Day 38: Rainbow Festival

Day 38 - 6/23/08
Start - Near South Pass City, WY
End - Big Sandy Campground at Rainbow Festival
Mileage - 40 miles
Took today nice and easy. We were in need oh a little r & r, so we logged a short day. Also, the rainbow gathering was coincidentally a few miles off the route, so that became our destination. After putzing around slowly in the morning, we eventually made it to the turnoff for the festival. We didn't know really know what exactly we were getting ourselves into, but it proved t be an interesting time. On the climb up towards Big Sandy Campground, the cars seemed to alternate between dirty, dreaded hippies and police K-9 units. A rather joyous combination of individuals I guess. The excitement grew as more and more people were kinda just loafing/camping on the side of the road. At the entrance, we were "welcomed home" and were from then on referred to as "brother". Very accepting and kind individuals. Upon reaching the main gate, we were informed that the central gathering was a few more miles into the woods at a meadow. So we saddled up and rode deeper into the belly of the whale. This rainbow thing is rather unique. It's a bunch of like-minded people that decided to celebrate life, nature, and spiritual unity in the woods for a month or so of the year. Food is free to all- impromptu "kitchens" form from the groups present and food is donated by different groups. Food is hauled up by individuals of the kitchen. There also people in charge of information, trash, building, nicotine distribution, fire safety, and so on. It's an extremely unorganized organization, if you catch my drift. People meandering about all day, meeting others and enjoying themselves. Everyone forms a huge circle in the meadow around 6:30pm every night for information and dinner- mother and children are fed first, then the rest. I guess the word commune would be the best way to describe this interesting collection of homo sapiens. I happened to enjoy myself immensely. The drug use by others was a bit excessive I assume, but each to his own. The energy was certainly present and it was nice to hear some live music. They played drums pretty much all night long. The Rainbow Festival will probably prove to be one of the most unique experiences on this trip- funny how fate just kinda led us there. Now I know what it's about a little and perhaps I shall return one day.