Like Tides

 They may shake their heads, some people of more conventional thought, when you say "my Life is like tides."  They will not understand.

I will say my Life is like tides, with no more dramatic example than the last week, of the near-unnatural ebb and flow of circumstances. One moment I was frozen, a near year's worth of hoping, working, and attempting to manifest something gone in a flash. Next thing I know, I couldn't have more to do and yes, indeed, I am grateful for the workings of it.

To catch you up, the past tale involved waiting on a farm with baited breath: there was a job, a farm, a wedding planned neatly together...but that did not happen. But there was also this rather unusual project floating about in my head, the type some would shake their heads at as pure poppycock. I have this crazy animal/art/adventure proclivity, you see, and it's gotten me into trouble before. Because I've spent a good part of life creating reality out of dreams as a performing artist, I know near-impossible things are possible. Or, I'd like to hope so. And so it is that I decided to truly chase--or make my craziest attempt at it--the Beyond Vagabond Project. And so, off it went!

 And truly, I couldn't have guessed how quickly the mossy stone would roll into action once I announced--and took heart in--the idea of doing this uncommon journey: it's been quite a steeple chase. I could not roll any faster past hedgerows and hills, trying to catch up to myself.

To reiterate: this project involves the process of one city person conquering the logistics of working with a horse drawn wagon adventure. This involves a huge background skill set and a deep respect for horses.  To that end please note:

This adventure may or may not go forward with horses. It has been suggested that I might be able to do this part-way with horses, and another with a wagon/gypsy wagon (vardo) being towed by truck. Which I would indeed consider, to keep the animal in question safe. The safety of the animal is my utmost concern.

However, I would like this idea to continue. To that end, I am hoping to work "smarter," in this way.

Because I have a huge and varied "bag of tricks" (so to speak), the gist of this trek is:

•  To go across some part of the Americas via wagon. In each place I stop I hope to find lodging amongst friends 
•   Film some sort of old fashioned folklore of the place, interesting people, someone reviving an old-fashioned skill, etc 

• Teach classes...I am fully aware that I will need to continue funding this project (and be able to pay for a cup of joe, should I need!) as the project continues, and I am to be a self sufficient as possible. However...

This project WILL need some help from friends and friends-to-be....

• Right now, Kira, my dance/photography friend, has me coming back down to Florida, possibly, to participate in a historic mule expedition from that state to Alabama. Hundreds of mule teams are participating and we are invited if only to see what it is like to work wagons going for quite some distance. This is happening March 3rd, so quite soon I may or may not be amongst a mad caravan of beasts and men and dazzling them with my wit and weird hair!

• There are other points: we have a camera.
  We have some sort of modern transport.
  I have yet to find a horse--and that's more a question of logistics than not having a few pennies squirreled away.
  I have get to figure out a wagon situation as well, though Kira has an idea about one in Florida. Several other friends have tracked down folks who have apparently undertaken some sort of long distance drive with a horse.

In the interim, I would be buoyed by any additional help or advice!  So, I have redecorated this little cobweb-y site somewhat. You can now find information about the project above, and various ways you can help. I am possibly the most hopeful about hosting classes and paying my way, so please browse the top tabs for how you can host, how you can take classes, and the class listings.

Other ways you can help are simple...perhaps word of mouth. I will also have items for sale here soon. Or perhaps you don't mind donating via the donate button here, with many thanks involved.

I would also very much like to hear any advice from horse people, people interested in the project, and more. What can I or should I be doing? How would you make this project better? What are your thoughts?

Many thanks, friends, and more details soon!