updates about twin oaks life are forthcoming with the next few days. I recently moved rooms and once I get everything in place I'll start posting

Twin Oaks

We moved to Twin Oaks about a month ago. So there's that.

Or maybe not. This might require some further explanation.

The short story is that out of all the places we visited on our trip, all of the various lifestyles we encountered, and all of the options that surfaced during the last year of travel, Twin Oaks was the closest to our ideal. Yes there are elements that aren't super fantastic. But there are fewer issues than living in a city working mainstream jobs, doing americorps, or being graduate students.

So what is this place? Stereotypes aside- Twin Oaks is a group of people that decide to share things, own and operate several businesses, work to be as self-sufficient as possible, and try to build a society which is more inclusive/less wasteful/and less destructive. This means different things to different members.

To me it means following through on my beliefs. I have respect for all folks engaged in making the world a better place. For me, making the world a better place means a real lifestyle change. Members of Twin Oaks use something like 60-80% fewer resources, support all kinds of lifestyle orientations, and are willing to accept discomfort to make it all work.

If you ever read this blog please make a note if you would like me to update about living on a commune, what it means, and how it goes. Otherwise, this might be the last post as adventurequest has come to an end (for the time being).

And for you White Buffalo... we leave

Oh the mixed feelings we have about the wwoof program.

We made the decision to leave White Buffalo yesterday amidst a farm drama, that in all honesty, did get blown out of proportion BUT served to hammer in two points:

1. The farm needs a lot of work. The cause is worthwhile (being one of the originators of the organics movement in Colorado) but the wwoof program needs to be restructured so that all voices are heard and all individuals given equal respect and consideration. The potential is certainly there- it's just not something with which Maggie and I wish to be involved. It's someone's community to build, but not ours.

2. Leading to the second point: we want a community to build. We are going back to Twin Oaks. More on this later.

Mark II

We've started again- it's true.

On April 2nd we started our drive out to rural Colorado. Our first stop was memphis where we stayed with lauren and clifton. thanks to them.

2nd day was a drive through the Ozarks and camping. I got to ride a fantastic mtn bike trail called Woomble. Next we drove through texas and oklahoma. Look, I'm sorry to those states but I'm simply not a fan. Everytime we drive through something:

1. happens to our bicycles (last time it was a bike flying off, this time a migrating roof rack)

2. happens with where we are supposed to stay and we end up at a motel 6 unexpectedly (last time an ice storm in southern texas, this time a campground not existing and being nowhere near a place to camp)

3. happens to my self-esteem. I recognize that I don't have an "average Texan" vibe, but are all evil looks really necessary?

Following our adventures in deja vu we drove through New Mexico (awesome) and camped in the Rio Grande gorge on BLM land for 2 nights (awesomer). Stunning- what else can I say? More cycling was had and two cold nights were bundled through (we think the second night was in the teens). It was well worth it.

The closest town was Taos. Lots of arts and one of the best food co-ops we've seen in awhile. More interesting is this . An earthship community not far outside of town. It's the only one I've ever seen- many many alternative buildings all in one community. It's encouraging to see so many people making such a drastic change in context and lifestyle.

We drove from Taos to Paonia the following day. I must say it was one of the best drives I've ever experienced. We drove over two passes that were both 10,000 (plus!) feet. They just don't make it like that on the west coast.

We've been on the farm for three days and are trying to figure out the schedule and get adjusted to the altitude. 5500 feet doesnt seem that high until you start doing farm work all day long. I've been learning to prune fruit trees and maggie has done everything from massive plant burning to stick pick up.

It's a good experience thus far, but we still aren't completely sold on WWOOFing just yet. Learning experience or exploitation of idealistic young folks? Jury's still out.

Pictures to follow.

Maggie fixing all of my typos to (almost surely) follow.

tranistions

This is the view from the kitchen. In the course of 12 hours we went from this...

To this. Atypical georgia snow.

But got to be there for our niece's first birthday.

We received news of a death in the family and decided to come back to Atlanta early. About three months early. It's one of those tough decisions, but one point of adventurequest is to foster a more peaceful existence and attempting to do so in times of familial trouble doesn't fit. One the plus side we got to be present for our niece's first birthday. One the downside, I think I might have a botfly larva currently growing in my back.

ETS sets (money making) deadlines for the GRE- scores expire after a few years. So for the next few weeks I'm studying to retake the test. I'm not entirely sure if I'll even use the scores.

Towards the end of march/early april we are going to wwoof in western colorado.

More fotos

Creek crossing by the house. Getting across this spot is apparently really tricky in the rainy season.

Maggie riding Silky. Piglet is the small dog to the left- Rhombus is the boxer.

View from front yard.

One of a nesting pair of Toucans that lived in the backyard.

These huge frogs only came out a night. My sandal next to it is a size 11. So yeah, big frog.

Costa Rica Pictures

The house. Much nicer than we had expected- running water, (hot) shower, and a refrigerator.

Trying to get coconuts down in the front yard.

We took this picture on the front porch on afternoon. The wasp killed the tarantula and then (we think) placed eggs on or in the carcass. Then buried it.

Banana tree in the front yard.

Damn goats. They're pushy, smell bad, and had many bot flys that I had to squeeze out. So male goats pee on themselves to attract ladyfriends. This is something I have learned.

Two of the five horses that we took care of- oh and ponies are sneaky buckets o trouble.

Side of the house.

Tarantula in the bedroom.