Going Unplugged with $345 and 37 Hours to Go

Today, we are driving to Utah for a white water rafting trip. We will be spending 6 days on the Green River in Desolation Canyon. A friend invited us on this amazing trip that will be lead by experienced river guides, a firefighter, an archaeologist, and a geologist. We'll be in good hands and the experience and wisdom learned should prepare us a bit for Alaska.

Our first day on the river is Weds June 16th where we'll definitely be cut off from any electronic communication whatsoever until approximately June 24th. HOWEVER, there is a good chance we may be "unplugged" shortly after we hit the road TODAY. We don't have internet on our phones and may be camping on the drive there... So that means, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WATCH THE OUTCOME OF OUR KICKSTARTER PROJECT WHICH ENDS TOMORROW, MONDAY AT 11:59PM EDT...

That also means we may not be able to express our incredible EXCITEMENT and THANKS in the event our project is funded until we return home on June 24th. We're sorry for the delay... But don't worry that you didn't hear from us for a few weeks. We'll be hard at work on the mean machine, rewards, preparations, and THANKS when we return!

So we're putting it into your hands to spread the word for more backers. It is incredibly exciting to see how far you've brought our project!

61 Backers. $5655 pledged. $345 more needed to make our project happen with 38 hours to go!

Just a reminder, funding is all or nothing. So if we don't reach our $6000 goal, we get Zero.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SUPER AWESOME AND MAKING THIS HAPPEN!!! We greatly appreciate your pledges and your support in sharing our project link with everyone!

Cheers,

-Marty + Kelly

Our Current Route and Inspirational Maps

[This video was quick and sloppy since we're very occupied with fund-raising, finishing up a lot of jobs + projects, planning, moving out of our apartment... etc.  They'll get better once we get on the road.  Promise.  Also, our current camera is auto-exposure only, which is whack, and that's why you can't really see the map well- sorry.]


One great technique we learned to realize and actualize a trip of any kind is to buy a map, hang it up in your house, apartment, dorm, or bedroom and highlight you're route.  The key to accomplishing almost any kind of goal is to visualize it first.  If you can't see yourself doing it, and I mean really SEE yourself doing it, then you probably won't.  But, if you use your imagination and begin to develop the visualization of your goal, you'll be much closer to MAKING IT HAPPEN!

Although Google Earth and Maps are a powerful information tool, their power to INSPIRE a trip does not match a physical map.  You cannot physically touch and draw on Google as you can a normal map.  Also, Google gives you a limited amount of options from getting from one place to another.  It plans your route with numbered steps all the way.  With a physical map, you're more open to explore and create your own route, not one that a computer or GPS tells you. 

Monotone Robot Voice:  Look DOWN to next paragraph in approximately 2 lines.

By making your map and route more physically tangible, you make your dreams more tangible.  Granted there is the iPhone and iPad which allows you to "touch" the internets... but it's not the same.  Could you imagine pirates sailing around the world using Google Treasure Maps on an iPad?  I don't think so.  It's much more exciting to have a physical treasure map with a mysterious red "X" to crumple and throw into the air when you've found your chest full of gold.

However, Google does have some cool visualization tools.  Their maps have street view photos and satellite photos that help visualize a place or route.  A friend told me that users can now upload photos to maps and suggested we do so for our route.  We're looking into that as a way of documenting our trip.

Some may argue that Google can do everything... but I would disagree.  I do like certain technologies and am inspired by them, but I find the majority of technology more distracting.  Also, Kelly and I have found that Google can hardly understand a trip of such length.  We started off using Google Earth and directions, but Google couldn't comprehend the route very well nor our ambitions.  So we've turned to good old fashioned maps with greater success.  [Also, you can usually get maps for free from your car insurance company.]

So if you want to take a trip, Google's a great place to start...  But, if you really want the INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION to take off work or whatever that is holding you back... then get some physical maps, a globe, and start visualizing what you want to do!  Good luck!

-Marty

We Can Make You Fly on Kickstarter.com!

We're pushing to get support from A LOT of people but with smaller pledge amounts on our Kickstarter Fundraiser.  To do so, we're offering a NEW REWARD for ALL BACKERS!  We're gonna make you fly! How?  With a big model rocket dream that I never realized as a kid.  It symbolizes going after your dreams and the incredible potential of realizing them.  A mere $5 pledge will go a long way if we get the support of many.  See the video for more details.



(Unfortunately, Kelly has been out of town working... but we're planning more videos together when she's back.)

Also, we've been getting a lot of great feedback on our Youtube channel as well as thoughtful emails from people we haven't even met yet!  We love this support!!!  Thank you so much!  Get inspired, make dreams happen!

Peace,

-Marty