P.E.D.A.L. Across The Americas: Atmosphere of Change

Hello Everyone,

This is Steve writing. Since my last post a while back, much has transpired. As Garrett recently wrote, he and Kristi have been taking a break for the last couple months while I've carried on by bicycle.

In Oakland, I decided to give my bike away, and carry on by foot to have a break from biking. From Oakland I returned to serve at the Vipassana Meditation Center. Although not anticipated as a 'sustainability model', the structure of the organization is unlike any I've ever experienced, and impressively sustainable. From the highest level of administration, to the teachers, to the groundskeepers and kitchen staff, everyone is a volunteer, or in Vipassana language, a server. Similarly, every building, piece of property (the organization owns property all over the world), and meal served is from donations. Donations themselves can only be made by former students who have sat a 10-day course. So, as you may be able to guess, with an organization underpinned by the practice of developing compassion for others, that runs entirely on volunteers and donation, the vibe you experience while participating with the organization is really good, very loving, nurturing and inspiring.

Fellow Servers at the Vipassana Center. Left to Right: Erica, Kimkiat, Julie and Silka

Fellow Servers Nick and Chi chi

The California Center is currently undertaking the construction of a new Pagoda, which is a meditation building. The photo below features an example of a Pagoda. The one under construction is about 70 times the size of the one in the photo below.

A Pagoda, a meditation building, is the structure in the back. This one is located near Big Basin Redwood State Park.

You'll also notice in the photo above, a person, but not just any person. It's Jordan Bower, who I originally met 300 miles north of where the photo is taken. He is the photographer who is walking to mexico, and we decided to walk together for the time being, as he expressed interest in visiting sustainability models.

After I transitioned from bike to foot, Jordan and I rendez-voused near Pescadera, California, which is about 17 miles south of Palo Alto, the most southern place I made it to on my bicycle.

California Coast near Pescadera, just south of San Francisco

Endangered Snowy Plovers I had the opportunity to glimpse near Pescadera. The Plovers were being very cute as they pecked at the rocks, and then ran away en masse from the big waves that rolled in.

Pescadera Sunset, March 9th

An Elephant Seal pup is featured in the video below, also being very cute. The Seals were endangered after being hunted for oil and reduced to only 3 breeding males. Now they are considered thriving, with a population of approximately 150 000. The sound on the video is super scrambled, so I'd suggest turning down the volume.