Two Weeks

So, we've got two weeks before we head off on our trip. Yeah. Two weeks, twooooo weeks. Besides trying to solidify a trip itinerary, fixing up our bikes, finding the money needed to fix up our bikes and preparing to leave the country for 3 months, we are all on schedule.

I thought about making a paper chain date counter, the type your grade four teacher had you make to count down the last month of school before summer, but then I realized it would stress me out too much. Instead I wrote at the top of my calendar- "everything will be OK, maybe not great, but definitely OK." That was a week ago. Now I've hidden my calendar from view under a pile of denial and moving boxes.

I cannot wait to be on my bike with nothing else but my four panniers of life and my three Birds riding in formation around me.

Bike trips and tempeh tips

And suddenly its April. The cherry blossoms have popped, Hails is dying from allergies, Josie is in her last week of classes and Lauren is up to her knees again in landscaping. Spring is here. Apparently. And that means summer is right around the corner, which means 56 days until June 1st. 56 days until we leave! Ah! A realisation that fills me with dread with the thought of all the things that we still need to do before we leave, but also sheer giddy pleasure, the kind that creeps up the back of your neck and finds its way to your mouth, in a smile you can't quite wipe away. Oh man. Stoked and freaked.

This weekend, because we like to live on the wild side, us birds are heading over to Victoria for a weekend excursion, gear trial run, film/interview practice, and you know have general good time.

We are very excited because we will be visiting the Wayward School. It is a cooperative school all about thinking, making and doing. They offer interdisciplinary workshops, lectures, seminars, and community gatherings. This weekend they will be hosting workshops on tempeh, knife sharpening and lactofermentaion. Cool huh? We're looking forward to getting a chance to catch up with Heather Cosidetto and Stephen Morales, the folks behind the Wayward school, and to learn about the history of fermentation and friendly bacteria. Wahoo!

Stay tuned to photos and footage from the expedition.

-Haley

*SHIRTS*

yes, we do wear our own shirts. particularly for bike meetings. and you can too! 

organic cotton-S,M,L,XL. $25. logo designed by Skyler Punnett. all proceeds toward the trip! contacts us via email- birdsonbikes@gmail.com. yaH!

horseshoe bay trial run..

so, this past weekend us birds made tracks. as we initiate our training, we journeyed to horseshoe bay and back with our packs! other than a few sore butt cheeks we had a fabulous day. silly photos below.

birdbath styles

..we finally wrangled up the few photos we had from the birdbath evening. ya'll are sooo goood loookin'.

lizzy and jo-jo.

manon and melo.

claire.dylan.lauren.

the GEESE!

laurens mom the superhero.

ruffle/raffle cage.

~the ALBERTANS~

3/4 of bird crew- lauren. hails.hales.

tyler and nathan.

and then another FUNDRAISER!!!??!?! SD Style.

This is Josie and with a week off from school I flew south to catch some sun and see the family. And what did I find when I got there, but a lovely sister, Deana Carter and her group, Women Benefitting the Community, who wanted to throw another fundraiser for the BIRDS ON BIKES!!!!!

Tonight- Thursday February 17th, 2011, 6pm-9pm at Jose's Courtroom in San Diego. 1037 Prospect Street.

This time it's San Diego style- tequila, Mexican food and way too much fun! For those of you who can make it- DO!!!!

Caw-caw mis parajos!
Josie

ruffle/raffle

WHEW! The birds. have. been. on. hiatus.

The bird bath fundraiser shakedown was a success, although it left us entirely depleted of energy and time. We are incredibly grateful for all of those who helped, danced, drank and left leaving us increasingly stoked for our journey. I know there has been anticipation- we scored the numbers and we came out way on top with $1000 profit!!

This event was truly an insight into collaborative efforts. This was a reciprocal exchange among a network of incredible artists- The Albertans, The Geese, Adam and Allyson the DJ's, Voracious V and Madam Mae the burlesque dancers, the talented Skylar Punett who illustrated our logo, Kevin Hubbard who donated his amazing print, all of the local bike shops who generously donated their goods and of course ALL of our amazing friends and family who came out and donate their time. THANK. YOU.

The energy is UP and the word is out as we continue to exchange inspirations. At this point, after all the fundraiser chaos, we seemed to forget that we are doing a bike trip. And I realized that I am going to need a bike. Therefore, we are now researching fancy bike stuff, locations to visit, training. ETC.
Until next time...

Hailz.