Does anyone else ever have those days/weeks/months where it feels like every question running through your head is being answered through daily occurrences? Well, that has been the case for me in this summer tour finale. I’ve had my questions about faith and about the power of God’s grace, and all have been answered directly or indirectly through all the amazing people I have had the privilege to meet along the way. Sermons I have attended seem to be directed straight at me, religious metaphors have nailed it on all on the head, and every person I meet brings a new unique light into my life. I am more comfortable in my thoughts and my words with these experiences and it is all because of faith. A thank you is owed to everyone that I have met along the way.
As we headed to Colorado I felt more and more in my comfort zone. The rest of the trip was more or less worked out, so the rest of the trip was all about enjoying it. Colorado feels like a second home to me and this was only my third visit to the area. After jetting to the venue we headed to stay with some couch surfing friends. My friend Jackie had made a great recommendation for a girl she stayed with on her visit earlier this year. Sara turned out to be a great fit. She had done a similar tour with a gospel group a few years ago so she was totally aware of life on the road, and knew exactly how to accommodate us. We ventured out in Fort Collins (my new favorite town) and found a good beer and some Ethiopian food, over rich conversation that Jesse always seems to spark. We figured if we are trying to raise funds for Ethiopian women then it was crucial that I knew the taste (however Americanized it was) of the culture.
The next day was the festival. This time the festival was only one day so it was quite refreshing not getting burned out on saying almost the exact same thing over, and over, and over again, at least not for days at a time. We still did fairly well, connected with some old friends, and I learned quickly that I dislike the smell of coconut. With only one day we made some awesome contacts in the Colorado area, it is great to see people so pumped about joining the stand.
Sara was extremely accommodating here as well, we had two extra festival tickets so we gave them to her and her roommate. They showed up with deluxe sandwiches and root beer milk, yes, root beer milk. … best stuff ever! I made nearly all our festival friends try it. It was a hit, although when most people hear root beer milk they don’t see the beauty in the combination.
The next day we went to church with Sara. The moment we walked in the door it seemed so fitting. The church was held in a coffee shop with local art all over the places. The worship music was full of moving and uplifting lyrics and the sermons filled me up for the day. It was the most uplifting service I have ever been to, and clarified for me that I believe in beautiful things. Jesse and I had to take off early for a big MyFight meeting in Denver with the Micro Financing Institution that we are working with in Honduras. Jesse attended the meeting and I wandered downtown Denver and found my favorite bookstore where I spent some time absorbing the morning. After finding some books to my library I wandered back to meet up with Jesse. While I was sitting on the sidewalk outside the coffee shop waiting for Jesse I was joined by a seemingly addict and radioactive homeless man, who upon reading the title of my books tried to engage in a theological discussion that was out of both of our leagues. As I was sitting there while he was saying some pretty harsh things about religion I kept myself calm and distracted by playing with my iPod, with my phone on my lap, and my Kindle in my bag. I realized how fortunate I am, I felt to guilt of my fortune instantly. This man treating me like an equal and addressed me as “sister,” despite the fact that I was clearly in a different class than him. He didn’t ask for anything from me, just a listening ear. The man had his issues and had made some intense statements that had ignited an unfriendly fire inside me, but it was nice to relate on some level.
This was a nice day off overall, we got some coffee, I went on a hike, and we had a nice dinner after a bold phone call to the host stand made by Jesse to get noticed. That evening we stayed at a friend from the roads new apartment. We rested up for the long drive to Vegas the next day. This drive was beautiful. We started in the mountains of Colorado, and heading west we got to drive through most of it. After a pit stop in Grand Junction to see the Light Gives Heat office (friends that I met on the road next year,) I think that Jesse got a lot out of meeting them and seeing entrepreneurship from another perspective. The rest of the drive was through the red rocks of Utah. A-Freaking-Mazing. One of the few drives I was entertained through the whole thing.
We pulled into Vegas late where we had amazing arrangements with our new friends from Grand Canyon University. Lucky us they had two extra beds and extra money to spend on dinner that night. We had some tasty Indian food and then wandered the strip. I can honestly say I think that Vegas was way better when I was seven. Everything seemed brighter and bigger back then. Now it seems it would only be enjoyable somewhat intoxicated. Although, it was nice to meet up with some other roadies and watch the local street drum crew and the August Rush style guitarist.
The next morning Jesse and I enjoyed an awesome hotel breakfast (sparking motivation for the next part of our trip) and hit the road. The drive to California wasn’t nearly as intoxicating, but it was neat driving right up to the coast upon our arrival. California is more dynamic than popular culture makes you think. Monterey proved to be extremely chilly with a dense fog sandwiching a powerful daytime sun. It was like a real fall, kinda nice since we don’t get much of those up north. The one issue that we really had was the wind. Since our booth space was much bigger this festival, when Jesse felt the wind he decided to set up his tent on the vendor island. Since we paid for the camp space and because I like camping I decided to set up at our site-located on top of a hill. Not my wisest decision yet. The second night I returned to my tent to find it flipped. Luckily I had left my bag in it so that was holding it to the ground; otherwise my tent would have blown away. I ended up having to crash in our friends’ booth space. They had a nice futon so it made my sleeps quite nice.
I found this festival extremely entertaining because people started figuring out my true nature. One, that I am a wanderer. I have a hard time staying in one place for an extended period of time. Especially when there are exciting new people to meet. Two, that I am a mooch. Or as I like to put it, I surround myself with people that take care of me and let me utilize those things that they have and I don’t. Food, water, showers, floor space, and access to the cyber world all fall under this category. I’m just good at embracing it and meeting the people who let me be me.
Another huge bonus this festival had was the luxury of time. Jesse and I allowed ourselves to stay up later so we could fully enjoy what the last festival had to offer. We hung out at friends hotels rooms, stayed up past close to chat with other vendors, had a beach campfire with our new favorite band, and tested out the local brewery for a farewell brew. New and old people enriched our experience and it was worth every minute.
This was the festival it all started clicking. We made the right connections. Figured out the power of connecting and helping bands. Hopefully we will see continued growth through those famous connections we made.
The excitement didn’t end at the end of this festival. The morning after close we woke up bright and early to go sailing in San Francisco. Jesse had a friend who made amazing arrangements for us. We sailed with her friend who had done cross-world sailing trips. What he has seen seems magical and you could tell he enjoyed everything about it. It was a nice relaxing Sunday, we were strangers to
the people we were sailing with so we were allowed to really enjoy the full experience internally. Naturally, being the social beings that we both are, we eventually socialized and made a few new friends. Jesse says no one is safe talking to me. I have the luck to be able to befriend those I wish and in effect encourage them to get on board with our mission, by buying a shirt or an event. You can say the sailing trip, in that respect, was no different than the festivals.
Beyond the people, sailing itself was the most peaceful experience I have had. As life goes on around you, you are allowed to fully enjoy the turns and fresh air rushing by. I was nearly thoughtless when I got to sit on the front of the boat.
San Fransico was more than a success. Sailing set the day right, and then Jesse and I both got time to spend time with some dear friends of ours. I was lucky enough to enjoy some overly spicy food with the one and only Sarah Craig. We both are in similar points in our lives and it was excited to exchange all the fun new opportunities life has presented for us. Plus, we tested out a pie shop. Life doesn’t get much better than pie with a good friend.
After staying the night on his friends sail boat we headed home. Being the site seers that we are we headed for the redwood forest. Being the little person that I am it was utterly amazing, what was neat about it is that it would have the same effect on a person of any size. We left the Redwood Forest and I wanted to see the drive that everyone talked to highly about up California 1. Minor mistake. This decision took us on a road trip twice as long as intended. For anyone who is wondering, you can’t get off of 1 or 101 as easily as you might think, but it is totally worth it. Winding up coast was beautiful, scaling over the 4000 plus feet of mountains was quite a view, and getting onto the interstate in time to enjoy breathe taking colors of the sun set topped off the day. No matter how long it was, it was one of the prettiest days I have had.
We made it to Craig’s in Corvallis to get some sleep and breakfast before we headed to Missoula for the night. Again, it was nice to be able to catch up with friends in both places and share our journey.
The last day of the trip Jesse was nice enough to let me stop and see my Mom in Butte and my Dad at home. In the end he got experience his first pasty, something no Montanan should go without trying. We pulled into Billings late in the evening and got some time to on our own, and relax…kinda. Relaxing isn’t something that is easy for either of us to do.
The festival tour was an overall amazing experience. I got to travel, meet new people, learn about myself more than I thought possible in two months, all in the name of something that I am passionate about. MyFight has showed me my calling, and got me hooked on its mission… and opened up the door for endless adventures.
LOVE IT!!! Can't wait for you to get back so we can go to a coffee shop and you can tell me more!
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