February 19, 2008 by Julie.

Arkansas. Friendly friendly people!!!
I come from Kentucky so I can say that both our states have a undeserved reputation for marrying cousins and low IQ’s. And, while we did see quite a dazzling array of trailer park “neighborhoods” with an amazing lot of CRAP in the yards, what really stood out in Arkansas was the friendliness of the people, the natural beauty of some as-yet unspoiled land, and a very real human interest in health and happiness that could easily be translated into a kind of environmental awareness…

A few days before we arrived, a tornado ripped through a tiny town called Appleton, leaving one man dead and quite a few trailer homes demolished. We stopped and talked to one of the neighbors, who said that he didn’t understand why there are now so many tornadoes in January, and that no one was prepared. It was pretty easy to see the path that the tornado took from the downed trees…we are of course wondering if this might be directly connected to global climate change…

We have found, in every state so far, pockets of healthy activism thriving within a sometimes slower general populace. In Arkansas, we supped with St. James Episcopal Church in Eureka Springs and entertained lively conversations about sustainability amidst terrific chow, the boys ate with the kids at the Arkansas Sustainability Network in Little Rock, and we made friends with some wonderful waiters at a Japanese restaurant (like burgeoning rock star, Johnny Rocket) as well as the fantastically forward-thinking couple, Orlo and Mary Stitt.

We entered Arkansas planning to cover farming/hunting but our last-minute connection couldn’t afford our lack of time. We had also hoped to talk to the people at Wal-Mart Corporation’s HQ in Fayetteville, as Mark had met some at the Al Gore Climate Training Program last spring, and they had seemed more than enthusiastic to share Wal-Mart’s “greenness” with the public. But, even with a few weeks lead time, and several different contacts, no Wal-Mart representative ever agreed to talk with us.

We did, however, really enjoy our interview with Orlo Stitt of Stitt Energy. He toured us through his entire neighborhood, which he designed, with every house oriented true south and making use of both passive and active solar, and the most efficient design/ materials. He even shook us down a few persimmons from the trees…which were yummy…and I saved some seeds I would really love to plant someday…i hope they are in my coat pocket still?

Everyone in Arkansas told us we would be crazy to miss Eureka Springs so off we went. On the way to Eureka was a stunning little church set back in the woods on a hill called ThornCrown Chapel (designed by architect E. Fay Jones). Not normally open this time of year, the chapel was being visited by a young couple looking for a place to have their wedding, so we were fortunate to be allowed in to have a quick look around. It was pretty beautiful.

We spent enough time in Eureka to enjoy a nice dinner at St James and to listen to wonderfully wise Dale Caldwell. We also had several delicious meals at an eclectic and delicious little eatery called Local Flavor Cafe. Though we didn’t note anything particularly environmental about Eureka itself, the people, like most of the people we encountered in Arkansas, were sweet as pie. And they care. Which is the best place to start. Next stop: better education.

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February 19, 2008 by Julie.

One connection we had in Florida was this dude who is the voice of Captain Planet, an animated series starring this eco superhero who is constantly saving the Earth. Environmentally, that is. Apparently the actor has moved to France. But that’s ok because yesterday we met up with a buddy of his who transforms into a real live superhero, Earthman, donning a giant globe and visiting communities all over Florida spreading environmental awareness through word, song and design. (He has a great website which features him rapping all about what’s happening and what we need to do…) We followed Earthman to the beachfront in Hollywood, FL, where he shared some of his thoughts with us and interacted with several passersby.

We got words from a very sage Mitch, and from a wonderfully happy Chinese woman named Emma who told us that, at age 82, she no longer needs to shake hands, only hug. She also hugs trees regularly and recommended that we all do the same, making sure to ask beforehand to borrow some of the tree’s energy, in case the tree is sleeping. I totally went and hugged Emma’s favorite tree and, I must say, I felt completely hugged back. I never felt better about hugging a tree. Palms are so nice.

Emma also told me that she met Cary Grant in the 60’s when she was hugely pregnant and that, when she protested that she was too fat to take a picture with him, he said, “Women are most beautiful when they’re pregnant.” She said that, looking back on the picture of her huge pregnant self next to such a strapping handsome man, she inwardly thanked him for being such a beautiful liar.

Alright so the beaches down here are gorgeous, and the weather tremendous. It’s no wonder that my Dad always complained about moving away and no wonder that so many people are still moving here, despite its being over-developed in very many places. The population is exploding in Florida, and Florida is starting to see the effects. In the next few days, we are going to be talking to Friends of the Everglades and to the St John’s Riverkeepers about how population, among other things, is affecting what’s left of Florida’s undeveloped land and waterways, and wildlife sanctuaries.

In the meantime, and speaking of population increase, baby girl is finally making herself felt in the belly and I smile every time. little squirrel. even if I am a little fat. Here’s my pregnant lady shadow at the beach…

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