TheJourneyofBethB

Hippies, the homeless, the curious, and all manner of counter-culture individuals traveled from around the United States and Canada to promote peace and love from July 1-7^th at the Rainbow Gathering. I even drove to “The Gathering” from Ensenada, Mexico. Colorful schoolies, camper vans, crappy run-down old pickups, and even a Tesla or two crowded into makeshift parking lots in the Routt National Forest outside of Craig, Colorado. No one knows how many people attended, but I estimated over 7,000.

Getting There

Getting there was a huge undertaking, especially given all the rumors of roadblocks, washed-out roads, and police harassment. After traveling for nearly two hours on dirt roads at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, we saw a sign. “12 Miles to Rainbow!” Our enthusiasm was immediately replaced with concern as one of the eight police cars parked near the sign turned on their lights and pulled over my camper van.

Several police officers surrounded my vehicle and started looking in my windows. My companion didn’t have a seatbelt on, and I couldn’t find my proof of insurance. They asked me if I had any drugs, and I told them I didn’t smoke pot or drink. The situation was about to escalate, but I somehow managed to talk my way out of it. They let us proceed and turned their attention to a full-sized school bus behind us.

Bus Village

We arrived on June 29^th, and over the next few days, the parking lot quickly quadrupled in size. “Bus Village,” also known as “A Camp,” is the only section of “The Gathering” where alcohol is allowed. I didn’t realize that was where all the hard-core partiers hung out. I eventually moved my campervan to an overflow parking lot for some much-needed peace and quiet. It was a wise move!

The Main Meadow

The “Main Meadow” was a rigorous uphill two-mile hike from Bus Village. Most people carried in their tents and camping gear using wheelbarrows, wagons, carts, or volunteer Sherpas. Around every turn was a stranger saying, “Welcome home” and offering encouragement. The mosquitos were relentless, as were the thunderstorms, but the spirit of hope and anticipation could not be distinguished.

The Good

As a “Rainbow virgin,” I didn’t know what to expect and tried to keep an open mind. It was an experience like no other. It was like Sturgis meets Woodstock without all the awesome bands or loud motorcycles. These are the things that stood out as particularly good:

• The “Trade Circle:” No money is allowed exchange hands at the Rainbow gathering. So people trade all manner of goods with each other in an informal area known as the trade circle. I exchanged brand new dry socks and tie-dye “do-rags” for handmade jewelry.
• The Kitchens: There were a dozen or more makeshift kitchens to feed the masses. With names like “Instant Soup,” “Lovin’ Ovens,” and “Fat Kids,” they were remarkably well organized, and the food was delicious. Lovin’ Ovens had actual handmade ovens they crafted from rocks and clay. One morning, I volunteered to help make breakfast at “Jesus Joe’s” and lovingly turned the leftover rice from the night before into a tasty rice pudding.
• Workshops: I hung out mainly near the “Yoga Pavillion,” where I enjoyed a daily kirtan (chanting and songs), Qigong classes, and “Wiggles and Giggles.” The latter was like a big group cuddle mixed with laughter yoga.
• Drum Circles: The drum circle went on 24/7 and was near a giant bonfire in the Main Meadow. The tribal rhythms, naked jugglers, fire dancers, and other performers added to the ambiance.

The Bad

• Unattended Dogs and Kids: There were plenty of unattended dogs and children running around. I was glad I didn’t bring Ozzie. Almost daily, I saw dog fights and dogs mating. Many looked hungry and thirsty. I wished people cared more for their pups. I saw lots of children unsupervised as well. “Kids Village” seemed well organized and safe, but many kids ran about freely in other parts of the Gathering.

• The Hike into the Main Meadow: Unfortunately, the two-mile hike in and back was too much for many elders and the disabled. “Handicamp” was a designated parking area that catered to those who couldn’t hike in to enjoy the festivities.

• The Constant Police Presence: The Council doesn’t believe in permits but does try to cooperate with forest rangers. Daily the police walked through, and as they approached, the call, “Six-up” was yelled out repeatedly to warn people that the cops were coming. Even though marijuana is legal in Colorado, it isn’t allowed on Federal land, so it seemed to be the main focus of the police.

• Damage to the Forest: The policy is to leave no trace behind. But trenches were dug for “the shitters,” downed trees were sawed up and used for campfires, and new trails were trod. It’s impossible to have thousands of people gather in a forest without some destruction, even if the intentions are good.

• COVID: There were two first aid tents with a whiteboard reporting growing cases of COVID. I admit that I was primarily unconcerned and careless with any personal protection. On my final night of the Gathering, I felt the chills creeping in as I slept in my campervan. The following day my lungs were full of phlegm. I took a COVID test, and it was positive.

The Unforgettable

• A Call For Peace: No fireworks are allowed at the Gathering; instead, there is a time of silence from dawn on July 4^th to noon. Everyone gathers in the main circle, holds hands, and then Om’s in unison until the children’s parade enters. Imagine thousands of people holding hands and singing, “All we are sayin’ is give peace a chance.” It moved me to tears! I had two young millennial women on both sides of me, and they were weeping. I wasn’t sure if it was for joy or grief, but my motherly instincts kicked in, and I held them both in my arms until they stopped crying. It was beautiful and an event I will never forget.

• Meeting Dr. Patch Adams: Patch Adams is a famous hippy doctor that had an award-winning film made about him in 1998. Robin Williams played Patch Adams in the movie. Patch believes health care should be free for everyone in America. I listened to him speak, and he is incredibly articulate and wise. Mr. Adams thinks the human race will be extinct in 100 years, and the solution is to stop reproducing and move to communal living.

• The People: The people-watching was off the charts! From extraordinary costumes to nudity, it’s something you can’t forget. On my second day, I was hiking up the main trail, and a naked man was walking toward me. I asked if he was wearing mosquito repellent, and he said no and asked if I had any. I did, so I took it out and started spraying him down. I carefully avoided spraying his penis until he insisted that I spray it and his balls. That is how I ended up spraying down a random naked many with mosquito repellant at the Gathering!

• A Special Encounter in the Woods: As you can imagine, many people were getting busy in the woods. I’m single but had no intention of a hook-up. But a thunderstorm occurred during a kirtan, and it started to hail hard. Everyone ran for shelter, and the hot young yogi next to me kindly invited me to wait it out in his tent. One thing led to another, and well, making love during a thunderstorm in the middle of a forest was nothing short of transcending. As an old woman, I’ll someday look back on that experience with nothing but joy, even if it was where I got COVID.

Many people have asked me if I will attend the Rainbow Gathering again. I probably won’t. It was too much. It was sort of like when I rode my motorcycle to Sturgis. I’m glad I experienced it, but once was enough for me. Some things are best cherished as a one-time event, and for me, that was the Gathering in a nutshell.