This past weekend was the Alabama Cup Whitewater Race on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. It was sorta on my way so I stopped in to check out the festivities. The water was up and the course looked technical but doable. After my bit of paddling back in California, I felt like I could probably ferry and climb eddies within this course. Folks were nestled along the steep bank to grab a view of the single and tandam racers. Later that afternoon, I made it back to my friends at Common Ground in Royal, AL. It was a warm welcome from everyone and a Sunday night potluck saw 36 people come out to greet me and celebrate Darryl's 68th birthday. While visiting I had opportunity to go on hikes, plant potatoes with Martha, weed the garden, spread mulch and work on mowers. It was a constant schedule to meet friends and share meals around the community. It has been enjoyable watching things shift and grow as more younger people are attrqcted to the land and it's value for the future. There is a special warmth here and care that is shared and spread among the characters of Hamilton Mountain. Over at Trickle Creek where I spent 6 months, nature had taken over and was in charge. Privet hedges grow quickly and much of my work has returned. My old jeans however are still hung on the garden line. I had the thought a few days ago to clean up the trashed Royal Cut-Off Rd. In an hour of work, Nancy and I picked up 6 or 7 bags of recycling, many glass jugs and a christmas tree (fake). Here she is caught red-handed. It was a short but momentus visit but I plan to paddle back here for the Land Party in July. I imagine it will be a much needed break from my journey to reset, repack ans relax among friends.
1 Comment
T & D
3/21/2018 06:18:04 am
A nice up date..
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Mike SaundersIn May 2014 I quit my job to ride a Honda Ruckus over 69'000 mi and counting. Wild camping most nights and cooking most of my own meals, I keep the costs low and the landscape changing. Archives
April 2018
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