Another early morning start. Wake up was at 3am in Geneva, IL to make it in time for for the start of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's 18th Annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair, the largest of its kind in the world.
The fair was really impressive, with stands from all different realms fitting under the "Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living" label. Solar power, wind power, electric cars, veggie oil vehicles, sustainable building, henna tattoos, Organic Valley chocolate milk, butterscotch root beer (Dang! That's Good), and much more.
While one of our main goals this summer is to educate, we were also coming to Custer to better educate ourselves. We've been running on veggie oil for a few weeks now, but some people at this fair have been doing what we're doing for a career. A lot of the time the main response to the bus is one of surprise; here this was no big shock. So we had the opportunity to take it easy, chat, tell stories, and last but not least, play with kids. Lots of kids.
Whole Foods had given us a box full of balsa airplanes to be given out just days before the fair. We hadn't used them until Custer, and we
had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. The Custer fair had a kids' tent, but the whole first morning it was empty. Why? I'm pretty sure all the kids at the fair were at our bus, flying our planes. And by flying, I mean throwing them at the side of the bus trying to get them through an open window, failing miserably, watching the planes fall apart from the beating they were taking, and bringing their planes into the repair shop (myself and a roll of duct tape). Viv and I made some six year old friends and spent the best collective 34 cents of our lives getting dogs and cats painted on our faces. Thanks Iris and Athena. I'll never wash my face again.
Custer also allowed Crank to realize that he somehow attracts guys in tight leather shorts, boots, and yellow boy butter t-shirts, and guys
who wear tight, short, cut-off denim shorts, and look exactly like Tobias from Arrested Development. Never nudes.
Lastly, Sunshine gave birth to Olevia, our new baby (flat screen TV). And the Big Green Bus still loves Ed and Lamar. Thanks guys. Oh, and good luck Naomi. Wherever you may be.
- Mikey |
