And Then I Died of Dysentery. The End.

Okay, it wasn't Dysentery, but that sounded so dramatic didn't it?

In reality, it was pretty dramatic though. In the late afternoon of the Fourth, following the main circle meditation, I started to feel pretty ill. We went to bed in our tent around sundown and sometime in the middle of the night I woke up trying to figure out if I was going to throw up or not. Then my attention turned to the question of whether I needed to find a bathroom immediately or not. Then finally (and this is all in a matter of seconds mind you) to whether or not I could get out of the tent before my body gave out on me.

In a pouring sweat I stumbled to the tent door, but realized that my hands wouldn't work and I could not get the zipper to open. I swung my arm in the direction of Jeff's foot and luckily caught him in a light sleep...I don't think I could've swung again. I tried to tell him that I was sick, couldn't get the door, hot, needed outside, but I think all that came out was something to the effect of, "Sick...out...now...NOOOOOW."

From this point it's a little sketchy to me. I entered into some feverish state where it did not matter that I was lying in the fetal position on the forest floor with no pants, surrounded on all sides by sickness. My body was determined to rid itself of some toxin by all means available, as quickly as possible. All the while the feverish beat from the distant drum circle seemed to match my feeling as well as lend a frightening feverish death in the jungle movie sort of feeling to the situation.

I fainted once, or possibly twice, waking up at some point to find myself alone and near to convulsing with the combination of extreme illness and 40 degree temperatures in the Wyoming mountain forest. I tried to get up, but couldn't. I was terrified and couldn't remember where Jeff was or exactly where I was in relation to our tent.
I knew that there were tents all around me so I began calling for help, "Can anybody hear me? I need help."
Finally a voice came asking me where I was. I didn't know how to answer and can't really remember what happened then because the wave of sickness began to come on again.

Friends, in case you have ever wondered to yourself, "Self, I do wonder what it should be like to have vomiting and loss of bowel control in the arms of a perfect stranger." I am here to tell you. I cannot recommend it.

However, to whomever belonged those sweet words, warm blankets and cradling arms, I am forever thankful.
The rest is a bit unclear to me. I was told that it was between four and six hours I spent out there. At some point Neeka woke up, there were many voices, Jeff was returned, I had questions but couldn't speak...

I do clearly recall hearing the sweet, calm voice of Grandpa Woodstock and the peace that came over me when I realized that he was there with me, telling people what to do.
I recall his gravelly, whispery voice as he doubled the blankets over me, laid down next to me and breathed hot air under the blankets to stop the near convulsive shaking that I was experiencing. He was telling someone to go to the CALM Medic tent immediately, someone else that I needed more blankets and another to get blankets on the baby.
I think I cried from relief at this point.

I was barely conscious for about 36 hours following that fine experience. None of the medics could agree upon what the cause of this was, only that I was not at all the first or only person to fall victim to it at this Gathering.

I've said a lot about the scary things at the Gathering; Pepper-spray, rubber bullets, tazers, near death experiences, but there were many, many beautiful things too and it is all starting to come back to me now that there is a little distance between us and the whole experience.

I'm feeling the inspiration to write coming over me again and hope that I can get back to regular posting now.
I would love to tell you about the moose that all but looked in our window, being saved by Search and Rescue (before we even got to the Gathering), Grandpa Woodstock and all the other amazing people we met, the awe inspired by bearing witness to the rapid and completely organic growth of a peaceful community....
There was a car running on water, ovens made of barrels and mud turning out hundreds of pizzas and danishes, a three tiered fire pit and somehow Jeff and I became Mid-Gate.

Oh the stories I will tell you ;-)

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I meant to write tonight, but little teething Neeka has just gone to sleep at a quarter to one and I'm soooo tired.
I checked to see what I had sitting in my drafts folder and found this fun little post:


Once upon a time there was a family who gave away all of their things, bought a house on wheels and hit the road, happily ever after, the end.

Once upon a time there was a family who gave away all of their things, bought a house on wheels and then began living with complete strangers, indefinitely stranded where they began.

Once upon a time there was a sweet little family who lived in a little house in a pretty neighborhood not far from the bustling excitement of the happy little town.
The family was happy too, until one day the Mama became so sick that she could no longer get out of the bed. The family's friends from the happy town showered the family with love and food and The Daddy began to find ways to do his work from home.

And so it began.

In July of 2007, less that one year ago, the symptoms of Fibromyalgia so overwhelmed my body that I was no longer able to walk unassisted, carry our new baby girl or take care of myself and children in any real way. The life of our family shut down.

After 16 years with Fibromyalgia no relief had come of any treatment I had been offered, but once again, I headed to my doctor and begged for help. The answer was, not surprisingly: I'm sorry, we have tried everything there is to try. Here is a prescription to take the edge off the pain. Good luck. Have you looked into alternative therapies?

I went home and tried the prescription for pain. It took 45 minutes to take effect and lasted only 1 hour. I could only take 4 doses a day. Four hours of reduced pain in a day are hardly worth the detrimental side effects of opiate based pain medications.
What's more, is that after a couple of days, the pills stopped producing any relief.

We were already eating mostly organic foods and taking supplements of all kinds. We had tried yoga and physical therapy, but other than that "alternative therapies" was foreign to us.
Acupuncture is the only thing we knew to try so that is where we began.

After some research and questioning around town we were very lucky to find a discounted accupuncture clinic that kept their fees down, and on a sliding scale, by working in volume.
I would just like to take a break from our program to give praise to those who are so interested in opening up the world of alternative medicine to those in need that they do whatever it takes and think outside the box. Inspiring. Truly inspiring...you will see...

Jeff carried each of his family members to our van; me because it would have taken me 5 minutes and many tears to walk there, Neeka because she was only 5 months old and Quinn because his Mama was MIA, he had a new sister, and his world was just plain scary and upside down.
Off we went to the clinic. I was terribly nervous and can hardly recall the experience, but I can remember that the needles themselves did not hurt and what I experienced was nothing like I expected. It was spiritual/psychological/metaphysical. At first I was afraid of the sensation and backed away from it, but realized quickly that backing away was backing myself right into the pain I wanted so badly to escape from. I reminded myself that I had survived five days of unmedicated labor with my daughter by riding the sensation rather than resisting it. So, I tried to employ that same technique.
Voila! It is hard to put to words what happened as it seemed to take place on all levels, physical, visual, mental and something else...higher? Could it be...spiritual...?
Whatever it was it worked. The pain slipped away to a more distant place. A place where it was something separate from me, not me. That day I was able to walk back to the van myself!

more soon....

In response to all the requests for pictures:
We have no camera :*(
So, I'm afraid that unless someone wants to send one to me we will all have to wait until all of the RV repairs are complete before I can afford one ;-p
I don't think I've ever been at a worse point in life to be without a camera! D'oh!

xoxo

Filing Compliants Contact Info

This is all of the suggested contact points I was given while at the Gathering


minnesotafoxfire@yahoo.com is collecting video footage and statements to file suit.

To file a complaint with:

The US Office of Personnel Management contact: 202-606-1800

Human Resources is Washington
Irv Thomas: 703-605-0827 or 703-605-4740

Fear and Terror at the Gathering

We are here and alive near Yellowstone National Park today. We fled the Rainbow Gathering yesterday afternoon.

The stories I have to tell you!!

You will hold your breath, cry and laugh hysterically, but I need a day or two to process everything that has happened. Each day held so much excitement and drama that I could fill a book and speak of nothing but the last two weeks.

For today, while we rest and meditate on what we've been through, I need to get some information out.

I placed a call to the Municipal Judge on July 3rd to report the explosion of the terror tactics being employed by the Forest Service.
For any Family members who were witness or victim to any of the incidents at this years Wyoming Gathering, there will be contact information at the end of this post. Statements and video footage are being collected for the ACLU, Family attorneys, and other government organizations. If you have anything to share, please contact one of these individuals or organizations.

Sweet readers, today I am going to leave you with someone else's words while I put everything together in my head and make phone calls.

Abe Yonder writes:

Dear Editor,
I came here to the peace gathering from Georgia and have been enjoying it immensely. I have been thrilled by the vastness of Wyoming and the wide-open spaces, and the clear mountain air. You really do have the most beautiful land I have ever seen. The altitude has made me slow down a bit, but still, it is refreshing--and the beautifully rugged snow capped mountains!
Many things have surprised me about this gathering; the abundance of good food and fresh water, feasting in the wilderness, children happily playing, the music and entertainment. This is the greatest show on earth and it is totally free! The councils are amazing; everyone, anyone, even the children, have a voice in council and are being listened to. It reminds me of a Bible prophecy--"A little child shall lead them"--and this prophecy comes with a promise --"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain!" I have seen this prophecy fulfilled before my own eyes! But the main thing that amazes me is how peaceful and beautiful it really is with s so many people from so many different places and different walks of life. It is amazing to see this many people living in the woods in perfect harmony without fighting or violence.

The only violence I have witnessed was yesterday when I walked back to the Bus Village parking lot. A gray-haired man was dragged from his car and beaten by law enforcement in front of horrified onlookers.
The elderly gentleman was slammed to the ground and kicked with his face in the dirt. He was tazed, handcuffed, and then a tazer-gun was put to his neck and fired point blank. The man appeared to be more than half dead as they loaded him up and took him away.
I asked what had this man done and was told that he had refused to give his ID and consent to a search of his vehicle. I asked to know who are these monsters that can so blatantly violate a man's civil rights in front of a crowd of eyewitnesses and get away with it. No one seems to know.

After the arrest this group of uniformed thugs walked through the Bus Village parking lot with guns drawn as if looking for someone else to abuse. They are not local police. Where the come from I do not know, what they are doing here is not clear.
They are wearing uniforms and driving law enforcement vehicles and K9 units through the Gathering, but they are not being supportive, peaceful or helpful, and it seems to me that their only mission here is to seek out and give tickets to minor law violators and bully the people who are peacefully gathering in this beautiful place. They are most certainly not here as peace keepers or to help this peacefully assembly in anyway.

What I saw in not an isolated incident; they are here in record number, searching people and vehicles, forcing occupants on the ground, dumping out the contents of their packs and supplies, going through kitchens and emptying out their spices, sugar, oatmeal and other containers, dumping everything on the ground, looking for anything they can arrest them for and even searching small children!

Why does gathering in the National Forest on Independence Day to pray for peace present such a threat?

Why have I not seen even one news reporter out here for what must be the biggest event ever to happen in these woods since Jim Bridger swatted his first mosquito?
I would like the local media to come out and get to know and experience this most amazing of all gatherings, and to interview and get personal stories of people who are here, to find out who these law enforcement personnel are and what they are being paid to do.

I am a man in my sixties and I have never seen such an outright abuse of power in front of so many people.
It would take a person from the press to get this information out; to expose these atrocities that are being perpetrated here in the name of law enforcement, and if there is a gag order on the local media it would be good to report that too.

May God bless you with Liberty and Justice for all,

Abe Yonder
yonder@yonderfamily.org

If you witnessed any part of the police action at the 2008 Family Gathering, the ACLU is collecting statements over the next two weeks, and asks that you call the collect at 307-637-4565.

Other contact information will be added shortly. PLEASE check back and PLEASE use this information. We must come together as a people and stand up for our rights. We must flex our rights and power as free people to affect change in this world so that this sort of thing cannot happen. It is up to us to stand up for our selves and our children. No one else can or will.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

Is this not exactly what the Rainbow Family Gathering is about? Let us, please, not be scattered and confused by the abuse, but rather, let it strengthen our resolve and our bond.

Loving you!

Best Places in America

Okay, in 10 words or less, tell me the best place in the continental united states that you've ever been. Unless you're also offering plane tickets and lodging for us ;-)

:-)

The Road Less Traveled

We're here in Rock Springs, about 150 miles from the Gathering and we have newly updated information about the Gathering location.

Oh boy.

It looks like we'll be headed in on a 40 mile long gravel road with a max safe speed of about 20 mph...for cars.
In reasonable consideration that is likely to be closer to 10mph (4 hours) for our RV.
Once we find the parking location, it is rumored to be a 3 hour hike to the campsites.
This changes a lot of things.

First, a 3 hour hike for an able bodied adult is not a three hour hike for a family of four, complete with infant.

Second, a three hour hike from our RV to the Gathering means we will not be camping on our RV during the gathering if we would like to take part in the Gathering. We will have to tent camp on site at Kid-Village. This means, we are not supplied properly and we will have to take our family and three weeks of camping supplies on that 3 hour hike.

It looks like we are going to be held up here in Rock Springs for at least a day trying to gather supplies and plan. We will then have to hit the road early in the morning because we will have 6+ hours of driving because of road conditions. We will then be camping in the Gathering parking area because we will need to plan for a whole day's hike and will need to begin first thing in the morning, not late in the day after a whole day of driving.

Looks like we could still be 3 days from reaching the Gathering.

The good news is that at last count there were already over a thousand people and 5 kitchens running already at the Gathering. The Magic Hat was passed for the first time a few days ago.
We are excited and can hardly wait!

Once we do arrive we will be out of cell phone and internet range. Jeff will be hitching out to town every few days to check work, emails, etc. and I will send a post or two with him each time, but will likely have some periods of being incommunicado over the next two to three weeks.

What an adventure!!

Today we are looking into turning a kids wagon into a cart for one of our dogs to help pull some of our load up the trail. Seems that my background in dog training combined with Jeff's carpentry skills and two Great Pyrenese may be just the ticket.

This picture shows the wrong kind of cart, but I couldn't find a good picture with the right kind of cart and dog breed. Here is a pair of Pyrenees pulling a cart. Cart Pulling is the purpose of more than one breed, and a competitive sport to boot!

Attack of the Hungclumhorn Cows!

After roughly 9 hours in the auto parts store parking lot we limped out of town in the direction of the border, newly filled with a gasoline additive to counter any bad gas that may have been the trouble, and armed with high hopes and will of steel.

Our engine miss-fired and back-fired the whole way, but we made it, sometimes keeping up a speed of 55 mph (always our top speed for gas conservation) and sometimes at a whopping 25 mph when the engine was really bogging down.
The trouble was intermittent and our spirits were high as we joked about racing the working Caterpillar...and lost. ;-p

Just over the border, in Baggs, WY, we stopped again to fill with higher octane gas and buy a new distributor cap. Another hour in a parking lot and we were all changed up and hit the road again.

I can't say that everything was fixed, but we were able to keep a nice 55mph speed the whole way to Rock Springs, WY.
Just shy of Rock Springs the kids woke up from their very late naps and we decided to pull over in the rest area to stretch, play and have some dinner.

Except for the big rigs in another area, we had the large rest stop to ourselves. Okay, we did share it will a small community of prairie dogs ;-)

Quinn and Neeka ran and played, and ran some more, while Jeff and I took a breather and built Quinn's kite. They spent the longest time playing some game that made them both fall down in fits of squealing laughter, but to us looked like a game of throwing a baby doll in the air and watching it crash to the ground.

Turns out it was a "fighter baby" who was protecting us from "Wood hauler hungclumhorn cows." I'm wondering if you're laughing as hard as I was when I got the story.

This week Quinn has had more education that I think I received in my entire school career.
We've had lessons in everything from civil war to food production, business to geology and geometry. I suspect the discussion about big horn sheep and long horn cattle had something to do with their funny game. At five years old, Quinn is reading, writing and explaining the difference between pastured, organically raised animals and feed-lot animals to strangers. A couple of weeks ago I got the opportunity to explain the process and necessity of multiplication to a five year old. The response: Can I learn multipliplation? Awesome. I'm feeling pretty confident in this homeschooling thing ;-)

After we had the kite assembled, I moved on to Furminating our yetis and Jeff went inside to whip up dinner. As the landscape was filled with 6x6 inch balls of fur and my doggies started to look more like dogs than yetis, Jeff called dinner.
The sun was going down and we began to appreciate the Wyoming landscape a little more as we ate a yummy meal of bison patties topped with huevos rancheros. Sounds weird, but it's so good! Broccoli and bell pepper hash on the side and you've got yourself a pretty filling, healthy, tasty meal on the road.

We cleaned up and the Quinn and Neeka went back to playing with the imaginary hungclumhorn cows who were now clashing with hunghorn sheep as the fighting baby had been defeated by a tumble from the top of a rock formation that Quinn had scaled. LOL
We never did get to flying the kite :-p

We buckled the kiddos into their carseats and hit the road toward Rock Springs. We thought we would try to push through while the kids slept, but exhausted as we approached Rock Springs we decided to camp for the night and re-supply in the morning.