Where in the Appalachian Bioregion are we going?

Where in the Appalachian Bioregion are we going? The consensus was for the White Mountain National Forest (in the Northeast), or the Appalachian states of Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia. Spring Council selected a site in North Eastern Tennessee.

If you're not familiar with the gauntlet on the road into the gathering, and want to avoid a mandatory court appearance ticket click here.

For the Howdy Folks and directions to the gathering, click here. For the United States Forest Service Incident Command website with groovy maps and updates, click here.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Howdy Folks

Welcome Home 
41st Annual
Rainbow Family Gathering of The Tribes



Please protect this Beautiful Land
Walk softly.  Harm no living thingHarmonize - Blend in.  Use only down, dead wood.  Do not cut living trees.  Preserve the Meadows . . . camp in the Woods.  And remember, We are caretakers of this land.
Everyone sharing makes a strong Human Tribe!
Please Protect the Water Sources by staying out of DELICATE spring areas.  Avoid camping, peeing or washing above spring areas.  Keep ALL soap out of streams, springs or the creek!  Use a bucket to take your bath 300 feet away from the water source.  To be certain drinking water is safe: boil it for ten minutes at a rolling boil!
Use the slit trenches or covered latrines - cover your paper & waste with ashes or lime, wash hands afterwards.  Break the fly/illness connection: shit-fly-food-you!  Dig no shitters near water areas or kitchens.
Protect our Health!
Use your own cup, bowl & spoon!  Wash them after eating and rinse in bleach-water. Go to C.A.L.M. if you feel ill - especially if you have a contagious disease - or are injured.
Camp Together – Establish neighborhoods.  Community Fires only!  Keep a 5 gallon bucket of water and shovel nearby for Fire Protection. If you are the last to leave a fire PUT IT OUT!  Please, NO fireworks!  Keep you camp secure.  “Tempt Not Lest Ye Be Lifted From.”
Pets are discouraged, but if you must bring them, keep them fed, on a leash and out of the kitchens, springs & fightsClean up their poopLove them.
PACK IT IN  - PACK IT OUT !!!
Cleanup begins when you arrive.  Please bring only what is necessary.  There is no janitor here . . . YOU are the cleanup crew.  Separate Garbage for recycling.  Please DON’T LITTER - Find a collection point.  Compost in pits only.
You are the Gathering!
Participate and Volunteer!  Participate in Shanti Sena (the peace keepers council), work crews, workshops, councils and all activitiesVolunteer wherever and whenever needed: kitchens, welcome home, firewatch, parking lot, shitter digging, supply, front gate, etc.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T your Sisters’ & Brothers’ energies.
Keep the Balance: Earth, Sky, Trees, Water & People!
Alcohol is Discouraged, Guns are Inappropriate, Violence is contrary to the Spirit.  Please do not take pictures or videos of people without asking their permission first.  Discourage Drug Abuse. 
Buying and selling endangers our right to be here.  The Magic Hat is our Bank, please donate early to fund our needs.  The Magic Hat goes around at Dinner Circle and with the Magic Hat Band.
Our power together is many times our power separated.
  Enjoy the Rainbow with an open heart and you Will see the Vision.
  Join us on July 4th for a Silent Contemplation & Prayer for Peace, respect those maintaining silence from dawn.
   Hold the silence until the arrival of the Children’s Parade.


~~~ Updated 6/29 @ 8:30 AM PT ~~~~

This year's annual gathering to be held in Cherokee National Forest. The site is East of South Holston Lake between the lake and Holston Mountain in the NE corner of TN just Southeast of where Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee meet up. N 36.50175 W 82.04347.  Please note each of the following set of directions came from people on the land. My recommendation is you print them all out and take them with you.  The maps were made by a friend of mine.


Directions from points south:


From Knoxville TN, go North/East on Interstate 81 and near the Tennessee/Virginia border, get off at Bristol VA. From Bristol: I 81 take VA exit 3, follow 11E through town about 3 miles, turn left at the light at Weaver Pike (358), follow to the end turn left onto 44 *
*Continue East  about 3 miles on 44 at Past Hickory Tree Grocery then turn right on to Flatwoods Rd. If you've gone more than 4 miles, you past the Grocery Store. Go back. Once you're on Flatwoods Rd follow FS camp/horse/boat signs follow signs park with all 4 wheels off on Flatwoods Rd.

 OR 
From Asheville, NC take Interstate 26 north and exit in Johnson City: take 11E to 19E towards Elizabethton, take the 1st left onto 44, follow 44 through Bluff City (2 turns), then turn left onto 44 /Chinquapin Grove Rd.  
OR
For Family coming from Eastern N. Carolina (i.e. Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill areas) ... They can save over 100 miles and 1.5 hrs of driving by coming in on US 421 from Boone, NC, rather than driving all the way around thru Asheville and Johnson City.  In this case they would turn left on Camp Tom Howard from the 421.


NOTE:  If you're on I-81, it intersects with I-26 about ten miles north of Johnson City.
Also please note that many people on site are saying that coming thru Bristol is the better, easier, wider and faster north route on 421.

Directions from points north:

This route stays on paved roads longer and is better for low clearance vehicles.
Get off I-81 south in Abingdon VA @ Exit 1. Get on 421 south. 421 winds south through Bristol TN, changing streets abruptly - watch carefully for signs. 421 south eventually takes you across South Holston Lake. When you cross the bridge, check your odometer - exactly 3.9 miles later, turn right onto Camp Tom Howard Road. Main trail is exactly 8 miles from there. Stay on the newly-paved road (FS-87), passing Sharps Creek Road on your right. You'll go another 6.3 miles until you come to a fork - there are signs directing you to the left. The pavement ends - Main trail is 1.3 miles later. The trailhead is at the bottom of a slight downhill in the road, and there is a turnout on the right, probably filled with FS LEO vehicles. The trail is on your left. This is the easiest of three moderately steep uphill trails. Bus Village is another mile or so past these trails, continuing west. The road from Bus Village continues into the site, but it is a good two-three miles walk.

Signs say that parking on the 'lakeside' (north) side of FS-87 is prohibited. Park only on the south, or left side of the road. Several tow trucks are already prowling this corridor, so don't risk it.



As always, please park with all 4 wheels off the gravel on Flatwoods Rd.



From either of the Bristols: From Bristol, TN or Bristol VA, get on the 421 going east.. (while there may be other ways in, they are not recommended as being good for most vehicles) Turn right onto "Camp Tom Howard Road" which soon becomes Big Creek Road. The name of the campground on Big Creek Road is "Little Oak". If you look for the sign for "Little Oak Recreation Area" make a right there, then follow the road about 2 miles past the campground. Welcome Home.



Another set of Directions from Bristol, TN
From I-81, exit at Bristol, TN
1. Head north on Volunteer Pkwy toward State St
2. Take the 1st right onto State St
3. Turn right onto Pennsylvania Ave -0.8 mi
4. Turn left onto Maple St - 0.1 mi
5. Take the 2nd right onto Virginia Ave  - 1.2 mi
6. Continue onto TN-34 N/US-421 S/US-421 Scenic S/Carl Moore Pkwy
Continue to follow TN-34 N/US-421 S/US-421 Scenic S - 12.4 mi
7. Turn right onto Camp Tom Howard Rd - 0.9 mi
8. Turn right to stay on Camp Tom Howard Rd - 0.9 mi
9. Take the 1st left onto Big Creek Rd - 0.6 mi
10. Turn right to stay on Big Creek Rd - 4.1 mi
11. Turn left to stay on Big Creek Rd - 1.0 mi
12. Turn left



ONCE YOU'RE HOME:


**Good for carts gate: 87A on right is a gated 2+ mile moderate walk to main circle on a gravel road

**Hardy hiker gate: 3 miles past 87A look for trail head on the right, Josiah Trail 50 most hardy, Josiah Horse Trail 45 still hardy for now but milder incline



Both routes in are UPHILL!


If you're coming from the Left coast, you can pick up I-40 at the I-15 in Barstow, California.  Then go east, east, east to Knoxville, TN. 


If you're hitting the road soon and won't have Internet access, when you get in the area call (770) 662-6112  for recorded directions that will be updated frequently.  


If you're trying to book a flight, Knoxville, TN is the closest major airports - about 150 miles away. Asheville, NC is about 75 miles away but is a smaller airport. There is a closer regional airport with a handful of carriers outside of Blountville, TN call Tri-Cities Regional Airport (located just 3 miles off Interstate 81 at Exit 63) and will put you about 50 miles away.  Keep in mind that if you fly into Asheville, you have to go over the mountains to get to the site on I-26.


** IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR'S GATHERING **

Signs say that parking on the 'lakeside' (north) side of FS-87 is prohibited. Park only on the south, or left side of the road. Several tow trucks are already prowling this corridor, so don't risk it.

Don't park along the blacktop portion of the road. Only park along the gravel portion of the road with all four wheels off the gravel or you will be towed.    ‎87 is paved halfway in, then it turns to gravel. parking is only allowed on the gravel road. pull as far off the gravel as possible. you do not want to be "blocking the road" or they will tow your car.


87 is one of the most heavily patrolled roads in the county, just because of the LOCALS, never mind a few thousand hippies!!
Rumor is that LEOs are also ticketing for marijuana and nudity on the road. There has been thunder storms this week - come prepared. The site is lush and green. Bears have been sighted, but they avoid people. Don't tempt them with food left in the open.

There's a rumor circulating that we may have a horse drawn wagon shuttling gear and/or people who need help in to the site and up the hill.  Just a rumor at this point, but manifest positive energy and it may happen.


Posion Ivy - lots of poison ivy on 87, hardly any up in the gathering. Ticks and chiggers not very prevelant.

Clarification:  Rattlesnakes and copperheads on the mountain that people are hiking. Not sure if they are down in the meadow or not.


This site is quite favorable to bicycles and carts, once you get up there. the "hike up and in" feature of this site may prove advantageous for cleanup. Be prepared for rain.  Bring rain gear, lots of tarps. Roadside parking. Ticks.  Elevations is in the 2,000 foot range.  Expect warm days, cool nights.  Please leave all electronics at home or in your car. If you bring them into the gathering, keep them powered off and carry them with you at all times.  Leaving electronics in a tent tempts thieves.


BOIL OR FILTER ALL WATER ~~  our water is not spring fed this year -- disturbed springs due to ancient (5,000 years ago) avalanch activity~~~ boulder fields abound! Plenty of rocks! I strongly recommend that your bring at least two gallons of water per person to cover your first few days at the gathering. Filtering water is slow going this year so you'll need the jugs to fill up.  To filter water, use a 2 micron filter or less. Filters for use in the home are not useful in these condtions.


BEAR AWARE!!! DO NOT FEED THE BEARS! Be noisy when wandering thru the woods. Bears love ~ dog food, compost, sugar, meat, trash, their cubs, berries, etc. DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!! Bears do not love: NOISE, light, dogs, fire, YOU between them and their CUBZ, human voice in some or clanging cup and spoons! BE BEAR AWARE! Avoid confrontations with BEARS!

Please keep your pet well fed, on a leash, out of the kitchen, dinner circles and fights. Bury your dog shit, bury all dog shit you see. ($125 fine for dogs off leash and LOTS of horses on trails and roads near gathering.) Do not let your dog chase wildlife. All dogs should be vaccinated for the Parvovirus. Don't bring your puppies if they are not vaccinated.



Bring water shoes for swimming in Lake ~~~ I believe that dogs have gotten cut feet...


Keep checking back for more info. Just a word of warning, online maps don't always match the signs on the ground. Best recommendation is to take multiple sets of directions, come in the morning so you can see the markers. Look for piles of rocks on the side of the road.

 Camp Map from a friend whose been on-site



A brother on Facebook made this basic map of the site and offered it up for sharing.


121 comments:

  1. look at this map and tell me why there is a big smeer mark over the area and you cant zoom in now look at the rest of the whole se usa and see if you see anything else like it
    http://goo.gl/maps/7G9F

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  2. sorry here is link
    http://goo.gl/maps/V5uz
    i had to show this to some one

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  3. That's called a cloud. Zoom in closer and you will see the site.

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  4. really big empty field just waiting for a circle.

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  5. Enjoy the ticks, dipshits.

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  6. Will this be a SUPER huge hike like at the Allegheny or a little less steep?

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  7. Directions and specific **TRAIL/GATE INFO

    From Johnson City: take 11E to 19E towards Elizabethton, take the 1st left onto 44, follow 44 through Bluff City (2 turns), then turn left onto 44 /Chinquapin Grove Rd *
    From Bristol: I 81 take VA exit 3, follow 11E through town about 3 miles, turn left at the light at Weaver Pike (358), follow to the end turn left onto 44 *
    *Continue East on 44 at Past Hickory Tree Grocery turn right on to Flatwoods Rd , follow FS camp/horse/boat signs follow signs park with all 4 wheels off on Flatwoods Rd

    **Good for carts gate: 87A on right is a gated 2+ mile moderate walk to main circle on a gravel road

    **Hardy hiker gate: 3 miles past 87A look for trail head on the right, Josiah Trail 50 most hardy, Josiah Horse Trail 45 still hardy for now but milder incline

    As always, please park with all 4 wheels off the gravel on Flatwoods Rd

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  8. Enjoy the mosquitos, ticks and the lyme-disease that is at levels not seen in decades—it should go well with all of the lice and craps you dirt-smelling hippie losers carry every day!

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  9. Watch out for chicks and tiggers and sticky hippies!

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    1. Well good thing I bought my T-I-Double G- ER Repellent, and my sticky hippy repellent. Chicks are fine by me.

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  10. i love all your dirty stinkin hippy faces and if you need help checkin for tics i'd be glad to help and cant wait to see you faces..... and if we're too loud your too close :D loving you family

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  11. Just came from site, about 300 already there with more arriving, guys I talked to expect 20-30 thousand WOW!!....welcome to East TN....Have fun!

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  12. LOVING YOU ALL!!!

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  13. I'll be bringing my banjo, so if you hear it DONT RUN come play with me haha

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  14. I wish they have would all go home where they came from.

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    1. We are home friend! This land is your land, this land is my land! You know the song!!!

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    2. We are home my friend~This land is your land, this land is OUR land....you know the song!

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  15. please drink only filtered water!!!!!

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  16. Also watch for Kentucky wild cats they are starting to become thickly populated around swva an north east Tennessee

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  17. Whats that smell like .....dj

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  18. The good for carts trail is not actually that good unless we develop that end of the gathering more.

    babz

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  19. don't pay attention to the haters. We live near where you will be and look forward to visiting with you. A Rainbow was our midwife!

    And just FYI, there is no Lyme disease in this area as of yet. Plenty of ticks, plenty of rocky mt. spotted fever, but not Lyme. The ticks have to be attached for a full day or more to infect you with either one so just be thorough in your tick checks!

    I just don't see how anybody can be against peace and love and understanding

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    1. Hey Thanks a lot
      Thinking of taking our family vacation at the gathering, it is nice to here from some locals that get it.
      Peace and Love to and your family

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    2. I too live in Bristol and have met only nice peaceful people on the Mtn! Have fun, enjoy our forest but remember, "Pack it in, Pack it out" leave it as clean as you found it! and always "Welcome Home"

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    3. I was camping with my family and decided to take the gravel road out of little oak campground towards 19E back home. I must say it was not a pleasant ride. People were parked all along side of the road. Honestly the people that were hanging out there didn't seem friendly. And they weren't in a big hurry to let me pass thru. A few ppl smiled and waved, but most just stared us down as we passed by. The rainbow gathering may be a peaceful event, but didn't look like you guys were peaceful at all. My kids were terrified. They kept asking why are they starring at us like that? One thing is for sure, I will definetely be getting my handgun carrying permit very soon. At first I was told gypsys were taking over the dirt road into little oak. Now I know that it's the rainbow family gathering. Well if you guys are peace loving people, then maybe you try smiling a lil more.

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    4. To the person who wrote above. The ppl you saw earlier were probably just arriving and have to detox from the "main stream" world like anyone else. They are coming from all parts of the country and are probably very tired and getting geared up for hours long walking before they can then setup their camps. Also, they are probably just as hesitant and worried about your reaction as you are theirs. You should stop through for a hot meal and visit inside -- oh and here you go my friend... **SMILE** :)

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    5. As far as I am concerned the pack in pack out thing needs too be followed by the locals! Have you seen what the mountain contains all kinds of trash that should NOT be there!

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    6. Because last year, we were told there was no Lyme disease and because last year I had someone report that they caught Lyme disease at or near the gathering, I feel this is important information to share. Many people travel long distances to come to the gathering and there's many places where Lyme disease (or similar tick born diseases) are prealant. I feel that it's important to share the information so people who have been bitten by a tick know how to communicate their symptoms.

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    7. I am sorry if you got a wierd vibe coming from the road near the gathering. Sometimes if you look "normal" or "mainstream" people tend to get a little uneasy whether they want to admit it or not. They get harassed or belittled and it gets tiring. I have been living fairly nearby in Asheville for the past few years, and look forward to the gathering being so close. One thing though is that in this area, people are really really nice! and I just think that some people are not used to that. In our town EVERYONE is courtous, even the police are nice. There is just an underlining respect where you wave at all your neighbors, you help someone if you see they need help. No matter how they look, race, religion, and this extends out to this whole area, and I'm assuming up in TN too.. sooo I am sorry if this couterous nature was not extended to you in your experience. They really are nice, wonderful people. we will work on that.. extending that coutous nature to ALL of our neihobors..it's just amazing that it exist and some people are going to be blown away! so please extend and watch as people respond in amazement!

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    8. so thats why that kid is so damn ugly

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  20. rainbows leave our area. we dont want u here.! dirty dope smokin draft dodgers

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    1. may you have peace, love, and light in your life. No need for ignorance and hate.

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    2. Ya'll better listen here son-You don't gotta do nothing, you don't gotta come, don't even gotta be polite. But, a good number of the boys up there are veterans. They got missing legs and arms and eyes and more to prove that. They come to heal, to pray, to find some peace. From VN era to boys and girls fresh outa BDU's in Iraq. Vets where part of this from the beginning, 1972. They where the foundation, the guides, and the makers of this Gathering. So, you do whatever you want, live however you want to live-but don't disrespect SOLDIERS who fought for YOU! By callin them "draft-dodgers". That is beyond disrespect!

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    3. I gather with Rainbow and I am a business-owner and decorated veteran of the US Navy

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    4. Really? Is there still a draft? What war were you drafted for my friend? I am a vet and a rainbow. I am also an MD and have a very successful practice. I don't smoke "dope", I do, however, enjoy peace, love, and understanding.

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  21. A more reasonable estimate of the number of attendees is in the 10 to 15 thousand range. We recycle as much as we can and take the rest of the trash to the dump. Green waste such as food scraps is composted on site. We have rarely had 30,000 folks at a gathering and definitely not this many people in the east.

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  22. Have you people ever heard of shingle town or Mt. city ? If not you may want to look into it.

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  23. yeah for banjos!.. and hopefully a fiddle, and mandolin!

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  24. Anyone heading down from Boston/NY?/Northeast? Loving you all.

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  25. Don't know if you have heard, DEA is in your midst! So, be careful children! I am a local, and some of my friends have been stopped and harassed too!

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    1. Tired of the problems these people cause.So glad the DEA is there.wish they would bust more of them. They have worn out their welcome. Please leave E.Tenn.

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    2. Whatta small mind to say hurtful lies to make a poor point. We are watched all the time. Judged by too many. Hated by the uneducated, mis-informed, and just short sighted folks... come. See for yourself. Make your own mind up!!! Nothing is there that isn't in the world... And in our woods!!! I live locally and know the news here is biased, fear based, and republican backed. Still after writing all of this....these people here are awesome folks when you get to know them...Rainbows as well as Appalachians!!! We're all family!!! So, if you have NEVER been or a life long Rainbow... if nothing else come, sit, listen, share, grow, and repeat as much as you like to!!! Daytrips are great if ya don't wish to stay overnight. Be kind. Give hugs. Be welcoming. We're all just great friends, cousins, buddies, and just people!!! Later!!! };~)

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  26. yesterday sun jun. 24, my 2 young boys and i were traveling out towards the lake on big creek cyn rd. we are avid hunters with our rifles proudly displayed on our gunracks in my truck. we were greeted by at least hundred hippies scattered all over walking and parked on the road. We were greeted by jeers and the smell of marijuana .No Guns, No War,put down your arms brothers..My boys were a bit scared by these dirty "people". some were in fact quite young. I live in Bristol and I didnt appreciate the tauts and jeers directed towards us from these people who probably dont work or pay taxes. Any idea how much this camping will cost the tennesee taxpayers? try close to a million dollars so they can pretend to have a prayer fest .I am all for free speech BUT against the use of drugs and rude behavior by the love people.If they are open minded as they say please remember we are people too whether we carry guns or not. thank you..

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    1. Yes we are all people of course, yet you put the word “people” in quotes (?). Do you consider hippies (hippie = Highly Intelligent Person Pursuing Inner Enlightenment) who have not had recent access to a shower any less worthy of respect or any less human than yourself? Do you think the taxes you pay are a good thing, trillions of dollars of which are spent on war machines? I have been to 17 national rainbow gatherings over the last 30 years and I have never seen any benefit to the presence of the forest service and their incident CREATION team. Quite to the contrary, I see the money used to harass our family, only to the benefit of those in uniform who seek to control others. If you do the research, you will find that every rainbow gathering site over the years was left completely cleaned up with trails reseeded, all done by the participants! I find it totally absurd to think that the millions of dollars of taxpayer money that is wasted is in any way contributing in a positive way to our event. If your boys were scared, I’m guessing it was because of whatever they were taught before their trip to the woods. I would think that the young rainbow children may have been far more scared by seeing your truck with guns “proudly displayed.” I am not my friendliest when I see someone displaying guns. And what is pretentious about praying in the woods? I find churches more pretentious but that’s beside the point. I do not advocate the use of “drugs” either but I feel it’s an individual’s right to decide what medicines they use. Do you consider all those much more dangerous yet “legal” drugs, i.e. pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and tobacco, to be more respectable, because our government sanctions them, favoring those industries who have the most lobbyists? I hope you’ll give this some thought.

      Allan FlyingCat

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    2. Mr Flying Cat, Using derogatory remarks about guns and church to people in our area (and disrespecting the way we raise our children) will garner you no respect with the locals here! If you ever hope to have "Peace and Love" in East TN you best just smile, wave, and say have a nice day! This will get you more respect and make your time spent with us more peaceful and enjoyable! Oh, one more thing, I ran into some "Young Rainbow Children" at the store today and I smelled the rank, sweaty, armpits before I even got to them! You can't convince me (or anyone else) that all that hiking and traveling all across the USA and they couldn't find ONE body of water they could wash their smelly asses in! I'm not the only one that noticed either! I hope you will give THIS some thought! Eric T.

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  27. I am sorry your boys were scared. That wasn't a good first impression. Many people give in to stereotypes as a shortcut to thinking. I don't know the details of your encounter of course but let me say some people such as myself and my small tribe of friends care very much about peace for all, so that your & ours will never have to know the reality of war, the human cost. I don't smoke marijuana so don't think that is everyone at the gathering, although I do know it to be a much safer alternative than alcohol. I will remember we are all one and I hope you will too, regardless of the misunderstanding & the perceived rudeness. We need not think alike to love alike.

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  28. Yes everyone has so much to say, so many opinions, but I think it is safe to say that old thing my gran am used to say: mind ur business, keep your opinions to yourself, be kind to everyone .... Not to hard to do. That alone would prevent alienating the locals, and creating a balanced tolerance! Peace out .

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  29. People hate what they are afraid of, so you need to step outside of you box. This land is Cherokee land, NOT southern "local" land. It is National Forest Public Land that was protected, but originally STOLEN from TRUE LOCALS, the precious, slaughtered, and destroyed CHEROKEE people. Lets remember them and what they HAD to go through. Sad truth, but true. Especially locals, your forefathers KILLED off the Native Americans, brought black slaves here, and are now selling off your land to developers like NEVER before. We need to be grateful that a TINY sliver of Cherokee people and their forest are left. The rest is developed and ruined. Black people have it better than Native Americans. Gather peacefully, and remember locals, YOU should be thankful, for the homes you live on have been built on NATIVE AMERICAN blood, think before you judge a pot smoking individual. A lot of Rainbows I know have mental health issues, and it is a lot better for them to be in Rainbow than to be institutionalized. The Mental Health Care in America sucks, and mainstream society won''t see it as a disease. If your heart is sick, you get treatment, but if you have mental illness, you get judged. Sad.
    Peace, the truth is an offense, not a sin.

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    1. You gotta be kidding! Just because we live here you equate that with genocide?! You need to dig up Andrew Jackson and tell him about the Cherokee cause! Also, no one in my family or anyone else I know, owned slaves! If the Cherokee nation wanted the land back they would take the multiplied millions of dollars they earn off the Harrahs casino they own and buy it back! By the way, what does that have to do with you "invading" our peace and quiet and disrupting folks around here! Keep the left wing diatribe to yourselves and keep the woods clean, be nice to the locals! Don't wear out your welcome before you get started! Have a nice day!

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  30. As Americans,I believe we should all contribute positively to our country. Yes , I am a tax paying ,hard working American. I dont necessarilty agree with paying so much taxes, but I deal with it.Whether you like it or not, the United States Military is an essential part in keeping your Rainbow group free to gather.I dont like trillions of dollars spent on war machines but, DEAL WITH IT. I live in Cuba,New Mexico .I have seen first hard the damage done by your group in our lovely forest area.Cigarette Butts, Toilet paper, tin cans,broken beer bottles, etc. the "reseeding" was done haphazardly at best.The enviromental impact of your trampling and crapping all over the forest was just AWFUL.Groundwater has been damaged by all the human waste of 20,000 people buried into the earth.We have laws in the United States. Alcohol,tobacco,pharmacueticals are legal.They no way are good things to use or abuse, BUT they are LEGAL. Marijuana is an ILLEGAL drug according to law. Do i think it is safer than alcohol and tobacco ,and pharmaceutical drugs? Yes, BUT the fact remains it is ILLEGAL. By the way I am an Indian, one of our beliefs is simple,clean of body, mind,and spirit.The Rainbows i encountered appeared to be searching and looking for something to make their lives a better place.Funny thing..what they were looking for was right in front of them and inside them.i believe in order for a human to function correctly you must keep your body clean.Everything else follows suit. Marijuana unfortunately does not enhance ones spirit,unless you truly are a Rastafarian.{sorry white people will never be let in or accepted}.I found it extremely offensive to see a kosa'{sacred pueblo society clown} to be imitated at that gathering. Yes, I did check it out.Do these people who did imitate the kosas realize the ramifications of these actions? well, I put it to you this way..I wouldnt want to be put in their shoes.All said,regardless these people have the right to gather so be it.I get what they want is world peace,so do I !!!!! But...get off your high horses back down to earth, by actually contributing to society,eg.. working,paying your taxes,community voluteering,.Not freeloading off the goverment programs you put down so much.Practice what you preach, keep yourselves clean...Filth breeds filth, nuff said..Be safe and be true to your country..

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    1. Amen brother!

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    2. i am a forest service worker in northern n.m. i run a tree planting crew of mainly youth workers . on a recent outing by the 2009 rainbow site,we too were appalled by the absolute mess left by the rainbows.garbage that had been buried has been eroded and exposed. Coffee cans, beer cans,large amounts of cigarette butts,string , plastic bottles,crap paper. very sad... We hauled 2 full truckloads of trash out of the area. there were sites where the land was still scorched.I know this was not left by hunters . Regardless of what the rainbows say,there is no way that anything good came from trashing of the land they so fervently say they repect. As far as disrespecting native cultures here in New Mexico,thats just not good. some of my crew are Natives and just shuddered at the consequences for the rainbows diregard of their sacred culture.

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    3. If by recent, you mean in the year 2012, I'm wondering if perhaps other people have been camping up at the site where the 2009 gathering was held. Here are links to the cleanup letter we received from the USFS for the 2009 gathering in New Mexico.
      Page 1: http://karinzirk.com/rainbow/newmexico2009/Cleanup_ltr_2009_p1.jpg
      Page 2 http://karinzirk.com/rainbow/newmexico2009/Cleanup_ltr_2009_p2.jpg

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    4. drive by's in a forest service truck are not proof it was cleaned up, one has to actually get out of the vehicle to see whats up.

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    5. These cleanup reports are not based on a drive by. These are compiled by FS resource staff who are on the ground daily, inspecting on foot, working directly with the Rainbow cleanup crew.

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    6. That being said, if there was a problem with the cleanup, we should know about it. If you can look at the topo from the NM Gathering, and to your best recollection, point out where you say this trash was found, we could look into it:

      http://tinyurl.com/7gpx6au

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    7. Garrick Beck, Santa Fe, NMJune 27, 2012 at 4:44 PM

      Replying to the anon forest worker who saw and reported 'cleanup' problems at the 2009 New Mexico site: First, thank you for writing us and taking the time to post here.
      But something is wrong in this picture. I was one of the participants in the clean up of that Gathering and I was one of the very last handful of people leaving that site. At the tail end of cleanup we walked it thoroughly from one end to the other and back and forth again and again with the district ranger, with the district ranger's resource crew, with reps from the Santa Fe Nat'l. Forest HQ, with local citizens from Cuba who were rightfully concerned and with members of the fire crew from the forest district who all came to look over and check off on the cleanup process.

      At that time the place was in amazing shape. And all these different observers saw it that way. There were no "two truckloads" of garbage left anywhere. There was hardly a piece of twine to be found. I took photographs and so did the FS. There was no land 'scorched.'

      Could some of the waaaay smaller camps have buried their own garbage and could it have surfaced? Yes, that is a true possiblity. I certainly don't want to deny the truth of what this writer has said. I believe the writer is reporting to us accurately, but my best thinking is that - since this Gathering occurred just about three years ago as of this writing - people who had been introduced to this hidden gem of a meadowed area came up later and partied, camped, carried on and left a mess behind them there. Let the Rainbows take the blame.
      Another possibility is that the area described is being confused with a different place. I'm not saying that's the case, but it could be.
      When I left that site at the beginning of August 2009 it was hard to tell, even then, that all those people had been there. I know the Forest Service agreed. Still if there is something like buried-and-re-surfaced trash left behind visible today, let us know on this blog and I will go there with a crew of rainbows and clean it up. I'll need gps or really clear directions because that was a very big site.

      Again, there surely wasn't any trash left anywhere near the roads or pathways or trails...maybe, maybe, maybe there was some super remote camp that we rainbow cleanup crews, and the Forest Service resource people and the fire crew (which did double duty as a cleanup monitoring crew) and the resource people from the Forest HQ --- all of whom walked and criss-crossed the entire site multiple times at the very end to prevent any thing like this writer reports being left behind -- maybe there was something we all missed, and maybe there there was some totally buried trash that did re-surface because of natural erosion. But in all honesty, I think it is far more likely that people came up to the site in September or even a year or more after we Rainbows were long gone and like so many non-rainbows who have been trashing the American forests for the past century left the piggy-sty stuff the author above describes.

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  31. My kids and I will be pleased to boost your economy the first week of July. See you in the local diner..but bets are you wont be able to tell me apart from the rest of the summer folk. Let's all have an open mind and be kind!

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  32. Is there any word on if that gravel road has been upgraded? I have small children and am disabled so I need a heads up on exactly how steep the hike is and which trail would really be better for the children and I. Thanks...and LOVE you!

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    1. No, its extremely dry and dusty and the temp. for Friday is supposed to hit 100 degrees! Drink plenty of water.

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    2. how steep is the hike? Considering the Josiah 45 trail but need to know which is easiest for children and disabled. Other ppl I know who have disabilities are seeking this info too. Some rainbows have said they cannot come due to the uphill nature described. I need to know how to encourage them to come!
      Loving you!

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  33. There are doctors, lawyers, scientists, decorated military personnel, and everyday folk that count themselves amongst the rainbow family who pay more than their share of taxes that consider themselves "hippies" they obey the law, love mother earth and want to make the world a better place. They come from all walks of life, various religions and spiritual beliefs with one common goal... To show peace, love and understanding works and is attainable. They come from different states, where marijuana may be legal for them to use for medicinal reasons. We must remember, It is Fear and lack of understanding that is the reasons for these negative comments. To those who are able to attend, experience all that you are meant to and we can only hope that those who fear will see that your presence was a positive one so one day they may see we can all live in peace and harmony on a global scale. Namaste.

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    1. just letting you know, encountered many Rainbows family,up by the Mountain and in town.I enjoy meeting all types of people and talked with a few Rainbows family.they seemed a bit discourteous and 2 were downright rude.I witnessed panhandling and obviously some were intoxicated.Some were laying in the parking lot creating a safety hazard. They made fun of some young local girls .We want to welcome the Rainbows family,and encourage them to have a safe and peaceful time. I dont fear them,but admittedly am just quite curious.I found that the Rainbows family are so desperate to belong to something, desperate souls who are not peace with themselves, who keep searching for something that it isnt there.But their reasons are their own..I ask that you just please dont panhandle,loiter, and make rude comments..Unfortunately there are some good ol boys who do enjoy making trouble for outsiders.

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  34. Perhaps we should send a cleanup crew back into each site one or two years after we've left. Or a scout who can let us know what is happening. Sadly, some camps do bury stuff that really should be carried out.

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  35. Burying trash is never OK. If anyone at a Gathering did that, it would be great to know who, so some folks could gently remind them (emphasis on the gently).

    If the person who claimed they found this trash could tell us approx. where it was, we might be able to deal with it. Here is the link to the topo of the 2009 site:

    http://tinyurl.com/7gpx6au

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  36. Ahh, Stereotyping from limited samples...
    I'm GERMAN, but I never gassed a Jew. I'm WHITE, but never enslaved a black, displaced or made false treaty promises to Native Americans. I'm LEFT of center, but I don't pretend the welfare system is highly effective, perform abortions at 9 months, or hate republicans. I consider myself GREEN, but I don't spike trees or vandalize logging equipment. I'm STRAIGHT, but not NARROW (minded)... & I support gay & lesbian's right to same pursuit of happiness & privileges that I have, but I condemn NAMBLA, pedophile priests & others abusing authority & trust.

    Don't judge an entire group by misguided, lost souls, posers, or party-goers who show no concern for the ideals of the rainbow family & gatherings. I've never attended a gathering, but hope to experience it this year.

    I'm a psychotherapist & prof. musician whose never tried coke or acid and doesn't like the buzz from pot.

    Locals - please meet MORE attendees before forming your opinions or judging entire GROUPS.

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  37. I absolutely agree, let's all pray for the DEA and police to arrest and put an end to this devils cult

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    1. Oh my lord people! This is getting ridiculous! We have one extreme or the other, either you are blaming the locals for stealing land from the Indians or the locals are condemning people to Hell! Lets all get some sanity here! Rainbows, conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner, clean up after the gathering and try to get along with the locals! Locals, try to be kind and have an open mind and quit condemning people you don't understand! I'm sure we can get through the other side of this gathering with everyone coming out winners!

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    2. I'm starting to get just a little scared listening to the Locals, although I am sure this is the point. This will be my second gathering with my children. Of course there are some, i noticed in PA, who were younger and a little disjointed. And I thought it was AWESOME to see the elders and others show them love, encourage them, hug them...and teach them how to protect and love the planet. A big gathering will attract all kinds. If you see A-Camp, you will think we will all a bunch of crazy, out of control drunks. There is a reason that ACamp is outside the main gathering. During the gathering, I noticed many many people volunteering for clean up, mostly collecting cig butts and pocket trash. Everyone was gently reminding everyone else to take care of the land. Anyone who was abusing drugs or not well, was taken care of. There will always be those who need help. And those who do not understand. I don't want to be scared to bring my kids to this gathering. Is it this bad every year? Lets all seek to find our commonalities and not turn our nose up at our differences. Please...

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    3. Unfortunately, some of our family who show up early are a little more alientating to the locals than perhaps some of the folks rolling in now. Treating everyone you meet with respect and a smile is all it takes. Many of the locals are thrilled we are here and I totally understand that if someone from out of the area came into your community and was less than respectful, you might get a negative vibe. My guess is we'll have a lot of local folks praying with us on the 4th.

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  38. We are going to be heading into the gathering some time tomorrow. Has been a few years since we've been home and looking forward to spending a week with our brothers and sisters. Wondering if anyone already onsite is in need of anything, kitchens, calm, water camp, etc. Will check back in the morning for any requests.

    Lovin' you

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    1. We are in Bristol tonight, heading in first light. We have a couple shovels and will gladly dig a few slit trenches. Where are they needed most? Any other supplies needed? Will check back one last time in the morning.

      Lovin you

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    2. All you have to do is go to a kitchen and say we want to dig shitters and you'll get put to work. Read tonight's post about parking. Candy bars will get you a lot of friends or good trades. Sunscreen couldn't hurt.

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  39. I've been playing on the Internet for a lot of years (since the mid-80s) and one trend I have noticed, is that a person who posts a lot of shit on line, is usually a really cool person when you meet them in person.

    Remember everyone with a belly button is Rainbow, which means all the beautiful amazing local people are Rainbows as well.

    Be the peace and love you wish to see in this world.

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  40. well said...if i choose to dose then thats my trip. i dont want to bother anyone,with a large group there are all types.Most rainbows trtuly do love all. there are some who are bad elements and are into truly dark activities. remember the Dead touring scene post 1986? i believe the good outnumber the bad..I LOVE YOU ALL.

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  41. Karin, I'm a local who has posted on here several times over the weeks proceeding the gathering, some positive, some negative, depending on the circumstances. This is my first (as well as others) experience with the Rainbow Gathering even though I have heard of and had friends who attended regional Gatherings. The Rainbows I have met have been personable and friendly but, I have talked to locals who have met some who weren't, also I have talked with local business owners who have had experiences of some Rainbows shoplifting and scamming and panhandling, this is where the bad rap is coming from. Believe me, we know how to handle a crowd in Bristol, twice a year we have 150+ thousand NASCAR fans in town and we can handle drunks and everything in between and they can sometimes be a little rowdy! We know when you get large crowds together you are gonna attract an element that is not as nice as most, but we also know one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch. So, I suggest the more experienced Rainbow veterans have a word in the main meadow and set the example for the younger Rainbows on relations with the locals cause people, unfortunately, do go on first impressions. Be safe, drink lots of water, be kind to the locals(and they will be kind to you, I hope!)make sure you clean up the woods (prove the critics wrong!) and have a good time with us! Maybe I'll see ya on the mountain! Eric T.

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    1. Thanks for the various perspectives. It's always good for folks to know how they impact the local communtiy (good and bad).

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  42. Sad u feel that way but I guess...narrow minded ness leads to limited ability when it comes to tolerance empathy and the pursuit of happiness. I hope that you one day figure out that if u think before u spew mean things from your mouth, and get ALL the facts... You too may find internal happiness.

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  43. Amen to that. Levity and love works magic every time!

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  44. WARNING! Was at the store and saw hippie kids who were stealing lunch meat and candy.:I, yelled and chased after 2; of,them.they dropped the stolen items and jumped into a green Subaru wagon.license plates were from Colorado.I'm sick of these rainbow bums panhandling ,stealing,even pissing behind stores. Makes me sick.if these rainbows creeps don't want trouble they better watch themselves. Us local people will be taking matters into our own hands..

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  45. I urge gatherers to CONFRONT & the poorly behaved when seen littering, stealing, disrespecting the land or the locals, and impress upon them how they hurt everyone else with their irresponsible, reputation-damaging/causing behaviors.

    Also, trying to blatantly un-do, or compensate the town/business/environment for any damage done shows true Rainbow ethics of respect, coexistence, and land stewardship.

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  46. Welcome to ET. Stay safe and drink plenty of water.
    Mother Nature has dealt the area "all time" record breaking heat for last and next few days. How far is the lake shore from the info trading area?

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  47. I am traveling to gathering today and hope to experience a loving time. I am just a little wary bout the drug use i so often hear about. I want to have fun but have heard horror stories bout rampant drug use and dirty conditions,also have heard aids scares as well. I want world peace, and love for all. Can anyone provide me with a little info as what to expect? Thank you...

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    1. It's a backwoods camping experience, so yes there will be dirt (as in soil) everywhere - prbably a lot of mud as well after the thunder storms. AIDS is just a rumor. As to the rest, read this blog, go to the links on the right hand side of the page.

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  48. For those of you concerned (rightfully) about the potential impact on the land, and the cleanup by the Rainbows, check this out:

    "There was no sign that 15,000 people had gathered the year prior to pray for world peace. True to their word, Skookum Meadows was left in better condition than it was found. The clean up crew did an amazing job and kept their promise."

    This, from a reporter who just re-visited the 2011 Gathering site in Washington. Of course, it's not comprehensive, and this reporter is not an expert, but it should hold some re-assurance that we mean it when we say we intend to leave no trace behind.

    http://www.examiner.com/article/skookum-meadows-1-year-after-gathering

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  49. B.S! Last wed.I was up scouting at N.M. 2009 natl. Gathering site. I can verify I did see partially buried trash in 4 areas.HONESTLY how can rainbows say they clean everything?B.S. ! What bout all the human shit from these people? Groundwater damage?do they think of us local hunters? Or jus bout their acid trips and bong loads? I for one as well as several hunters will never again let rainbows trample this once pristine area. They are self centered bunch of lowlifes blabbing their BS. They lie ,cheat,steal and actively ,we believe are in fact are a group of drug fueled terrorists destroying the earth .beware of wolves in sheep's clothing...

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    1. Can you please give us exact coordinates so we can go deal with it?

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  50. may i add a burden to society as well. well i will anyway. They are the whoa-es-me- .why is my life so screwd up. Crying in their pot joints, crying on their LSD trips. Moping around looking for handouts wherever they go.These people are their own worse enemys.Eco-friendly.NOT. Vagrant outcasts, YES

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    1. Hate to bust your sterotype. While some people who go to gatherings may fall into your stereotype, most don't. I and many other people I know, own homes, have full time jobs, college degrees, etc. Have you gone up to the site and met the Registered Nurses or Medical Doctors? What about the IT Professionals lawyers. I know a lot of teachers who come to the gathering as well as bankers, construction workers, artists and self-proclaimed professional bums. For me the beauty of the gathering is that with all these different backgrounds, we come together as equals and look out for each other.

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  51. To Karin,: I made the hike this morning to see for myself.Some observations... lots of dirty people of all ages Why would parents subject these poor kids to unclean people ? Why would they keep their kids dirty? This phony I love you brother" welcome home ,all is groovy cuz I'm loaded and this is what I'm supposed to say to be a hippy for a week. LOTS of pot smoking, even around kids.LOTS of stray puppies some looked very sickly.some people tried to hug me , I didn't for not wanting to be touched by some loaded women with dreadlocks desperately in need of a bath.some man ,eyes as big as saucers,wearing a skirt. Obviously high as can be. I was offered pot and around the trading circle area , a lady wanted me to trade my turquoise necklace for some "clean doses". Why on earth d these people offer me drugs? I'm a tall native American ,very long hair , cowboy hat and boots. do I need drugs? No,, on the plus side I did see very limited alcohol use. Entering the gathering site I did see some kids and a few adults very drunk.one of them yelled ."HOW TONTO!" I did observe and saw some non-indians dressed in what they perceived as ceromonial dress , mimicking some sort of dance. This put me off very much.A group who I sat down with 2 women had claimed they were Hopi.When I asked from where in Hopiland they were from , they said by the place where grandfather martin lives.well I were that I inquired? Um in new Mexico.well Hopiland is in AZ. As we all know and I never met any Hopi woman with blonde hair and green eyes. I wandered around some more and just saw lots of pot smoking , some young kids getting magic mushrooms from a guy that looked like he just crawled out from under a rock. All said after 3 hr. I left. I saw a lost group of souls searching for answers in pot pipes and "clean doses" and magic mushrooms. Some people I chatted with were OK and explained to me the whole purpose why they gather. Is world peace..Good reason! But in my opinion I don't think but living in filth and abusing drugs is the way to achieve that to me I think these real rainbows are no good..What's worse are the people that looked like they were pretending to be rainbows. My question I left with was"Why would anyone want to take pride in being very dirty,abuse children and animals and their bodies to obtain world peace" oh and their shutters just long trenches filled with shit and flies .this can't be good for the earth. rainbows talk the talk but most certainly DON'T WALK the WALK

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  52. Why, you shore do have a perty mouth....

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  53. Thank you for your post. I am not affiliated w/ this Gathering and I live in California. However, my 20 yr. old son and 4 of his friends are at this years gathering and I have not heard one word from him since before they arrived 5-6 days ago. All I can do is hope he's okay but your post makes me uneasy. Thank you, though for sharing your experience.
    Pam D./San Diego

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    1. @ Pam,
      That's not unusual. Folks are in the woods. Unless he has his own phone and has a way to keep it charged and has reception, there is no way to call. If he needs to go to his car to charge it that could be 4 miles away and that's a long (and dangerous hike in the heat). Much safer and healthier to stay in the woods and stay hydrated. No news is good news.

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    2. Pam ,I m sure your son is OK.I did see a first aid tent area there .I was told they did have it well staffed. What I did experience in my trek to rainbow was a very creepy underlying bad vibe.there just a deep dark element at work there. A phoniness and false caring atmosphere prevailed along with promises of love and peace etc. I felt these people are a cult of truly bad intentions. The young can be easily swayed into this false nirvana especially if under the influence of some very powerful pschyedelic
      Drugs. I m sure by the massive amount of pot smoked there that many could be influenced as well. These people are society's rejects.extremely filthy physicalyy and mentally. There pride in their lack of hygeine was evident as was their drug use.Pam im positive your son is well and Lord willing will see thru this false peace and love rainbow facade

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    3. We have medical doctors, registered nurses and EMTs at the gathering who coordinate with local medical providers to deal with serious issues where care cannot be provided free of charge on site. As to cult, I'm laughing on the ground hysterically. What people commonly call a cult is a group of people with the same belief system that are discouraged from interacting with those outside of the so called cult. If you spend any amount of time at the gathering, you would realize how diverse the belief systems are of people who gather and how long it takes us to get anything done because everyone has a completely different idea of what should or shouldn't be done. By July 7th, the majority of the people will have left and returned to what ever life they had before they came. We invited everyone on the planet to gather with us. In my exerience, a lot of people come who have had bad life experiences outside of the gathering. We didn't create that -- society at large created that. While not everyone who comes to the gathering finds healing as they learn to work with each other, many do and become better people for their willingness to hear all opinions and ideas.

      As to the use of marijuana, lot's of people who gather use marijuana for a wide range of reasons. But in my experience a large percentage of gatherers don't use marijuana frequently or at all. Of course what do I know, I've only been doing this for 20 years and I'm sure someone who spent a couple of hours there is an expert.

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  54. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  55. Just a reminder folks, please make your points constructively. I have a policy about commenting on this blog which you can read at http://appalachiangathering2012.blogspot.com/2012/06/commenting-on-this-blog.html

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  56. Society didnt create bad experiences for these people. They created it all by themselves.Everyone creates their own happiness or their own misery.Its up to that person to choose. Life is about decisions.These people who choose this lifestyle revel in the fact and truly enjoy the attention of being a rainbow. as for pot use, it is illegal and im positive the majority (im guessing 80% of gatherers use pot regularly.)Yet to be addressed is the disrespect and false dogma of the American Indian culture,The "Native Americans" i talked with and observed did not know the first thing about themselves. Argue if you want, but truth be told American Indian ways are not for rainbow or for anyone not associated by blood with that particular tribe or clan.PERIOD! Still no answer re: the effects of 10,000 people shitting twice a day into the earth, nor the lack of caring for filthy childre,,nor the sickly puppies i observed, nor the dealing and using of "clean doses" magic mushrooms ,pot and "Molly" whatever that drug is. Nor the lack of pulling the proper permits.etc. There are at least a 100 other reasons i could mention.Nothing positive is ever achieved by ,let alone world peace, by voluntarily keeping your body dirty,and even associating or letting people abuse drugs, animals, and children.

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    1. I certainly don't condone people disrespecting anyone, but as I'm not there and did not witness what you did, any specific response I provide would be complete fabrication so since I can neither confirm nor deny your reports of what you witnessed, I choose to hold my words.

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  58. I think that to often people do things under the veil of something else. I believe that these people have themselves convinced that all they want is world peace when what they are really wanting is the opportunity to do "whatever" they want and rub it in others faces that they can't do anything about it. If they truly seek world peace they would never put themselves in opposition to any authority and would live as monks. To truly seek out world peace and attain it one must forget themselves entirely and not self gratify at all(drug use goes against this completely because drug use is only for the user and has no benefit whatsoever to their fellow man). At it's core these meetings are about self-gratification. Finding oneself is a central theme, as is being true to oneself. The irony is what "true self" are they trying to find. If their definition of "true self" is someone without any regard to what is right and acceptable behavior as one human being toward another in regards to respect and authority than by all accounts I am sure they have found their version of "true self". But do they realize how sad that is? To thumb their noses and whine about "everyone hating them and all they wanted was world peace". Please I am not convinced. They try to act like they don't care what others think, but by having blogs such as this and spending countless hours either being disrespectful or trying to justify their actions they are showing their cards. In truth they care more than most. They care so much about it that they make it a point to draw attention to it. If they weren't so selfish and self driven they would spend their time finding ways to actually improve the conditions of this world, instead of causing more problems to deal with. Just think if all the "energy" that was put into these gatherings was put into a real cause like say feeding the starving people in this world or helping the widows and orphans of war what good would happen then? I am sure if the very people that are trying to justify this "gathering" used their time to be productive helpful members of society no one would be able to say anything negative about them. If you want world peace study the life of Mother Teresa. Shape and live your life in the way that she lived hers. She never self gratified. Everything she did was to help someone else. Really help them. Help them eat. Help them get an education. Help them have a place to sleep at night. Give your pot money to the needy. Gather at the places your needed and wanted. I'm sure every homeless shelter in america would welcome volunteers. Your lying to yourself if you think the gathering is about world peace. World peace is the last thing on the mind of the "gatherers". They are shit stirrers of the highest form. It's been my experience that shit stirrers rarely ever accomplish anything else and eventually get tired of their on hypocritical smell!!!! Most people disagree with their disillusioned version of "true self" because at some point in their lives they felt the true happiness found in giving of themselves to a worthy cause. I feel the "true self" that we should all aspire to find within ourselves is far less complex. Simply put our "true self" is that person who does good for his fellow human beings and forgets himself entirely. Anyone who has experienced the satisfaction of knowing that they contributed to the betterment of a fellow human beings life knows their is no greater "high". To know that your soul purpose in life is to gratify yourself at the expense and to the detriment of an entire community of people must be exhausting and very self depreciating. I assume that is why they need drugs. It's beyond sad! I pity them!

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  59. wOW!!!!!!!! absolutely true...thank you so much.. This "rainbow brothers and sisters" is real words to live by. rainbows.....the truth hurts...

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  60. Wow! Absolutely well put!

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  61. Well the good news is that we can dialogue about our individual thoughts and perspectives in a peaceful way. Thank you for creating and working for peace.

    As to what people do when they're not participating in a gathering, That's a novel and not everyone participates in public service. And not everyone is going to even like the sorts of things gatherer's do when they're not gathering.

    Some of the people I know personally farm, others build health clinics in Hati, some folks I know are working to save the buffalo in the Rocky Mountains, others are teachers dedicating themselves to providing a top notch education to all children. A lot of the younger adults go to college. I know a lot of people who work year round in habitat restoration: creeks, oceans, trees--stuff like that. Some people who gather are former or current members of various branches of the US Military. Some of the kitchens that feed at the annual gathering spend the rest of the year feeding homeless people all over the United States of America. Seems to me that everyone diserves a couple of weeks to gather with like minded people and recharge their batteries before setting off again. I know it helps me to stay motivated to create the change I wish to see in this world.

    I wasn't able to go this year because of local committments, but I've seen photos and the site beautiful. The Appalachians are mountains with presence and while I haven't been there in a number of years, I look forward to my next trip out that way.

    And if you ever make it out to California, we've got some amazing beaches and mountains in San Diego. You can go surfing in the morning, cross country sking after lunch, and a sunset wildflower walk in the desert - all in one day. Enjoy!

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  62. Can wait for people to start returning so I can hear about the good things I missed this year. I'm Rainbow because I have a belly button. I don't claim or preach anything about "Rainbow". I work my ass of all year and for one week I forget about the outside world. No matter what tribe, race, country, creed or background you're from there are going to be assholes and a "Free party in the woods" are going to draw them in. I own a house, 2 Harleys and a custom motorcycle, when I'm in my car the tops down and someone always needs my pick up truck. I'm a father of two awesome kids, own my business and was a tier one tech for Earthlink/Mindspring . I will drop what I'm doing to help someone in need. For 51 weeks a year I do what I can to help the world. I couldn't make this years gathering but when I'm there I help where ever I can. I hunt also and I'm proud of the land we have. With all the evil in the world I'll still pull over to help someone broke down along the road. To put down the whole gathering because you didn't meet the right people? Maybe the none assholes didn't like your holy tude and thought you weren't worth talking too. Did you hang in any kitchens and help out? Since 1990 I've never been to A-camp and only goto Main Meadow on high noon July 4th. Why, I don't like the vibes. All these people goto the gather for a reason but I wish I didn't have a life so I could hike in, hike out, search out a blog and bitch bitch bitch. I've met some of the coolest people of my life at gatherings. I've had friends I met from gatherings help me in life more tha my blood family. I have no talk to talk and would rather ride than walk. I do more good than bad. For those worried about your loved ones at the gathering, don't worry... There loved, safe and surrounded by GREAT people. For those who "won't" allow a rainbow back in "their" area, just go ahead and piss off a vet and not "allow" us on OUR land. I believe in peace but I'm far from a "hippie". How many times a day do you come back to blog to repost bad shit, wish I had nothing better to do. Anyways, sorry for venting, Lovin' you and Peace to ALL!

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    1. As one of those worried ones, I appreciated your post. Thank you so much!
      Pam/San Diego

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    2. To Mr.type 1 tech. I think you got ur gatherings mixed up.yours is coming up next week....BOHEMIAN GROVE...

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    3. amazing ,.I nominate the above house owner and harley man..as Man Of the Year..hes got my vote.

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  63. Does anyone know where to find the online printable version of this year's newsletter? It had Mama
    turtle's story about Bam Bam... touching, need to re-read it and read the rest of it!!! Amazing gathering. So much love- loving you family, can't wait to come back home next year <3

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    1. If you mean the All Ways Free, you can find it http://appalachiangathering2012.blogspot.com/2012/06/all-ways-free.html

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