Los Padres Walkers
Colin Leath
living experiment:
http://directory.ic.org/22140/Los_Padres_Walkers
The following is just a paste-in from the website above.
If you know of or hear of similar ideas, please let me know.
A breath and a smile,
Colin
______________________________
We live in and walk through Los Padres National Forest (near Santa
Barbara, CA) and the nearby areas. We share mindfulness practices and
earth skills (Thich Nhat Hanh to Tom Brown Jr to whatever you bring).
We share knowledge about the region (Chumash rock art sites, spring
locations, resource harvesting locations and times). We help others
spend time in the forest.
If you are not experienced in forest living we will support your
progress to being able to walk with us ~10 miles/day on difficult
trails (initially you might come out for a weekend basecamp and build
your ability from there). [Note: we often have stationary camps and
could camp in one place for up to two weeks at a time.]
For long-term participation, you will have all the equipment, food,
and ability needed to be self supporting for a week alone (but we'll
be together). We can assist you in making much of the gear you need
(recommended reading: _Beyond Backpacking_ by Ray Jardine). We share
knowledge about and training for opportunities for short-term paid
work as well.
There are many opportunities for food gathering--some of the forest
dwellers here have hunting licenses, and at least one these remains
out for 30 days at a time (he's not formally a part of our community).
Along the beaches there are mussels, seaweed, grunion, etc. There are
many wild greens, berries, etc. There are also major stores in Santa
Barbara and Ojai within walking distance of the forest.
In addition there are are at least three communities in the region
which we could visit and develop a long-term relationship with: Quail
Springs (permaculture, natural building, crafts, wilderness awareness;
quailsprings.org), Spirit Pine Sanctuary (natural building), and
Sunburst (spiritual practice--they meditate together, organic food
production and sale--they run New Frontiers markets in SLO and
Solvang, horse breeding, permaculture, natural building;
Sunburstonline.org). There is also Pine Mountain Buddhist Temple
(pinemtnbuddhisttemple.org), and no doubt other centers of earthcare
and peoplecare we have not yet discovered.
If you enjoy keeping your possessions light, camping out, sleeping in
a new place nearly every night this could be for you.
Some of us also have solar chargers for cellphones and PDAs so we have
access to books and Internet (in some locations) as well.
We may also visit other nearby forests or regions (southern Sierras,
northern Mexico).
Website: http://groups.google.com/group/lpws
Contact:
Colin Leath
Santa Barbara, California 93102 United States
Last Updated:4/22/2009
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Contact us via email or phone. We'll meet and plan a
weekend basecamp or walk.
Population
Adult Members:
1
Child Members:
0
Open to new adults:
Yes
Gender Balance:
100% M
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Ethnic Diversity:
0% identify as 'people of color'
Age Focus:
No Focus
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
((by elders in emergencies))
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
Labor Contribution:
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
No
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
247103 acres (99999.0 hectares)
Land Owned By:
Another form of Non-profit
Number of Residences:
0
Cohousing:
No
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
none
Share Community Meals:
Nearly all meals
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Seldom used
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
Yes
(walking & perhaps sitting together once or twice/day)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Native American
:: Buddhist
:: Paganism/Earth Religions
:: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions)
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling