Kansas, Tennesse & Delaware

I stayed in Lawrence, Kansas for two more weeks since my last entry. Most of the time was spent working on the farm. I helped plant over 60 tomatoes and did the prep work for a half dozen more rows. The owner was trying different techniques on mulching around the seedlings to see if the crop could be planted earlier, produce later or produce better. Some of the rows were previously tall grasses so we mowed the rows and put down a line of damp, poop hay that had been used in the sheep pens. We raked the tall grasses back over top to provide a cover. I'd love to go back and taste the fruits of my labor. Also, I went to Wakarusa on the other side of Lawrence. My farm's owner dropped me off and I asked at the volunteer check in if they had any openings. Next thing I know I have a shiny blue wristband attached to me. I had to work two-8 hour shifts on Sat and Sun - but the shifts were just as fun as enjoying the festival. Two of the nights were canceled because of strong thunderstorms (it was Kansas - tornadoes are common - with lots, lots, lots of lightening). Two of my EW family were there and I had a blast spending time with them. Lots of skinny dipping and slight craziness! I hitched out of the festival to get back to the farm as the rain died out Sunday. Enjoyed a hot shower and nursed my wounds from walking barefoot.

Storm rolling in at Wakarusa


Sheep at the WWOOF farm


A few days after the festival I caught a Greyhound to Manchester, TN for Bonnaroo. About 4 other people were on the bus with me the whole way - good festi family. The finally bus to Manchester was nearly full and half was for 'Roo. Three of the guys rented a car and I caught a ride into the grounds with them. A note for those who Greyhound into 'Roo in the coming years. The owners of the gas station chase off any cars offering you ride and ask you to take their shuttle in for $5 a head. It's not such a bad deal but the guy was a douche. He said in past years people have offered rides, had the rider throw their shit in back and sped off with it. Personally, I trust my gut. I believe that if a Greyhound rider simply waited for a car that was obviously going to 'Roo and asked if they had a spare spot that it wouldn't take that long to get a ride. Anyway, I camped with my new friends way back in the boonies. I didn't mind though. Quiet at night - I had a nice sleep all nights. Alas, I slept through every late night. Still on farm time you see.

'Roo was 'Roo. Getting way too big, dirty (not just the dust), unfriendly and unfestival-like. So many first timers there! I wanted to take them all with me so they could see other festivals. They'll learn! I guess I am a snob when it comes to certain things; festivals and traveling mostly. It's just because they're my life at the moment.

Shakedown at Bonnaroo 2008


I worked clean up after 'Roo for two days. Met awesome new friends and had a blast working and playing. Clean Vibes is always a great experience. I highly recommend it. One of my fellow volunteers was heading to NYC so I bummed a ride to Delaware. My plan was to head to IN to see a friend but it wasn't in the cards that time. I've been here a few days and I'm hopefully heading out Thursday with a ride share from Craigslist to Columbus. Then to find a ride to Nelson Ledges Quarry for RythmFest. Oh, the joys of the vagabond life.

Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois & Kansas

Way too much time in the mid-west if you ask me! Spent a month back at EW in Missouri. The last week I was there I went on a float trip in Arkansas for 5 days. Canoeing the Buffalo River! So we only made it 10 miles, but we had a hell of a good time! Caught Greyhound to Peoria, IL. Met a kind guy working at the bus station there who offered to take me in for the night & let me tag along to Summer Camp Festival (about 20 mins north) the next day. Hung out with some of his friends and had a lot of fun.

Summer Camp was AMAZING. Such a great festival! Good music, multiple sets for most bands, nice camping, not too many people, kind folks all around. Got to take my photo with one of the guys from Umphreys (I was working right next to the Main stage one day). Good fun. Met so many interesting, fun people. Got a free ticket into one of the late night shows with Ha Ha the Moose, two of the guys' from moe's side project. Amazing set. Watched the Flaming Lips & Umphreys with a 18-year old who was at his first festival! Danced so hard to George Clinton & P Funk that my entire body ached. Stayed up late the last night jumping to Cornmeal (Allie with her sexy fiddle). Spent the night in my tent while they attempted to evacuate the campgrounds because of 70 mph winds and tornado warnings. My small kid's $20 Walmart tent withstood!! Ba-ha! Caught a ride back to the bus station with the guys who gave me the late night pass.

Dancing in the mud at Summer Camp

The Flaming Lips at Summer Camp

OAR at Summer Camp

Passed out (drooling-style pass out) on the whole 12 hour bus ride to Kansas. Was in Iowa for a second but I was out like a light. One of the first bus ride where I didn't talk to a single person. Note: Always make sure it's your stop. I almost got off at the wrong city twice! Yeah, I was passed out.

Got picked up by my WWOOF host right as I arrived in Lawrence, KS. Been on the farm here for four days or so now. One of the house mates is a massage therapist and bought a vendor booth at Wakarusa. She may have an extra ticket to sell me on the cheap. She's out of town so I won't know until next week. The farm is nice. Long hours, harsh heat and sun but varied work and kind folks. Today I harvested green onions, lettuce, spinach and eggs. Washed a huge amount of tubs for market tomorrow. Collected seeds from the invasive weeds in the pastures before they start to spread. Yesterday put up two lengths of fence for the sheep. Learned how to winch, put up h-bars, and secure fencing for a herd of sheep and a llama. I'm working with Luna, one of the border collies, to have her respond better to commands. I got her to bring the sheep to me from the far side of the farm yesterday (with some help from the owner).

I have free roam of everything in the house. After I work some I can take the bike to downtown or what ever. The Kansas River is five blocks over and the storm surge is crazy right now. Downtown Lawrence is really nice. Heady library that I have a temp card to borrow. Biked to Sonic today for food; sometimes I get bored of farm fresh stuff (I am an American). Tomorrow is market but the owner said most weekends are relaxing but I'll probably go collect more of those weed seeds and reinforce one of the fences.

Red lettuce at Kansas farm

Ambroses

Swallow & nest

Dead Indigo Bunting

Langerado & Florida

Once again the value of the internet is proven on my travels. I check Craigslist randomly for rideshare listings depending on where my next destination happens to be. This time I lucked out with a group of 20-somethings heading to Langerado in a school bus from NYC. Nine Jewish people and myself, an atheist, on a 1000+ mile roadtrip. We averaged 55mph the whole way and the bus broke down three times. We left Delaware 2am Wed and by 5pm Fri we had reached Daytona Beach, just in time for Bike Week. Because six of the people practiced shabbat, which is a day of rest from sundown Fri to sundown Sat, the bus wasn't going to make it to the festival until Sunday. I talked the other three non-praticing people into renting a car and driving the rest of the way. All in all, I paid $65 for the whole transportation down to FL. We arrived at the Seminole reserve around 3am and were told we had to wait. The three guys wanted to get discounted tickets so they had to wait for 5am and I had to wait for on the work exchange people to wake up to get my wristband.

We set up camp near some of the guys friends and I wandered off to explore. I spent some time at EW's vendor tent and saw a ton of great performances. Because we didn't arrive until Sat I missed a ton of bands I really wanted to see on Thurs and Fri - but it's alright. I did get to see REM, Phil Lesh, 311, Govt Mule, Ani DiFranco, Keller Williams, Ben Folds, Disco Biscuits, Citizen Cope, Minus the Bear, Ghostland Observatory (which put on a sick light show), Railroad Earth, State Radio, Yard Dogs Road Show, and other bands I wandered for a few songs.

After the festival I started working for Clean Vibes, doing the clean up work of the stage areas and the campgrounds. In the process of this my tent, pack and everything was lost/stolen. The work exchange people told me the wrong place to camp so everything was gone when I went back to check on it. But got my passport and license back from the Seminole police. Meh, I moved on. Two days of picking up trash, groundscoring left and right, and getting nice warm home cooked meals - all for free. CV offered to pay us that wanted to stay longer but I had arranged for two kids from Orlando to take me to the Greyhound station. So we left and ended up skinny dipping in Ft Lauderdale - which was awesome. Since I really had no place to be I tagged along to Orlando and spent the night with Natasha. Had an amazing lunch of vegan beans and spices with rice and then caught a cheap flight back to Philly thanks to my mom. I spent a good chunk of my tax return on replacing my gear and I'm heading back out on the road on 4/21.

Into Fall We go

In retrospect, the past months have been a great time for me to shape who I am and come to terms with what I want from life. But during the past few months it's been a whirlwind of people, places, feelings, thoughts and moments. I can't begin to explain what I've gone though since Chris left. I can't, not at all. I stayed in Delaware for maybe a week and decided that too many memories and ghosts floated in my path there. My friends and family were/are so supportive of me, I cannot ask for more.

I left for an intentional community in Missouri, which is what some people call a hippie commune. Basically, I view it as an alternative to the materialistic world of work that America is known for. It is not a prefect picture of utopia by any means, but it gives a good example. Life without the worry of work, money and possessions is possible. And don't think it's a bunch of ex-Dead Heads getting knotted in the sticks. Internet, running hot water, a huge DVD collection, 1000+ acres of the most diverse woodland in the US, four swimming holes, a family of 50+ people who care deeply about your well being and your interests. And no, I don't have to sell my car, give my money or worship a guru. The only requirements are that I understand the social contract (basically no hurting other people), work 35 hours a week (childcare, cleaning, gardening, cooking, feeding animals, nut butter production, etc), one weekly kitchen chore (dishes), and 2-8 hours of required income quota (working in an area the community profits from). I usually work 4-5 hours a day, hang out the rest of the day with the 20-something crowd, hike/swim/ride bikes, drink a bit and maybe watch movies. Not so much different from the outside world but no one here frets about bills or medical care (after 6 months I get covered here). No need to worry about anything but enjoying life and getting your labor sheets in.

I have no plans as to when I'm leaving yet. I have ideas but I'd rather not share them until I'm certain. I tend to tell everyone my ideas in the past and I usually change them shortly after. So no talk until it is decided. Email or leave a comment if you want any information about the community or my plans. wheresamber@gmail.com