We arrived here officially yesterday. Ginger John, our farmer/boss/Kingston's new "grandpa", gave us a hug after picking us up with ALL of our luggage, and dropping us off at... oh last minute switch up... the best and newest cottage on the property, gave us a hug, said, "Welcome to the farm, now move in!"
The things that have happened in the last five days have blown my mind so negatively and then hours later so positively.
We've worked so hard this summer to live the lifestyle we've chosen, pay off debt, and then find our dream and go for it. And we are in our second year of parenthood. What a ride it's been.
The last two weeks before we left were so difficult. You can feel the itch of change. You get in your mind that you're almost done working. You're trying not to let anyone get sick. You're still convincing every family member you'll be fine. You're having to say goodbye to every family member and friend. You're moving. You're downsizing. You're packing. You're working. You're grocery shopping and eating. You're parenting. You're at the airport with a mess of bags and you're saying goodbye to Colorado. Just like that, the mountains are under you're tiny airplane window and you're off to the unknown.
Damn.
We got a super awesome guy checking our bags in who didn't charge us extra for over weight ones and an additional bag. The line through security was non-existent (though they did take forever checking all my snacks but I think it's because they were so bored. They took my homemade dressing.) We got an extra seat for K on the long flight over. He napped for almost half of it! We grubbed good vegan burgers and the spring rolls we made for the plane ride. We were tired once we got to our little hotel room but it was a surprisingly good trip. We checked out the farmers market and little shops and juice bars and a cool sugar cane cafe.
Then on Wednesday we got picked up by the WWOOF couple we have been talking with for the last three months. Even though we had weird vibes we pushed through thinking it was nerves. They took us to pick up more camping gear and we headed deep into the jungle to their property. Like deep deep. We arrived at a gravel driveway with three car ports, a small shed, and a tiny ply wood shack. There was trash and half burnt trash all over. There were car parts lying around. Everything was drenched. The guy handed Blake a bush saw and said "here's where you'll clear out a spot for your tent." It was 5 in the afternoon and we had to pull everything out to set up, eat dinner AND bush sack our way into a thick ass jungle to set up our tent on an I level swamp? "Oh and here's the hose for your shower, the bucket for your poop, and I turn the water and electricity off whenever I like."
It was a rough, rough, rough night. I was so beyond mad. I couldn't believe this guy thought this was ok for a baby. I mean, he showed up to this property and made everything that he has now, so his mind set was "this how you make it in Hawaii." He was also single with no kids when he did this. This is not, NOT, what my lowest expectations were. We woke up and started packing up muddy and wet rain gear and had to tell them this wasn't going to work out. (Their last WWOOFer left after one night.) Lucky for us he said he'd give us a ride back into town. So we shoved it all in his tiny van (including a massive canopy we picked up with all the poles, without a box because the rain destroyed it.) The girl from across the street, Marissa, walked over with her baby boy, Finnegan, to welcome us and we had to disappoint her. She was super sweet and hugged Blake when he told her we were vegan. She is a strong Mama for being all the way up there while her boyfriend, Hunter, worked and slept in town four days a week. But her kind words and happy attitude helped us right at a super low point.
>> the only picture I got at our first spot... his face says what we felt for the whole 16 hours we were there<<
We were dropped off at a hotel we weren't sure had room for us in downtown Hilo. Thankfully they gave us a room for one night and also pointed us in the direction of someone who could help us find work/trade. She didn't have a spot for us but gave us a number for Ginger John. She told us he was a serious farmer who worked you, but you'd learn a lot from him ((she ended up being way right.)) We text John explaining our situation and he called two minutes later and set up a little interview with Blake in the next few hours. Kingston and I grabbed a smoothie bowl from the farmer's market while waiting for Blake when he pulled up in a huge farm truck and said "get in!" We were rushed off the Sweet Cane Cafe to meet John's wife, Jackie, who runs 2.5 cafes here in town. The cafe was beautiful. Jackie was beautiful. Our conversation and honesty was beautiful. He then decided to bring us to the farm to take a look at what he had. The tour was grand, and dirty, and real. Kingston was off his game with everything that had gone in the last few days and almost blew our interview (just kidding, but for real.) We discussed the parenting aspect and of what coming to this farm might look like and concerns with having a young one around so much equipment, water holes, compost piles. etc. We met some of the people on the farm and they were awesome and encouraging (and looked like they had been working hard!)
The next day we waited for the phone call from John to tell us yay or nay as we went to the laundry mat and Blake took things back to Walmart. As we had our things packed up and on the curb outside, a barefooted blonde man sauntered by looking for some wifi. We chatted a bit and he said his son looked like Kingston. I asked his name and he said "Finnegan." Wait... What's your name?! Hunter. Wait!! We were just up at your place (40 minutes from town in the deep jungle in the middle of nowhere) and met your son and girlfriend!!! What?! How crazy! We ended up really hitting it off and he offered up a tent spot for us if things didn't go our way. What a kind man. He actually ended up using Blake's phone to call the first WWOOF guy who was so disappointing to get a ride! Too funny.
John called and said he talked with everyone on the farm, and they all agreed that a family would be great to bring aboard. Yay!! They even picked us up with all of our stuff! And so it began.
Every morning we have woken up with a "is his real?" attitude. Did the last few days really happen? Did we get rescued? Are we in a good place? Is it too good to be true? Do we really have a view of the ocean outside our window?
Adjusting to a new state, new climate, new food, new family is a lot. It's taxing and stressful. But if we never got out of our comfort zone we'd never know what else is out there. And we've found helping, kind strangers and a place we could only dream of in our heads. This is just a step in the direction we are hoping to go. But this has been a big step. No matter how long we stay here, we know it's possible to live off the land, on solar energy, with composting toilets, and in a small community with those who care about the same things. Being here now, we are thankful we packed our bags, said goodbye, took the long flight, and most importantly asked around for help when we were in a tight spot. We are learning this island is very extreme. She will make you or break you. She has a lot of amazing things to offer but you better work hard with an open and humble heart in order to obtain those things. Good life lesson.
Dream Big Ride Far, friends!
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