Serendipity, my old friend, it's nice to see you :)

As The dust settled, we'd found ourselves in a sun soaked Round Valley somewhere in Northern California.
What seems like only days has quickly turned into weeks, and now months. The first strong tastes of home came in a white paper cup. Fresh brewed coffee, the best we'd had in the states yet. After pouring lattes and espressos this summer at the Cortes Co-op Cafe, we were rather impressed with the mouth watering aromas of a rich roasted bean and spices wafting from this little shack.

As close to the seclusion of an island you can find with out being at sea, Covelo is a little round valley tucked away in the wandering hills of Nor Cal. Only one very windy road in and out in the winter, and absolutely encompassed by the wilderness.

The coffee shop, aka the The Farmer's Market, where there is of course a market every Friday, was having a growth spurt (just like to co-op at home). As their new space prepared for rebirth, so were many other beautiful endeavours also flourishing. This post has been slowing coming to fruit, apple by apple, ripening over these golden fall days. More and more so as my roots find fertile soil to grow in with my every moment here.

Journeys into the woods with puppies abounding, and baskets laden with chantrelles and porcini. Gardens overflowing with abundance, and apples ripe for the picking. I even learned to use an old Amish cider press.

These days Russ and I have found ourselves on the southwest hills of the valley. Looking down from this abundant ridge I am greeted by the big glossy brown eyes of a doe, happily nourishing herself on the glistening umber grass. I've been enjoying this brilliant sunset spot on the deck for a few evenings now. Vineyards with grapes still on the vines to my left, the yurt below them, and further down still the pond. Where funny enough, the six pointed buck awaited the doe on the other side of the fence. As he hopped up onto his hind legs, showing off how he could reach the high branches of a near by tree, he jumped back in panic. A long beard like strand of lichen had attached itself to his antlers. He ensued a vigorous battle with the intruding flora, and danced around valiantly attempting to shake it off. I sat in wonder as the commotion took way, while our little pup Luna lay next to me oblivious to anything other than her bone.
As bliss filled synchronised moment follows another, I feel at ease and perfectly serene with where I am in my journey. And that I am exactly where I am meant to be, on all planes.

In the blink of an eye, under the glow of the Freeze Up Moon, we have awoken in a palace on even longer rollings hills of the fertile valley. A space created with intention and love, built on family foundations. A sliver of a stair case led me up to our new room, of what was once a humble shack.
The sun poured in this morning from the East and the vibrancy of that space filled me with the memories pf a fresh summer rain, cooling the warmth of our star. His warmth lights up all the frosty fall landscape with fire and swirls the color across the playing winds. I am greeted, of course, with friends and the puppies have a chance to whirl into explosions of excitement with the reunion of two little sisters. I'm off to vibe in the pyramid for the day :)

Where tomorrow will take us, I can't say. For my imagination at this moment may only limit the potential of where I might end up. As if in a fairy tale, every moment is infinitely more perfect than I could have ever dreamed up.

Sagebrushed grasslands to our Standing Brothers of the Redwoods

We follow the wind across whispering golden plains, and I can't help but feel the sacred, spirit and power of the buffalo that used to roam these grasslands. An affinity creeps into my being, like a warm touch, for the great migrations that take place across these valleys nestled between the Rockies and the Pacific.

Day two on the road brought us into into Mt. Shasta, where we indulged ourselves with a meal at an actual restaurant, With A TABLE and CHAIRS!!! :-D !!
Not that I don't like roughin' it, but I do enjoy glasses, chairs, and hot food served to me once in awhile ;-) And boy was it goood!!! Thai food that brought me right back Bangkok like it was yesterday. You could even hear the ladies chattering away in Thai in the kitchen. MMmmmm..... I want more tom yum!

Our journey south bound brought us into the sunny warmth of California and as we started making our way West, the sage brush and grasslands began to fade away into groves of standing Elms, Ponderosa Pines, and lush greenery. It seemed as though with every hill we passed we came into more greenery. My body and mind in complete chills of bliss as the resonance of coastline inched ever closer. We took the 36 west and continued down HWY 101, stopping of course to hug some of the biggest trees in the world! If you ever find yourself on the Avenue of Giants, stop at the Women's Club of California Grove and have a wander around. Hiding away in a small gulley not far from the road is one of the most breath taking living organisms I've ever been blessed to meet. A young redwood amongst the giants, but oh so different, as she is an albino, and has only white needles. MOONLIGHT POWERED TREE!!!! What a beauty if there ever was one. We took our time in the serene groves of ancient standing brothers and felt so blessed to be here in this moment, with some of the oldest friends we have. So much love to the forests of the world.

After all this driving we've found quite the little community in cozy Covelo, CA. I'm feeling strongly that this will be somewhere we're gonna put some roots down and be back again before we know. I'll fill you all in on the wonders of Covelo, that reminds us so very much of the vibrant love on Cortes, in the next post. Until then, love to you all

Yoshi

Past the 45th parallel and still Southbound

It's been quite the drive, I'm still in awe that we got through Washington State in a half a day! Our first day out of Vancouver, I'd left a little something out of my previous posts..... which was that on our only night in Kelowna, picking up Princess Peach, we'd had our sweet Van, Lucy On Cloud 9, broken into.

It truly didn't seem like a big deal at the time, and the prowling intruder didn't seem to have taken very much. My silver seed of life ring off the dash, random bits and bobbles perhaps? The prowler appeared to have been somewhat out of touch with reality, and hoping into our van on any kind of drugs would not make for a sensical time. What with the feathers, faeries, and weird shiny bits everywhere. I figured he gotten freaked out with the owl talons and holographic art, and taken off. I couldn't help but be grateful that he didn't take our laptop (all our photos, music, and business info.......gonna back that up today...) or any of my sentimental things like my baby blanket, tarot cards or crystals... Not that he'd get any money for those... But as time and the ran has rolled on we've noticed more and more items had vanished.... sigh.... two of which make me kind of sad.... a ridonculously pimped out purple leather tophat with some of my finest charoite cabs, antique keys, and favourite exotic pheasant feathers....made special for Russ...... and my next heart drop was my DSLR and 300 mm zoom lens. Neither of which were cheap....and wouldn't go for much at a pawn shop.

I'm not really bummed because of the materialistic attachment...... but more so because of all the absolutely AMAZING things we've seen in less than 24 hours of driving!!! GAAAAHhhhh! lol.... I just wish I could show you all!!!

Regardless, I would appreciate it if when you read this.... just take a moment and send some love and compassion to that prowler, and know that they, who ever they are, are in a difficult place. Wish them blessings, love and healing as we already have.

One of the first amazing canyons we went through was Dry Falls in Washington...no pics but heres a link to some google images on it..

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=dry+falls+washington&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1222&bih=614&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

Theres been so many others, who's names I don't even know....and I'm seriously considering buying a point and shoot while we're in tax free Oregon :-D At least I can let you all know that we're in absolute bliss rolling along these nearly deserted secondary highways through America's wilderness.

Past the 45th Parallel today, nothing but a small sign on the edge of the road that looked rather weather beaten. Took a moment to recognize that we were exactly half way between the North Pole and the Equator. Well continue on we shall. Hoping to make it to Mt. Shasta today, and then head for the coast!

Spirit Blesses us all the way

Saturday

The road onwards. vancouver and beyond. Departing K-town bound for the sacred healing waters of Ainsworth with Princess Peach in tow. Adventure abounds like a heavy fog, embracing us from every which way. 

These rolling hills gently smile down upon us as we ready depart. 

Cleansing, purifying blessings rain over our breasts and crowns. 

Ravens dance on the wind. A graceful twirl and flurry of wings, just for us.

Coyote gazes over our passing with approval.

And the winds follow us all the way,

The Road onward calls.

Sunday

Fall floats in across foliage,

Mountains moan as the North winds

make their presence known.

Nelson nestles up for the ever nearing winter,

We fly on the wind across paved dream ways,

Aloft our Crystal Light Ship.

The Road onward, ever calling to us.

Yoshi and Mario split ways with the infamous Princess Peach. Restored anew after soaking in the mysterious and rejuvenating waters of the Ainsworth caves. A big calm creeps in as the last of our Canadian ends get tied up in big beautiful bows of purple silk. The journey into the South West sneaks into reach. What a way to leave our beautiful friends and family but with two house-warmings in two days. The big love follows us everywhere. I can't help but let a smirk sneak across my face. Big love to all you beautiful people too!

Onward we fly.

I'm still a little bit surprised to be on the open road again, it seems as though summer simply vanished on the ocean breeze. This past few months on Cortes has been like a fairy-tale dream. 


Faery friends, creative community, love, that washes over you where ever you wander, when ever you hug a new friend. What a season on the coast indeed! So much love to what I dearly hope to be lifelong friends out there! 
Gratitude and Infinite love to Amie and Henri! You are both so very fabulous and you have both found a pedestal in our hearts for the rest of time.


The weeks leading up to our departure, I was getting so excited to leave. Oh the exhilaration of possibility and potential as you hit the open road with "Nowhere to be, and everywhere to go" This enthusiasm continued to build, bubbling bigger and bigger, right up until the day it felt like we might actually leave. And it dawned on me that we actually had to leave Cortes to go on this adventure, delight faded into a tinge of sadness. But my heart warmed at the thought of reunions with everyone when we get back. 


And so we whirl winded off..... 
"The last ferry off the island is at 5:50, think we can make it?" "It's 4:30 now....we better get a move on" 


Henri later informs me that Amie had come up with the wonderful plan that if she doesn't see us, we can't say good bye, and so can't leave.... lol .... So we leave in a flurry, managing to get everything put away beautifully, car loaded, with our little bunny Totoro and all, and whisk off to Amie's for a quick bon voyage. 
 As we drove north on the island, towards the ferry ever pondering if we might make it, I realize that this may be the last time I may know every single person that drives by.... at least until next summer. What a feeling of community, being able to name and wave and feel love for every cyclist and car that you pass. 


 We made the ferry, last one on the boat, sitting on the back of the ferry under golden rays bouncing off the ocean. I crash in the van due t my flurry of cleaning and packing that had me up until 6:30 am the night before. 
Vancouver bound. 
 The city is such an interesting place, any city, any where.. A cacophony of energy and noise, bumping and bustling everything that moves, or doesn't move. Not my exactly my first choice for a zen filled, grounded setting. However we were there to see the beautiful people. Heart warmth shared with our friends and family is the best kind of warmth out there. 
So a quick visit of a two nights and one full day, and we were on the road again.


 Off to save Princess Peach. I love this game. Slumbered well in Kelowna last night, and we prepare to depart for Ainsworth hot spring for a refresh with good ol' peaches :)


 Until next time friends! Love light and bliss all your days! 


 My quote of the day 
 "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others" Nelson Mandela (1918 - )

moments of awe captured in time

Off to bed for an early flight tomorrow, almost done the Flores story, and will have a couple posts of catch up to get to today! :) more pics soon!

The Fantastical Finds of Flores continued

After a night spent in Bajawa, we journeyed forth towards Mt. Kelimutu, but not before stopping at Bena Village, where their old school bamboo, and tulu (woven grass) roofs have been standing for about 700 hundred years. Living under a towering volcano, I can kind of understand why some cultures adopted human sacrifice. Wouldn’t you throw a couple people in there to satisfy its treacherous hunger, if it might save your entire village?? It was incredibly picturesque, and other than foreign visitors, and Christianity, hadn’t changed a whole lot since its humble beginnings. The people were so friendly! And I was overjoyed at the opportunity to practice my Indonesian, which has been coming along rather well! I was having full on conversations and understanding a decent amount of what was being said. :D!
The people here also wove their own Ikat, with much brighter colours than we had seen before.
That second day on the road, as we neared Ende, also brought us to a glistening black sand beach; Known by the title of Blue Stone Beach, due to the numerous brilliantly blue coloured stones littering the shoreline.

OOOhhhhh! And there were these unbelievable little crabs everywhere! They had utterly huge eyes that could spot you three meters away! Then they would flee across the sparkling sand like miniature bolts of lighting whipping by! They were so incredibly fast! I was enthralled! It took me nearly an hour, and many peculiar looks, as I darted back and forth across the beach, before I actually managed to catch one. Mostly due to the fact that I saw one get stuck in between two leaves…..

After the beach, we zipped through the Southern port town of Ende, with only a quick stop for snacks, and started the up hill excursion bound to Mony, the base camp town for Kelimutu and the three crater lakes.
Our first night in Mony was quiet and quaint. As our lovely family of five came to the decision to get up at 4.30 am for the sunrise trek, I gratefully contemplated, perhaps the best vegetable soup, ever put before me. I was soooo ridiculously hungry after our days voyage, and they had sure taken their time making it……..but when I had my first taste, all my angst melted away for this petite, but fully satisfying bowl of soup made from scratch to order. All of this lead to a completely blissed out belly, and a long awaited snooze.

Slept through the alarm……. Oops… I guess we needed a little more sleep than we had allotted for. Though only ten minutes late, it felt like I had gained a few extra hours of rest. Big sleepy, half eyed grin =)

I love so dearly being conscious and alert for that transitional vortex in time that is dawn and dusk. Feeling the source of all our energy awaking, and slowly climbing up into the heavens is one of the most peaceful and fulfilling things I have and will continue to do in my life. It fills me with such awareness in those glimpses of timelessness, as though I am again, nothing but ether and air floating around, waiting for the Sun to materialize me into an earthling once again.

And oh my what a mighty daybreak this was! The climb up was rather leisurely, and a great deal easier than I had anticipated. Mt. Kelimutu is a National Park, a rather well maintained, and in fact improved park! There were concrete stairs up most the wait to the peak! I was incredibly pleased about this stumbling around in the dark at quarter to five in the morning. This magical morning, actually the entire day, couldn’t have come together any more perfect if I had tried to plan it myself!
As our star broke through the clouds, it set the milky emerald green lake before us, on fire like a shining jewel. Just behind that first lake was a slightly smaller one, a deep, dark forest green, with only a hint of blue. This petite lake was known to drastically change colour depending on the mineral content. It is usually the red lake of the three, but on this day decided to be a lovely green of intense depth.
The third lake, separated by the viewing point from the other two was the black lake.
It is believed that when someone dies, their soul comes up to Kelimutu through a portal door around the base of the mountain (a ginormous rock, that looked incredibly a kin to a door, that our driver pointed out to us) each soul goes into a different lake depending on age and character. The black lake is where the souls of the bad go, the souls of children into another, and those of the old to another.
As we all stood breathless and in awe, a man offered me a cup of hot coffee. Oh dear me! Mmmmm Kopi Flores!

Back into Mony for breakfast, banana pancakes again, though I opted out for another Soup Sayur (vegetable soup). After filling our now quite appreciative bellies we headed for waterfalls and a hot spring in the middle of terraced rice paddies.

A late lunch and we speedily packed up for Ende before the torrential rains washed out a road, and our only way back to the coast. On the drive out we stopped for possibly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my life. Five waterfalls in one photo frame!! An absolutely epic end to our Volcano journey!

Up next some photos from Flores and our Cocoa adventures in Ende!!!!!