I wish I would have written sooner.

This year has been THE adventure to say the least.  I started off the year in Florida, quitting my job of 11 years to go "On the road" with my boyfriend, our dog and our new to us RV.  The RV ended up in the shop and we ended up in the Ocala woods.  We had a fabulous gathering this year, and thank goodness for that wonderful experience because we will not be going back this year because there was a forest fire and we feel that the forest needs time to heal.  After Ocala and the RV repairs, we actually left.  And then we broke down again and thought we would never actually leave, but we did.  Stopped in Georgia to visit some friends, stopped in North Carolina to pick up someone else, stopped in Tennessee to pick up another person, broke down in Oklahoma for a week, ran out of gas in Texas, had a nervous breakdown in New Mexico, contemplated stabbing someone in Nevada and finally made it to California.  We stayed in spot for a few weeks with and old friend, but I felt super isolated and we really had nothing to do and had depleted all of our funds.  We took a chance and moved across the state where we ended up staying until December when we had the RV towed again, and that brings us to where we are now.  There were a few weeks in June/July that we went to Montana for the National Rainbow Gathering, and now we are staying in a lovely little cottage with a beautiful view of Knocti and Clear Lake. We have two rooms with two kitchens, two bathrooms, two TV's and it's just about wonderful.  There are six of us here and two dogs and it's fabulous.  I know some people were/are shocked at how I have been living without modern conveniences like heat, running water and in a large communal group, but I think they are just jealous because I get to be free.

Days weren't always great.  There were fights, arguments, complications, waffling, and rude, selfish, demanding people.  The summer was really stupid hot and the winter was miserably cold.  I did miss temperature controlled indoor spaces.  It was a challenge to earn enough money to just provide for our basic needs, but we have been able to provide for ourselves and others.  I tried very hard to ensure the happiness of others, as it seemed as though it was in my job description for the year, but I feel like I have neglected my own happiness in this.  Some people may say something clever here like, "You should really stop and take care of yourself," or, "You didn't really have to do everything for everyone."  However, I have found that I can truly only be happy when the others around me are happy.  I am a sponge.  I have learned that when the people I am around are upset or angry I can't really handle it, in my own head, so I do everything I can to help them and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.  At any rate, this year has been a learning experience.
Some things I have learned...
Everything will work out
Effective communication is the most important thing in the world
To ask for help when I need it
Drunk Mark and sober Heather don't really get along
Don't share a small house with six dogs
I am truly a housie at heart.  I like not having to put on boots and two jackets to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night
My car takes a beating and keeps on ticking... with some repairs of course
Being a flatlander makes it really scary to drive out here
I'm really not a big fan of jam bands
I still don't like Kombucha, coconut water or Chai.
I should have put more things in storage for when we return to Florida
Who my true friends really are
and plenty more, but my back hurts from sitting in this weird position while using the computer so I will add more later.


The time that we have spent in

Chickens...

I know, I know... I haven't said anything in quite some time.

Living on a hill in NorCal is a beautiful thing.  I have a great view, the air is clean, the chickens are clucking, and everyone is friendly here.  We are trying to make a name for ourselves here.  I got my seller's permit in California and I am working on getting the Mendocino County Farmer's Market application approved so I can start vending my wares.  I did sell some stuff to a store in town here, but most want me to come back in summer or fall.  Spring is apparently not a busy time for them.  We are right off the 101, so it's a fairly touristy area from what I understand.

The trip out here was epic.  It took 3 weeks, including a week of being stuck in Oklahoma.  We had our ups and downs, but the day we made it to California was magical.  I remember Roger and I played every California song we had on our ipods as we approached the border.  We were thrilled to finally be there, and less than an hour to our first California destination.

The destination was Grass Valley.  It was really pretty area in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.  It was nice being there and visiting with an old friend from high school, but we were very isolated and had nothing to do.  We took a one day trip across the state to see a few of Mark's friends and fell in love with the area and the idea of having work and friends nearby, so about a week later we moved.

We now live in a smallish town about an hour inland from Ft. Bragg.  We still haven't made it to the coast yet, but soon.  I want to see some sea-lions dammit!  Regardless, we are happy where we are, the boys are working and I am beginning to vend at the Mendocino County Farmer's markets, as well as selling some of my stuff to shops in town.

The property we live on is 80 acres and has amazing views.  There are 2 dogs, 2 chickens, and a 72 year old, Romanian, retired ship captain, care-taker that live here as well.  The care-taker has re-named Mark to "El Greco" and I think I like that much more than "Overboard", so we're going to try to make it stick.

So anyway, there is work to be done... sorting trash for recycling.  Until next time my friends, Lovin you!

Ocala

The gathering was pretty amazing.  We had music everyday, great people, amazing food, and great fun.  That's about all I can say at the moment because I am busy with life stuff.  I will update as we get on the road, but in the meantime, just be happy knowing we are happy and healthy.

Road Ready?

Not quite...

Hopefully by today our RV will be up and running, rather than sitting in Mark's parent's driveway.  I've had so many people ask me if I was counting down the days, so here goes.  Today I have 4 days left of work, 4 days until we head to council in Ocala National Forest, 10 days until some of my favorite people arrive and 12 days until we roll out to Disney.  Of course, after Disney we head to Ocala Seed Camp and then we pretty much stay in the woods until the end of February.  After that, back to Tampa Bay for a minute to wrap up some things, then we begin our trek west.  I have been dying to say that I am moving back to California ever since I moved away from there in 1996.  Wow... Did you really ever think I would do this?  Of course you did.  Yea yea, I know I am NOT supposed to talk to the reader; I teach my kids that all the time, but this is different, I am not telling a story, I am telling YOU about my life. 

Our RV is a 34' 1988 Pace Arrow.  Yup, she's a beast.  Hopefully today is the day she drives.  I know there will always be improvements we want to make, but seriously, how are we supposed to do a trial run to council when she won't even move out of the driveway?  It's all good, the gas tank is getting cleaned out today and put back on, and that should do it.  Cross your fingers for us.

So much to do, so little time.  I should really be getting all of this paperwork completed, however, one can only do the same thing for so long until ones eyes try to fall out. 


Anyway, I don't know if any of this has really sunk in or not, because I am excited, but it all just seems normal to me. 

Oh the places you'll go... or have been anyway.

I know it has been a minute since I have posted.  So much has happened, including moving to Dunedin, FL to a place with no wifi.  Anyway... Here is the short list of the places I visited this summer.

Palm Harbor, FL
Tampa, FL
Morehead, KY
Nashville, TN
Lafayette, TN
Knoxville, TN
Nashville again
Kingsport, TN
Johnson City, TN
Bluff City, TN
Boone, NC
Asheville, NC
Swannoa, NC
Raleigh, NC
Roanoke, NC
Shanendoah National Park,
Strasburg, VA
Washington DC
Ironton, OH
Otway, OH
Columbus, OH
Richwood, WV
Summersville, WV
Roanoke again
Boone again
Asheville again
Marietta, GA
Tallahassee, FL
Home.

I am sure there are many places that I stopped that I don't remember, but like I said, it's the short list.

There is a drum circle in the kitchen...

It sure has been busy these last few months.  I spend my days molding young minds and teaching them hope to use sarcasm properly. lol At night I have been sorting, and packing all of my belongings.  I have either sold of given away most of what I owned in preparation for my new life.  Bonnie and I have moved into a cute little apartment thing in Dunedin.  It's a super cute little town; we are 2 blocks from the water, 5 blocks from downtown and 1 block from the Pinellas trail.  Perfect location.  Last night we could hear drumming coming from somewhere downtown. Sadly the drummer only knew one beat, but it reminded us of cleanup this summer when a huge rum circle started in the kitchen.
Bonnie probably won't be here terribly long :( but soon, (2 months) Mark will be back, and we will spend our last month in town at this cute little place by the water.  This is a good change.  I needed to move.  That house was just making me depressed.  Bad memories, bad juju.  I miss the boy, I wish he were here now, but he's working hard; only had one day off so far this month.  We will have the most amazing life together.  I just wish he would hurry up and come back to me so we can get started.

Yes, I did tell my bosses I was taking leave in January.  I am sure you all wanted to know.  They are all very supportive and completely get what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.  I just wish other people would understand, but I am not wasting my time on people  who just want to judge me.  I want to travel and see the country, I want to grow my own food, I want to write a book, etc etc etc

Today we are getting the new place all purdy like and then I will take some pictures.  :)

I blew up the computer

Gawd I miss writing.  I have so much to catch up on.  I literally had no time for writing this summer, and then the motherboard fried, then I had no time again.  Stop the Insanity!  LoL

So I am back in Florida, and the school year is 1.5 months in and my house is being auctioned this week.  Yea, I didn't expect it this soon either, but we have to do what we have to do.  I am completely stressed out to the point of not being able to sleep, clenching my jaw and literally pulling out my hair, which btw if you haven't seen, is in fact dreaded.  Yea, I didn't make it very long into the national gathering before I had one giant dread.  My friend Roger helped me separate them and now they are finally starting to lock up and look pretty cute.  I am not Sideshow Bob no matter how many people call me that.  :\ . 

I had the most amazing experience this summer.  I met so many beautiful and wonderful people, saw some of the most breathtaking sights, and explored many new adventures.  Even the bad stuff was good.  It was a summer of learning and growing and becoming a better human, as well as fun.  I brought a friend home (and her dog) to live with me while Mark is out west working because I knew after spending so much time together I (and Zooey) would be a basket-case if I had to be home alone for 4 months.  I was right.  People here don't get it, they don't understand how my views on life have changed,  but really this all was put in motion years ago, lifetimes ago if you think about it.  Now we have a 3rd person living here and her dog.  The problem is that we are in the middle of selling off everything in the house and I am super stressed out with work and the house and I miss Mark and it's really hard for others to take my feelings into consideration because this combination of craziness has not afflicted them before.  Regardless of any of that, I'm having a hard time and I would like that to be taken into consideration when I flip the fuck out.  Come on, it's bound to happen.  

The book?  ah yes, it's all in my head now... I need more info and a computer, but some of the possible chapters so far... There's a drum circle in the kitchen, princess wave, topless Tuesday, infested, pizza anyone?, manifestation, truck stop showers, cattail hollow, and many more.  I know, I sound like and infomercial.  

I will post more detailing some of the amazing adventures I had, but I need more time for that.

I know you are eager to know what is next for me, and all I can tell you now is that something big is on the horizon.  In December Mark and I will reunite and together will begin a new chapter of our adventure.  

I think sometime in August is when it really hit me... this man is my soul-mate   

The kitchen.

Cumberland kitchen is not a one person in charge kind of place.  From the first day we walked in we were in the kitchen making magic.  At first I was intimidated because I hadn't really had much experience with this whole cooking on an open fire in the middle of the woods thing.  By the end of the week people were asking me all sorts of crazy questions like I knew what I was doing.  I suppose it is part of who I am associated with, as Mark is the kitchen rock star.  It was kind of funny.  Anyway, I made some dank food while I was out there.  In addition to the dishes I made, I assisted on many things as well.

I made carrots with brown sugar, honey, orange peel and rosemary, potatoes with onion and garlic, sweet  yams with pineapple, cinnamon and fresh herbs, battered broccoli bites, sweet potato and leek soup, and hush puppies with onion and chili powder.  And, if you did not realize, I made these things having never made them before, not knowing how they would turn out, not really measuring anything, and having totally random ingredients.  It was great though.  Nearly every dish made it around dinner circle at least once, if not twice.  I suppose after these dishes people thought I knew what I was doing.

For those curious, we boil water for dishes, tap a spring for fresh water, and collect donations for bulk food purchase.  I went on a supply run one day with Mark.  It was interesting to see what we could get with the small amount we had.  We were in an area that didn't have a great deal of resources, but we made it work.  Hopefully we will be heading to the site near Johnson City for Nationals because there are a great number of resources he has found in that area.

When I went on the supply run, we went to West Liberty, KY.  The town recently destroyed by a tornado.  I have pictures of the town and will post them as soon as I get my pictures off my phone.

... it's laundry time.

Until the next installment, Lovin You!

To dread or not to dread, that is the question...

Just coming out of my first full week in the woods and my hair was what some say is beautiful and some say a matted mess.  After a lovely shower I had quite a difficult time getting the brush to get through the tangles and I thought, hey... just wash it and leave it alone, it will dread, but then I thought about what I would look like if my head were shaved and I thought again and managed to get the brush through the mess.  We'll see what happens next time I go into the woods.

Cumberland was great.  

Mark, Zooey and our rider picked me up from work Friday afternoon and we set off on our adventure.  We had planned on stopping for the night in Marietta but changed our minds and drove straight through.  The site we were headed to was between Morehead and West Liberty, Kentucky.  I realized that I haven't really spent any time in Kentucky other than driving through.  It was actually really pretty.  We arrived on site and it was blazing hot.  In retrospect, I  now know that I need to seriously hydrate before heading into a gathering.  The hike in with the gear in the sun, after being in the car so long gave me a massive headache. Duh... should have remembered this from Ocala.  

Mark found a sweet spot to set up the house for the week, and I started to get to know the goings on of the kitchen.  It seemed to be a pretty independent kitchen and people could just come in and cook something.  There were three other small kitchens out there that I saw anyway.  Pretty much as soon as we got there, we were in the kitchen.  I made some crazy awesome food though.  And this is where I will leave you until the next time I have a free minute.  Off to find dinner for tonight. 

First Site is now known.

So this is where we are headed.  At least though June 1st anyway.We will find out the next stop on the 26th.  Of course it will be in the 90's while we are there.  At least it is for a much shorter time during the day, and the humidity is much much lower.  

 Overboard/Mark set up this chipin account for the kitchen if anyone wants to contribute green energy to some good grub for the summer.

http://iriskitchen.chipin.com/iris-kitchen