I haven't updated in a while. Dennis and I have spent most of 3 weeks offline and away from our phones. We unexpectedly ended up at the Rainbow Gathering in the Manistee National forest in Michigan. Haven't heard of it? It's a bunch of hippies hanging out in the woods. Building kitchens, latrines, and living together as family in the woods for a week or two. We stayed for two. Many like minded and not so like minded people. . but all conscious to some degree on deeper connection and full of love. The first thing we heard when we arrived to the forest was "welcome home" "loving you" "we love you" "sister, brother. . family". . . It caught me off guard but after 2 weeks in the woods living this way I was feeling refreshed on a new level of connection and inspired by community popping up into existence in the middle of the woods. It was really awesome to see it grow into nearly 2,000 people and then dwindle down to 20 as we stayed for clean up in which they "leave no trace behind" and completely erase our presence by even fluffing up grass and planting seeds on paths that were well worn by mostly bare feet, as most don't wear shoes in the woods.
After the rainbow gathering we spent a week at the Hare Krishna house in Ypsilanti Michigan. Kirtan every day, community living, and learning a lot about the Krishna Consciousness. The ideas and concepts around bhakti (devotional) yoga.Feeling accepted and realizing our desire to contribute have been a big theme.
Feeling inspired to live in a community that serves one another. Still absorbing the culture and the people and lessons of the last few weeks. Feeling appreciative of everyone who has been a part of this experience.
We are now in Yellow Springs Ohio where we heard community is thriving in a small hippy town. Then we will continue west to Colorado.

More on Rainbow Gathering and Inspirational stories coming soon.

Picture: 'Circle' met in the 'Main Meadow' every night around Hippie 6:30 . . .which means anywhere between 6:30-8. :-) Here we heard news on what happened that day, any other announcements, and sat in a circle to receive food offered from each kitchen. The circle got up to 700 people on the biggest day. Imagine carrying a giant pot of food around that big of a circle.