Uprooted, an eco/travel blog

Let’s get one thing straight: I’m spoiled, having grown up in California. There, springtime means flowers, sunshine, cute little rainclouds, maybe some fog. Here, it’s… well it’s exciting.
My first night at Zephyros Farm, I set up my tent as usual, and went to bed early like a good farmworker. It was quiet and breezy as [...]

Yes, that’s right: it’s time to talk about irrigation! WHOO exciting! IRRIGATION YEAH!
Okay, calm down all yous. It may not be the most fascinating topic, but it’s more interesting than you think. And it’s necessary: in places like Paonia, which gets less than 20 inches of rain a year, it’s next to impossible to farm [...]

This summer’s dust storms in Utah were so fierce, their red, dusty winds reached as far as the Rockies.

Last Sunday, I arrived at Zephyros Farm and Garden, where I’ll be staying and working for a couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I knew I’d love this place. 35 acres of organic, healthy goodness: Zephyros abounds with beautiful veggies, scampering lambs, mouthy goats, budding blooms, and one big black dog called Ullur who spends [...]

Meet the White-Lined Sphinx Moth, also known as the Hummingbird Moth. Why? Because it looks exactly like a gol-durn hummingbird, but with a strangely insectile head. These things are flitting about all over the place here, inserting their proboscii into various flora, buzzing slightly, and not caring at all if you get right up close [...]

I made it over the Rockies to the Western Slope… see? Shot this video on Sunday after bathing in the river.
I have lots more to show&tell, of course. Dust storms & giant moths & ice rain & dandelion wars, and I’ve only been here five days! Get excited, and go away and come back later. [...]

photo originally uploaded by hojaleaf and tagged paonia

By the time you read this, I’ll be gone!
If everything went as planned, I caught a ride at noon and will arrive in Paonia this evening. I’m less prepared than ordinary: don’t know where I’ll stay tonight. Caleb’s memorial starts today (and lasts all weekend) and I’m thinking [...]

When you’re a voluntourist, buying the wrong boots can land you in some very uncomfortable spots.