What A Ride!

Recently looking through my pictures of the 8 months touring with the CGA I found myself laughing remembering all the good times – a once in a lifetime experience for sure! I meant to pass the word earlier (but have been enjoying this last month of freedom to the fullest) that I am no longer living on the bus . . . gasp. Actually, as of Green Fest in San Francisco none of the original 5 crew members are still on the bus. This was the CGA’s first attempt at a one-crew/full-year tour and I say hats off to everyone involved! So many valuable lessons have been learned and the bus has been left in the hands of an incredible new crew full of fresh energy and enthusiasm.

Garrett and I helped get the bus from D.C. to California in 5 days, alright bus! Enjoyed getting to know our replacements (Ashley and Joanna, my new favorite Canadians) at Bioneers in San Rafael, CA (wow) and continued the good times through Seattle (where we were visited by original bus-crew members, Leo and Matt!), Olympia, WA (Evergreen College is awesome) and Portland, OR before hopping off the bus back in the Bay Area. Yes, I did say “Garrett and I” – we’re excited to be continuing our adventures together living in his ’82 Volkswagen Westfalia in Southern California. We really don’t feel that we’re “off the bus,” but only an extension of it and its commitment to sustainability. On both of our behalves I’d like to say thank you to everyone who made the trip so amazing . . . the people are what kept us going even during the hardest of times – to you all, a big hug and our deepest gratitude! I feel blessed to have had this opportunity with the CGA, which allowed me to dedicate 100% of myself to something I believe in so strongly. In addition to the fulfillment of helping to inspire and build a sustainable community across our small planet I am eternally grateful for the immeasurable knowledge I gained along the way. I am excited to see the positive changes our combined efforts are sure to produce as we continue striving to be the best versions of ourselves. Here’s to the most beautiful future we can manifest!

Friends, I’d love to stay in touch – please feel free to reach me at hiebster@hotmail.com.
Much love,
Nikki

ps – 2 great projects that I must pass on: at the West Lake Whole Foods in Seattle I was impressed upon learning from team members, Peter and Amie, about Whole Food’s Green Mission teams. To find out more about what they do, and opportunities to gain from their knowledge in your area checkout : http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/issues/greenaction/index.html.
Also I was excited to find in nearby Redmond, WA that one of their local moms created www.greenhalloween.org. The site aided in serving as a model for parents and city governments across the country trying to celebrate the holiday in a more conscious fashion. Excellent work WA!