26 October, 2007 – Pt. Reyes Station, California

Lord my body has been a good friend…

Morning came to the Lone Bobcat Woods. We rose and showered and packed and headed into town with Janaia and Robyn for breakfast, then made our way to a Grass Valley bus stop to catch a connector bus to Auburn. We hugged and cried and laughed and bid these two sweet souls goodbye-for-now, knowing that we may well be back in January to attend the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, to which we had recently been accepted. We boarded the bus with Ernie from Honk Kong at the wheel and hit the road.

In Auburn we transferred to a waiting Amtrak bus that took us to Sacramento, and then transferred in Sacramento to the train that would take us to Emeryville. We wrote and read and talked and ate fruits and nuts and watched through the windows as the farmlands zipped by. Just as two years ago, when we were out here getting interviews, I was struck by the reach of the cities, and how we too often fail to take all of this into account when we think of sustainability.

My body has been a good friend these past weeks. The walks and yoga and stretching have relieved the back pain with which I started this journey, and the good food we’ve shared in so many places has kept it well and strong. On the train, I was able to stretch out and walk around, and I noticed as I carried bags and tossed them overhead that I was feeling pretty good.

We de-trained in Emeryville and were met by Patrick, who had offered to drive us out to Pt Reyes Station, even though he would not be able to attend the screening. In our hour or so together, we heard a bit of Patrick’s story, and told some pieces of our own, and learned a bit more about what life looked out here in the Bay area. We arrived mid-afternoon in Pt Reyes and Patrick passed us on to Susan, our host and organizer for the screening. We made ourselves comfortable in the Coast Guard housing guest unit that Susan had arranged for us, did a load of laundry, and got a brief rest. Then we headed into town for some great dinner and conversation before making our way to the night’s venue.

Jerry was there to take care of the tech, providing great picture and sound for the event. Tables and chairs had already been set up. The room was ready and the audience of fifty-five or so made their way to their seats. Carol introduced us and Susan watched the table and Sally and I made our opening remarks and off we went again.

I sat out in the lobby for a bit, taking advantage of the wi-fi in the building. Then I went back into the hall to watch the second half of the doc. Sitting there in the dark, stretching and bending, I realized how exhausted I’d become. I melted down onto the floor and closed my eyes and listened, afraid that I would fall asleep and start snoring. Not a good thing for the director to do during the screening! The end credits rolled and Sally and I made our way to the front, to make our closing remarks and set up the circle dialogue. Announcements were made and chairs were moved and the projector was dismantled and sixteen of us came together for a chance to connect and respond. We spoke of our grief, our hope, our relief and our shame. We spoke of letting go of our own survival in the face of the world’s need, and we spoke of the challenges of awakening. We spoke of anger and disappointment and frustration. We spoke from the heart, and listened from the heart, and put out lives and our truths into the circle, an offering, a gift, of truth-telling. It was sweet and real, as all our circles have been, and the night grew late, and we brought the circle to an end and stepped out into the night. The moon, just past full, was now high in the sky, lighting our way.

We fell into sleep and dreams. Morning came late, as our next journey would be short, and we could afford to sleep in. We finished some laundry and packed up and headed over to Susan’s, to sit with her for a time before we hit the road, hearing more of her story, which we always love to do. At last it was time to go. Susan drove us down to Stinson Beach, and into the hands of Jamie, who would host us for a couple of days of downtime.

A rest on the beach. I’m ready.

Our thanks to Susan and Carol and Jerry, and to all who came to see us in Pt Reyes. We wish you all the very best as things play out.

Peace, all,

Tim