Go! Smell a summer adventure

August 20th, 2008 by Simple Zack

Organic and sustainable vegetable farming, serving a meal to the poor soup kitchen guests, swimming in ponds and creeks nestled in the great Appalachian Mountains, foraging for wild fungi and edible plants, travelling by train to Chicago and then to Kentucky only to hike through more Appalachia down south and see the great Natural Bridge.

This summer I went out and smelled the flowers.  I met some wild and interesting characters and had some wild and interesting experiences, all of which inspired me to inspire others.  And it made me think why so many people feel like they can’t do much.  They may get too tied down to with their job, get too busy, forget about what’s important, or fail to sort out their priorities.  If you ever want something in life, you just got to reach out and grab it, get out there, and smell the flowers.

I’m glad to be back in the garden.

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31 Comments »

Comment by Lib
2008-08-20 20:06:38

Wow Zack.

I am completely and utterly green with envy. As green as those trees in fact.

How did you get involved with this? Was it via your Uni or a charity?

I would absolutely love to do something like that.

 
Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-20 22:49:53

It was through a very unique intership involved with my university. If you’re interested in things like this check out wwoof.org . I think I’ll get involved with wwooff in a couple years.

Comment by Lib
2008-08-21 16:16:01

I’ve just had a look now.

Would love to do it but would risk getting fired for eating more than I was picking.

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 17:41:28

You so right, picking peas was the worst. If I wasn’t munching on some I’d be throwing them at people across the pea patch. Boy did my bucket of peas look shabby.

Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

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Comment by Jim & Em
2008-08-20 23:47:45

Welcome back Zack!

After all that hard work on blog idol you can now enjoy posts like this as you inspire others in your unique way. Our youngest founders at flowers to the garden could all be yours in 70 years :-) We’ve missed ya but rest assured you’re timing is perfect as we lock into travel, inspiration, health, food, books and fun.

Anymore travel plans or places you’d really like to see?

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 00:13:14

I’ve been to Washington D.C., but I might visit there for Halloween. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is hosting a health food convention I think, so that might happen as well.

Eventually, I plan on biking cross country to the Pacific too.

Simple Zacks last blog post..(Almost) End of Summer

Comment by Jim & Em
2008-08-21 16:41:27

Great - Don’t forget to add Dubai to your list - 2010!

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Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 17:42:52

Of course, how could I forget. :)

 
 
 
 
Comment by aussiecynic
2008-08-21 04:16:14

welcome home zack..
we have missed you.. ;)

you certainly had an adventure… nice journey.. and loads more to come…
way to go..

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 17:43:58

Thanks AC.

Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

 
 
Comment by ClinicallyClueless
2008-08-21 04:37:31

What a fantastic and beautiful thing to do. I love the picture. Welcome back!!

ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..PAST JOURNAL ENTRY: August 23, 2005

 
Comment by Purple13
2008-08-21 15:34:12

crikes! if it’s a tree across the ravine, then it looks like something out of King Kong and if its a rock pathway, then it’s Indiana Jones crusade time.

Looks an interesting trip anyway - great picture. Have you seen the film - Into the Wild? Your journey reminded me of that film, but with a happier ending.

Oh and did i say welcome back - no need to ask where you’ve been.

Jonathan. (purple13)

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 17:46:32

You know it….. I think I’ve watched Into the Wild about 3 or 4 times. It’s an inspiring movie for me and I might actually go shopping at a bookstore for the book today. :)
Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

 
 
Comment by Sarah
2008-08-21 17:31:30

That is so amazing..I never seen a natural bridge before..I am totally speechless looking at the bridge..If only I can look at the real thing..

Sarahs last blog post..I am Back

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 17:48:27

It really is awe-inspiring. Natural Bridge is the most famous, and probably biggest, out of up to a hundred of them in that area alone.

Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

Comment by ClinicallyClueless
2008-08-21 18:38:14

What is the bridge comprised of?

ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..PAST JOURNAL ENTRY: August 25, 2005 ~ Teasing

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Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 18:46:14

From Wiki: The natural sandstone arch spans 78 ft (24 m) and is 65 ft (20 m) high. A natural process called “weathering” is thought to have formed the arch over millions of years.

Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

 
Comment by ClinicallyClueless
2008-08-21 20:23:49

Wow!!! Nature is so awesome!!

ClinicallyCluelesss last blog post..PAST JOURNAL ENTRY: August 25, 2005 ~ Teasing

 
 
 
 
Comment by Mighty Morgan
2008-08-21 17:36:33

Yeah Zack!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back to the garden…you have been missed. Can’t wait to hear more about the many different and inspiring aspects of your personal flower smelling journey!!!!!

 
Comment by Taylor Blue Subscribed to comments via email
2008-08-21 17:49:38

Welcome Back Zack….

‘Tis true…you never know if you are going to be around tomorrow. After I was told that I had a week to live and survived it I am sure that I cease all the opportunities I can.

“Work like you don’t need money,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
And dance like no one’s watching.”

Comment by Simple Zack
2008-08-21 18:19:04

This is why I love flowers. Aside from the British humour, thorns, and what not, you find little bits of inspiration here and there. I love it. Thanks Taylor.

And Abraham Lincoln said, “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”

Simple Zacks last blog post..Simple Thoreau

Comment by Taylor Blue Subscribed to comments via email
2008-08-21 18:23:25

It is pretty amazing here.. :)

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Comment by Jim & Em
2008-08-22 11:19:45

Brit humour / humor just makes you stronger, right?

And to help grit our teeth and return the next day! :-)

 
 
Comment by Lib
2008-08-21 18:24:24

or my personal favourite -

‘Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.’
-Benjamin Franklin

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Comment by Taylor Blue Subscribed to comments via email
2008-08-21 18:26:09

That one is good too.. :)

 
Comment by Urban Pagan
2008-08-21 18:45:04

or my favourite

sometimes you may feel weak
not have the strength to be that strong
but its a much better bloke
who ends with a joke
when everything is going f*****g wrong

A. Hitler
A Bunker
mid 1945

inspirational stuff

 
Comment by Jim & Em
2008-08-21 22:17:11

Erm, inspirational indeed Urban one.

Oh dear.

Time we rekindled the inspirational quotes when we post, folks.

 
 
 
Comment by Urban Pagan
2008-08-21 18:41:00

sorry taylor but I thought it was

love like your doing it for money
dance like you’ve just been hurt
and avoid work if no one’s watching

Comment by Taylor Blue Subscribed to comments via email
2008-08-21 18:42:39

HA! That version is pretty good too!!! Sometimes dancing like you’ve just been hurt works too…but it’s not very inspirational

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Comment by Lib
2008-08-21 18:43:09

Lol!

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Comment by Jim & Em
2008-08-22 17:59:47

Looks like we need to start the Zack fan club here at flowers?

‘Zack is back’

 
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