Middle Earth Cascadia style | Trackers NW Blog

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Middle Earth Cascadia style
6th
May

Posted by Tony Deis on May 06, 2009 in Storytelling

In the beginning pages of Lord of the Rings you find a map. One etched in mythic lines, divided into iconic lands with a timeless past. The world of Cascadia is another fantastical landscape that extends from Northern California into Alaska. Throughout it lies great mountains, vast deserts, rugged coastlines and a lush green valley.

In reading Tolkien's books we meet people of heroic character. In Cascadia there are also champions questing in a relentless battle to save the world. Portland plays host to many fellowships: City Repair rebuilding neighborhoods into villages, Permaculturists reshaping the sidewalks and roads back to a Shire and Trackers training invisible elves and Rangers. We share wild and local foods in celebration and stand ground for our green Earth.

Nerdy metaphor? Of course but I don't care. Actually, we could more fully embrace the epic quality of our efforts. Values such as fidelity, passion, lineage and endurance are not outdated. They're exactly what we need to assail the mediocrity that our culture thrusts upon us, the squabbling in bureaucracies that prevents us all from becoming great. Honor is how we recreate warriors, sages and the eloquence that comes from their wisdom. And like Middle Earth, our land of Cascadia is center stage in this saga. With good people, it will be the story of returning to a life of legend, inspiring all of us to rise up.

Upcoming class roll...

Butcher a buffalo and traditionally preserve the meat, May 30 and 31, 2009
This class addresses our disconnect with our food through the full, unabridged killing, gutting, skinning, butchering and eating of a domestic American Buffalo. It is an intense and communal experience. Please weigh carefully if it is a good match for you. We strive to use all parts of the animal.
Feed your family

Rebuild the Shire, 1 year permaculture design course, Sept 2009-June 2010
4 seasons with the best teachers in the region: Leonard Barrett, Marisha Auerbach and Toby Hemenway, plus many other guest teachers. Urban and neighborhood based with over 200 hours of hands-on learning.
Help us rewild our land

Build your own skin-on-frame sea kayak, Eugene, July 18-26, 2009
Apprentice with a Master. Become versed in the essentials of boat design, wood bending, knot work and joinery. Our simple method of construction relies on hand tools, and is accessible to all people. We keep our classes small and select. Masters personally instruct apprentices.
Find your water body

Free Taster Days May 16 or 17, plus Wild and local foods potluck May 17 in the evening
Learn more about the TrackersTEAMS immersion program: build fires, throw swords (safely) and train live action stealth adventure (May 16). Attendees of previous taster days join us for the Alumni Day (May 17). And everyone come to the evening potluck. Bring a wild or local food while dressing formally with barefeet or boots.
RSVP or learn more here

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