Like most things, this blog and website, as well as the project it documents, are a work in progress.  My hope is to use it as semi-private/semi-public documentation of progress at Willow Springs.

This community project has had an exciting history.  In 2000, the vision for the place was first conceived by Ross Evans and Kipchoge Spencer, co-founders of Xtracycle, Inc., with the goal of moving the operations of the company to the site, and creating a hub for the San Juan Ridge community.  Late that year, Ross purchased the property and the triage immediately began.  The Ridge rallied to help clean up the neglected buildings and land.  Volunteers contributed hours and hours of time to remove tons and tons of scrap metal, rotted wood, and other waste.  Blackberries were battled back and trees pruned; buildings spruced up with love and a new coat of paint.

Over time, Xtracycle did finally settle into the back of the old auto garage, which had been converted into a loft-style office space with clay plastered walls and high-speed internet.  More recently, the old miners' cabins have been upgraded to more modern standards and the various outbuildings have been salvaged for art studios and storage.  The main house gallantly has been serving as a community space for events centered around food and entertainment.

I joined the fray in the summer of 2005, and in January 2006, Ross and I officially became partners in Willow Springs NSJ.  With my background in architecture and planning, we started to craft the next phase of property.

Last fall, Xtracycle graduated to a new office in Oakland, Kipchoge left to lead the Pleasant Revolution bicycle-music tour, and Ross