbages, cleaning, cooking and we became a part of the family. The other WWOOFers were amazing people, as usual. There was also phenomenal star gazing and a bear sighting or two... oh and lots of puppies! It was a very neat, exciting learning experience.

I learned that my sun AND moon signs are capricorn (which I guess is uncommon) and that my spirit animal for the future is the bat. (yes. thats right) I also learned about teas and why its important to plant your placenta with a tree to watch it grow. It was amazing to see this family flourish and grow in this tight knit community, and I would have appreciated it so much more if my body wasn't so weak from the antibiotics. After not feeling well enough to move and help out, I realized it was best if we left. We were going to be there for there annual snap pea jamboree which was going to be a big party with lots of dancing, hippie swinging and smoking and even more learning about astrology and what my life is destined to be... I'm sure it would have been amazing if I was up to it. But we were invited back next year! So, we are on the road again. Heading to Vegas to camp out for a few days to get me back to my full potential. Good lord, I'd like to be healthy again.

Oh, and I didn't take pictures.. I'm not sure why.. I guess I just fell into the rustic life style and forgot I had such fancy things as "cameras". I think adam took a few pictures, so you can all see what its like eventually. Love to you all!

NATURE!!

I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking for the last few days, but I will recap a bit for you all. We went to Sand Point, Idaho and stayed with Don, a family friend of Adam's. We went to the top of Schwitzer mountain and Adam got to mountain bike! hurrah. It was beautiful and I bonded with Don's 8 month old puppy. We then headed to Montana. We started in Missoula, where I checked out the University of Montana for grad school. Missoula was an awesome city, there were 3 farmers markets we got to check out, and we walked around the city. After Missoula we headed to Bozeman, and camped there for two nights. It was a neat little town, and we took a nice hike where we saw a black bear munching on some huckleberries and a mama moose with her baby. It was a little terrifying to see the bear, and then I was on edge for the rest of the hike.. just cause that is how I am. You know. heh.

After Bozeman we headed to Yellowstone, which I had never been to, so I was pumped. We camped there for two nights, driving around and checking things out. We also took a nice hike, although I was attacked my mosquitos. We saw the canyon, the geysers, lots of rain/thunder storms.. HURRAH!!! It was a beautiful park, but there were SOOOOO many people. Definitely worth it though. After Yellowstone we headed to Grand Teton National Park, which was BREATHTAKING. All the bison pictures and beautiful mountain pictures were from there. We went over to Jenny Lake and hiked up to Inspiration Point, and saw 4 moose and lots of Pikas. So fun. It is a beautiful world out here.

Now we are in Jackson, WY because I got wicked bug bites and one got infected and now I am laid up in a super 8 hotel... hoping that my infection doesn't spread and hurt my leg. ugh. So this puts our trip back a little back... we are thinking of heading to Colorado in two days. Until then!!

hot. really really hot.

Not much has happened since I last wrote, but I will just update a little as if feels wrong to not write for weeks at a time. We had a really great time at the farm. We woke up early every morning with the sun (or the rooster) acting as our alarm clock. We were living in our tent, so when the sun came up, we woke up. It gets really hot in a tiny tent when it is in direct sunlight. We would work for four hours and then the rest of the day was ours. it was nice to see the fruits of our labor, we built the compost, cleared out his raspberry bushes, weeded plots, and planted beets. Hurrah!

When we weren't farming, we hiked. We did this really hard, but worthwhile hike, called Sleeping Beauty. It was in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and was 1,400 feet elevation gain in 1.5 miles. Tough. There were also bugs, so of course I was a grump. But we got to the top and we had a 360 degree view of Oregon and Washington and could see Mt. Adam, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St Helens. So yeah, it was worth it. We also took the Eagle Ridge Hike that passed by beautiful waterfalls and high bridges. Lots of hiking. We also spent some time watching the mass of windsurfers in the Columbia, which was fascinating. I don't think I would partake in that sport, as you are at the mercy of the wind... but whatever floats people's boats.

After we left the farm we headed back to Seattle for a BUSY weekend. It was wonderful to see my family and my puppy (mmm. I missed him so much!), but mainly I spent the weekend running around to weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and parties. BUT I found my dress for Mama's wedding, and it is beautiful. It was nice to have a "girls" day at the mall with my mom and sister. Hadn't been in a mall for a LONG time. All the other events were fun, the party at Michi's was a hoot (of course). And then we spent an afternoon and evening in Bellingham where we got to see the pals and had a nice time visiting with everyone. We left early Monday morning to get to Moscow, Idaho to see Adam's Auntie.

We ate SO much food. Aunt Charlotte kept making us delicious food, and we of course stuffed ourselves. We had to lay down after each meal, to aid in the digestion. It was fun to take walks around the neighborhood and visit with her and Mike and Nick. They were wonderful hosts, and we got to take a nice drive around Moscow to see the University of Idaho. We will definitely need to come back to visit.

We are now at a coffee shop downtown, and are going to be heading out to Great Falls, Idaho in a little bit. It should be full of nice hiking (in Adam's case, mountain biking) and more relaxing. We are hoping this hot weather is going to pass, as it makes it hard to do anything.. however, I have a feeling as we head south, the hotter it will become. We will make it work.

The new face of Washington State

Yesterday, I was covered in poop. Yes, literally. And I couldn't be more pleased about it.

why, you might ask, was I pleased to be covered in horse feces? Well, my friends, it is because we are now a part of a positive and wonderful WWOOFing experience. More on this later, I will leave you with the thought of me covered in horse poop while I cover us getting to the farm.

After San Fran, we drove up to Ashland to see Adam's friend Kara. Neither of us has spent anytime in Ashland, and it was fun seeing it through the eyes of a "local", who attempted to steer us away from the tourist mecca that is the Shakespeare festival. We had a great time walking around and lounging in the GIANT park, and took a hike to top of this hill where you could see all of the valley. Southern Oregon is stunning. (see picture below of Kara and Oatmeal lounging). We also spent one evening listening to Kara play beautiful music and then we went to this dive bar where we saw her friend play awesome folky tunes. He is this awesome man who plays wonderful music and teaches tai chi in the park. People are incredible.

After that we drove up to Corvallis to stay with Elizabeth. We hadn't seen each other in a year, so we did a wonderful romantic run-across-the-park-into-each others-arms show for Adam. It was great to spend some time with her, and although I have heard Corvallis compared to Pullman, I couldn't quite see the connection, as I found myself loving Corvallis. I went and saw Harry Potter (so good), which really was the cherry on top of the visit with Elizabeth. OH and Adam and I found a cat that we actually like. His name was Tempest and he liked to snuggle (see picture).

We had our first of five weddings to attend so we scooted up to Portland for the wedding. It was beautiful, the couple got married under an oak tree on this farm north of Portland. We ate delicious food, danced and saw a HUGE pig. So it was a successful wedding, I do believe. We ended up crashing in Elizabeth's parents back yard that night as we were wanderers with nowhere to camp. It was nice to spend some time with Elizabeth before we checked out the next day to drive to White Salmon, WA. And here we are!

We drove up to the farm not really knowing what to expect. I gave a mental sigh of relief when we met Ben. He is a 31 year old farmer/coffee shop owner/massage therapist (I know, right?). He has a wonderful 8 month old puppy names Lily, and lives in this run down, soon to fall down house. Adam and I have a nice tent site under a tree, and spent the first day making a giant compost pile. This is where the feces comes in. Ben had a giant truck full of horse poop from a neighbor and straw bales. It was our job to layer poop, straw and worms into a giant pile. It was actually quite enjoyable. At one point, I was standing in the truck bed, horse poop was falling over my shoes and my sweat was mingling with straw, dirt, worms and feces and I exclaimed to Adam, "I think I could be a farmer." If in that moment, I saw myself being a farmer, I think I'm golden.

We spent today weeding, finishing the compost and sifting peat moss for mulching. It is so nice to have different tasks to do throughout the day. Ben is all about us seeing the area, so once we got the chores done in the morning, we are free to go explore. We went on a wonderful hike in Mt. Hood national park, to this beautiful waterfall that I can't remember the name of, but you can see the beauty in the picture below. Adam and I think that our days are going to be similar to today, work in the morning playing in the afternoon... exactly what the WWOOFing experience is supposed to be. Magical.

Wow. that was long. Until next time!

naked men and clam chowda.

Oh San Fran, how I love you. We got the hell out of the winery, after taking some wine and olive oil we were told we could take (only to be chastised later... oh to work under crazy people) and Abby, Adam, Becky and I went to Santa Clara for the night. There was a really neat farmers market going on and we ended up camping 15 minutes outside the city. A big weight was lifted off our shoulders when we realized we didn't have to wake up at 7:30 to work in the fields for eight hours.

Adam and I had been racking our brains to think of who we could call in San Fran so we didn't have to pay the ridiculous hostel prices for the weekend. Halfway through our last workday at the winery Adam looked at me and exclaimed with glee, "Matt Hubbard!"

And here we are. Sitting in Sunnyvale, CA 4o miles outside of San Fran in Matt's kitchen while his two crazy (1/6 wild) cats, that look like cheetahs, attempt to eat all things that move.

We have had long days of lots of walking, exploring and site seeing San Fran, which was AWESOME as I have never been here. Adam and I drove in the first day before Matt got off work and went to the San Fran MOMA, where the special exhibits were Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe. It was a wonderful contrast from farm field to art museum. We wandered around the whole afternoon, which was a great way to get San Fran under my skin.

The next day Matt, Adam, Marcel (a man from Germany who lives in Matt's complex) and I walked all over the city. Literally. From Mission to the Wharf to Castro and Haight Ashbury, we saw it all. The Wharf was overwhelming, but I got some delish clam chowder in a bread bowl which I had been craving. AND when I was walking down in the ferry terminal, I glanced up and it was like the crowds parted and there was Stephen Raaka. Who I haven't seen since sophomore year. It was fantastic that in a big city like San Fran I run into Stephen... What a small world. We embraced and chatted briefly. We were planning on meeting up, but our schedules didn't work out. However, next time I'm in the city, I plan on seeing it Stephen style.

We got up to Castro and the first thing we see is naked men. Completely. Nude. Walking down the sunny streets, tan everywhere with solemn looks on their faces. Best part about it was that no one really had any reaction, besides us, we just followed them with our eyes, mouths open. Of course I immediately texted Sean, who is moving here oh so soon, his reply? "Just wait until it gets dark." haha. oh my. what an eccentric city.

Adam and I went to the city today and spent it walking up and down haight looking for a dress for me that I can wear to all 5 of the weddings I will be attending this summer. Found one! It is from this awesome thrift store on the Haight and is a vintage euro 60s dress. Pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself.

My feet ache, and the couch is calling my name, so it is off to bed for me! Tomorrow we are heading to Ashland to stay with Adam's friend and then off to Corvallis to see my Elizabeth from New Zealand! It is so nice to have friends in all places.

Below are some of the crazy San Fran times.

some quiet time

I am actually alone. It is strange living with 9 other people in the middle of nowhere. It is like they become your community, and they are all you know and see for the day. It is entertaining, wonderful and somewhat exhausting.

I escaped tonight claiming sleepiness while the boys jam in the makeshift recording studio also known as the garage.

Adam and I are heading out tomorrow. A little earlier than planned, but it will be the best for us. Turns out that you do have to listen when people warn you that the WWOOFing book can sometimes be misleading. Six hours turned into 8 hours of doing shoot thinning, which is basically pruning vines over and over again. We decided that we weren't learning anything, and the eight hour days in the sun weren't what we came do. SO we are cutting out a few days early to go down to San Fran, which will be great, as I have never been there.

As I write this there is a mouse scurrying behind the walls. Making a racket that gives me the chills. I think there is a dead mouse in one of the traps, but I am too scared to go look. So I turn up Bon Iver a bit louder and pretend that the noises are coming from my music.

Man, reading over this I sound REALLY negative about this experience. In reality, I wouldn't replace it for the world. It was so interesting interacting and living with Eric and Holly. Their crazy way of life and their scattered minds made for laughable moments and interesting stories. Eric is this 65 hippie who has met Bob Dylan, played with the grateful dead and is a full fledged anarchist. He is completely set in his ways and if you forget to put avocado in his salad, all hell breaks loose. He just learned my name, it has been five days.

Holly is a frenzied woman, with a good heart and a sadness about her that is hard to explain. She runs into things and loves her dogs more than anything. I heard her laugh for the first time today.

They are the kind of people that I won't forget, even though I have only been here for 5 days.

On top of them, all the WWOOFers have been so much fun to meet. The two girls from Virginia are wonderful, and will be leaving with us tomorrow. There is a couple from Brooklyn who live it up New York style, and are witty and fun to talk to. There is Mike, who just came from a hippie commune down south. And Alex, a NYU grad who is good hearted by thinks he knows everything about everything. He is funny to discuss things with.Good people. Good times. GREAT wine. Interesting, and time to move on.

Abbey and Becky making their best wine faces with Oatmeal.

Zach doing something wine associated with Oat.

David and Lynn with Oat, chilling after a hard days work

Me and Oat in the fields. You can see the beautiful background... mmmm. wine country

Baby Merlot grapes. so cute.

top of the world ranch

Alright. Now I can update. Without a lot of crazy distractions going on.

Adam and I had a really nice fourth. We spent the morning bottling olive oil for Eric and Holly who had to make a rush delivery to some restaurants on the coast. After that, Adam and I headed out to Sugarloaf State Park and did a beautiful hike up to Bald Mountain, which had a beautiful 360 degree view of Sonoma county. We ended the day with a delicious mexican dinner (margarita included) in Sonoma. We made it home in the evening to hang out with Becky and Abbey (the other WWOOFers) before we called it an early night and went to bed.

We woke up thinking we might have to do some work, only to hear from Eric that we could "chill" until we went to a ranch up in the hills to jam. Seriously. So we spent the morning reading, and then took off to a ranch up on the hill about an hour away. There we met Slim, a 70 something blues guitar player from outside San Francisco; Bob, 92, who owned the Top of the World Ranch who didn't move the entire 3 hours we were there, hanging out on the back porch with his dog. And Martin, who took a beer run and enjoyed sitting in the corner, keeping tempo to the music.

Adam had a great time playing his guitar with these guys for a few hours while Becky, Abbey, Holly and I took a hike around the massive property with the amazing view coming back to keep tempo to the music with our feet. It was a good way to spend the day. Adam and I are planning on looking Bob up and seeing if we can "look after" his ranch when he isn't there. We will see how that goes.

We came back to find two more WWOOFers, Alex and Zach, who have been here for about a month. They know the ropes of this place, and we all sat around the kitchen table consuming $50 bottles of organic red wine, discussing food, politics and what needed to get done the next day. Adam and I got to move into the Inn, which is where the guests stay for $200 a night... it is a pretty sweet set up. We get to drink expensive wine and stay at a vacation home.. and have yet to do any work. hrm.

It is rumored that tomorrow is when the real work starts. We are getting up early to spend 4-5 hours in the vineyards trimming vines, and we are going to be bottling tomorrow. However, I'm never sure what we are actually going to do because Eric is so scattered and forgetful that it is a mystery how anything gets done. It was kind of refreshing to meet Zach, their intern, because he knows his shit and is going to teach us the ropes. That way I feel like I will actually walk away feeling like I have learned something.

More later!!