Today was the third day of endless and nonstop driving. I personally drove 11 hours to Denver Colorado, and tomorrow we will have a final 7 hour drive until we finally make it to our destination in Utah! We had a bit of drama today. First, we feared for several hours that my engine was overheating (it was 95 degrees out) only to realize that the maintenance place I took my car to before the trip began forgot to reset the oil light. After that drama, and 11 hours of driving, we finally made it to Denver where we had made reservations at a motel outside of town. After checking in and entering my room, I immediately noticed toe nails covering the bed sheets and floor as well as a sign on the door reading, "For personal safety, always use deadlocks when inside room". Needless to say, I am now staying at the Sheraton (the others in the party found their rooms to be adequate).
As for the drive today, we went all the way through Kansas (9 hours) and one third the way into Colorado. Kansas is absolutely the flattest and definitley one of the most mundane places to drive through. There is not much going on, just flat fields of grain and the occasional picture of Jesus and promotion for adoption over abortion. In other words, it was extremely boring. Upon passing the state line into Colorado I was desperately looking forward to the Colorado of my memories from the last time I drove to Utah, unfortunetly, it wasn't until literally Denver that we saw the mountains we were craving. Aside from that, there really isn't much more to talk about.
These few days have been very difficult for me for a variety of reasons and so I am eagerly awaiting our arrival in Monticello, UT. This is a town that I have previously spent 6 weeks at and remember fondly. I cannot wait to revisit old places, but more importantly, focus on an entirely new topic: sustainability. This is something that I was unfamiliar with during my last visit. I cannot wait to view this city with new and educated eyes.
As far as WiFi connection, I am not sure if I will have it on the farm in Utah. If this is the case, I will try and update every few days by driving into town (my estimate is about 20 minutes away from the farm) and finding something to work off of.
Wish me luck!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
What Can Go Wrong...Will - Sustainability Trip Day 2
I must have said the words, "Murphy's Law" at least a dozen times today.
Lets make a list of everything that has gone wrong:
GPS-broke
Kindle (Electronic Book which I cannot live with out and was oh so looking forward to reading)-broke
Trackball on my blackberry-broke
Around this point of the day, I decided that I was terrified to use my laptop. I was right, somethings up with the internet, and applications are randomly deleted (its been funky since before i left, BUT STILL!)
Oh yeah, don't forget about the ticket yesterday and how we lost a driver....
Go on with the self pity? Absolutely not. After speaking with a friend, she pointed out how hilariously awful the situation actually was. Seriously? How the heck could EVERYTHING have gone wrong? At this point, there's nothing to do but laugh. And laugh we did. And now after the multitude of emotional breakdowns? I'm actually impressed with you, yes you, Murphy.
Anywho, the drive today was way better and more entertaining the yesterday. Missouri is absolutely hilarious to drive through. Alongside the endless adult superstores (I saw one that was drive thru!! I will not repeat the scenerios we created that would go along with a drive thru adult superstore-use your own imagination) are GIANT Christian Crosses matched up with Adult Arcades. Of course, we saw the general cornfields, but in between, hilarity ensued.
I drove the entire 8 hours today from Indianapolis to Kansas City and to be honest, it was pretty easy. Im hoping that I will be able to do another 8 tomorrow before I let Annabel take over and hopefully do 4. The more hours we do tomorrow, the earlier we will get to Utah on the 4th. Also, tomorrow night we are going to be spontaneous and find somewhere to sleep on the spot rather than book in advance. Lets hope that we will find something vacant!
We also visited both Kansas Cities today. "Both?", you ask. Why yes, in fact Kansas City is split between Kansas and Missouri. I bet most of you know that, but we didn't. So if you received a phone call from me today saying, "we made it to Kansas", well..I lied haha. Kansas City in Missouri is actually way better. We visited the Jazz District (well, we blinked and missed most of it) and Riverside (theres an awesome Farmers Market there, which was closed). We also went to a park and saw a giant cock something or other (the badmitten thingy you pervert). it was a pretty cool city all in all.
Right now, I'm getting eaten by bugs so I have to end this a little earlier than I would have wished. I will post HOPEFULLY tomorrow, but if not, very soon.
Wish me luck, and that something else won't go wrong (or that if it does, its not something important!).
TTYS!
Lets make a list of everything that has gone wrong:
GPS-broke
Kindle (Electronic Book which I cannot live with out and was oh so looking forward to reading)-broke
Trackball on my blackberry-broke
Around this point of the day, I decided that I was terrified to use my laptop. I was right, somethings up with the internet, and applications are randomly deleted (its been funky since before i left, BUT STILL!)
Oh yeah, don't forget about the ticket yesterday and how we lost a driver....
Go on with the self pity? Absolutely not. After speaking with a friend, she pointed out how hilariously awful the situation actually was. Seriously? How the heck could EVERYTHING have gone wrong? At this point, there's nothing to do but laugh. And laugh we did. And now after the multitude of emotional breakdowns? I'm actually impressed with you, yes you, Murphy.
Anywho, the drive today was way better and more entertaining the yesterday. Missouri is absolutely hilarious to drive through. Alongside the endless adult superstores (I saw one that was drive thru!! I will not repeat the scenerios we created that would go along with a drive thru adult superstore-use your own imagination) are GIANT Christian Crosses matched up with Adult Arcades. Of course, we saw the general cornfields, but in between, hilarity ensued.
I drove the entire 8 hours today from Indianapolis to Kansas City and to be honest, it was pretty easy. Im hoping that I will be able to do another 8 tomorrow before I let Annabel take over and hopefully do 4. The more hours we do tomorrow, the earlier we will get to Utah on the 4th. Also, tomorrow night we are going to be spontaneous and find somewhere to sleep on the spot rather than book in advance. Lets hope that we will find something vacant!
We also visited both Kansas Cities today. "Both?", you ask. Why yes, in fact Kansas City is split between Kansas and Missouri. I bet most of you know that, but we didn't. So if you received a phone call from me today saying, "we made it to Kansas", well..I lied haha. Kansas City in Missouri is actually way better. We visited the Jazz District (well, we blinked and missed most of it) and Riverside (theres an awesome Farmers Market there, which was closed). We also went to a park and saw a giant cock something or other (the badmitten thingy you pervert). it was a pretty cool city all in all.
Right now, I'm getting eaten by bugs so I have to end this a little earlier than I would have wished. I will post HOPEFULLY tomorrow, but if not, very soon.
Wish me luck, and that something else won't go wrong (or that if it does, its not something important!).
TTYS!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day One Sustainability Project
4AM wake up alarm, tearful goodbyes, and by 5:30AM Annabel, her brother Jeffrey, and myself were on the road heading towards our first destination on our sustainability road trip: Indianapolis. Like every trip, and the promise of Murphy's Law, my gps almost immediately stopped working. Yet, the with the beauty of old fashioned road maps, we were able to make it to our destination only an hour late: 13 hours. The ride started off chatty, but with all long trips, eventually silence took over and we allowed our thoughts to envelop us. I studied all the farms along interstate 70 and couldn't help but notice that while one hears that the United States is being taken over by corn and soybeans, its an entirely different experience to actually witness 10 hours of nothing but corn, and yes, soy. I never thought I would imagine myself saying this, but I was actually excited when there was an advertisement along the highway for McDonalds or whatever other fast food chain, fireworks shop, or adult superstore. Regardless of this redundancy, it was enlivening looking at all the farms and knowing that I am about to embark on an important and useful adventure: to learn organic and sustainable farming techniques and to adapt these techniques to urban settings.
Aside from the long drive, remembering everything we forgot to take, thinking about everyone we left behind, day one has been uneventful, except for losing one driver due to the fact that they already got a ticket and their parent has requested that they no longer take the wheel.
Actually, perhaps not that uneventful, considering we have decided to bypass one of our booked campsites so that we can arrive in Utah earlier the following day. Instead of stopping at this campsite, we will drive until we can't drive anymore, and then we will HOPEFULLY find a place to sleep. If not, Utah's calling!
We arrived in Indianapolis with enough time to swim in a murky, yet insanely relieving, swimming pool at our KOA. Currently, our tents and beds are set and our coals won't light, guess I am eating a cold dinner until tomorrow when I go out and buy lighter fluid (anyone have experience grilling with coals?? I have no idea what I'm doing!). Considering I am sitting on a sink in the KOA bathroom using the only available electrical outlet while typing on my laptop and being forced to endure this Christian Rock station...I must call it a night. Anyone feel free to call or email me, my phone will be on this whole trip.
Ill update every time I have wifi. Thank you everyone who donated and who is following my cause. I appreciate all of your support and enthusiasm.
Natalie
Aside from the long drive, remembering everything we forgot to take, thinking about everyone we left behind, day one has been uneventful, except for losing one driver due to the fact that they already got a ticket and their parent has requested that they no longer take the wheel.
Actually, perhaps not that uneventful, considering we have decided to bypass one of our booked campsites so that we can arrive in Utah earlier the following day. Instead of stopping at this campsite, we will drive until we can't drive anymore, and then we will HOPEFULLY find a place to sleep. If not, Utah's calling!
We arrived in Indianapolis with enough time to swim in a murky, yet insanely relieving, swimming pool at our KOA. Currently, our tents and beds are set and our coals won't light, guess I am eating a cold dinner until tomorrow when I go out and buy lighter fluid (anyone have experience grilling with coals?? I have no idea what I'm doing!). Considering I am sitting on a sink in the KOA bathroom using the only available electrical outlet while typing on my laptop and being forced to endure this Christian Rock station...I must call it a night. Anyone feel free to call or email me, my phone will be on this whole trip.
Ill update every time I have wifi. Thank you everyone who donated and who is following my cause. I appreciate all of your support and enthusiasm.
Natalie
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Sustainability Road Trip and Social Media
During our road trip, Natalie and I have decided to incorporate social media to document our fabulous adventures on the road. Why? Because in addition to nearly elimintating our paper trail, social media is a good tool to keep in touch with friends and family in real time with up to date statuses of not only what we are up to but more importantly, what we are learning on this trip.
So check us out on Facebook:
So check us out on Facebook:
Natalie's Partner in Crime
A few months ago, January to be exact, Natalie and I decided to go out for dinner. It had been forever and a half since I've seen her and in true Natalie fashion, we had our one on one time at a Japanese restaurant. I usually don't eat out at asian restaurants mostly because I don't like seafood but with Natalie, I am willing to try anything. We spent the entire afternoon swaping stories, from what we were doing right before meeting up to sharing what we would like to do after meeting up and everything in between. We both admitted that we would like to embark on a road trip and we also learned that our family owns farms. As I was taking the train back to my aunt's house, I was replaying our conversations back in my mind and an idea was born.
"Natalie, when are you starting your sustainability project where you go around seeing the strategies of farmers/people in the USA? How developed is this project of yours?---Do you want to farm across the US of A?"
This is the message I sent to Natalie as soon as I got home. When I look back at our dinner, I couldn't believe how much we still had in common. So it only made since to me if we collaborated our efforts this summer and engaged in a road trip that we would both benefit from.
Six months later, we have finally developed a proposal, a fine one that hopefully will provide us funding that will take us to the southwestern states and back. How did we go about coordinating all of this together? We both had to decide where we wanted to go, how long we wanted to stat there, how many stops we wanted to make on this trip and finally, how much it would cost to take us from point A to point B and C...Thanks to www.wwoofusa.org, we were able to select our destinations (three regions across the southwest) and finally decide that we want to spend a week at each farm.
As soon as we get into our car and drive, we will be chronicaling our journey one blog post and Youtube upload at a time. In the meantime, check us out on Facebook (our Facebook group is called HOMEGROWN ECO-TOURISM) and we'll keep you posted.
"Natalie, when are you starting your sustainability project where you go around seeing the strategies of farmers/people in the USA? How developed is this project of yours?---Do you want to farm across the US of A?"
This is the message I sent to Natalie as soon as I got home. When I look back at our dinner, I couldn't believe how much we still had in common. So it only made since to me if we collaborated our efforts this summer and engaged in a road trip that we would both benefit from.
Six months later, we have finally developed a proposal, a fine one that hopefully will provide us funding that will take us to the southwestern states and back. How did we go about coordinating all of this together? We both had to decide where we wanted to go, how long we wanted to stat there, how many stops we wanted to make on this trip and finally, how much it would cost to take us from point A to point B and C...Thanks to www.wwoofusa.org, we were able to select our destinations (three regions across the southwest) and finally decide that we want to spend a week at each farm.
As soon as we get into our car and drive, we will be chronicaling our journey one blog post and Youtube upload at a time. In the meantime, check us out on Facebook (our Facebook group is called HOMEGROWN ECO-TOURISM) and we'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Ecotourism Towards a Sustainable America
During the month of July, Annabel Arana (visual artist) and myself (aspiring anthropologist) will be trekking across country to work on several organic and sustainable farms. We will take the practices we have learned from these establishments and convert them into urban sustainable movements in our own neighborhoods: Washington D.C. and New York City.
With guidance from rural communities, Americans living in metropolitan areas can also strive for more sustainable lifestyles. How can we begin to inform and encourage urban dwellers to begin the necessary steps to curb their consumption habits when they do not even know why it is so important? Therefore, Annabel and I will be traveling across the United States to explore the definition of sustainability and transfer that research into urban project goals.
What is sustainability? Sustainability is when an individual or group produce and consume their own energy and agricultural resources without relying on outside sources. One can achieve, or strive to achieve, sustainability in a variety of ways, including creating (and using) solar, wind, or water power and using these energies to grow their own food for consumption. Traditionally, sustainability has been thought of as a rural and suburban practice, but recent movements towards urban sustainability, as with the usage of solar panels, green roofs, blue roofs, and rain barrels, have been employed.
During the course of our trip we will be completing work exchanges on two organic farms, one in Utah and one in New Mexico, where, through our labor, we will learn various sustainable methods and interpret these methods into comparable practices for urban areas. Each farm was discovered through an online sustainable farming database called. www.wwoofusa.org. "Wwoofers" perform work exchanges for a set number of hours a week and receive room and board for payment. As urban dwellers, we need the guidance and knowledge of experienced farmers in order to achieve their success within our own neighborhoods.
The Farms:
The first is in San Juan Valley, Utah. Here, we will stay at a vineyard founded by a recent college graduate, who, through his college experience, learned of the heavy importation of American supermarkets. After he graduated, he knew a sustainable lifestyle was the key to environmental responsibility and proceeded to open his own organic farm and vineyard. His farm quickly grew into a small sustainable community which no longer requires outside help to feed or power itself. In Utah, we will learn first hand what it means to cultivate and harvest our own food sources with energy created ourselves. This illustrates the transition from borrowed energy to created energy and how this creation is used to support agricultural cultivation.
On route to New Mexico, we will make a stop in Acrosanti, Arizona, a city famously known as one of the most sustainable cities in the world. We will further understand what it means for a community as a whole, rather than mere individuals, to be sustainable. We will see people working in unison and striving for the same gal, as well as get first hand experience on how these commonly thought of as rural actions can be applied to urban communities.
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, we will be working at a farm known for its green construction and it relies completely on solar power. Here we will gain knowledge about how alternative energy is used on a large scale, learn about waste minimalization, as well as learn how to use green construction materials in order to promote sustainable and eco-friendly architecture in urban environments.
Who are "we"?
We are two students, researching urban sustainability and marketing in the United States. Natalie Colao is a graduate student at Hunter College in New York City, whose master thesis focuses on enacting sustainable practices in urban locations. Her research is done with the intent of causing proactive movements and rally supporters toward the cause of self sustainable practices and the reduction of food importation and modification. Natalie's research partner on this work study is Annabel Arana, psychology major and visual arts minor from Fordham University. Annabel is currently working at a D.C. based PR firm, Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications, producing videos for clients such as Easy Energy, the company responsible for inventing a green hand-held electrical charger named YoGen (this client will be aiding us on our work study) and California Tortilla, a Washington D.C. based restaurant known for its honest and fresh ingredients. Annabel will be responsible for documenting the development of the summer work exchange and supplementing visual research materials for Natalie's master thesis.
Traditional and Social Media
Traditional and social media will be used for record taking purposes. A 35mm Nikon N90s camera will document progression of the journey as well as a Fuji digital camera. Various forms of social media (such as facebook, ustreamtv.com, blogspot.com, twitter.com and youtube.com) will be used to inform the public about our intent and operations.
As you can see, throughout this trip, Annabel and I will be recording every step of the way for you to see. You can follow us my blog, our facebook pages, twitter accounts, and youtube channel.
During the process of our journey we will learn about sustainable practices beyond the East Coast, and more importantly, beyond the mcMansions of suburbia.
Follow us throughout the month of July to learn about energy consumption, agricultural production, and the fun of ecotourism in America!
With guidance from rural communities, Americans living in metropolitan areas can also strive for more sustainable lifestyles. How can we begin to inform and encourage urban dwellers to begin the necessary steps to curb their consumption habits when they do not even know why it is so important? Therefore, Annabel and I will be traveling across the United States to explore the definition of sustainability and transfer that research into urban project goals.
What is sustainability? Sustainability is when an individual or group produce and consume their own energy and agricultural resources without relying on outside sources. One can achieve, or strive to achieve, sustainability in a variety of ways, including creating (and using) solar, wind, or water power and using these energies to grow their own food for consumption. Traditionally, sustainability has been thought of as a rural and suburban practice, but recent movements towards urban sustainability, as with the usage of solar panels, green roofs, blue roofs, and rain barrels, have been employed.
During the course of our trip we will be completing work exchanges on two organic farms, one in Utah and one in New Mexico, where, through our labor, we will learn various sustainable methods and interpret these methods into comparable practices for urban areas. Each farm was discovered through an online sustainable farming database called. www.wwoofusa.org. "Wwoofers" perform work exchanges for a set number of hours a week and receive room and board for payment. As urban dwellers, we need the guidance and knowledge of experienced farmers in order to achieve their success within our own neighborhoods.
The Farms:
The first is in San Juan Valley, Utah. Here, we will stay at a vineyard founded by a recent college graduate, who, through his college experience, learned of the heavy importation of American supermarkets. After he graduated, he knew a sustainable lifestyle was the key to environmental responsibility and proceeded to open his own organic farm and vineyard. His farm quickly grew into a small sustainable community which no longer requires outside help to feed or power itself. In Utah, we will learn first hand what it means to cultivate and harvest our own food sources with energy created ourselves. This illustrates the transition from borrowed energy to created energy and how this creation is used to support agricultural cultivation.
On route to New Mexico, we will make a stop in Acrosanti, Arizona, a city famously known as one of the most sustainable cities in the world. We will further understand what it means for a community as a whole, rather than mere individuals, to be sustainable. We will see people working in unison and striving for the same gal, as well as get first hand experience on how these commonly thought of as rural actions can be applied to urban communities.
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, we will be working at a farm known for its green construction and it relies completely on solar power. Here we will gain knowledge about how alternative energy is used on a large scale, learn about waste minimalization, as well as learn how to use green construction materials in order to promote sustainable and eco-friendly architecture in urban environments.
Who are "we"?
We are two students, researching urban sustainability and marketing in the United States. Natalie Colao is a graduate student at Hunter College in New York City, whose master thesis focuses on enacting sustainable practices in urban locations. Her research is done with the intent of causing proactive movements and rally supporters toward the cause of self sustainable practices and the reduction of food importation and modification. Natalie's research partner on this work study is Annabel Arana, psychology major and visual arts minor from Fordham University. Annabel is currently working at a D.C. based PR firm, Brotman-Winter-Fried Communications, producing videos for clients such as Easy Energy, the company responsible for inventing a green hand-held electrical charger named YoGen (this client will be aiding us on our work study) and California Tortilla, a Washington D.C. based restaurant known for its honest and fresh ingredients. Annabel will be responsible for documenting the development of the summer work exchange and supplementing visual research materials for Natalie's master thesis.
Traditional and Social Media
Traditional and social media will be used for record taking purposes. A 35mm Nikon N90s camera will document progression of the journey as well as a Fuji digital camera. Various forms of social media (such as facebook, ustreamtv.com, blogspot.com, twitter.com and youtube.com) will be used to inform the public about our intent and operations.
As you can see, throughout this trip, Annabel and I will be recording every step of the way for you to see. You can follow us my blog, our facebook pages, twitter accounts, and youtube channel.
During the process of our journey we will learn about sustainable practices beyond the East Coast, and more importantly, beyond the mcMansions of suburbia.
Follow us throughout the month of July to learn about energy consumption, agricultural production, and the fun of ecotourism in America!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Finals..Again...
Ok, so I have been really busy with life and that sort of nonsense, but here is a quick update:
I've bought a rainbarrel!! It's not yet set up, but I'll post pictures ASAP
I've planted broccoli and brussel sprouts in separate containers on my deck, since I have moved, I have not been able to take care of them AT ALL, but they are hardy plants, so lets see how they fair on their own...I'll also post pictures ASAP
I've made homemade mozzarella several times, it's delicious and easy!! Pictures and details ASAP
Finally, I've been to my 6 month check in at the dentist. It was the ultimate test as to how my homemade baking soda toothpaste holds up. Not only was it one of the shortest cleanings I have had in a long time (little plaque build up), but my teeth are whiter than ever (normally whitening toothpastes cause cavities because they weaken the enamel of your teeth) and I have no cavities or even signs of the possibility of future cavities. A quote from my dentist, was "your teeth are boring, there is no need for me"... all in all, I am extremely happy with my homemade toothpaste. Also, if your dentist "polishes" your teeth at the end of a cleaning, make sure you ask for pumice instead of the prepackaged flouride-ridden stuff they usually use.
I'll post the pictures and everything soon. Also, there is a lot to write about my upcoming backpacking ecotourism trip across the country to organic farms and vineyards. My friend Annabel, a visual arts major, will be documenting our entire trip and will be adding video and camera footage to this blog alerting everyone to our ecotourist efforts.
Talk soon!
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