Not Broken.

From St. Louis to Portland, OR, we’ve traveled by car through landmark towns and parks and uncovered hidden gems in between, visiting a few friends along the way.  In the short span of a month, we were charmed by the spiritual serenity of nature and the excitement of adventure, and it was shortly after this trip when we had decided we wanted to experience more.

 

Several elements had long been leading us toward considering various radical lifestyle changes.  Rediscovering the nutritional and medicinal value of plants have moved us into the ocean of organic appreciation, while confronting the cruel industry of animal butchery has drifted us away from consuming meat (though not entirely).  A spiritual desire to reconnect with nature and mankind, and an incurable curiosity for exploring the country (and the world) were equal contributors. 

 

Most significant, perhaps, was the fact that we’d become weary of the corporate American system, which has infiltrated several areas of regional, state and federal government, such as Education, Housing, and Homeland Security.  It’s become a true motivation that we escape (as best we can) the industrial, political, commercial nuthouse that the United States has become, by living off the land, and off the grid, perhaps eventually living on a lot big enough for a tiny house, a garden and a small chicken coup. 

 

In the simplest way, we look to the future to find freedom and fun, and spiritual connectivity with the people we meet, the friends and family we see, the plants and animals we visit, the elements we weather, and the worlds we encounter.