minneapolis to bozeman

a ride came along on craigslist that ended up working out perfectly. this guy was coming through minneapolis and going to bozeman on monday. Hoop Rider had been unsure where he might stop between minneapolis and spokane, but his intuition had guided him to look into bozeman. searching 'permaculture bozeman' showed him there was some going on there. one of the people he contacted on couchsurfing.org accepted Hoop almost immediately. when the ride came through craigslist, with room on the bike rack, it seemed meant to be.

so early this monday morning Hoop filled the remaining space in the car and the long trip began. this time he departed without the hula hoop he had been carrying since maine. he had leaned it against the front fence by the sidewalk upon arrival at this third host's place. since he was running late to a workshop that morning, and distraction of an excited dog, the hoop remained there. it was not remembered until the next morning, when Hoop went to meet a friend for breakfast. the hoop was gone, apparently found by someone who thought they could use it. it could have been a child who wanted to play with it. he hoped so.

the countryside was beautiful to view along the way to bozeman, especially after passing into montana. Hoop and the driver, a younger man passionate about the outdoors who has worked as a carpenter and white-water rafting guide, got along well and chatted off and on throughout the trip. Hoop worked on making the arm bands to match the rainbow headband he had made in chicago. he meditated in the car, which he found more challenging than in a still, quiet space. they ate in the car, Hoop sharing some food he'd brought so the driver would not have to eat crappy road food.
Hoops new friend in the driver's seat said he would like to start growing more of his food and have some chickens. he went on to explain that an older man he knows had bought some property in montana and was thinking he would try to get some young folks out there to grow food. this is another example of a new kind of partnership between property owners and young farmers! this is always exciting news to Hoop Rider.

when the trusty car rolled into bozeman it was foggy and very cold. arriving at the house of the couchsurfing host, Hoop relaxed into the joyful embrace of new old friends. there was already another couchsurfer there, who had arrived the day before. Hoop had a good feeling about these two, a kind of familiar, comforting vibe.