Mar 31
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WEBISODES
Mar 31
I remember visiting the falls as a little kid. It was a vibrant city, full of people, long lines, and no parking spots.
This time we visited during the winter time. The tourist shops were under constructions, stores were closed, and parking was free.
The falls were amazing, but as soon as we left town to Buffalo, NY, we saw a side of Niagara Falls we never would have imagined.
Stores are closing down. I saw more “rent” signs than open signs. The streets were desolate, empty, and you can just tell, that people have left, and are probably never coming back.
I began to think: How sustainable it is for towns completely based upon tourism. Can a town, whose main industry is a giant waterfall survive? I don’t know, you tell me.
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Mar 30
Note: We are flying from Seattle, WA to Anchorage, AK. We’re not driving up. That would be crazy
Note: We are flying from Los Angeles, CA to Honolulu, HI. Google maps say we’re going to kayak it.
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Mar 30
Maine is far. It’s a long way from California. In a way, it symbolically marked the half way point of our trip. It was also a place where we got confirmation that this trip is bigger than us. We met some amazing people and gained some insight.
To sum it up, this trip has been nothing but a huge sign that human beings are still kind and innately generous and kind. We’ve been on the road for about 8 weeks, and we’ve driven close to 10,000 miles and we’ve only had to sleep in our van, three times. All the rest of the time, we found couches, luxury rooms, beds, floors, more floors, and futons. People fed us, washed our clothes, and gave us the energy to move on to the next town. In many ways, it feels like we’re running a marathon for mankind. We’re not raising money, but we’re raising and collecting stories of human beings. So much of the news has been about AIG this, AIG that, stock market crashing, corrupt financial markets, global economic meltdown, and etc. We turn on the news and all we hear is devastation. It’s not true. Wait till you see “The Recess Ends.”
Which brings me to this point. In Portland, Maine, we ran into Michael. He runs The Kindness Center. To sum up his story, he sold his photography business after 16 years, and opened up a center that focuses on being kind. It’s a wild concept. His mission in life, is to teach people: kindness towards yourself, kindness towards others, and kindness towards the earth.
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Mar 29
Mar 29
We left Portland, Maine yesterday. Yesterday marks the turn of our trip. We’re heading back west, finally. My brother and I just payed 3 tolls, and our last toll looks like it’s going to be about $13. So much for freeways. The rain is pouring and the sky is gloomy.
We just looked at ferry and flights to Alaska. Alaska is further than I thought it was. We’re looking for places to stay in Anchorage, Alaska. Also, if you got some miles that are expiring, we love to buy them off of you or strike a recession deal.
This is our schedule these next few days. If you know people in Louiseville, KY, Nashville, TN, Buffalo, NY, Youngstown, OH, Willliamstown, WV. Give me a call. 949.295.8631
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Mar 27
Yesterday was one of those days I’ll likely never to forget. We barely stumbled into Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
To be frank with you, I never heard of this place until we drove into town. Needless to say, a few quarters and a parking ticket later, we got to know a few folks in town. My brother and I split up for lunch, he got some sandwiches, I found a pseudo Mexican joint and had lunch. When I sat down, I noticed an article on my table. It was about local businesses pledging 10% of their purchases to local business, it’s called 10% Shift. It’s an interesting concept. Simple, yet efficient.
I contacted the publisher, Dave, of The Wired, the local newspaper. Dave he put me in touch with Karen, who heads up Seacoast Local, “a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting community involvement in local business, agriculture, arts and culture, the environment and civic life in the Seacoast region of southern Maine and New Hampshire.”
I walked upstairs into a dark loft area in a second hand bookstore and find Karen and a couple local business owners having a meeting. And the rest is history.
Karen, a vibrant, locally oriented community leader took time off of her work to show around, and help us follow the local dollar.
First, we went to Sanders Fist Market, the local fish market. We talked to the owners about how local businesses are sustaining and staying afloat admist these crazy economic times. They stressed how important it was to keep the dollar within the community- so they try to do business with local stores to maintain that their dollar remains in Portsmouth.
They mentioned they got their embroidered shirts from Black Sheep Design Company. So we went to Black Sheep.
At Black Sheep, we met Steve and his dog, Simon- a Malamute and Pit Bull mix. For him, the economy hasn’t affected him all that much, but he has noticed how people are ordering less shirts and products. For him, business goes on. Business moves to locally owned book store: River Run Bookstore.
At River Run Bookstore, a locally owned, locally operated, and locally involved, is a prime example how everything comes together. We found out that a way to improve the local economy is not buying from large companies and corporations. It’s about putting the money back into your community. It’s truly sustainable, efficient, and it benefits everyone, even you.
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Mar 26
We made it this far. We’re almost done with the East Coast. I must say, the West Coast still rules. Currently, we’re at the New Hampshire border. There’s still snow on the ground. Looks like we’re going to be having lunch in the Hamptons. Oh yes, the Hamptons. Any signs of the recession? We’re about to find out.
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