Sunday, July 18, 2010

Summer Stock - Rainbow 2010

For years, my 'best' friend and I would take a 4th of July road trip to the National Rainbow Gathering in whatever national forest it was taking place.  The Rainbow Gathering is a city in the forest created by the tens of thousands of people who attend these things, for the purpose of coming together to celebrate and meditate for our nation.  It is an incredibly healing and joyful journey, and we have traveled to many different state forests to attend, even driving most of the way across the country from NY to Wyoming one Summer.  This Summer, the National was held in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, a mere 5+ hour drive away!  It was incredibly exciting for us to embark upon this journey after more than 10 years away (hey, we can't be 20-something hippie freaks forever, can we?  Or can we?), and to be bringing my son along for the first time.  This was the beginning of our road trip:


The hike in was pretty gnarly, and I had to constantly encourage my 6 year old every step of the way that the 5 mile hike was not going to kill him, while trying not to have a heart attack myself - I hadn't taken into account the aging process, and the extra hundred pounds of fat I'm carrying, so I was pretty damn happy when we made it to the Main Meadow, myself!

 

Once we had made camp and settled in, it was an absolutely glorious experience to be among the freaks again, to be loved and cared for like family, because that's what Rainbow is - family.  People hug each other, and say 'lovin' you!' all day long to complete strangers, and make new friends at every turn.  The drumming lasts well into the night, and I haven't slept better on my mattress at home than I did on that forest floor, listening to the celebratory lullaby that I hadn't realized how much I'd missed.

   

After the Silent Meditation for World Peace on the morning of July 4th, I handed the camera-phone to the kid to see what he would do with it.  I think he took the best shot of the vacation:



Well, okay, it's not a great shot, but it's hopeful and joyous, and communicates the buoyant feeling in the meadow after the serious nature of the morning's activity.  Me, I preferred hanging out in the shade by the river rather than in the blazing hot sun of the open meadow:


The worst part about Rainbow is having to leave all that concentrated, loving kindness behind, and return to the everyday world, where people aren't nearly so kind, and random strangers don't stop you on the street for hugs, or to chat for no reason.  It really makes you think about what's important, and the kind of energy and people you want in your life.  There's always a part of me that's happy to come home (mostly because I need a good, long shower, and want to wash my hair!), but mostly, I can't wait for next year!

6 comments:

  1. What great photos! I've never heard of this Rainbow Gathering before, but it sounds incredible and peaceful! I love the fire picture!

    Happy Summer Stock Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds perfect, I wish I could have been there. Never did make it to Rainbow myself.

    And now stepping from wannabe hippiedom back to reality - here's the plug:

    -----------------------------------
    My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds absolutely renewing! And I wouldn't doubt all that energy helped cap the gushing well...

    ReplyDelete
  4. must be a wonderful experience
    the hike in would have killed me ;)

    great shots

    ReplyDelete
  5. I sooo wish I could have had the money to come there and take this trip with you. I miss the loving kindness of the Rainbow Family Gatherings!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to experience this

    ReplyDelete

I do so love to hear from you - please let me know that you came to visit (sorry about the word verification, but I've been getting too much spam)!