About Uprooted
Uprooted is a sustainable travel project, a two-year journey around the globe to promote the dual practices of sustainability and volunteerism. It’s an example of ecologically aware and environmentally viable travel on a very low budget.
About Jessica Reeder
I’ve been a freelance writer/blogger/editor, mostly on the intarwebs, since 2004. In and around that experience I’ve packed plenty of copy and technical writing. Raised in Nevada City, California where hugging trees was part of my classroom curriculum, I consider myself a post-hippie: dedicated to sustaining and improving the condition of our planetary systems, but not particularly excited about drum circles. I take environmental responsibility as my personal responsibility, and hope to show others that a lifestyle of ecological awareness can also be a grand adventure.
About The Path
I left from the San Francisco Bay Area in August 2008, and launched this blog in November. By the end of 2009 I plan to have reached the East Coast of the United States, at which point I hope to have received the funding to travel further— i.e. around the globe, which I will traverse in 2010. After that, I have no set plan.
I also have no car, which forces me to practice sustainable travel. Any vehicle I’m in is automatically a carpool; I spend lots of time on the bus and the train, and lots of time walking. I travel every two weeks or so, and in between travel days I mostly stay put and work in sustainable agriculture or green building.
It’s hard to be completely, 100% sustainable, and I don’t claim to be perfect. But I think I’m doing a pretty good job, and enjoying the journey more than I expected to. In fact, so far I’m having the time of my life.
You can follow this trip via my Route Map if you like.
About You
Yep, you.
Anyone can do this, and by “anyone” I mean “you”. I’ll show you some of the places around the world where you can travel and live on a shoestring while having a positive effect on the world and its people. But all I can do is show you. Next time you travel, it’s up to you to decide how you will do it.
If you find yourself young, unemployed, and kinda aimless, may I recommend that, instead of tackling a job search in an uncertain economy, you take a year to volunteer? It’s just a thought, but chew on it.
http://www.vimeo.com/5247320Original Post
(because it started like this)
In August 2008 I pulled up my roots, as it were: sold or gave away most of my stuff, put the rest into a cargo trailer and a backpack. The trailer is parked in my dad’s yard, and the backpack goes with me.
Where are we going, me and my backpack? Why, everywhere we can! Ideally, around the world. I haven’t really got any money, but I’ve got high ideals– and I know I’m not alone. People everywhere are getting into this whole “green” thing: the radical notion that we ought to respect our planet’s natural balance. It’s a belief I was raised with (thanks Mom & Dad), and something I want to be directly involved in promoting. So, I’m going to travel from organic farm to intentional community to permaculture development, working for my room and board. And I’ll chronicle my experiences here.
This isn’t just a flight of fancy: I’m in it for keeps. The travels may end someday, but hopefully not before I’ve found a place I can settle into. And certainly not before I pick up the skills I’ll need to create my own sustainable, off-the-grid homestead. The best way to learn how to build and run my own place, is to work for the people who are doing it now. So, among the picturesque photos and happy hippie hoopla, the blog will likely contain some useful how-to pieces: keys to independence and self-sufficiency, stuff we can all benefit from.
That’s the plan, anyway. Read the blog to see what actually happens.
November 2008
You’ve actually done it, I’m inspired. May the road and its diversion reveal all that you seek.
Oh, Ant, that comment made my night. Thank you.
Keep posting to Flickr and you’ll find myself drawn here to see what great things you’re up to.
Girl! This is great. I remember talking to you in Sept/Oct during restoration and you were definitely searching for a plan. I’m happy you are choosing your own adventures – and that they are interesting and meaningful ones!
xo Dani
This website is frickin’ awesome, so nicely designed, it’s beautiful! Mine, by comparison, is… well… full of character. This blog is sort of like the “what the heck are you doing here show” of eco-travel, gangee.
WOW – I love the design of your site and the content is great. I’m excited to learn more about your adventures. I’d love to do something like this in the future.
Thanks for the inspiration.
you have a lot passion for what you’re and it reflects on what you are doing witch is extremely nice, am architecture student fascinated by the idea of self-sufficient, and green technology used in architecture, I wish you the best in your journey, I hope to learn alot from u, good luck
Jessica,
Hello from Ottawa, Canada. I love your sharing and caring attitude. I admire your spirit and “go for it” momentum. Over the last 10 yrs I too have worked in sustainable agriculture such as Aquaponics, roof top gardens and commercial organic farms…. and now I teach others to grow for profit and build “earth-homes” like Micheal Reynolds here in this Canadian climate.
Last weekend I helped a friend start his cottage and this weekend we start our “weedless organic gardens” workshop.
I am looking for a writer and blogger to help us brand a better image and I love your style! I would love to chat more and maybe have you share our story and your travels to Canada… Eh!
Albert
Farm2Family
Ottawa, Canada
Jessica – what you’re doing is awesome, and it’s right. I’m thnking I’m a bit older than you, but have lived a life journey similar in ways to yours, and it will result, in time, in you being the hottest shit you know… and it’s going to be all about who knowing who you are – at the deepest levels – AND you will have lots of technical skills by then to do what your next step is “then” – whenever that presents it self – just as your original plan invisioned.
I am in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area of North Carolina and can assist you with all kinds of building, philosophy, planning, communication helps – whatever?
Kick butt and enjoy this amazing and REAL adventure that you’re on – Namaste, Jim
Hello. I was just on google searching for golden poppy pictures and I landed on your blog. It’s a beautiful picture. I’m a student artist and I was wondering if I can possibly use your golden poppy pictures to possibly paint or draw. Please get back to me whenever possible. Thank you!
What a wonderful quest you are on. May the wind be always at your back and the road rise up to meet your feet.
Thanks! Standard templates are good that way, it’s way easier to modify little bits than to build the whole thing.
Hi!
WOW, thanks! This might just be the best comment ever. I’m headed your way already, and will be in touch soon
Absolutely, go for it! There’s a hi-res copy on Flickr, if that helps.