In one year’s time, Myshell Howler & Ron Landau traveled to each of the 50 states spreading a message of unity. Despite the many regional differences, they witnessed that every living creature is a reflection of their surroundings. It’s their belief as the founders of AHOWAN (Awakening Humanity to Oneness with All Nature) that a single lifeline runs from the oceans of Hawaii to the hills of Tennessee and everywhere in between.

At Spiritual Centers and other locations all throughout the country, Howler & Landau held a series of workshops spreading a message of PEACE (Peacefully Encompassing All Creatures Energies), highlighting a oneness between pets, their owners and nature. “There’s a beauty of showing how at one you are with your pets, and then with nature. Everything you love about your pet is what you love about yourself,” said Howler.

The President of AHOWAN, Howler has worked with pets for almost 20 years and prior to beginning the country wide journey, she owned a K-9 bed & breakfast/doggie day care business.
Through her experiences with dogs and knowledge of spiritual living, Howler noticed a correlation between the canines’ behavior and her mood. When she felt tense or anxious over something, the dogs would be agitated, and calm while she was joyous.

In one state, a woman brought a horse, which she couldn’t get to jump over any hurdles. “I asked the horse’s owner, ‘which obstacles in your life are you refusing to jump?’ Our animals mirror our behaviors,” said Howler.

Their journey began in September of 2011 on a motorcycle, which Howler drove, while Landau followed in an Element. Their nights were spent in campgrounds or host homes. They endured all types of weather conditions, including waking up in Dillard, Georgia to three inches of snow on the ground. “Thankfully the campground had a sauna pool, it helped make the snow more tolerable,” laughed Howler.

Beyond the typical road construction, their travels were also hindered by bison & moose blocking the road, as well as seeing a grizzly bear in Alaska. Howler slowed down to try and take a picture, but when it started to charge with a ferocious growl, she chose to speed away.

To get a sense of the area, Howler & Landau went to a Wal -Mart in all 50 states. They found differences in atmosphere and personal behaviors, as some places were extremely friendly, like Dothan, Alabama; while at others, such as in Oregon, smiles were hard to find. “There was a huge difference between the Wal-Mart in Harpers Valley, West Virginia where you could go in barefoot and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina which was more upscale, like a Kohl’s,” said Landau.

From their journey, they each learned how proud citizens are of their home states, with the exception being Ohio. In all the other states, everyone expressed how there is nowhere else they would rather be. “Everywhere we went, people said, ‘This is the best place to live,” said Howler.

They also got a taste, literally, of the different cuisines from across the country. Landau enjoyed the variety of flavors, “Everyone fixed us their favorite recipes or took us to their favorite local restaurant. It was wonderful,” he said.

As much as areas in the country vary, in every state Howler & Landau saw a bald eagle & a vulture. Howler was also very pleased to have put her feet in the waters of all 50 states.

To travel the country on a motorcycle was a dream of Howler’s and she encourages everyone to chase theirs. She experienced firsthand that the possibilities are endless as the world is full of opportunities. “Don’t stop dreaming, there is room for your dreams in this world for them to come true. There’s nothing you can’t do, you just have to get up and do it,” she said.

Their message of PEACE will continue to be spread, as they will next be heading to India and for 2014 is planning a tour down the Pan-American Highway and into Argentina. For more information on AHOWAN, visit www.ahowan.org.