Heartwood Institute - Garberville, CA

Without having attempted to "end" my trip at a certain point, or place, I have found a community to connect with and explore more deeply. To my surprise, it has many of the elements that I loved about the last community I lived in, and doesn't have some of the elements that i didn't appreciate as much.

The Institute is primarily a educational center, teaching the healing arts, health related courses, and specific intensives. I major shift is to happen this coming February, as they shut down the courses and begin to re-allign for there new goals. They are very interested in being a center that teaches sustainable living skills, and have taken action in the form of a permaculture plan for the entire property. For this they contracted Doug Bullock, another Orcas connection, a very experienced permaculturalist, and someone I admire. In short the new owners are wanting to change the direction of the community and the landscape as well.

Currently, they have a two gardens and a nice orchard, many structures for guests, a beautiful old lodge, a pool/sauna/hot tub setup.

I've been working down in the garden for the past week, and find the team very amicable and a good source of knowledge. Today a prospective new garden manager has come to see the property and inquire about the future plans and goals. She was a nice women, a mother figure, and Ammachi devotee, we connected.

Much in transition here at present, and more change to come. Adapting with the times is the mode, and there are amazing opportunities for the right people here.