I have been busy on the farm, reading, working, and sleeping. I got the chance to experience Henry Miller library which is fantastic. I saw some short films there and a special screening on Marley, which was a really epic account of Bob Marley's life. I have been exploring the creeks, streams, and nature surrounding the area. I have some pictures.

I find my self working on this majestic piece of land. I live on Country Flat Farm which is the brain child and life work of Peter Eichorn. In addition to all of the stuff produced to feed the crew, Meyer lemons and honey are the cash crops. In the past the farm has done all sorts of things including a 30 family CSA venture. There are two guest cabins for eco-getaways as well.

The experience is unique in a million ways. I am working under the scrutiny of top-dog Peter. This means that work entails what ever Peter might at any given time decide is a good idea. And sometimes we must think like peter "the highest quality action that makes the least sense.' All of Peter's ideas are sincerely for the best in the name of global sustainability on the highest level through quality action. Peter is, at any given time, attempting about 382 separate missions. The same as how I think. The result is that I am frequently using my time in questionable ways based on some funny priorities. I work with co-Wwoofer Mike from Florida to do most of the work, which keeps things interesting.

So far I have learned that roto-tillers are not very zen, which means that shoveling grass over and covering it in wood chips is the correct method to build soil and weed under the fruit trees, which must be covered in net in order to prevent the birds from stealing the peaches. The point is not the one-day-peaches, but rather the health of the soil, the organisms, the peace and quite, the trees, and the birds. The action has little regard for time or money. It is a beautiful thing. The entire property is the result of such work over the entire life of one never-tired man and all that have come, assisted, and gone here over time.

I have gotten to experience the large colonies of bees, eggs, the perfect meyer lemon, the yurt (which is home), the house and two guest cabins of architectural wonder that Peter built, the enormous avocado trees, and the garden beds. We've picked wheat by hand, grafted avocados, and harvested honey this week.

We are a perfect few miles out of reach of the cell phone service which is nice. We cruised around the Monterrey Bay Aquarium and hung out with the marine life yesterday.

The food here is a highlight for me (organic obviously being that we are working on an organic farm) and we are being looked after well. I have meant to take more pictures but haven't quite done that.

Cados

Gardens

Breakfast

I recovered in Flagstaff for a week and a bit. I built a solar oven (not pictured) and used it. I also painted by roof box. I got to experience more creek in the wonderful Oak Creek canyon. Played some ultimate which was a refreshing reunion. We had some solid pot lucks and food in general including frequent Dee bee sessions. There was also a really epic Growlers concert some time here that I enjoyed a lot.

Eventually I took off again. Lucas and I drove through the night from Flagstaff to Fresno so that he could hop on another ride share to San Fransisco. I headed into the forest to get out of the ghetto that is Fresno. I ended up making it to Bass Lake where I crashed out all day. I was pretty tired. I painted, and chilled by the lake all day. I chilled hard enough to flatten my car battery a half mile off the road. The next day I managed to flag down the lovely gentlemen pictured in order to assist in jump starting my car. Once on the road I charged right on into Yosemite which I'd never experienced before. I parked in the valley and rode through it on the bici. I got the end and ran up Vernal Falls trail. I got stung by a wasp. For Lucas' birthday he made me lunch from abroad. It was le dank.

I made it to North Fork where I become a monk. For ten days I followed Sila, meaning no killing, theft, intoxicants, lies, or sexual misconduct. This meant noble silence, no contact, no owning. I ate the food provided for me which was basic vegetarian, and I did not exercise. I was undertaking a ten day course in Vipassana. I awoke at 4 and slept at 9 and devoted all my energy to meditation. It was certainly worth it and hard work. I do not exactly blindly suggest everyone run off and experience it, but it was a very introspective method of learning a little about the world.

I am now near Big Sur, California on an organic farm known as Country Flat. It is a small scale family farm located up an amazing valley. We sell honey and Meyer lemons mostly I think. More on that while I'm here.

Yup. It worked.

Lucas made me lunch for his birthday.

I painted the roof box.

Open Studio

Bass Lake

The friendly men that helped me get un-stuck.

A meadow event.