The next day after meditation, and meeting some interesting locals in the session, I finally started rolling back on my dissertation –that felt good. I worked on it all day at Jim’s place, and the was up early the next day back at it down the coffee shop. I didn’t know at the time I was about to begin “extreme stimuli day”. Jim came in and while sharing a coffee, he mentions that Mary-Dee is a woman I might like to meet. “She’s 90+ and a very active innovative educator.” Are you noticing a theme here? That’s Jim for you. He is rather amazing at connecting people up and engaging with the community. Of course, who walks in shortly thereafter, but the passionate Mary-Dee. She just dropped off her pooch for a grooming, and has some time to spare for a coffee. She has more energy than I’ll ever have, and I am drawn to her instantly. After our brief chitchat, she very warmly invited me to come stay with her. Herb & Judith came in and we had more interesting conversations, and he provided me with a connection to a gal who is from the local Pomo Native American Indian tribe. I’ve been re-ignited on my interest in Indian matters (I’m Wyandot Indian from my mom’s side), and I was looking for a way to “in” to talk to someone and understand more about the current state of affairs- from some Indian folks perspectives. I went back to Jim’s place to work after a bit more chitchat with some other cool locals, including a twenty-something banjo-wheeling fellow from the Pennsylvania, who works at the cooperative, and explained that he’s traveled a lot throughout the country, but landed in Point Arena because of the great people.

After a few hours, I joined Jim and Chris oceanside to watch them paraglide. It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed taking writing breaks to watch as I continued my work oceanside (totally digging this mobile setup!). On the return to town, I got to experience both the food co-op and bio-diesel initiatives in town -I was rather unfamiliar how either of these projects might work in a community. Both very interesting, and offer lots of food for thought. I find it inspiring to meet folks consciously attempting to make their communities and this world a better place. As Jim comments, “There tends to be pros and cons to the various projects, but we keep learning and growing.” I posted a short video of both After a few hours, I joined Jim and Chris oceanside to watch them paraglide.  It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed taking writing breaks to watch as I continued my work oceanside (totally digging this mobile setup!).  On the return to town, I got to experience both the food co-op and bio-diesel initiatives in town -I was rather unfamiliar how either of these projects might work in a community.  Both very interesting, and offer lots of food for thought.  I find it inspiring to meet folks consciously attempting to make their communities and this world a better place.  As Jim comments, “There tends to be pros and cons to the various projects, but we keep learning and growing.”  I posted a short video of both here.  Please forgive my filming and editing.  I am still very new to doing all of this on an Ipad.  Note too that Steel was not feeling well (poor thing), so it was just me out filming.  After helping unload the food truck, our tummies were rumbling.  Time for some grub.

We head to Uneda Eat (the new owners conveniently changed the old sign from the former butcher, Uneda Meat, by just darkening out the “m” -ha!) on the main strip in Point Arena. Rob is a gourmet chef and together with his friendly engaging wife, Jill, they own and operate this amazing restaurant. As if the delicious food isn’t enough, it turns out that the couple did some extensive bicycle touring together in the U.S., Europe and beyond. They ironically refer to that period on the road as their three year honeymoon. Rob is still an avid mountain biker, and dreamily mentions that for his 50th birthday he wants to do this particular mountain bike “thing” in Italy (& ? France) -sounds like some sort of trail system where you can mountain bike from place to place and your lodging and food are all set up each day (it sounds cool –must look into this). Their food is incredible and inspired. All the food is locally sourced, and Rob makes all the homemade sausages. “Everything they use, they make in house,” he explains while chatting with us, cooking away, and sipping his beer.  How is it that every little store or operation in this town appears to be run by very passionate inspired people?