Well, here I am with my party, and it looks like I will indeed have occasional internet access! Exactly how much remains to be seen, but I should at least be able to check my email and maybe even update every once in awhile. Hooray! Plus, my digital camera seems to be working again, so yay!
So far I have an awesome feeling about this, I'm SO EXCITED. Still in Albuquerque, will be heading out to the dairy tomorrow. Will write again when I can. :)

Hi, All! I'm updating from an internet cafe/juice bar in Monticello Utah! Who knew??
On my way to Albuquerque today, have had an awesome trip so far. A HUGE thank you to everyone who hosted me, it's been awesome to see old friends and meet old friends face-to-face for the first time. :) Omar is doing great, got a flat tire in Las Vegas but that wasn't a big deal - better to have a flat in Las Vegas than in the middle-of-nowhere-desert! Rode a mule named Sheila at the Grand Canyon, won $10 gambling in Las Vegas, have taken some beautiful hikes with friends and watched the biggest T.V. I've ever seen in my life. This has been the best road trip ever. :D My camera broke, which sucks, because now I have to decide if I'm going to buy a new digital camera in Albuquerque (like the tires, an expense I wasn't anticipating) or just make due with some disposable ones for now, which I hate. Blah. Oh well. That's the worst thing that's happened so far, so I'm not complaining too much!
Start my new job on Monday! So, dunno if I'll update again after this. I'm thinking not, but you never know. If you don't here from me by Christmas, send helicopters! :D

Hi, All! I'm here at Heifer in California, and pulled my computer out of storage long enough to check emails, upload photos off my camera, get all that new music I was craving onto my iPod (thank goodness!) and write this LJ update. Oh computer, how I've missed you....

Road trip is going great so far! Had a little bit of concern for Omar on the drive between Seattle and Bend, OR, because of the mountain pass and I think I pushed him too hard because I was in a hurry. I was worried about him starting the next day!!! But he seems to have made a full recovery, and it's 55-60 MPH for the rest of the trip! Got his oil changed in Petaluma, and tires are at optimal pressure. Have been comfortable for the most part, except for a stretch north of Orland, CA, where it was like someone was holding a hair dryer ini my face. HOT wind. Gross.

Speaking of Orland, that is the home of the California branch of Farm Sanctuary. I stopped by for a visit, and it was nice and they did a good job on the tour and being respectful to me - because they push a vegan lifestyle, and I'm not necessarily certain that vegan is the only moral choice, but they were great in hearing my point of view and how I was trying to figure out things for myself from all angles - animal agriculture included alongside rescue and sanctuaries. So, go Farm Sanctuary for not being crazy and turning people off to your message and values.

Got an awesome picture with Norman, a Jersey (I think... possibly Guernsey?) steer who is massive. This picture does not fully capture his bulk. I was a little bit in awe, I've never been next to such a large, mellow cow before (Splash doesn't count, because he was a water buffalo, not a cow, and the two Holstein heifers I worked with were not mellow, lol...)

His pasture-mate is in the background, but I can't remember his name.... he was equally impressive and chill. They had some *gorgeous* goats there, too... simply beautiful, and I should have taken pictures. Darn.


Also went to SolFest, which was fun, went to several interesting seminars ranging from the crazy abilities of mushrooms to green, socially responsible investing. Very good, because I'm SO ready to get crackin' on smart finances when I'm back down from N.M. I checked all my credit reports today and they're pretty good, I think, but I'm looking forward to making them better. Have a few budgeting and finance books to read and plan with while in NM.



Anyway, it's nice being back in the Valley, hot, hot, hot. But it's making me wonder if I'll need to re-think my driving times when I get out towards NV and AZ and UT.... Omar hasn't overheated, but I have!!! Well, we'll see how it goes!

Next Stop: Arroyo Grande, depart tomorrow morning. Maybe will update again between here and NM???

This journal is pretty much friends only now. Will still probably post art and goat stuff publically, but most personal stuff will be restricted from now on. If you want to be added, leave a comment and I'll add you when I can!



Well, I guess this is my last post for potentially nearly 3 months! I honestly don't know what my outside communication abilities will be from Coonridge, so I'm assuming the 'worst' and that I may have no phone, no email. Sooooo, maybe I'll update here again soon, maybe I won't until November. We'll see!

Leaving early tomorrow morning. Everything seems to be in order. Talked to coell and magicalobizuth on the phone for the first time - always fun to hear the physical voice of someone whose "internet voice" you're already so familiar with, and both of them have lovely voices. :)

Oh man, I'm so excited!!!!!!! I will take lots of photos, keep a journal, and today I bought a new 8 x 10 sketchbook, just in case my Muse makes an appearance.
Wish me and Omar (my Toyota) luck, and see you in November if not sooner!!
<3