This has been an amazingly productive week here in the Forest. We had a group of 12 work exchangers from Eckerd College (in St. Petersburg, Florida) here for three nights, as well as a family of three (Stan, Sam and Johnathan) on work exchange for several days and a few other work exchangers for one or two nights each. So much has been accomplished.

The group from Eckerd College spent their first day moving all the art supplies out of the Craft Room and into the top floor of the bunkhouse (once called the Corral). No longer are artists forced to hunt through a tiny room packed with art supplies and other random objects from around the Hostel and then find another space to actually make their art. Instead they have the newly-finished Collaboratorium, a huge space with all the same arts and craft supplies, plus room to move around, tables and benches to work on, a couch to relax on and even two bunk beds to sleep in. The space has truly been transformed into something beautiful and functional. So come see the Collaboratorium and give the Forest some of your amazing art lovin’!

Marie, another work exchanger, has moved the old library books out of the Hidey Hole and into the now-empty craft room. Hopefully the books will suffer less moisture damage there until the new dome is finished later this year and we are finally able to open the new library and teaching space.

Stan and Johnathan replaced many rotting boards on our boardwalks and also built a wall of palm fronds at the Angel Shower for some added privacy. You can still enjoy a beautiful view of the Forest, but no one can enjoy the beautiful view of you. Sam melted down dozens of old candles from all around the Hostel and poured about 30 fresh ones with the wax. One of the Eckerd College students patched all the tears in the screen of the Screen Porch. Joe (who’s on a bike trip from Tampa, Florida to Richmond, Virginia) replaced the bamboo and palm-frond roof on the Church Pooper … The list of things accomplished around here in the last week could go one for pages, so I’ll just stop for now. Now that the cold spell has passed us by, the under-canopy temperature has returned to it’s standard 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The days of long underwear, wool hats and electric blankets are over (at least for now), and we’re back to no shirt, no shoes, no problem.

Ko’Alani has moved on (without saying goodbye, which is her way) and Luke has joined us for a while. Carlyn is still rockin’ it out in the garden, and Clyde and Anton (both managers from years gone by) are here on work exchange as well. The Forest Family continues to flow and shift, and things around here just keep on keepin’ on. We hope to see you here soon so you can share your love with us and the Forest as well.

Until then, may your path be bright with Truth and Love.

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff