The vision

I had been growing it over the last 6 years. Through sisterhood connections and tight-knit community interactions. Through internal reflection on my needs and books like The Continuum Concept. Through dialogue with kindred souls and dream visions. 

And then it crystallized at ren faire a few months ago. 

After a day of ale jam (drums and belly dancers and ale and an accordion player!), being surrounded by the most unique and amazing people, and gypsy children in the playground equipment drumming... I woke up knowing this needed to be my life. 

I spent a few years in my early teens traveling with my mom and working at state fairs and super sales. The faire life felt most like home to me. 

Just a few months before, I attended my first circus, and I wanted to run away with them. Generations of families living and traveling together, living extraordinary lives, doing interesting and incredible things. 

I was made for this. 

I started journaling and channeling that morning after faire. And it all became clear. 

I wanted a tribe. I wanted late night drum jams around a blazing bonfire and kids running around in packs and adults doing incredible and interesting things and an atmosphere of fun and uniqueness and togetherness and play. 

I wanted to host festivals. And I wanted to have retreats. I wanted to create a village where adults had spaces to do their incredible things and kids could get involved and learn, where the community could come visit and be enfolded in our spectacular togetherness. 

And I want it to be grounded in a movement toward sustainability. And I want to teach workshops to the surrounding communities on sustainability - but not just a lecture. I want people to come get their hands in our earth when we learn about permaculture. And I want to walk them around our tribe and show them our nature systems and our alternative energy sources and our natural water collection. And I want to introduce them to our big giant family and talk about journeys when we do workshops on communication and connected togetherness. 

I want to host retreats for self and spirit and soul nourishment, and for deep learning. Art, yoga, mamahood, communication, food, sharing circles. We have so much space in us for deep nourishment and healing. 

I want to sell the excess from our gardens, orchards, groves, and craft circles at a farmers market or at a stand down on the road, where the older kids can make a business. Or bring the community up to our own marketplace or to pick their own fruits, veggies, and nuts. And I want to grow plenty, so we can share with our furred and feathered neighbors as well. 

I want to have an animal rescue (domestic and farm), and my oldest (the animals whisperer) and her kindreds can soothe and heal the emotional wounds of these beloved creatures, so they will be ready for new loving homes. 

And I want to give our own tribe creatures a good life of green shaded pastures, nourishing food and plenty of clean water, and lots of gentleness and love. Maybe to aid our sustainability, like gathering our own eggs and humane and loving goat milking. Learning how to live with our furred and feathered friends in a way that honors and respects them and nourishes us all. 

I want to have a red tent where women can gather and circle in togetherness to celebrate moon cycles and rites of passage. For our tribe, and to envelop the surrounding communities. Nourishment of the divine feminine and of the sacred. 

I want to have spaces for art creation for all ages, and I want our little village to be a reflection of the artfulness of our tribe. Art as therapy. Art as a way of expression and beauty. Art as a craft. Art as a way of being. 

I want to be a haven for young mothers, especially pregnant teens, to come feel real, deep, unconditional love, to heal their past and nurture their bodies and hearts and souls, to be available to be the most loving and nurturing mamas they can be <3

I want to provide birth services to the greater community surrounding us. Birth empowerment to mamas and families. Hot meals and a bit of home cleaning for a couple weeks following the birth, so the family can cocoon themselves in their babymoon. I want to gather scraps that thrift stores cannot sell and have sewing circles to make cloth diapers that we donate into the community. 

I want to have a living library, which is more than just books - musical instruments, learning supplies like microscopes and puzzles, artifacts like bones and arrowheads. 

I want to have a community closet. 

I want to gather regularly for pow wows where we share voices and hearts about our community. 

I want shared days of personal and togetherness growth, like a day of silence, where it is understood that the brothers and sisters who feel called will be nonverbal. And we will aim toward the quiet all around. 

And maybe days of fasting. Retreats for our tribe. The possibilities are limitless. 

I want tribe business. And tribe businesses. Everyone finding their favorites in life and being supported by each other to find ways to create abundance from that place. 

We will all have specialities, and I want to encourage that, and know that together we compliment each other to create a greater whole. 

I want to accept donations and sponsorships as a nonprofit, so we can give back so much to the community easily. 

I want to gather our tribe way of being and create a model that we can share with groups who want to grow their own tribes. 

Our tribe will be centered around sacred sustainability + wild abundance. 

I envision the adults loving what they do and there being such a variety of interesting things that they do. And of the kids observing and being involved in the work, as their interests dictate. But in a world so colorful, of course the kids are going to grow interests in the things around them. 

A place where play and art are valued just as deeply as ditch digging, gardening, and blacksmithing. 

Where people, creatures, and the earth are of the most sacred, and we treat and honor them as the treasures they are. 

A place that thrives on love and joy and fun and whole being nourishment. 

A place that thrives because everyone who experiences it in some way falls madly deeply in love with it and wants to be a part of it. 

A place that people travel long distances to partake in and contribute to. 

A place where people stay for as long as their hearts and souls need to. 

For some, a haven to refill their cup for a few days, for some a healing retreat, for some a home. 

I have big dreams. Big big visions. 

And this tribe vision keeps growing, as I connect with people and their ideas and dreams, and my vision envelops theirs and becomes fuller. 

The magic of this space is that it is big enough for everyone to bring their dream and add its manifestation to our collective abundance. 

We all benefit from supporting each other in the actualization of our wildest dreams. 

I think I am going to end this gigantic vision posting with that. 

It's worth repeating. 

We all benefit from supporting each other in the actualization of our wildest dreams.

I love you. Love each other <3

V

Oregon, we have arrived

We did it. 

We totally did it. 

Right before we crossed the state line, we pulled over to use the restroom and the wifi, and suddenly it all hit me. 

What I had done. 

I had left my fears and my excuses, and ventured outside of my comfort and familiarity. I had left the people and place I had called home for the past 20 years. 

I was going somewhere (I didn't even know where!) where I knew like 2 people in the whole state. 

I can't believe how brave I was. 

And all it took was some expired tags to momentum us out of there as planned this time :) There was no waiting this time, no changing our minds. We just had to go. Or pay for registration twice. 

I will be honest. The journey up here was incredible. The driving, the people, the views, the fun, the music, the views :)) Not the heat. Lol

I look forward to more travel. 

We do plan to travel around Oregon and decide where we want to grow home, and I look forward to a more slow paced kind of travel, an ease that opens us up to the kind of movement that is based on what interests us in the moment. 

I look forward to pausing at rest stops and view sites, and partaking in town cultures and quirky shops and exploring a beautiful lake we saw from the road. 

I am grateful to set the blinders aside. We made it. We are in Oregon. 

Besides oohing and ahhhhing over all the green and soul-delicious details here in Ashland, we headed straight over to a locally-owned and operated storage unit facility and found the perfect unit for us at an incredible price! 

We unloaded the van, and it gave a giant sigh, as did we when the back looked more like home than like a moving truck. 

And we set out in search of wifi. 

We stopped at a gas station to ask for directions, and I decided it was a good time to ask about customary tipping to the gas pumping attendants - it is illegal in Oregon to pump your own gas. The usual tip is a buck or two, I was told. But you can tip more if they clean your windows or check your oil, etc. Or you can not tip, I was told, and it's not going to ruin their day (lol - that is what he said :)) So sweet. 

At Starbucks I learned that although there is no sales tax in the state of Oregon, there is a prepared food and beverage tax in the city/town of Ashland, and it is only a hair less than the sales tax in California. 

I was really looking forward to buying something with no sales tax. So, I guess that is my next mission. 

Wait! I bought incense at the grocery store, and it WAS $4.99. Wow. I did it :))

Haha, and I love that the first no-tax-item I bought in Oregon was a big box of Nag Champa :))

So, we located a few stops (like the DMV) and bought some groceries, and then we headed off for the lake, to meet up with an incredible fulltime family who travel in the Ecowomb and happened to be in Ashland, too. 

As soon as we got to the lake, we knew we were going to need a day to just ground ourselves, before we were going to be ready to start diving into our Ashland to do list. 

Even just thinking those last 4 words were exhausting. So, I was on strike from anything that did not make me feel peace and grounded deeply. 

That meant sushi, kombucha, and chocolate for dinner, a lake to awe over the beauty of and imagine swimming in on the hot next day, and soul-nourishing togetherness with a kindred family. 

Life feels so much less like you are alone when you have a life learning family to connect with and enjoy life with :) 

I soaked and basked in our shared values and the beauty of their family in motion. Interactions in connected, compassionate, loving, life learning families always captivates me. It's so seductive. I just soak it in and find myself BEing the mama I love most to be. 

We talked about the deliciousness of a gypsy tribe (they were one of the families in the Conscious Caravan) and of the usefulness of non-profit status for donations, sponsorship, and funding. 

It sure was getting me thinking about this tribe I am growing <3

Our children had a blast and quite adored each other last night, and even more so this morning. 

We spent the day at the lake, swimming for like 5 hours. It was incredible. 

And just what we needed. 

Now, we are back in town running a few errands (like getting more food and using the wifi to locate more services). 

Until tomorrow, Loves <3

V

En Route

I can't believe it's real. 

I can't believe we actually did it. 

Finally. 

We got out. 

We are free. 

Out, free from our fears of leaving, our fears of hurt over leaving our beloveds, our fears of safety and how we were going to make it outside our familiar comfort zone. 

We did it. 

It started to feel real on Tuesday, when I said goodbye at our favorite community dinner. 

I wish I had thought to take pics with our beloveds, but someone got this one of me with our beloved Denny :))

Wednesday we visited my step kids (my son's blood) - so much love there. I miss them already <3 

Thursday went by with a light show in the sky :))

We emptied the storage on Friday - a whole day of sorting and repacking and loading. It was exhausting. But everything we loved most fit. Such perfectness, peace, relief. 

We got to spend the night with one of our favorite families in the world. 

Saturday morning, we said the last of our goodbyes to our local beloved people and our beloved Encinitas.

At this point we realized we should be taking pics with our loved ones <3

Then we drove up to Oceanside and said goodbye to one of my kids' godmothers. 

And then it was time to say good bye to San Diego. 

We headed northeast to a big family gathering. 

And we spent the night with my beloved Uncle and his incredible wife, at their new playhome :)) It's HUGE and my uncle has so many ideas and the abilities to do it - I'm so excited for them!!!

We lightened our load (and significantly increased our gas mileage). 

No storage on top :) 

And then we drove through the desert for 7 hours in 109 degree heat. It pretty much looked like this the whole time:

The company was incredible though :) 

The kids and I had fun singing to music and talking about how we would rescue the cows we saw in the cow lots along the way, and how we would treat the cows in our care in the future. 

And laughing over fun names for our future furred friends of various 4 legged varieties :)) 

And more music. Always music. 

We don't even have to try. It's always a good time :)

That's our family's theme song :))

And then, after 7 hours, we started seeing trees (in Stockton), and the temperature dropped about 20 degrees!! 

After another 2 hours of driving, we connected with an incredible friend of mine in Sacramento, and are staying in their spare room again tonight. 

We have been nourishing our hearts and bodies with her and her beautiful family: so far we have met awesome boyfriend, soul sweet daughter in law, magic delicious 2 month old grandson, 2 sweet and loving doggies, 2 snakes, fish, 2 lizards, 2 cages of birds, and (I heard talk of) a tortoise <3

*deep peace inhale*

And then it's Oregon tomorrow. 

Officially. 

Wow. 

The plan is:

Tuesday - drive + get a storage and unload the van. 

Wednesday - find a community resource center to start networking for resources with + DMV to get the van Oregon-legit :))

Thursday - locate the local library & homeschool (ideally unschool) groups, and start networking for temporary housing and feel out the vibes for kindred spirits for the long-term home + tribe :))

That's all I have for now. 

That's a mighty long update, huh? 

Well, I got an app for my blog, so I can post more frequently now :))

Also, if you want to see more pics/videos and updates, you can add me on Instagram (wildsacredsoul), Facebook (wild-soul zen), or search the Instagram hashtags #oregonbound, #roadtripblip, and #worldwidetribe. 

Alright, darlings, until next time, all my love, excitement, and enthusiasm,

V

Counting down the days...

Tuesday.

Today is Tuesday.

That leaves 3 more days in this town.

This town we fell in love at first sight (and feel) with. This town we have grown to deeply feel "home" with. This town that will continue to be home for many of our beloveds.

And we will wish it a sacred and wet farewell, as we will begin our trek northward.

So many people to see and love before we go.

Community beloveds, family members, friends.

I know us moving to Oregon is right, and I ground myself in that when I start to feel so sad about leaving the incredible people here that we love with all our hearts.

It hurts. And that hurt has stopped me from going for many years now.

But Oregon keeps calling. A soft whisper. A knowing reminder. Soft and loving.

It's where we are meant to be.

Green, rain, Pacific Ocean, affordable housing, land, hippies. Perfect.

I have been dreaming big wild dreams of a tribe on land, and I am ready to manifest that. And I am excited about the journey to get there.

I envision spending time in communes, intentional communities, and eco-villages.

I envision festivals and fairs and farmers markets.

I envision landscapes that will take our breath away.

I imagine connecting with people who will warm my heart and nourish this little Tribe idea seed that is gaining momentum deep in the earth, preparing to burst through the soil and bask in the sunlight.

I look forward to manifesting space for my family's needs to be met, and for our wildest dreams to come into fruition.

My oldest wants to be a large animal vet. She has always had a kinship with animals. They bring her peace. And after 2 years of not having her own room, she very much looks forward to decorating and caring for her own space. And getting some furried bedmates again :)

My son just wants room to spread out his playspace and endulge in combat + adventure + action figure social skills for deep long periods of time. And Netflix. Our own wifi is a must :)

And the baby. She wants to gather her dollies and care for them. And follow her sister around caring for goats and horses and chickens and all other 2- and 4-legged friends that come to join us in our homesteading adventure.

And me? Well, I want to take root deeply and grow. I want to grow a home. I want to grow a business. I want to grow a tribe, a lively community-family who lean toward sacred sustainability and wild fun, who dream together, play together, live together, love together, grow together. I want drum circles and dancing and bonfires and a red tent and kid wonderland and hammocks in faery eutopia and treehouses and gardens opportunities to share my all through workshops and services, and, and, and.

Oh, I have been dreaming of this for years. This list is oh-so long, and it keeps growing.

I look forward to showing it to you, like a story that unfolds through our upcoming journey.

I look forward to chronicling, not only our trip up to Oregon and around Oregon while we find the right place to call home, but also the sprouting and budding of a tribe come true, the depths, the details.

I hope that someday, I will be able to create a model of the tribe that has been my clear vision and purpose, so that I can share that model with ones who aspire to create tribes of their own.

I don't know all the words yet. The language. I just have a big clear vision and feeling, that I have been refining for about 6 years, through creating an online tribe, studying about tribal communities, hanging with unschoolers and faire folks, experiencing shamanic dreams and visions, and doing a bit of research on fellow intentional communities.

There is just so much room for growth, and I am excited to already be gathering beautiful souls into my life who want to grow this with me.

Until next time, all my love,
V