For most of us the first thirty minutes of the morning usually consist of mashing the snooze button, turning the comforter into a human burrito shell and sleepily battling the urge to stay in bed. However, some mornings stand apart. Some glow with a special anticipation that lures us from our beds and warms away the familiar morning fog. If you have ever been that kid burning with exhilaration on Christmas morning or restlessly laying awake on the first day of school, you know how we felt watching the sun rise over Anaheim as we prepared for our exhibition at Expo West!

A short documentary about Love Grown’s inaugural trip to Expo West. Produced, Shot, and Edited by Dan Banta

There is one thing about driving a 35″ bus around…there is always an adventure to be had. We cut the Utah trip short and this meant I had to drive Elby back to Denver…alone. Totally confident (I mean, the drive is only 8hrs. 50min), I loaded ‘er up, strapped Pea the Prius onto the back and by 11am was on the road and headin’ east. I had my music, my snacks, and I was cruisin’. It was a BEAUTIFUL day to be driving through the mountains. The windy roads were dry and the sun was shining–at this rate I was thinking I would be home before everyone left the office (yes…we don’t leave until after 7pm…and that’s on a good day)!

As I started to make my way out of the mountains and into the plains, I crossed the boarder of Wyoming and had made it past the half-way mark on my trip. As I sung along to my tunes and gave big smiles to the truckers passing me by–a HUGE gust of wind whipped out of nowhere and a massive clamoring came from the right side of the bus! It was so loud and abrupt that it made my heart stop and I almost swerved off the road! I looked in my side mirror to see the awning unraveling while the plastic cover beat again the side of the bus. I turn on my hazard lights and make my way to the shoulder. I am barely off the highway (go figure the shoulder is just big enough to get Elby off the road) and the entire bus is shaking with the gusts of wind. Good ol’ Wyoming! I go to open the door to see what this mess is all about only to be FLUNG out of the bus as the door whips open against the wall. That’s when I lost it. Feeling helpless, scared, and frustrated, I climbed back into the bus and called Alex in tears… Alex (so calm and collected) orders me to get to a rest stop, off the road, and let the winds die down.

*    *    *

So there I am. Just me and the truckers. Hangin’ out at the I-80 Travel Plaza & Restaurant. Convincing myself that I was NOT staying there alone for the night, I stepped out and fought the wind to get to the back of the bus. I start climbing my way up the ladder and–I kid you not–the bus is swaying like a strand of wheat in a windy field. For a moment I flash to a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE like scene: me scuffling across the top of the bus and miraculously fixing the awning to be on my way again and home in time for dinner. Then, reality hits, and I know there is no way I am going to even take one step higher.

Back in the safety of the swaying bus, I call Alex (once again hysterical), feeling vulnerable and freaked out. We called GOOD SAM for “emergency road side service” and after hours on the phone they finally get a mechanic to come out. (At that rate, I have no idea what they do when you actually have an emergency…)

A great mechanic comes and let’s just say: there’s nothing tape and zip-ties won’t fix. In less than 30 minutes he’s done. Finally, I am back on the road and ready to be home. This little wind-blown experience delayed me close to 4 hours, but I made it home by 11pm and cannot tell you how nice it was to not feel like I was on the ocean! What a ride!

The below is taken directly from Nicole’s Blog Nicole’s Special Diet Creations:

*    *   *

“Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend a Blogger Breakfast here in Phoenix hosted by Love Grown Foods. If you’re not familiar with this young brand, they produce a line of delicious gluten-free naturally sweetened granolas called Oat Clusters & Love.

Aside from that, though, the founders, Maddy D’Amato and Alex Hasulak, are fantastic people who really care about promoting good health, especially when it comes to young children. On their travels in the famous Elby bus, they visit classrooms across the country to educate the younger generation about the importance of physical activity and a healthy, nutritious diet — including breakfast.

These two really change lives for the better and produce a quality product that just happens to be my favorite granola. Photos from this fun event are below. Thanks, Maddy and Alex, for being such great hosts and spreading the love here in Phoenix. Safe travels and come back soon!

Meet Elby

Love this photo of Maddy

…and this one of Alex

Oat Clusters & Love — very popular amongst the younger set!

…as was the fascinating Elby bus

I really enjoyed meeting all of the blogger moms…

So long, Elby. Come back soon!”

*    *    *

Be sure to check out all of Nicole’s blog (and her fabulous recipes) and you can also find her in the Scottsdale Examiner!

 

The below is taken directly from EATING BIRD FOOD:

*    *    *