Hey family, you have probably heard how, for the first time in Rainbow Family history, the annual Rainbow Family Gathering was shut down and prevented from transpiring in the agreed-upon location (Plumas National Forest in California).

By June 25th, officials told gatherers they must leave or get fined up to $5,000 or 6 months in jail. The reasons given were the lack of permitting and environmental concerns.

Around 1,800 people managed to gather but essentially, for the first time ever, there was no annual Rainbow Gathering because of the strict conversative hippy-hating state of.... *checks notes* California?!

This is a sign of the times. California was the birthplace of the Rainbow Family (most Family was from CA but first Nationals were in CO) and the annual Rainbow Family Gathering. It used to be a place where cultural experiments thrived. Given the totalitarian and authoritarian moves made by California in recent times, with this being the nail in the coffin for any annual Rainbow Gathering in the state going forward, I think it is safe to say that an era of the Rainbow Gathering is over.

The OGs are getting old and dying, making way for a new generation. However, with issues like fentanyl and meth wreaking havoc on people who get addicted to them, and with that drainbow energy coming to nationals more and more, it is appearing to change and distort the Rainbow Family energy more with time. There is a certain point where the dark energy has infiltrated and sickened the collective Rainbow Family consciousness and energy. I believe we have arrived at this point.

It also seems an increasing number of Family are not respecting the tribal lands they are gathering at, meaning not receiving permission from the local tribes, as seems to have happened in California. One of the main reasons that this permission is being given less and less frequently is due to the ever-increasing drainbow and dark energy within the Rainbow collective, and its symptoms like not cleaning up the gathering sites as well as in the past, harmful behavior to others, and general verbal attacks and disrespect.

I believe the state of California has become hostile to the Rainbow Gathering in a way I think is overbearing. However, I also see the Rainbow Family being an easier target these days, with easier justification to violate the right to assembly, due to the dark energy that has infiltrated and increased in presence over the years.

My last Nationals in the US was in 2016, when I still lived in the country. Rainbow Gatherings outside of the US feel much "cleaner" energetically and do not have the issues plaguing the US gatherings. I truly hope for the energy to improve in the US Rainbow Family but I am deeply concerned with the direction.

Nationals have seen a downtrend on the number of attendees over time while the US population has increased. Conversely, Rainbow Gatherings outside of the US have increased in localities and size. I believe we can learn from our brothers and sisters outside of the US and do some reflection and give more importance and application and reinforcement of the Rainbow Raps and guiding principles. Otherwise, I am concerned the Rainbow Family will not survive.

So I was told that most hippies and rainbows don't like lying or deception, which is understandable. But like I had this plan to find somebody to date or just a real close online friend that could become an irl friend (preferably a hippie or a rainbow) and tell my mom I went to school with them (I got this idea from my friend in Canada so it wasn't even my idea lol).

Keep in mind, I'm a disabled adult and my mom is "over me". I literally can't tell my mom if I meet somebody online because she would take my phone and I'd be even more sheltered than I already am and would lose what little freedom I do have (which ain't much at all). I'm not a bad person and I don't want to hurt anyone by being deceptive or by asking anyone to be deceptive on my behalf but it's literally a matter of losing the little bit of freedom I have and becoming even more sheltered.

I tried finding out IF she can legally take my phone and no one seems to know for sure. I tried even finding out if cops could bring me back against my will if I leave home and I couldn't find the answer to that (cops didn't even know the answer to that one). I tried asking lawyers, cops, other disabled adults, legal advice groups. Nobody seems to know. I can't just take my mom's word for anything because either she can be lying or innocently misinformed, or she could be telling the truth and knows what she's talking about. But again, I don't want to take her word for anything, just in case.

And so far hippies and rainbows I talked to that I made friends with were uncomfortable with deception or lying even regarding my situation I'm in. I know hippie and rainbow life is about peace and love but I wouldn't think trying to not make somebody's life worse is the opposite of peace and love. Like I would think making sure somebody doesn't lose more freedom or become more sheltered is the peace and love thing to do. But I honestly don’t know?

I didn't ask to be disabled and I didn't asked to be in the situation that I'm in. My mom should be the one in the wrong here for sheltering me and not giving me freedom as an adult. So what if I'm disabled. I'm an adult and should have rights, right? What about the constitution, Bill of Rights, and the equal rights ammendment? Why should I be forced to choose protection over freedom and liberty? I want to be a free spirit but I'm being held back or held down. I shouldn't even have to tell my mom I went to school with somebody if I didn't, just to keep from becoming more sheltered and losing what little freedom I do have. But I don't have much of a choice. It's either not tell her about somebody and not make things worse for me, tell her I went to school with somebody even though I didn't and not risk making things worse, or tell her the truth and then risk losing what little freedom I do have and becoming more sheltered and on top of that being forbidden to talk to the person.

Thoughts or advice? Please be kind. Peace and much love. 🙏✌️❤️

I do love the rainbow and hippie communities and was hoping you guys would be understanding. Just wanted some thoughts and advice from people here and to kinda vent too I guess.

other events and websites to check out? hippie communes or festivals? thanks!

I've never been to one before, and really want to go, but I cant seem to find much concrete info. Does anyone know where I can find resources? thanks!

Okay, so I'm working on some custom gear for Rainbow, including a sweet cookstove I'm currently designing... and as I was about to start removing holes from the side (a long strip, about 1.5" x 5') to reduce weight and to let more air in, I thought... wouldn't it be sweet if instead of just holes, I had something more... artful?

I even have a general vision for it! Imagine a kinda... Rainbow parody of the infamous Lord of the Rings "fellowship silhouette". It'll be small, but long, with lots of room to have fun with the theme, and the light of the cook fire will shine through it at night for many years to come.

I'm gonna do the name of the kitchen and something simple myself on the other side, but the above "scene" is way beyond me. I need a real artist to execute this bit (digitally, that is, the actual piece of steel will be cut by CNC from the digital image), and it should really be done by Family, so I'm posting here before somewhere like r/artcommissions, even though we've only a few thousand here, perhaps someone is interested in working on this little project with me? 😁

THIS SUBREDDIT IS NOW OPEN TO ALL FAMILY AGAIN

I've been on Reddit for 13 years and haven't been using it actively the past few years and had no idea someone who is a mod here made this subreddit private. This is antithetical to what the Rainbow Family is about, meaning censorship.

I have no idea what led to that decision but I assure everyone I was never informed, nor do I believe the original creator of this subreddit was informed either. As a benevolent anarchist non-association of non-members, our principles must be reflected in all that we do. That is why when I saw all of the messages of people, going back nearly a year, asking to enter this subreddit, I approved all of them because anyone can be a part of the Rainbow Family.

All opinions, expressions, beliefs, and perspectives are welcome in the Rainbow Family, as long as they are shared and acted upon in a way that does not intentionally harm or cause suffering to anyone. We will lose our way and simply become a fractal of the mainstream consciousness if we fall prey to division without respecting one anothers' differences.

On behalf of whoever got a power trip here, I apologize for all the people who wanted to be a part of this open forum for the Family who were unable to. That is finally over. I have removed them as mod but I see Reddit already suspended their account a while ago.

Welcome Family. You are all welcome here. Just be excellent to one another and treat others like you would like to be treated.

Let's bring back the ethos of Rainbow back to the discussions here. The world has become incredibly turbulent and divisive. In we cannot be wayshowers of a better way, then who will? Let's be a model example of the kind of world that could be.

Loving You!

☮️

I kindly present this ethnographic, folkloric, and illustrative listener guidebook - the culmination of 23 years field recording at Rainbow gatherings. This self-published labor of love features nine essay contributors and dozens of artists. It has been a memorable journey, from schlepping gear and washing dishes to recording songs or stories around the campfire, producing many beautiful and timeless aural treasures. There are so many wonderful performances highlighted throughout.

Thank you for all your support throughout the recording and writing process. I am thrilled to share this book with you and hope you enjoy it. To purchase, head to the website listed in the accompanying image. If you feel so moved, please share this post with friends or anyone interested in folk music, travel, field recording, alternative communities, storytelling, ethnography, and folklore.

***Print costs have increased A LOT these past few years since the writing began, which is reflected in the retail price and is beyond my control. The publishing world is a brutal enterprise. Even so, this is a legacy project and nearly twenty-five years in the making. This is a few books rolled into one. Your least expensive option is the ebook at $9.99 - the images pop. Hence, it is quite fun to navigate, creating a unique experience for ebook readers, especially in the choose your own Rainbow trail prompt section.

https://www.gatheringsounds.org/

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Sounds From The Rainbow audio field recordings latest compilation release!

Recorded at the 2022 Colorado 50th Anniversary Annual Rainbow Gathering - The Year of the Jubilee! - in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest

This collection includes various eclectic songs, stories, poetry, comedy, and natural soundscapes. *side note: a book about this field recording project is set to be released later this year-stay tuned.
Thanks to everyone featured throughout the 22 years in the archive-we can do more together than any of us can do on our own

https://soundsfromtherainbow.org/2022-colorado

Enjoy~

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I'm incredibly excited as I make final preparations to bring the Reading Rainbow Library to Colorado! I've been planning and working on projects for this gathering for the better part of the last year, and some of them are getting the finishing touches even now, including a full-on hot water system with sink and shower, and the most comfortable shitter box (two kid-friendly seats, with bidets!) you've ever seen. On Thursday, I'll be picking up a big bulk food order, 50 pounds of locally roasted coffee beans, loading my truck and fancy new cart/trailer and heading that way.

I have joyously spent a lot of money thanks to my silly Babylon job, and even went into a touch of debt, to make this an amazing Library, and so for it's part, an amazing gathering. As I near departure, funds are running really tight and so please excuse me putting out this call. If anyone has some abundance they can spare and wants kick in to help get the Reading Rainbow Library over the finish line and home, now would be really the very best time! http://paypal.me/readingrainbowlib

Shown here ready to tow, when I get to the woods, the tow bar comes right off and stays with the truck, two additional handles go on and the two shown here flip around to make this the burliest rainbow cart ever, based directly on the traditional Chinese wheelbarrow.

Nearly done now, this two-seater trench-top box made of oiled (albeit cheap landscape grade) cedar has two super kid-friendly seats (https://www.little2bigtoiletseats.com/) and bidets. 🚽💦

Scored this sweet old grinder at an antique store and will be bringing a lot of really nice beans (mostly dark-roast, with a bit of light for those that are into that sort of thing). ☕️

This custom stainless water box with two compartments sits on top of the fire grate and buffers the entire hot water system, while providing a platform for the espresso group-head and even a steam wand!

Before going into the box, the water is in-line pre-heated, going through this (properly graded to avoid air bubbles) pipe going underneath the cooking surface!

It is nearly done, just needs some paint and a few finishing touches and it's ready for the woods. Shown here as a trailer, the hitch comes right off, and there's four long bent pipes that slide into the pipes on the four corners and lock in place at various heights (for different heighted haulers) as hauling handles, one handle even has a lever from a motorcycle to activate the break in the wheel. Based on the traditional Chinese wheelbarrow.

Just had to share with those that might appreciate it, really looking forward to getting back to the woods, will be hauling a large, carefully curated book collection, and if all goes well, we'll even have full-on hot-running-water at the Reading Rainbow Library, not the mention the seriously best coffee in the woods, and the most luxurious shitter! 😁

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May the 4th be with you... Wed (5/4) at 8pm EST on Everybody's Zoom, I'll be presenting a Sounds From The Rainbow listening adventure. Our aural odyssey will travel through the forests of song, the mountains of stories & poems, the valleys of ambiance & snippets, and what have you. I hope to see you there~

*Most optimal if you bring headphones or use a decent speaker (or use your phone, tablet, or laptop speaker if that's all ya got)

https://sites.google.com/view/everybodyszoom

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Anyone near Ibiza or formentera? Maybe Barcelona... Im looking for the family

Namaste! I’m planning on attending the gathering this summer, and of course I’m planning on having a nice big fire. But just how big of a fire is too big?

2021 Carson National Forests, Taos, New Mexico 2020 Idaho but covid restricted. Small regionals were held or we encouraged every one to stay at home and OHM! 2019 Wisconsin 2018, Northern Georgia 2017 Oregon, John Day National Forest 2016...I have no idea, Michigan? 2015 Georgia/Tennessee 2014 -Pennsylvania Bridger-Teton National Forest 2013 - Montana National Forest 2012 - Cherokee National Forest 2011 - Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest 2010 - Pennsylvania Allegheny National Forest 2009 - New Mexico Santa Fe National Forest 2008 - Wyoming Bridger-Teton National Forest 2007 - Arkansas Ozark National Forest. 2006 - Colorado Near the town of Clark, CO in Routt National Forest. Bus Village was by Big Red Park, while the site was by Silver City Creek.. 2005 - West Virgina Near the towns of Richwood, Marlington, and Hillsboro at the Cranberry Glades Botanical area in Monongahela National Forest. 2004 - California Near the town of Likely, CA in Modoc National Forest. This site was about 4 miles north of the site used for the 1984 Gathering. 2003 - Utah Near Mt View Wyoming in Bridger Teton National Forest. 2002 - Upper Pennisula, Michigan Near the town of Bruce Crossing in Ottawa National Forest. 2001 - Idaho Near the town of Stanley, Idaho, in Boise National Forest. 2000 - Montana Near the town of Jackson, Montana, in Big Hole Valley. 1999 - Pennsylvania Near the town of Ridgeway, PA in Allegany National Forest. 1998 - Arizona At Carnero Spring near Springerville in Apache-Sitgreaves Natioanl Forest. 1997 - Oregon At Indian Prarie near Prineville and Mitchell Oregon in Ochococ National Forest. 1996 - Missouri By Thomasville in Mark Twain National Forest. 1995 - New Mexico By the San Antonio River near Tres Piedras in Carson National Forest. 1994 - Wyoming Snyder Basin near Big Piney in Bridger Teton National Forest. 1993 - Alabama (Kentucky too) Talladaga National Forest. 1992 - Colorado By Overland Reserviour, near Paonia, in White River National Forest. 1991 - Vermont By Texas Falls, near Granville, in Green Mountain National Forest. It's on the Bread Loaf quadrangle. 1990 - Minnesota By Barker Lake, near Lutsen, in Superior National Forest. 1989 - Nevada By Robinson Hole, Near Jarbidige, in Humbolt National Forest. It's on the Nevada-Idaho Jarbidge quadrangle. 1988 - Texas By Boggy Creek, near Lufkin, in Angelina National Forest. It's on the Cassells-Boykin Park quadrangle. 1987 - North Carolina Near Tapoco, in Nantahala National Forest. It`s on the Tapoca quadrangle. 1986 - Pennsylvania Near Long Hollow, near Cobham in Allegheny National Forest. It's on the Cobham quadrangle. 1985 - Missouri In Mark Twain National Forest. 1984 - California By Black Cone,in Modoc National Forest. It's on the Emerson Peak & Eagle Peak quadrangles. 1983 - Michigan Near Paynesville, in Ottawa National Forest. It's rumored to be on the Trout Creek quadrangle. 1982 - Idaho Near New Meadows, in Boise National Forest. It's rumored to be on a combination of the following quadrangles. Crokked River Point, Peck Mountain, Rush Peak, Goodrich. 1981 - Washington Near Usk, in Kanisku National Forest. It's rumored to be on the Goddards Peak quadrangle. 1980 - West Virginia By the Three Forks of the Willimas River, near Webster Springs, in Monongahela National Forest. It's on the Webster Springs SW quadrangle. 1979 - Arizona In Apache National Forest. It's rumored to be on one of these quadrangles. Escudilla Mountain, Kuna Lake, Maness Peak, Blue, Alma Mesa. 1978 - Oregon By White Horse Meadows, in Umpqua National Forest. It's on the Fish Creek Desert quadrangle. 1977 - New Mexico By Burnt Corral Canyon, in Gila National Forest. It's on the Burnt Corral Canyon quandrangle. 1976 - Montana By Cave Mountain, near Choteau, in Lewis and Clark National Forest. It's on the Cave Mountain quadrangle. 1975 - Arkansas By the White & Buffalo Rivers, near Mountain Home, in Ozark National Forest. 1974 - Utah By the Virgin River, near Bryce Canyon, in Dixie National Forest. It's rumored to be the Temple of Sinawava quadrangle. 1973 - Wyoming By Antelope Hills, near Lander, in Shosone National Forest. It's rumored to be on a combination of these quadrangles. Schoettlin Mountain, Red Canyon, Lewiston Lakes, Barras Springs. the 1972 - Colorado By Strawberry Lake, near Granby, in Roosevelt National Forest. It's on the Strawberry Lake quandrangle.

I have been to 17 Nationals, I do not go east as I believe Freedom ends somewhere west of Nebraska. I do like the Sand Hills though.

So all you bitchy little doomsayers and whiners, you have never heard of the Rainbow Family yet here we were, all along. Now we are trouble? Really?

First of all, be prepared for a different answer from each person who responds. Rainbow is different things to different people. Most of us, though not all, who consider ourselves part of the Rainbow Family, have attended the Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, which takes place from July 1 - 7 every year. The first gathering was in 1972, the invitation to it reading as follows:

We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite:

All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.

All nations & national leaders -- out of respect

All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith

All politicians -- out of charity

to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. This gathering to take place beginning July 1, 1972, near Aspen, Colorado - or between Aspen & the Hopi & Navaho lands - on 3000 acres of land that we hope to purchase or acquire for this gathering -- & to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honour & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace. - Amen -

The 3000 acres never materialized, and the first gathering took place partly on private land offered for temporary use, and partly on National Forest land. As you can see, this was intended to be a onetime event. However, people liked it so much that gatherings continued to happen annually on federal lands, each year in a different state. The length of the gathering has since expanded beyond the original four-day span.

For many years, there was only the one gathering, and the spiritual focus was foremost in the minds of everyone who attended. Most folks were identified with the "hippie" movement of the times, engaged in establishing alternative social, economic, spiritual, political, and/or environmental consciousness. Many were involved either in the Peace movement in the cities or the communal, back-to-the-land movement in the country. In either case, exploration of alternative spiritual systems and states of consciousness was often a common theme.

Sometime around the mid-1980s, folks who felt it was too far or too long to the annual gathering started coming together for smaller, regional gatherings. People all over the country developed local and regional bonds.

In the past few years, the spiritual focus has been less obvious, due to the huge influx of people who may not realize the central purpose of the gatherings. These folks may come to party, to hang out, to find like-minded people, to gain support for their political causes, or whatever. Who knows? (I sure don't, since I haven't spoken with all of them.)

The interesting thing is that we all consider ourselves to be part of a huge, extended family, no matter what our reason for gathering, no matter what our spiritual or religious or political or economic or social views may be. And many people who have not yet had an opportunity to attend a gathering also feel they are part of this family.

Another interesting thing is that there is no formal organizational structure. There are no membership qualifications, no fees or dues, no leaders, and virtually no rules other than the one of "peaceful respect." Each year, individuals take personal responsibility and work together with others on whatever they are inspired to do, from office work, to scouting, to building the kitchens at the gatherings, to hauling in food and first-aid supplies, to peacekeeping, etc. Every project undertaken operates essentially on a consensus basis. Participation, communication, and cooperation are how things get done.

It is nothing short of miraculous.

The gatherings are free and non-commercial, and everyone is welcome. Each person is asked to bring their own camping equipment (this all takes place in remote areas of the National Forest), their own cup, bowl, and spoon, and whatever they might want to share to help the gathering happen (tarps, shovels, musical instruments, bulk food, etc.). No one will be turned away because of lacks in these areas, however. The Magic Hat is passed at mealtimes and around camp. Donations are used to buy food in bulk for the kitchens and whatever else may be necessary for the communal well-being (plywood covers and lime for the latrines, first aid supplies, etc.).

Besides the work that goes on to help the gathering happen, there's also lots of accoustical music, drumming, dancing, workshops, herb-walks, council circles, sister circles, brother circles, brother-sister circles, people hanging out, people bartering, people enjoying nature, people meditating, chanting, and praying, people talking politics, people talking spiritual and personal growth, people visioning the future, people doing bodywork and other healing work, ...

The list could go on forever.

For me personally, the Rainbow Family is where I have found my greatest opportunities to learn, to grow, to celebrate, to be one with my fellow beings and my mother Earth, to serve, to pray, to play. The gatherings for me are living theater, evolution in process, creativity manifest. I am passionately in love.

Picture twenty thousand people in a sunlit meadow, standing silent in prayer, holding hands in one huge, unbroken circle. Picture a parade of children approaching, singing songs, their countenances bright with enthusiasm and face paint, baloons and banners waving in the breeze. Picture the breaking of the silence with a cheer from the circle, then the silence returning once again, to grow slowly into a thrum of voices united in a single OM reverberating through the valley and on to the hills beyond. Hold the OM in your mind. Let it spread through and around and in you. Feel it pass from hand to hand and heart to heart.

The magic, the connection you feel is the essence of the Rainbow Family of Living Light.

Peace, love, and light,

Carla

We are scouting the entire state, there is a push for a certain area and indeed, Family is already there. But we are looking at and scouting the entire state.

I know at least 4 of us will be at Spring Council pushing for Routt/2006 but, as we know, Spring Council is usually within 50 miles of the site. This limits last minute Councils for certain sites but I trust the Scouts. This Spring Council will be heavily attended, not the usual 13 but more like 40!

Just understand, there will be no location known until at least 6/10. Site info will be found first through lightlines and then on facebook (hate it) but this has been true the last 6 years. Ignore all rumors, especially on facebook. No location info will be posted here on reddit until the 28th of June. Reddit is just not a thing with us as a Family.

Trust that Family will be able to fly into Denver, rent a a car and be at the site by the next morning, no matter where we Gather. This is important because this Gathering is being framed as a World Gathering, expect lots of Family from Spain/France/Italy/England/Germany! (I can't spell European)

There is a pushback this year, like every year...lol This year it's the nimby's out of Denver, they overwhelmed this sub a few weeks ago. There is also a commissioner out of Grand County who is huffing and puffing. But r/denver? Looking through post histories, mostly gamers and other inside people so aside from ltte's, nothing will come of this. We opened this sub today and the downvotes are already here. The really bad actors have been banned but they can still click arrows. I was doxxed and threatened but it stopped when my arrests for shooting people was discovered. I can out crazy just about any one.

But I participate with civility in r/colorado, I hope you will too. There needs to be a certain amount of respect for the semi-locals. Its going to get worse there. I am banned in r/denver but that sub isn't important, we are not Gathering in Denver and most of those posters don't leave the house.

There has been some press but it's focused on 'FIRE!' and anecdotal rumors of rape/murder/theft/nudity with zero proof, police reports, arrests or anything else.

We have dealt with the FIRE! thing and I heard there are early talks with Resource and 6UP about that. Ignore all rumors.

If you participate in r/colorado or r/denver, be cool. Post facts. I will post a collection of news stories you can link to soon. You will not see any links in r/denver or r/colorado backing up their claims of lawlessness or the produce story or the sex abuse/rape/murder they like to imagine.

These stories are false. I scour the net every year and while that drunk lady at Utah often comes up, we simply do not have the issue's detractors bring up.

Clean Up Crew is a very real and thorough thing. USFS signs off every year after Clean Up. So the trash stories, the abandoned dogs and cars shit, always cleaned up. If you can, think about doing Clean Up this year. The best food, the best people, the Gathering is a beautiful thing as we all work to together to mitigate our impact. I have worked 4 of them and its always a special time. Hard work yes but you can learn so much about restoration, reseeding, native flora and even what makes a Gathering work. Lots of High Holy's around during Clean Up. The transformation from the Celebration on the 4th to a quiet camp on the 10th is magical.

If you do post about Family, Rainbow brings a massive cash flow not only to the closest retail businesses but to every store and gas station on the highways leading in and out. Sinclair Gas in Dillon, Montana/2013, sold 8 times the fuel they usually sell in June. I was in Steamboat last week and spent 900.00 on food and lodging getting there and back to the Coast. And I always mention that it is Rainbow money. In 2006, we booked a motel room in Steamboat for 21 days, anyone on a supply run could hop in and get a shower. The owner was very cool with that setup and we did the same thing booking two rooms in Taos last year. Bringing money to these communities is one way we can mitigate the rumors and hate.

Alright, rambling, sorry. Make good choices, do the right thing, put some thought into this year because it may be our last larger Gathering.

I do not speak for RFOLL or any one who says they know them. I met a guy once who said he was Family, turns out it was Dave Chappelle. There is Faerie Camp and Fairy Camp, learn the difference.

Lovin' You and Welcome Home! Colorado 50th Anniversary World Rainbow Gathering 2022!

Had some conversations this past week, mostly focused on the uproar out of reddit (r/denver mostly) and what it may mean to the bigger movie.

Not much it turns out. Aside from a few users thinking they had discovered a Grand Conspiracy (and wanting to shoot rainbows?), the local USFS/BLM, the Incident Team and a few words from Grand County's colonizers, ignore all rumors of cancellations/roadblocks/etc.

I just got back from Colorado. I met with a few scouts because a little prep will be handy this year.

The big one? Fire.

Our ongoing climate crisis means that most likely, we will never see another National that isn't under a complete fire ban. One, its a tool for USFS to use against us. New Mexico last year was under a fire ban yet too wet to even light a fire on purpose. We brought in firewood after the ban was lifted. It was that wet and cold. USFS lifted the ban because there were reports of kids freezing. I and most others were prepared but a few kids were there unprepared for camping at 11,000 feet. They were cold! Two, Colorado is dry, very dry.

At least the Front Range. The dryness and drought has meant very little growth in grasses and smaller shrubs. The cattle have eaten anything that has grown. The risk of fire adjacent to large metro area's is real because Colorado has allowed unchecked growth in this urban interface with USFS lands. Defensible space is a thing out west but Colorado has been slow to implement this strategy. There are so many transplants to the Front Range and they just don't get it.

Which leads to a discussion about this years site. Very few Family members remain from the 1972 Gathering but they are quite vocal and are pining for a return to the Arapahoe NF. This isn't doable in my opinion. We had some private land mixed with FS land in 1972. There was a room and it was a good site for the time. I have been there a few times because the site is Magical!

Now?

Its built out, populated and water is a huge issue, there simply isn't the space for more than 3000 people. Much too close to Denver and Grand County is already trying to tie up any attempt at a Gathering-even on FS land. Dem is some good ol' boys up there-if you know what I mean. It's all about the cows and Heritage you see. Also, Grand County will do anything it can to stop any type of Gathering. Being that close to Denver is an issue because of Day Trippers. Day Trippers? Yes. People curious about the Gathering, come out for the day and end up staying although completely unprepared for the adventure. They mean well but are a drain on resources. There have been cases of these Day Trippers getting in way over the heads and ending up at C.A.L.M. The other issue with being so close to a town is alcohol. We do not approve of booze past Front Gate. It is tradition and booze causes more issues than even USFS! Being close to town, the parking lot and even Bus Village can get overrun with alcohol and this presents a very bad image for us. Oregon was 17 miles from John Day and alcohol abuse among some was really out of hand. So bad, I left early because of the issues presented. We had 50 to 100 people going back and forth to town every day to resupply booze. Shitshow. But that is somewhat on me, I am very anti-booze, especially in the woods.

A little wine in the Kitchen at Kiddie Village? Meh... Handles of booze at Montana Mud? Fuck off with that. A Camp has died with the Wrecking Crew, good riddance-lovin' you but I was happy to see them go. Having hassle free access to alcohol is asking for a new A Camp.

I was at the 2006 site last week and much like 2013 in Montana, re-using this site is a smart move. Plenty of water, there remain maps we used in 2006. Not a lot of downed wood but we are thinking a 'no fire' Gathering any way. The food distributors we used in 2006 are on board. There are some really good reasons to do this site again. I got in touch with Resource but haven't heard back yet. The word around Steamboat was good, no real opposition from the 5 businesses I spoke with. Hopefully when I get back to Colorado late May, I can have some more input on this idea at Spring Council.

I would appreciate hearing from you too.

Now, a 'no fire' Gathering and what it means: NO FIRE. Simply. Come prepared. Batteries, flashlights, LED's, any lighting system that doesn't create heat. So no, a candle won't cut it. No fire is no fire, period. r/denver is right about fire getting away from us (r/denver does think we run lawless though, lol). Remember Utah? We didn't light it but it was a scary 20 minutes.

USFS has allowed propane fire pits in the past as well as gas lanterns. I am not counting on this. They do work but USFS has shown us, a little authority goes a long way. Small propane camp stoves will be allowed, bring one.

Think about contributing a bit more to the Magic Hat because purchasing propane to feed 6000 people is an added expense. The established and long time Kitchens are set up to do a propane Gathering. But again, added expense. And for your own foods, be a bit more self-sufficient.

One bonus is far more infrastructure gets built out because we are not wasting energy gathering wood.

I would love to see the Pirate Ship again!

Anyway, thoughts? Re-use the Routt site?

Also, I think we should all consider this to be the last National of any consequence. The Powers that Be will become even more stringent in the future. They will eventually stop a National. A few years ago, we talked about this and doing smaller 'Nationals', breaking our Gathering into smaller, more easily set up Gatherings. I was for the idea, especially after Oregon/1997. Just too many people. We did self regulate somehow and Covid really fucked us the last 2 years. But its something we can all work on.

This year? Maybe not, Homecoming 50th and all. But maybe next year? Before some really bad things happen with USFS/LEO's?

I am moving to Mexico after setting up Seed Camp for this Gathering and plan on doing some small regionals there, it's just the right thing to do.

All words are my own and I do not represent any portion of RFOLL. In fact, I have no idea who these people are and why they are in the woods.