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.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

On Forest Service/Gatherer Relations and Other News From the Gathering

Yesterday (6/22), the USFS met with folks on the land. They brought bread and water to share with the council.  Folks had a nice discussion. Lot's of questions as usual. The next meeting is Sunday, June 24 @ 2 PM (Tennessee time).  As with everything Rainbow, all peaceful people are encouraged to participate.

Parking is along 13 miles of road. Make sure to park with wheels off the road. Please carpool as much as possible as the parking is limited. No bus village.  A few buses in a small turn out but that spot is full.

Plan on camping close to your neighors as the site is small.  If you were in Michigan in 2002, you know the drill.  When are tents are close together, we need to be extra considerate of our neighbors.


Posted by Karin at 9:33 AM

13 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 23, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    karin...have you heard if the usfs is going to ask for a permit or will they be going for an alternative method

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    1. AnonymousJune 24, 2012 at 10:27 AM

      Karin,

      I just came out to check emails and such. I have been at the Gathering for the last three days and it has been just wonderful. Swimming in the lake 3x a day has been great to battle the heat. Tell everyone it rains almost every afternoon, but it usually does not last long. As expected, the LEO action has been heavy, typical for this time in Gathering. My car got searched yesterday as I was coming back from a food supply run to town. My passenger did not have his seatbelt on, gave them probable cause to stop us, then they brought out the drug dog. WHO BY THE WAY DID NOT REACT AT ALL TO MY CAR, but they lied and said it did (I Videotaped the whole thing), so they searched the car for 15 minutes. Of course it was completely clean (I do not allow anything illegal in my car), and totally legal, so they let us move on, but not before they opened my grape jelly and spilled it all over my food bag, and they OPENED MY SEALED 1 GALLON WATER JUST I HAD JUST BOUGHT FROM THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE. For goodness sakes! It was a clear jug of water! They had to break the safety seal to search my water?? What did they do, spit in it? I have it on videotape with a witness, I am going to write some letters... Why did they have to contaminate my sealed, unopened, just-purchased gallon of water?? Jerks.
      Aside from that, it has been all good. Have not seen a single mosquito, and not one tick, very little poison ivy. Sucky parking, for some reason they are only letting us use one side of the road, that decision will probably come back to bite them on the ass... Good main road, bring a bike!!
      Bunch of busses arrived yesterday, I figure about 14-15 busses now crowded into that tiny parking spot by the lake.
      Very little herbal energy at the Gathering, lots of good food, very nice energy so far, lots of cooperation in evidence. Lots and lots of dogs, mostly puppies. Good vibes so far, minimal A Camp energy so far, I think they started serving in Main Meadow at 6pm yesterday. Main meadow overgrown with high weeds, I helped stomping weeds down last couple days, still lots of work to do. No shuttle set up yet. FS personnel said about 1,000 bellies so far, I see no reason to contradict that. Tell pholks to bring a legal, clean vehicle, vacuum out all herbal traces from vehicle before they come. Its all good! Ignore all rumors of cancellation, we are happening! Loving you,

      Roy the Third

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  2. KarinJune 23, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    I know nothing, but I'm sure if you make the council on June 24th, you will find out.

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  3. samJune 23, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    LEO brought "bread & water"? Lol...

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  4. mikeyJune 23, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    does anybody know were the best place 2 set up a tent would b?

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  5. UnknownJune 24, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    I am handicap and cannot walk two or three miles through woods and up hills to get in, what can I do, I cannot bring my wheelchair for this, on google map I see a pigtrail road going in all the way, why can't i use it?

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    1. SunShine BearWomanJune 24, 2012 at 10:29 AM

      Blessings to you Donna..I to can not walk that far(arthritis,badly need knee replacement) so this yr. I will be using a wheelchair for the first time like this..But I have Faith that All will be good..I`m sure that if you need any help,there will be a Loving,Caring,Helpful Brother or Sister that will lend a helping hand..Come Home..May you All have a safe+happy journey Home,one that is full of many Blessings <3

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    2. KarinJune 24, 2012 at 9:50 PM

      Family, we will get everyone in. If you need help please ask. If you have a wheelchair, folks often put poles underneath it and carry you in or push you in depending on the terrain. Some years we have rickshaws or similar types of devices to get people in. Rumor has it that there may be a local brother with a horse and wagon to help those needing the assistance. Please be aware that getting in will take some time so make sure to plan accordingly. An early morning arrival will allow folks to gather bodies to assist. Also check out the Access Rap at http://washingtongathering.blogspot.com/2011/06/access-rap.html for an idea of what to expect.

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    3. AnonymousJune 29, 2012 at 12:05 PM

      I recommend the local campground, not far from the Gathering, $12 per night, good access, bathrooms, etc.

      Once Gathering shuttle gets going, you will have easy hourly access to the Front Gate, bus village, and all the action along the road. Beyond that, you can recruit pholks to carry you part way in, I suppose....

      I recommend the campground.

      Roy III

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  6. AnonymousJune 25, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    How far back on the road is the parking so far? I am planning on driving up there Sat evening and am kind of concerned about a long hike at night. It's my first gathering but my longtime boyfriend has attended several and even run a kitchen before. He's been bugging me for years to come and now that it's in my home state, I am out of excuses. :)

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  7. AnonymousJune 29, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    Hi Everyone. I'm looking for a little information from people on-site. My dad hasn't been Home since the late 70's, and I have heard stories my whole life. We live in southwest VA would like to come Home, but he is concerned about the hike in and parking (we can only stay for a couple days). Is there any shuttle system set up yet? How dense is the camping situation expected to be? (Room for family tents or are individual tents best?)

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  8. DianaJune 30, 2012 at 5:43 AM

    We are on our way with our 1, 2, and 7 year olds. We live in a motorhome and were expecting a bus village. We have a tent but no sleeping bags. I'm really worried to hear there's no bus village. Any ideas for us? It's our first Rainbow....

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    1. KarinJune 30, 2012 at 7:15 AM

      Find a place to park off the gravel road with all four wheels off the gravel. Don't park along the black top road. I'm not on site and parking scenes change all the time. Folks working parking will give you the best information they have at the time. Be prepared for it took take awhile.

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