Our stop outside Atlanta was a sweet surprise. Our friend’s home sits on a river, surrounded by amazing trees and lovely birds. We were able to forget the highway for a while as we met with people, listened to live music and ate, and ate. Once again, as people heard of the project they were enthusiastically supportive. The passion continues to grow, as does the determination to see this through.  Thank you, Michael, Melissa and Marlon for the wonderful care, and to all who came to visit.

The learning curve has brought a somber note. As we have ringed the Appalachian foothills of these southern states, we have come to realize that most of the old homesteads, the small family farms are gone. The land has been sold to development and small parcels are available on less desirable land for  ridiculously high prices. It doesn’t appear that his tourist / retirement driven area has seen the financial realities gripping the majority of this country. So we are broadening the search, and I must say Wisconsin farmland is looking very good, and Echo Valley is more precious than ever in my heart.

Today though, we dance through Tennessee, and are already heartened by the number of farms we saw as we drove in last night. The prices are more in keeping with reality, and the land is sweet.

We are more than ready to be home, but agree we must complete this visual search while others, local to these areas are left to continue, and our friends searching the internet seem to never give up.

My traveling companion and many at Echo Valley are 20 something’s. They seem to have a naturally clear sense of this dream to have community sustained farms. Their innocence and joy at being able to be on the land is infectious. Very young and very old enjoy one another, as is meant to be. And those in the middle bring their best, fostering possibility. As we proceed I see the native concept of seven generations – to live in such a way as to honor seven generations before you, and to do no harm for the seven generations to follow - manifesting.

This blog will continue, thank you for your support.