Open Mind Open Heart

Seeking friends and ideas is the basis of an excellent education. I used everything I could lay my hands on. I learned from posters, newspapers, magazines and books to college classes, research papers, videos, maps and charts building my knowledge of the Great Lakes before I rode my bicycle around these freshwater seas. The book learning and what most folks would consider study taught me less than one percent of what I learned over the eighty days that it took to pedal around their basins.

I did have things to teach along my path, but what I learned dwarfed the messages that I shared with over six million people through radio, newspapers, television and the many hundreds more that I met face to face. Spiritual questing often requires at least some travel. Changing our location almost always changes our perspective in unusual ways. Not only do we see things from the perspective of others, but if we travel far enough, we can look back on where we were and begin to perceive our own blind spots. My mission when I took out on the 4280 mile ride was to share basic principles of living in harmony with the planet, living higher qualities of life at drastically lower cost. I had already spent ten years learning to live on next to nothing and the richness with which I was rewarded funded my ride.

Back then, I drank a fair amount of beer. Zymurgy, the art and science of cultivating yeast-fermented fluids had started as a curiosity and developed into a hobby. I had inadvertently discovered that instead of paying a dollar per bottle of beer, I could do a small amount of labor, and have larger bottles for just fifteen cents! Typically, a friend and I would share a tasty treat. Sharing a single home- crafted liter was way more satisfying than drinking several bottles of commercial swill. Prior to learning this skill, I would drink twice as much and enjoy it far less. The things that I have always felt the best using have had a large dose of human effort locked up in them and usually less material in general.

The giving of one's spirit to the creation of objects is one of the most primal urges known to mankind. Loving things into existence is also one of the most rewarding things we can do as humans. I appreciate many of my possessions because they "speak" to my heart. I also get a thrill when others who enjoy them can be gifted with objects that reflect this human, giving nature. As I travel, I am always looking to what others are willing to share about themselves and how they live as a matter of course. One of the most common complaints that I hear in my travels is that people wish that they could just do the things that make them happy and not have to "go to work". This calls to mind a serious question. What do I love to do?

Love really does mean letting go of fear. If there was no need to support your local banker, car dealer, or gas station, what would you rather do? This is the open mind part. Most of us have a really difficult time even asking this question. We immediately fall under the spell of the internal voice saying "*I have to be responsible! What about my mortgage? Who will make payments to my retirement fund and how will I keep up my insurance?" Fear, fear, fear. Really using our imagination requires letting go of these and ever more invisible bonds. The things that tie us to old ideas and old ways of seeing the world need to be suspended if we are to ask the question honestly, or begin to find our way to the answer.

A wise friend has put it this way. Find what speaks to your heart and soul. Look critically at the world and find out what you feel the most strife over. The greatest injustice as it were. I cannot say what will get your juices flowing, but you will know because the awareness of whatever it is will create an unquenchable fire in your heart. Your humanity itself will be mobilized in defense of your ideals. The solution to whatever problem it might be might not be clear at first, but once you dedicate yourself to studying the "problem" you will know what needs to be done. Once you grasp the issue and take steps to make things right, your true purpose will begin to unfold.

My own drive comes from making the world a better place for everyone. I have worked through the entertainment industry, the environmental community, peace and social movements and the food industry, helping to run a natural food co-op. Each way that I tried to work for peace and justice had more rewards than I could count with money. Each job that I have taken was for the benefit of others. The benefits to myself were collateral. When you travel through the world, remember, God/ess resides in all of us. Our greatest teachers are often found in unexpected places and we only gain through selfless giving.

Tune in. Turn on. Drop out.
This phrase was nearly worn out during the hippie days. We have probably all "heard" it, however very few understand it and fewer still actually know how to share the wisdom that lives in these six words. Tuning our sensory apparatus to recognize what really matters is what the first part is about. Focusing our attention on truth has the power to change what we are able to see. Get in touch with what moves your soul is what the second part refers to. It was misrepresented by the media as a reference to taking acid, specifically to prevent the "revolution" that could not be televised. Dropping out was a call to those that were falling into the trap of wage slavery. Walk away, become your truest self. Travel. Learn what really matters from real people, not books, not the academy, not the suits who still rule our lives. I love the "suits" that I deride enough to follow the wisdom of an old IWW slogan, which uses the suits of cards to help us remember their words:
A capitalists "heart" is in their pocketbook,
He holds a "club" over you,
So he can wear "diamonds".
Give him a "spade", so he can earn an honest day's wage.

Guidelines for ECO-Tourists

Respect local culture and tradition. encourage local pride, cuisine folk songs and tales, dance, dress, local etiquette and local architecture. Science, art and history lives in everything.Be friendly, inquisitive and patient. Respect Sacred places.
Understand that economic benefits of your travel should stay in the local community. Spreading your wealth to non-locally owned tourism businesses is bad. Give a fair price for locally grown produce. Indigenously crafted or value added products provide "right livelihood" to locals and use less resources.
Think eco-systems. Be conservation conscious. Support wise resource use through rainwater harvesting, composting and use of renewable energy. Use fuel wood sparingly.
Be environmentally sensitive; Honor biodiversity. Respect the carrying capacity of the physical environment and know that overcrowdinglessens the tranquility and simplicity that attracts you.
Make contributions to conservation. Revere the natural/cultural heritage of the area, it maintains local harmony. Help guides and porters observe eco-conservation measures. Remember that erosion of cultural integrity and values due to the introduction of 'outside' influences is ruinous to indigenous cultures. Avoid over-use of community infrastructure and imported products.
Keep local water sources clean and DO NOT USE chemical detergents in or around springs or streams. If no toilet facilities are available, make sure you defecate at least 30 meters, (100feet) from any water source. Bury all organic waste. Conservation of water is vital, especially drinking water. Water from kitchen waste or harvested rainwater can be used for sanitation and uses where water quality is less essential. Water sources should not be contaminated in any way. Ask about local water conservation etiquette.
Keep travel-generated garbage to a minimum. Compost, recycle and reduce pollution as much as possible. Proper disposal means only at appropriate points along the route. Leave no eyesores. 'Leave no trace' principles are to be followed. (If you are unfamiliar, ask) Leave camping areas cleaner than when you came. Another party will be using the site after you depart. Differentiate between biodegradable and petrochemical waste. Burn or bury paper, natural refuse and litter. Pack out everything else. Don't throw away any non-biodegradable waste! Keep all recyclables! Don't throw away any non-degradable garbage like plastic bags, foil packets, glass bottles or metal cans.
Reduce impact by seeing that no damage is done to vegetation. Taking away cuttings, seeds or roots without permission of authorized persons is illegal, especially in nature reserves. Stop people from plucking flowers and leaves. They should be left as they are for all to enjoy. As much as possible, keep to the paths and avoid stepping on vegetation. Avoid collecting souvenirs.
Do NO damage to trees/vegetation. Do not carve on trees or spray graffiti. Defacing rocks is pollution.
Firewood is scarce, even in wooded areas; use it sparingly, whether for heating water or for bonfires. Use fire-places that are provided or designated. Avoid making open fires and discourage others from doing so. There should be no carelessness with reference to fire. One small, careless fire can destroy an entire forest. Extinguish any fire, bonfire, grill, etc. before leaving the place. Do not throw away cigarettes or matches. Learn to strip out the tobacco, saving paper and filter for proper disposal. Be aware of the environs and surrounds. Be clear about the trek- some have a gentle slope, some have a moderate slope. Match your physical fitness to the tour being taken. Carry your personal water supply and medications. Inform your guide/networking coordinator of complete details about yourself. Personal needs, conditions and requirements need to be adressed before departure. you cannot ask halfway to terminate your tour.
Take every precaution to not get lost. In the eventuality that you do, specific instructions need to be followed. Always specify destination when leaving your party as well as expected return time. Stay put, if you lose your way or become disoriented to minimize the search area required to find you.
Minimize vehicle travel to reduce polluting gasses/smoke. Pooling for essential travel is cheaper and less polluting. Wherever possible walk. Use bicycles, horses, ponies or local pack animals when appropriate. Walking is healthy and non-polluting- stop, stand and stare-there is so much to absorb. Nature is awesome, serene and enriching. Avoid noise pollution, blaring horns, music systems, talking in loud voice, etc. Silence enhances the meaning and character of each precious moment. Take in the peace and tranquility. (That's what you are here for.)
Avoid offering food to animals and birds as you threaten their foraging and hunting skills. Non-native foods can make wildlife unhealthy. Feeding monkeys is hazardous and is discouraged. It always becomes a nuisance. NO hunting, hurting or teasing animals. Report offenders to the authorities. Wildlife viewing must be done, observing all security conditions prescribed. Shouting, teasing or chasing animals is strictly prohibited.
It is illegal to carry fire-arms/nets or any explosives.
Do not carry polyethylene or other prohibited plastics.
While taking photographs or shooting with your video-camera (for which there, most often, is a prescribed fee) you are encouraged to not disturb the subject you seek to capture in any way. Do not use flashes, particularly close up. as this can disturb and/or annoy wild animals and nesting birds.
Strictly follow guidelines for personal safety and security.
Wear comfortable clothes with inconspicuous colors like khaki, olive green or gray so as not to disturb environs with bright and gaudy colors. Use good quality trekking shoes-some are rainproof as well. Use hats/caps/sunglasses during hot days, rain gear during rains, jackets/wind cheaters, gloves, mittens, scarves and multiple layers during extreme cold. Travel light. Backpacker essentials- water, food, medicines (if any) and camera. Please ask your tour guide if tent, tarp or mosquito netting are needed for shelter on your particular tour.
For further information, clarification or ecotours, contact: ECO-Tours of Wisconsin Inc.1445 Porlier street Green Bay, WI 54301-3334 or call (920)884-2224
Another helpful source of further information is a group called: Leave No Trace.
This information has been gleaned from several sources and personal experience. It is for educational purposes and needs to be used as a starting point when discussing your ecotouring philosophy with others.