OrganicEmery

A Brief Intermission

2010-09-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

I will be taking a break from photography and the blog for awhile. As you know, my camera was being repaired at the start of our journey. I received it yesterday, and while the original problem was fixed, apparently another part had been damaged while in the factory. Therefore, I'm sending it back in to hopefully be repaired once and for all. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. We were traveling from Prince Edward Island back to Maine, so I had a few hours in the car to think about my current situation. Over and over, worry crept up, will I ever get my camera back in working condition? Do we have the money to fix it? How long until I can have it back? I was miserable while mulling over these questions, but finally, little by little, peace trickled in. Photography, and any other thing I might create, does not define me. The Lord crafted me from dirt and defines me more and more each day. Therefore, during the time my camera is in repair for the second time around, I am going to take a sabbatical and explore my relationships with those around me, simplicity, and other areas of my existence. If everything else of this world is stripped away, what will be left? I want that bare version of myself to be more rich and lovely than the one adorned with the works of my hands, for those works to be only optional, not required. So, ta-ta for now, I look forward to returning and still welcome your comments and feedback. Much love to all!

Prince Edward Island, Canada

2010-09-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

We're back in Canada! We are in the midst of our last couple days here on Prince Edward Island. I was excited to come here because I am a fan of Anne of Green Gables, as are most of the women I know...whether they admit it or not. We are staying with Karyn MacPhee, a woman we encountered on Couchsurfing. She opened her extensive home for us, and we each have a bed to sleep in, divine! We have been low-key since coming to PEI, and while it is beautiful here, we are excited to head back to the US on Tuesday. While in PEI, we visited several parks, beaches surrounded by red clay cliffs, and Charlottetown. We never made it to the site of Anne of Green Gables, but the fantastic view from Karyn's home was enough to quench my thirst for beauty.

2010-09-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Mt. Katahdin

2010-09-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the fantastic pictures (taken mostly by Britt) of his, Scott, and Ray's climb of Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine. It is located in Baxter State Park and is the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. There were many more pictures taken, but these are some of my favorites, and through them I live vicariously, since I did not get to participate in the hike. The next morning after the crew returned home, we went to the Appalachian Trail Cafe in Millinocket, Maine, and enjoyed a 100% homemade breakfast and tales of those who have completed the Appalachian Trail. Britton is planning on hiking the AT in about two years, and Scott and I would like to hike the trail with Emerson (and Cadeau) when he is a bit older-there was actually a woman who completed the entire trail with her six-year-old son. Inspiration!

2010-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Exit Vermont, Enter Maine

2010-09-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing time in Vermont, thank you to our hosts, Gail and Don Cameron! Among many things, this fine family gave us the opportunity to stay overnight on their boat, the Crown Royal, which they dock just inside of Quebec, Canada. It was a wonderful experience and gave Ray and I the opportunity to say that we've biked in Quebec! During the week we spent with the Camerons, Gail fed us like kings and queens then sent us off with wise words, multiple provisions, and an invitation to return yearly. See you soon Gail! We stopped for the night in New Hampshire, a state worth a second visit, then continued on to Millinocket, Maine. We camped at a public reserves campsite, which is essentially free land to enjoy. Our campsite was incredible, the most beautiful I've ever visited. We camped right on a lake and each morning were met by a fantastic sunrise. During our three day stay, we explored the area, bathed in the frigid yet refreshing water, and sampled moose chili, bear meat, and red hotdogs (apparently a Maine staple) at the hands of our generous neighbors. Thanks Randy, Josh, Alicia, and Dixie! Currently, I am staying at a hotel with Emerson and Cadeau, while Ray, Britton, and Scott are climbing Mt. Katahdin (a bit much of a hike to take a baby on). Pictures soon to follow!

2010-09-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mt. Philo and Red Rock Park

2010-09-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited Mt. Philo, stopping by a farmer's market at the base for some fresh zebra tomatoes, corn on the cob, and kale for dinner, then continued on to climb to the summit. From the peak you could see the Adirondack mountains, the Green mountains, and across Lake Champlain to New York. Today, we met hippie Bob (from Burlington) at Red Rock park for some hiking and cliff jumping. Bob took us to the cliffs that he used to frequent for this recreation. Ray and I jumped from approximately 20 feet, and Britton jumped from the 40 foot point (don't worry, Jan, we skipped the 76 footer). The water was glistening and clear, and at 70 degrees it was chilly but entirely refreshing. Thank you to Bob for his guidance, and to Scott for being a wonderful father, watching Emerson while we got to have our adrenline rush!

2010-09-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Burlington, Vermont

2010-09-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we decided to visit Burlington, which is the largest city in Vermont. Not a large city by any means, in comparison to other cities in the USA, but a beautiful, artsy city nonetheless. On our way there, lo and behold, we came across the Magic Hat brewery. A fantastic discovery! Ray was especially excited, as this is her favorite beer. We were given a free tour, t-shirts, and several free samples. I haven't been to a brewery before, but Magic Hat seemed to stick out from the bunch in its fun and creative nature- glittery mannequins and huge paper mache-like creatures hanging from the ceiling, blacklights illumintating neon skeletons, and a photo booth to prove your visit. After the brewery, we strolled Church St. in downtown Burlington, chatted with hippie Bob about Vermont politics and jumping from 40-foot cliffs, tried to persuade Britton to challenge a local to a wrestling match in the park, then headed home with rain drizzling on our faces. The evening contiued with a delicious pot roast at the hands of Gail, and ended perfectly with piano, 12-string guitar, and singing courtesy of Gail's husband, Don.

2010-09-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ferrisburgh, Vermont

2010-09-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

On our way to Vermont, we followed a portion of the Chautauqua/Lake Erie Wine Trail. The air was laced with the scent of grapes, and we could not resist a stop at Mazza Vineyards in northeast Pennsylvania. We did a wine tasting for $2.00, it was completely worth it because we met a fine man, Tyler, who engaged us in enjoyable conversation and even gave us some extra tokens for their sister winery down the road. Thanks Tyler! We arrived in Vermont at about 10:15 pm, completing the longest day of traveling that we have planned for our Eastern leg of the journey. We were exhausted and hungry, but when we arrived at our contact's house in Ferrysburg, Gail Cameron greeted us with warm kindness and homemade spaghetti and meatballs. As a side note, to date I have not had to touch any of the money we had budgeted for food. Thank you to those who sent us off with some monetary help and to all of those who have taken care of us so far. Your graciousness is not met with ignorance.

2010-09-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, Aliquippa, and Thank-You

2010-09-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Thank-you Dean. Thank you Community of Celebration. Thank you Aliquippa for sending us off with minds clear, hearts light, and bellies full. Thank you for evenings around the bonfire that stretch into the wee hours of the morning, for our first pizza from an earth oven, for warm smiles and kind words after a hard day's work, and much, much more. You are blessed and a blessing, and while we continue on our journey, we already feel beckoned to return.

2010-09-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

2010-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

2010-09-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

2010-09-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

No lifestyle that I have led has felt more natural than the one we are leading now. It has its difficulties, yes, but the satisfaction of needing no television or entertainment, simply the unspoiled company of dear companions, is unparalleled. We are in Aliquippa, PA, spending approximately five days with Dean Baldwin, a friend of Scott and I's from college. Dean lives in an intentional community and is a phenomenal artist and gentle spirit. He attends grad school, teaches art classes, and works with a fantastic ministry opportunity, a coffeehouse named Uncommon Grounds. It would take too long to relay the history of Aliquippa or all that Dean and his friends do here, so if you ever get the chance to meet him, just ask about his incredible story. We decided to stay with Dean and his gracious roommates, Casey and Ryan, in order to help Dean with some projects he needed accomplished. One of these is resurrecting the urban garden near his home, and in the pictures below you can see some of the before shots of the garden and Scott, Britton, and Ray working tirelessly. They are troopers!

2010-09-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

2010-09-03T12:09:00.001-07:00

We Did It

2010-09-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

It was hard to believe that the day had finally come. Friends and family gathered for good-byes the night before and the day of. The farewell was bittersweet, and I believe it speaks to the quality of our loved ones when I say there was more laughter than tears. Now, as a note, my camera is currently in the shop for repair, therefore my mode of picture-taking is a 3 megapixel point-and-shoot. I am anxious for the return of my baby in about a week, but I've tried to make the best of the circumstances. So, above are a few shots of our good-byes and day one of our adventure. Aliquippa, here we come!

2010-08-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

And So It Begins

2010-08-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

We've been saving for and planning this expedition for over a year. My husband, Scott, our sweet son, Emerson, puppy-at-heart Cadeau, and two dear friends, Britton and Ray (Rachel), have quit our jobs, cut the ties to our present comforts, and are embarking on a journey with an indefinite end. This is not simply a road trip, in the Spring Break sense of the phrase, but the beginning of a nomadic lifestyle. We take with us the love of our family and friends, who we wish could all come with us, but are presently on their own journeys to their own unknowns. On September 1st, we are heading out from Toledo, OH, and venturing first to Niagara Falls and upstate New York. I will be documenting our journey primarily through pictures, as they convey more than my words ever could. While our official travels, with Britton and Ray, do not begin until September 1st, Scott and I have been "homeless" since the end of July when we moved from our apartment. Since then we have been enjoying the hospitality of several wonderful families. My first photo above is from our trip to the Lake Forest area in Chicago to visit my in-laws, Chuck and Laurie Delaney. Scott is standing at the shore of sunset-lit Lake Michigan, illustrating one of the reasons for our nomadic existence: beauty. To sum up this introduction to the travels of OrganicEmery and family, I leave you with a quote by William Henry Channing that my lovely friend Ashley Hanson made me aware of:

To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
To listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart;
To study hard;
To think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common-
This is my symphony.