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      SEED Sessions

      Photo-Camping the Buttermilk's

      Photo-Camping the Buttermilk's

      SEED People's market is a unique store that offers niche products that appeal to modern design and inspiration from the classics. Although the SEED team has developed a one of a kind store environment they derive all of this creativity from the outdoors.

      This latest trip to the Buttermilk region near Bishop, CA is no exception. With just a truck, camping gear and 35mm roll of film, this group captured some vibes that we can all appreciate.  

      "We took a trip to the high desert and the beauty of that place did not disappoint. There is not much to say about this trip besides it being a breath of fresh air and a weekend full of good times. What's a trip into wide open spaces without some off roading through its huge rock formations? We climbed 100ft rock faces and walked carefully across frozen log bridges. The road up to that lead to the High Sierras was closed due to weather conditions, but the desert that surrounded us was unique and beautiful in its own way.

      Bishop CA Camping

      Nissan Frontier Offroad

      35mm film photo in Bishop, CA

      Road trip through Bishop, CA

      Shooting with 35mm film outdoors

      Camping in Bishop, CA

      35mm film photos from camping road trip

      A Weekend at Joshua Tree

      A Weekend at Joshua Tree

      Southern California is a mecca for outdoor activities ranging from Skiing in the San Bernardino mountains to Surfing in the Pacific Ocean. One of the most incredible places in the world is right here in southern California. Known for its distinct trees, ethereal sunrise/sunsets, and incredible landscapes, Joshua Tree is one of the most magical national parks I have ever been to. The park has something to offer for everyone. Here are the top four places to visit on your next trip to the park!

      Weekend Trip to Hungry Packer Lake

      Weekend Trip to Hungry Packer Lake

      "Have you ever given yourself the gift of a breath of fresh air, a moment to challenge your strength, endurance, and sanity? We learn so much about ourselves when we take a step outside, far away from anyone and anything. Once you have experienced it for yourself, you will never stop going out into the wild. 
      Our hike up the mountain to Hungry Packer Lake was anything but ordinary. Of course, when we were out in the wilderness, there was seemingly no end to the beauty that surrounded us.
      Hungry Packer Lake Backpacking Trip
      Once we stepped away from the hustle and bustle of our lives in the big city, I really began to notice our surroundings in such a profound way. It took us two days to get to the highest point of the trail. We jumped through streams, climbed huge rocks, slept in the trees, fished in the ponds, and rediscovered the wild in a new and unique way. 
      Best weekend camping trips
      Hiking Hungry Packer Lake
      GoPro photo with dog
      The night that we got to the top of the mountain, there was a huge fire blazing on the other side of the Hungry Packer ridge. I honestly stayed up most of the night wondering if the blustering wind was drawing the flames closer toward us. Judging by the height of the ridge and the rocky terrain, I can confidently conclude that my fear was totally irrational.
      Fire danger while backpacking
      Sleeping under the stars while camping
      There were many instances like this though. Moments when I thought for sure that I could not overcome the obstacle in front of me, but then ceased to amaze myself when I was able to. That was the biggest lesson that I took away from this trip, realizing that I am more than capable of facing my fears and overcoming those things that hold me back. Taking risks is one of the single most important things we as humans need to do, the moment that we finally muster enough courage to just jump off of the (metaphorical) cliff, is what causes us to grow and gain confidence in who we are.
      Best camping trips 2016
      Camping photos from Hungry Packer Lake
      It is truly a gift to be able to explore such magnificent beauty out in the mountains. I think that we were made for the wild, and that deep within our beings, we are searching for our freedom, we need that breath of fresh air.”
      Gopro Hero camping photos
      - Kelli Hiner 

      Costa Rica Coffee Mill Tour

      Costa Rica Coffee Mill Tour

      Seed Peoples Market is back in Costa Rica with The Coffee Nomad!

      Have you already read The Coffee Nomad's first post on traveling to Costa Rica?

      Bienvenidos to Don Eli Coffee Farm - Costa Rica

      SAN MARCOS DE TARRAZU, COSTA RICA 

      Have you ever visited one those places where you start missing it before you even left it? 

      Well, those were my exact sentiments when I first laid eyes on Nela’s home in Costa Rica. 

      The beautiful wooden home sits on a quiet street in their small town of El LLano de La Piedra. The guest house was added on after Carlos’ (farm owner) string of international guests became a regular event during the harvest season. 

      Costa Rica Coffee Farm - seedpeoplesmarket.com

      Costa Rica Travel - seedpeoplesmarket.com

      I quickly threw my luggage into my room and briefly met my new housemates.  Carlos wanted to show me El Pastora, the highest point at Don Eli Farm, and the best time was during the days sunset.  

      Costa Rica Coffee Farmer - seedpeoplesmarket.com

      Costa Rica Landscape

      Costa Rica Sunset

      It's here in these hills that Carlos sends his pickers at the end of the day to count the “cajuelas” - or standard unit of measurement for coffee cherries in Costa Rica. Many harvesters are indigenous natives from nearby countries like Panama.)

      Coffee Farm Costa Rica

      Coffee Cherries

      MICRO-MILLS

      Costa Rica Coffee Drying Beds - Seedpeoplesmarket.com(Drying beds at Don Eli Micro-Mill)

      A loud, abrupt knocking near my bedside window woke me up that first morning.  It nearly gave me a heart attack.  It was pitch black and I forgot that I was in freaking Costa Rica. 

      I whispered fiercely to my new roommates, a French and German couple, across the room, “What is that?!” 

      My roommate slurred, “It’s Carlos. For the micro-mill.”

      Costa Rica Micro Mill - Seedpeoplesmarket.comI sighed in relief. I was not under any fire or deadly combat.  I then growled under my breath - I felt like I had just went to bed.  Much like pulling off a band-aid, I yanked the covers off and stepped onto the wooden floors.  I stumbled in the dark and became ever so grateful for my flashlight function on my iPhone. I threw on my comfiest clothing and hiking boots to begin my morning with Carlos at the micro-mill.  

      Their micro-mill sits just beyond the Monteros house.  This is where the coffee magic happens.

      A micro-mill is a small coffee farm that also has its own wet mill and processing on its farm. 

      Costa Rica Drying Bed

      And if there’s something that distinguishes Costa Rican coffee from other regions, it’s their micro-mills.

      About 15 years ago there was a Micro-Mill Revolution in Costa Rica.

      Before there were micro-mills, there were mega-mills controlling the entire coffee industry in Costa Rica.  Producers would be shorted by large co-ops on coffee cherry counts. In these mega-mills, the carefully picked, higher-quality cherries would get mixed with low quality cherries.  This left little incentive for coffee producers to perform their best and to motivate harvesters to pick the best cherries.

      Costa Rica Coffe Process

      In operating a family-owned micro-mill, coffee producers can not only be selective in coffee cherries (being able to separate varietals or different types of coffee cherries, i.e. Typica from Caturra, etc.) but allow for experimentation with coffee processing.  

      Costa Rica Coffe

      It also allows the coffee producer to deal directly with coffee buyers.  This is the best form of direct trade and fair trade there is. Often, the official certification for such labels are too expensive for coffee producers to afford.  But we will get to that in our next post. 

      Don Eli Coffe(Left to Right: Jacob, Lucia, Carlos, Don Eli, Nela and Maria Jose) Photo from DonEliCoffee.com)

      Coffee Micro Mill

      The Don Eli Micromill is truly a family-operated mill. From Jacob (Nela’s brother) overseeing the de-pulping of beans, to Maria Jose (Nela’s younger sister) being meticulous with the drying process, it’s all Montero business. 

      Coffee Drying Process

      I was pretty much like a fat kid in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.  And Carlos was just as excited to give me the grand tour of the best micro-mill in town. 

      He would walk and talk at the same time while instructing someone to do more of this and more of that. He urged me to climb to the top of the wet mill or to help break apart dried up coffee cherries that were being “natural processed” (left in the sun to dry with their skins and pulp) leaving them sticky and practically glued together from their own sugary residue. I’d eventually go cherry-picking for a half a day and be pretty awful at it. 

      The Coffee Nomad

      I had visited many micro-mills that all were as unique as the families that operated them. I had also made a quick visit to the CO-OP (or the COOPETERRAZU) a cooperative where coffee processing is done on a much larger scale. It was here that I learned that the Costa Rican coffee community is a tight-knit community. Everyone pretty much knows one another and they prefer it that way. Aside from personal relationships this includes the reputation of exporters as well as trading companies. If one exporter burned a producer, news would travel fast and the damage could be irreversible for their business. 

      It’s mind-blowing how much you can learn in such a short period of time - especially when your mornings and late nights are fueled by freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.

      In our next post we will discuss the “Tica” way of life (that may or may not include the best chicharrones in town), how Nela is changing the coffee-buying game, and what “Fair Trade” and “Organic Coffee” labels really mean to coffee producers. 

      Neal From Don Eli Coffee

      It kind of makes you think twice about your average cup of Joe.

      Until next time, 

      Mugs Up & Pura Vida, 

      The Coffee Nomad

      Are you in need of some new coffee gear after reading this? Check out our latest collection of fine coffee goods at SEED Peoples Market!