Livin' on love in our van

Almost April already!!!

2011-03-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

We have been officially on the road for two months now! Wow. It has been amazing. I wanted to show off some pictures of our home and some shots from the apalachicola rainbow gathering! I am writing from a library in Troy, Alabama on our way to Hot Spring, Arkansas for some crystal mining which should be wonderful and something that we have always wanted to do!!! After that we will be onto a farm called Herb Home in Jasper, Arkansas! Looking forward to continuing this already amazing journey!

Sitting on our bed relaxing in the van!

Kiai's little comfy spot watching her movies!!

A shot from the bed looking out the door!

Storage space behind the front seats. We took one of the captain chairs out to make more room. Mostly for Kiai's toys! We need to do some down sizing on those asap! :)

In the van we just arrived at the Apalachicola gathering here! We spent a few nights in the van before we set up our camp way back in the woods! we were the second to last camp on the trail. (I think) the only people who walked as far as we were were the ones who were lost!

Kiai being silly in the tent!

Outside the van a dear friend of my moms sent these scarves to Kiai and I for our trip. Wonderful people like her make this world a better place!

Kiai's pageant pose! this is at our camp on a beautiful almost spring day!

Getting ready for main circle!

We are officially a family on the road!!!

2011-02-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

     Families On The Road (FOTR) are families who are choosing not to wait until our kids are grown to hit the road in a Recreational Vehicle (motorhome, big rig, bicycle, van, boat, etc).
We are living our dreams, exploring the highways and byways of America and beyond with our kids. The link to the web site is here FOTR. You will find us listed in the archive under Peace Warrior family or by clicking here. Families are listed in alphabetical order. Since we are officially on the road as of Feb 9, 2011 I thought this was very fitting!
     We spent the first two weeks of our journey in the Ocala National Forest living and gathering with our Rainbow Family. We had an amazing time with more info to come! I did not get my camera out one time but it is a goal of mine to keep it by my side for the Apalachicola national forest which we intend on arriving to within the next week.
     This Ocala gathering was a very special one for us since it was the start of our journey and a place we can truly call home and be comfortable. There were a lot of amazing times had. Seeing wild animals. Hearing drums all night long. Dancing and feeling free in front of a blazing fire.
    We intend to set off Monday to head for north FL. We will certainly take our time getting there to explore anything we can find along the way. One thing we learned is although we downsized a lot (one of our main goals is to live so simply with only our needs!) we could still downsize a lot more!
Looking forward to the road ahead!!!!!

The sun energizes us.

2011-01-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.
Morihei Ueshiba

This is a great piece by one of the founders of the Rainbow Gatherings on why we gather every year to pray for world peace.

2011-01-15T11:10:00.001-08:00

Why gather?

reprinted from All Ways Free, Winter '88 When Melville wrote in the 19th century, "Why weary the arm at the iron and the oar," he meant Why work one's life away in the industrial age factories and maritime trades?
I mean: Why should anyone trudge thru the woods, shovel in hand digging compost pits, or stand long hours in dark miserable weather, flashlight in hand directing cars toward parking places, or lug food in boxes and heavy sacks over mountainous terrain, or scrub large pots? I mean Why would anyone want to do this? And for no monetary profit?
I mean Why should anyone want to go thru the 1001 tasks that are the life support system of the Rainbow Gatherings? Hauling large rocks for bakery ovens, digging & filling latrines, tending medical emergencies, installing water pipe systems that need to be taken apart just three weeks later, sorting garbage, not to mention doing all this wit the added difficulty of our own problems: upset or belligerent people, alcoholics in rainbow clothing, rude or unhygienic behavior; and sometimes i with only minimal he or even opposition from the public service of the government.
Why should anyone want to put themselves thru all of this just to enjoy nature or to party in the wild wild woods? Surely each of us can seclude ourselves in the wondrous beauty of nature, alone or with our friends or beloveds, with a great deal less difficulty than going thru all this effort, all this oomph, all of this, just to gather.
Why do it? Why face all the problems, all the maps & mailings, all the fundraising for printing; all the long winded discussions over procedures; why consume all this time of our lives? For what? Why gather?
And on top of this, to face the disapproval of relatives and peers, who see us pouring whatever economic gain we make during the rest of the year down some rainbow-colored drain, traveling long distances, dealing with vehicle problems, supporting a donation cause that feeds and cares for a multitude; and to what end? to what purpose for a great big party in the woods ? So some people can go naked and skinny dip? Al of us can find the quietude, peace and power of Nature's great temple on our own wit out all this fuss; and probably with a great deal more true tranquillity without the additional obnoxious attitudes of those who come along with commercial interference, intent on selling us some supposedly groovy items.
We are utterly capable of seeking and finding the pure pure natural experience without subjecting ourselves to all this trouble. so why do we put this on our shoulder and go on? Why do we do it? I mean: Why gather?

Because

2011-01-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

To help us in our journey by making a donation please click the donate button below. In exchange for any donation of 5.00 or more we will send a gift that is significant to our journey if you provide an address. Also any donation including an address will be on our hand made postcard list! Loven you!

Preparing for the road!!!!

2011-01-12T09:18:00.000-08:00

We are in our last stages of gathering our belongings and packing the van. We will be heading towards the Ocala National Forest the first week of February. We will be heading to the Ocala Regional Rainbow gathering. More info can be found at Florida Rainbow gathering 2011
So what we are doing now is continuing researching, planning, making lists, getting rid of so many things we will not need, kissing our loved ones, and waving goodbye to our home town. Since we will be traveling of coarse with our two year old we are in full gear potty training!!! It is going so well and makes us that more exited and ready for this journey!
Our unofficial plan is as follows. We want to go to the regional gathering in Ocala which will last through the month of February. From there head to the regional gathering in Apalachacola gathering which is north FL! More info for the gathering can be found at http://flrainbow.org/A-cola/. This gathering will last through the month of March. After cleanup we will be heading to Arkansas. We are super excited about this since it is a state none of us have actually ever been to!!! Always looking for new experiences and new places! A farm awaits us where we will work exchange and gain a word of knowledge, become part of a community, eat healthy food, and let our inner peace grow like a wild flower!!! We want to be in Colorodo by the first week of JUNE! A band we really enjoy will be playing at the Red Rocks Ampitheater! From there we plan to head to Washington. The National Rainbow gathering is the first week of July! We hope to find a farm we can spend time in before Nationals. After nationals we really, really want to get to Burning Man! If funds permit we will be there! Followed by Power to the Peaceful in Sept in San Fran! That is about as far as we have planned with a lot of things in between and new journeys along the way!
I will be writing as we go so please follow us and send your love our way!
Loven you!

DeLuna Fest

2010-10-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

We headed up to the panhandle to Pensacola for DeLuna Fest. A weekend music festival. We camped at a nearby campground and took the bus to the fest. It was awesome. Michael Franti & Spearhead played on Sat at 4 pm and it was another awesome show.

Michael asked for all the children to come up on stage. So Kiai and her Aunt Ashley went up there to dance and sing. She was over stimulated by the loud music and did not really like it but it will be a memory forever.

To support Michael Franti and Spearhead I painted everyone it was so much fun.

The campground, Ft Pickens, was great. There was a short trail to the beach. It is an island so at certain times you can almost see 360 degrees around you. This is the gulf coast shortly after the oil spill but luckily we did not see any oil. Another point I want to mention is that this area got a lot of flooding and devestation from Katrina. All is beautiful and flourishing now.

We are looking forward to a possible similar festival in May and hope Michael Franti will be a part of the second annual DeLuna Fest 2011.

Back from Rainbow Gathering Nationals

2010-07-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

About 40 hours round trip to spend a week at the gathering and worth every second. It was amazing. I really wish we could have stayed longer. Next year. Which I hear is going to be in Washington State. This is good news because I have never been and I wanted to get to the west coast anyways. Our van is still getting repairs done and hopefully soon will be DONE.
6 more months to go until the Florida Regional rainbow gathering and the beginning of our journey.
Let me share some pictures :)

This is a hand painted map of the gathering. We were over by Kiddie Village.

WELCOME RAINBOW FAMILY. It was so nice to be home.
Pardon the guy in his underwear you randomly was caught in the picture.

First picture is the three of us getting out trade on. We got lots of goodies. Made some really awesome trades. After that we headed to main circle to dance to the drums and get ready for dinner. Kiai loves the drums and so do I.

Our sweet daughter Kiai who is two years old now. She loves being with nature and getting dirty.
That smile gets me everytime.

My sister came with us. This is Ashley on the drive home rt 19 heading south through West Virginia.

Update on Van.

2010-05-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

Well we have been doing some preventative repairs. It was a pretty big job involving all new gaskets, thermostat, oil change. Well when we left the repair shop not even a 15 minute drive from home and it was over heating with black smoke. It is frustrating but they are doing their best to fix it. So for the moment we do not have the van. Thinking positive that it will be repaired soon and we can get back to our regular schedule of repairs and keep our hopeful date to hit the road.

Tentative date Feb 1.

So it is May 5. Cinco De Mayo..
that also mean that there is a gathering going on in Iowa. Wish I was there with my brothers and sisters, living lightly on the land, drumming till the sun comes up, and sharing knowledge. I hope everyone there is having a safe and amazing experience.

Here is some info I got from Rainbow Family page:
Namaste! The whole month of May. Lets throw down together family! Cant wait to see you there.
Iowa -- May 1 - May 30/31

Direcciones:New Directions for the Midwest gathering of the tribes. Front Gate had to be moved due to parking issues and mud.
Take south on I-35. Take the exit toward US-34 E. Turn right onto US-34 E. Head east on US-34 E (pass through Osceola). Take a right onto 288th Ave and head south. Take a left onto Garst. Garst will take a quick right and then a left, do not go straight, stay on Garst. Head east on Garst. Turn right onto 310 Ave. Turn Left on Mormon. Trail. Left onto 100th street, which becomes 440th street. Left on 110th ave. Left on 445th street. Parking at end WELCOME HOME
Thanks!!
(another set of directions based on landmarks:)
To access Blissville Kamp
From Osceola East on US Hwy 34
R on R69 South to Woodburn.
(R69 sign is missing, so beware of that - look for Woodburn sign)
go STRAIGHT thru Woodburn
(when pavement ends, gravel begins... go 1.3 miles to fork in road...
(stay to the right) - 330th rd. Continue 2.6 mi. to Sign that reads "Steven's Forest - Woodburn Unit"
This is a dropoff area. There is no parking allowed here... Parking will be routed to secondary location and shuttles will be utilized... or hiking will be enjoyed by all...
¾ mi hike to kitchen/meadow.

(just a messenger people)
--same general place... drama has come to pass, but piss on it, i'm going for a good time---

I hope to go next year.

On a completely different note this is a video I came across yesterday it is old I think 2006. I guess at UCLA there is a rule if you are not a student you have to leave the library around a certain time. Someone came into to check id's this particular individual was trying to leave when they grew suspicious I guess purely on the fact that he did not want to show his ID. I am unsure if this is true or not. Regardless watch as he does not resist, other college students look on with fear while he gets the Taser over and over again. You can not tell me 4 cops could not pick this kid up and throw him in the back of a trooper. This is police brutality all caught on tape thanks to camera phones. The students start to get very angry and sad, as they should, begging the police to stop. Who do you call for help when the ones we are taught our entire lives to trust are the ones causing the problem. I honestly cried while I watched it. Try to watch beginning to end with volume on.

Open your eyes and see the corruption and abuse of power. I hope these police officers have realized you cannot live a productive life through anger. Be hopeful, be positive, stay strong. Times are changing and there will be a day when these people will not be able to fulfill themselves with this mind set.
Taser Video

Much Love

Our most recent journey

2010-04-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Included a trip to Sanibel Island to check out the amazing shelling the island has to offer. It is really something to see the amount of shells. Where I am from you may see a few here and there never whole shells always parts. This was amazing a couple inches thick of shells lines the beaches. We intended to camp but the winds were so heavy that night we ended up in a small cabin with a bunk bed and another bed for us and our family that joined us. My niece and nephew, mother and sister. We stayed at one of our least favorite places a campground that ended up being a trailer park really with a few terrible camp sights. No matter. We had a great time and got to enjoy our family. PLUS they had a pool and a hot tub. It was relaxing and a lot of fun. Kiai loves the water and we love enjoying it with her.

Just small set backs

2010-04-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well we our pushing a journey on the road back due to the van needing some repairs before we head out.
We plan to mark out date around the end of Jan beginning of February starting with the Florida regional rainbow gathering in the Ocala National Forest.
Until then I will talk about our journey before the journey.
Even if we are in one place that does not mean we stop learning, growing, and creating.

First blog ever

2010-02-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of our lives. This is the start of our adventure. My name is Kelly, with my fiance Matthew and our daughter Kiai we are setting off in our 1990 Chevy conversion van to travel, learn, grown, and explore while spreading peace, love, and feeling freedom. We hope to learn from others along the way and share our knowledge as we gain experience. We will do a lot of camping, while attending art festivals, music festivals, Rainbow Gatherings, visiting eco villages, communities, and any thing else that we come across that creates an opportunity for us to learn, grow, and open our minds.
This life style is more of what we are comfortable with as opposed to living in a city, 9 to 5 jobs, and an over emphasis on materialism and money. We found ourselves only seeing each other asleep with Matthew leaving for work before Kiai and I wake up and me getting home while they are asleep. Spending to much time in our vehicles and to little time eating meals together. We had to change our lives for more emphasis on each other and our family and less emphasis on earning money. Literally long periods of time not being in the woods gives me anxiety. I am hoping to invest more time in my art and spiritual growth. I just want to learn and explore. It is the inspiration, the learning, the communal living that I seek. Being part of something that really gives back and not just in dollar bills. Being surrounded by people who share in the fight against Babylon, non-violence, non-conformity, communalism, and creative expression.
I will try to keep as updated as possible with pictures, art work, and our experiences as we lower our carbon foot print and live healthier happier lives.