We Love You

Click here to find out where the gathering will be.
Click here to find out how to get into the gathering without receiving a mandatory court appearance ticket. (check the right hand side of the page)

Showing posts with label DIRECTIONS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIRECTIONS. Show all posts

Saturday, July 2, 2016

IMPORTANT ROAD CLOSURE INFO


You may have heard that the road into the Rainbow Gathering has been closed by the Forest Service and it has been, but all is pretty well and all should continue to travel HOME.  Read below for important info on where to park and regarding shuttles.


LATEST INFO AS OF 12:20AM ON MORNING OF JULY 2ND:
FOREST SERVICE ROAD 10 aka BROOKLYN ROAD CURRENTLY HAS A LARGE SECTION THAT IS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC UNTIL JULY 5TH. 
THIS SECTION INCLUDES THE MAIN GATE (trail head) INTO THE GATHERING.
But know that things are working out and you should continue to COME HOME. 
*****
Forest Service Road 10, aka Brooklyn Road has a large closed section on EACH side of the Main Trail Gate (this is the trail head into the Gathering, past which there are no cars, and where you must start walking). This closed section of road does NOT extend all the way to Danby/Mt. Tabor on one end of the road, nor does it extend all the way to Londonderry/Landgrove the other direction. Only part way.
You can still approach the Gathering from either town, Danby or Londonderry and park along Forest Service Road 10.
RAINBOW has been given FOUR SHUTTLE PASSES by the Forest Service. That means that four of our Rainbow vehicles can act as shuttle when there are volunteers to drive the trucks/vans. These shuttle drivers are allowed to drive on the closed section of road all the way to the Main Gate, and can drop you off at the trail head.
The available parking area along Forest Service Road 10 from Danby is reaching capacity and there will be no place left to park "soon". Not sure when that means. If you approach the Gathering from the Londonderry/Landgrove side, you will find much plentiful parking. Park where you can and start looking for, and asking about shuttles. PARK AS FAR OFF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE WITH ALL CARS ON THE SAME SIDE.
PLEASE GIVE OLDER FOLK, FAMILIES WITH KIDS AND ESPECIALLY THE DISABLED first crack at the shuttle.
BRING BIKES OR WAGONS.
COME HOME.
and WELCOME HOME!!

Sunday, June 26, 2016

(Almost) All the Information You Need To Know

Rainbow Gathering Vermont 2016,
Our 45th Annual!

This post was last updated Sun, June 26, 8 AM, eastern time.
I will update this post as new info becomes available.
Please check back frequently.

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Important: When this post is updated, I will edit it in place rather than re-posting and re-pinning. This way all the comments will remain intact. Check the "last updated" above as Blogger will still show the date/time of the original post on June 26th at the very top.
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Micro Version (chafing at the bit? just want coordinates?)
N 43.36087 W 72.90240 (pop in any GPS or map program and pray … it'll probably work )
Mini Version (takes just a minute of your precious divided attention)
There are 2 ways in depending on whether you're coming from the WEST (NYC, Florida and all points west) or the EAST (I-91, Boston, Cape Cod, Amherst, Berkshires, New Haven, Hartford, Maine). For both, use the same coordinates as above. From the WEST you will come thru Danby, VT. From the EAST the village is Londonderry, VT.
>> Here's Mark Squire's ("New Scout") directions (previously posted) coming from points WEST:
From all points South take highway 7 from Manchester Vermont. Go 10 miles and turn right on Forest Road 10 (Brooklyn Rd). The site is 6 miles on your left.
From all points North take Highway 7 from Rutland Vermont. Go 20 miles and take a left turn on Forest Road 10 (Brooklyn Rd). The site is 6 miles on your left
>> Coming from points EAST:
Come in thru Londonderry, VT (avoid Weston!). Shop @ Clark's IGA which has BLOCK ICE (closes 9 PM)! Take hwy 11 west a half mile. Turn right on Landgrove and go 2.8 miles. At the fork follow Landgrove to the left for another 1.2 miles. Watch for Little Michigan Rd where you will go left for just .4 miles. Take a right on Forest Road 10 (little brown forest servce sign, AKA Mt Tabor Rd or Seasonal Forestry Rd). Go 7 miles to Welcome Home! 

The LONG / MAXO version (for really patient hippies who can tolerate reading for more than a New York minute)
So here's ALL the most important info YOU need to know to get in, park and have a safe and fun 45th annual Rainbow Gathering! Since this post has gotten way too long, here's a 

Photo by Darryl Bush/Chronicle for SFGate
LIST of the TOPICS:
>> Public Transit (bus, train, flying)
>> Re. Weston, VT
>> Brattleboro, VT shopping
>> Elevation
>> Temperature and Weather
>> Water
>> Parking
>> Handicamp
>> Compost Pits
>> Poisonous Plants
>> Ticks and Lyme Disease
>> Bugs and Insects
>> Topo Map
>> Site Map
>> YouTube videos
>> Bus Village
>> Baseball Field in Mt Tabor
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>> Public Transit (bus, train, flying). Click here for Karin's blog and scroll down to "Using Public Transit"http://northeastrainbowgathering.blogspot.com/…/howdy-folks…
>> Re. Weston, VT. If you use GPS or a map program coming in from the EAST, it will probably bring you in thru Weston which just cuts off 3 miles (from the Londonderry directions above). This works ok BUT … 1) Weston only has tiny stores and 2) hwy 100 is closed a couple miles north of town. This isn't an issue since most people are coming in from I-91 exit 6 which doesn't come over the closed road. If you are coming in from the north over 100, there is a detour but it's very poorly marked. So best to just avoid Weston and drive the extra 3 miles.
>> Brattleboro, VT shopping. For folks coming from the EAST, do your final shopping in Brattleboro on I-91 just over the state line from Mass. It's a great town with a HUGE food co-op (feels like Whole Foods inside) and box stores. They like us … give them your business! If you can make it to Londonderry before 9 PM though, skip the ice in Brattleboro and buy the block ice at Clark's IGA in Londonderry. Clark's closes at 9 PM.
>> Elevation: about 2000 feet
>> Temperature and Weather: warm days, cool nights. So far little rain.
>> Water: so far so good
>> Parking … is along FR 10 (AKA Mt Tabor Rd or Seasonal Forestry Rd) on the north side of the road only. F.S. has requested that all vehicles face west (towards Danby/Mt Tabor) which means if you come in from the west you'll have to turn around to park. If you have a good reason or need to park facing east it's ok. Otherwise they'd prefer we face west. Check all along FR 10 (both east and west of the 2 gates) and going south on FR 30. If needed the F.S. will open FR 60 for parking (a couple miles west of the gates).
>> Handicamp … Due to the very narrow roads, almost no meadows near the gates, we really don't have one this year. Main trail from the west gate (see map in comment below) is wheelchair friendly and fairly level or slightly uphill. Drop off at the gate and park on the road. As I write this on June 26th, there is still parking within 1/3rd mile of the east/supply gate although it will be filling up. For closest parking check all along FR 10 (both east and west of the 2 gates) and going south on FR 30.
>> Compost Pits … The Operations Plan is requiring all compost pits to be covered this year out of concern for wildlife.
>> Poisonous Plants … The Operations Plan mentions at least one plant we should avoid. It has been called "Poison Parsnip", "Wild Parsnip" and "Pastinaca Sativa". This page has good info:http://www.nyis.info/index.php?action=invasive_detail&id=61. No need to be alarmed as I have not seen anyone with a rash yet and people on site don't seem unconcerned.
>> Ticks and Lyme Disease … These are real concerns this year. Over 60% of the ticks in this forest are Lyme carriers however I have only heard of one person who had a tick on them. There are several posts in this group. Here's one of the better ones. RAP 101 on TICKS.https://www.facebook.com/groups/112810215728003/permalink/291130171229339/
>> Bugs and Insects … abundant as usual at east coast Gatherings and worst @ sunset. Many vampire like deer flies are the most bothersome. Mosquitoes aren't too bad. Bring your favorite sprays and remedies!
>> Topo Map, see the first comment below
>> YouTube videos … none yet but check this link as I'm sure they will start showing up any day.
http://www.youtube.com/results…
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If you don't have a bus or big rig you can skip everything from here down.
>> Bus Village … the Operations Plan states:
"Buses may also be parked in areas designated for vehicle parking to the extent they are parked in a manner that does not interfere with ingress/egress of normal vehicle traffic flow … Overflow and bus parking (which cannot comply with the prior parking standards) is available on the baseball field in the town of Mt Tabor …"
Unfortunately there isn't anywhere for our normal B.V. area this year. It's almost all roadside parking. Your best bet is to find a spot along a road where you can park far to the right so that traffic can easily pass and you should be fine. There is a tiny B.V. 1/2 mi. east of the east/supply gate however it's full. So as mentioned above under "Parking" check all along both FR 10 and FR 30. Eventually there may also be overflow on FR 60.
>> Baseball Field in Mt Tabor … This is right on FR 10 (Brooklyn Rd). There is zero shade and a couple of porta potties. As I write this there isn't a source for filtered water so you'll have to haul it in. There is a stream if you need wash water. You will be 6 mi from the Gathering. We have dubbed this "Welcome Homeplate, Camp Almost Home".

Monday, June 13, 2016

HOWDY FOLKS

 Updated 6/24/16 7:30 p.m. California time
Welcome Home
45th Annual Rainbow Family Gathering of the Tribes

Last week of June (give or take) to July 7

We, who are brothers & sisters, children of God, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves Rainbow Family Tribe, humbly invite:
  •     All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.
  •     All nations & national leaders -- out of respect
  •     All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith
  •     All politicians -- out of charity
 to join with us in gathering together for the purpose of expressing our sincere desire that there shall be peace on earth, harmony among all people. & to hold open worship, prayer, chanting or whatever is the want or desire of the people, for three days, but upon the fourth day of July at noon to ask that there be a meditative, contemplative silence wherein we, the invited people of the world may consider & give honor & respect to anyone or anything that has aided in the positive evolution of humankind & nature upon this, our most beloved & beautiful world -- asking blessing upon we people of this world & hope that we people can effectively proceed to evolve, expand, & live in harmony & peace.

Feel free to arrive a few weeks early to create the gathering and/or stay a few weeks late to clean it all up.


RAP 107 ~ Gathering Consciousness

Please protect this Beautiful Land.

Walk softly. Harm no living thing. Harmonize - Blend in. Use only down, dead wood. Cut no living trees. Preserve the Meadows...camp in the Woods. We are caretakers of this land.
Everyone sharing makes a strong Human Tribe!

Please Protect the Water Sources by staying out of DELICATE spring areas. Avoid camping, peeing, washing above spring areas. Keep ALL soap (including biodegrable, Dr. Bronners, etc) out of streams, springs or the creek! Use a bucket to take your bath 60 feet away from the water source.
 
To be certain of drinking water: boil it for 20 minutes!  Use the slit trenches or covered latrines - cover your paper & waste with ashes or lime, wash hands. Break the fly/illness connection: shit-fly-food-you! Dig no shitters near water areas or kitchens.

Protect our Health! Use your own cup, bowl & spoon! Wash them after eating and rinse in disinfectant-water.
 
Visit C.A.L.M./M.A.S.H. if you feel ill - especially if you have a contagious disease - or are injured.

Camp Together - Establish neighborhoods. Community Fires only! ~ Each with 5 gallon water bucket and shovel for Fire Protection. If you are the last to leave a fire PUT IT OUT!

Watch your gear: Be Responsible ~ "Tempt Not Lest Ye Be Lifted From."

Pets are discouraged but if you must bring them keep them fed, on a leash and out of the kitchens, springs & fights. Clean up their poop. Clean up their poop. Love them.

PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT !!!

Cleanup begins when you arrive. Bring in only what is necessary. There is no janitor here...you are the cleanup crew. Separate Garbage for recycling. Don't litter - Find collection point. Compost in pits only.

You are the Gathering! Participate in Shanti Sena, the peace keepers council, and all activities, councils, work crews, workshops. Volunteer wherever needed: kitchens, welcome home, firewatch, parking lot, shitter digging, supply, front gate, etc. R-E-S-P-E-C-T your Sisters & Brothers energies. Keep the Balance: Earth, Sky, Trees, Water & People!

Alcohol is Discouraged, Guns are Inappropriate, Violence is contrary to the Spirit. Please take no photographs or videos of people without permission. Discourage Drug Abuse.

Buying and selling endangers our legal right to be here. The Magic Hat is our Bank, donate early to fund our Needs. The Magic Hat goes around at mealtime circles and with the Magic Hat Band.

Our power together is many times our power separated.

Enjoy the Rainbow with an open heart and you Will see the Vision.

Join us for the July 4th Silent Contemplation & Prayer for Peace, respect those maintaining silence from dawn. Hold the silence until the arrival of the Children's Parade and all the children are in the center of our circle.

Click here for the some suggestions on what to bring. Remember the more you bring in the more you need to hike out and take home.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

CONSENSUS:
Spring counsel for the 45th annual rainbow family of living light gathering of the tribes reached consensus by passing the feather in silence that we encourage individuals to gather at the Berry Field site.

***** DIRECTIONS *****


From all points South take Highway 7 from Manchester Vermont towards Danby, Vermont (north of Manchester, VT). Go 10 miles and turn right on Forest Road 10 (aka Brooklyn Rd) in Danby. Check the odometer and call this @0.0.  Hairpin turns and climbing. Big Branch Picnic Area @2.5. Appalachian trail @3.0. The site is 6 miles on your left. FS31 @ 6.2.

From Interstate 91 in Vermont
Take I-91 North to Exit 6 in Vermont. Take US-5 West towards Chester, Vermont (US-5 becomes or intersects 103 West - you want to end up on 103 West heading towards Chester).  Continue through Chester, Vermont where the road becomes VT-11 (was 103 West).  Drive approximately 14 miles. You will see a Clarks Grocer Store on the left down a small hill. Shortly after that turn right onto Landgrove Road. Drive 2.8 miles.  Landgrove Road will do a 90 degree turn to the left. Drive 1.8 miles past the turn you will see the Landgrove Inn on your right. Go approximately 1/4 miles past the Inn. Take a left turn onto Little Michigan Road. Drive approximately 1/4 mile and take a right hand turn on to Forest Road 10. Go 7 miles to site.

Alternate route from I-91 in Vermont
From points East (like Boston, Cape Cod, Berkshires, Maine, etc) via Interstate 91 in Vermont.
Make your way to Londonderry, Vermont using any map or GPS. Shop @ Clark's IGA which has BLOCK ICE (closes 9 PM)!  Take hwy 11 west a half mile.  Turn right on Landgrove and go 2.8 miles. At the fork follow Landgrove to the left for another 1.2 miles. Watch for Little Michigan Rd where you will go left for just .4 miles. Take a right on Forest Road 10 (brown forest servce sign).  Go 7 miles to the site.

NEW:   If you decide to take 30 North out of Brattleboro to get to Londonderry, VT, note that 30 North joins up with 100 North, just after the town of Townshend, and the road carries both names for a while. To get to Londonderry, you will need to take the 100 North when the two roads split apart, at the village of Rawsonville. Look for a Honeypie Restaurant and "Ski and Sport Shop" on your left- where you turn right onto 100 North.  100 North will take you to the Clark's IGA mentioned above.


From all points North
Take Highway 7 from Rutland, Vermont. Go 20 miles and take a left turn on Forest Road 10. The site is 6 miles on your left.

GPS: N 43.36087 W 72.90240
The 2 main trails start between FS 31 and FS 30 on FS 10 near Danby, VT. Walk north. FS 31 is gated and one of the main trails.



Parking is mostly on the road please pay attention to any for any forest service signs related to parking.   Keep in mind that we will be using a shuttle system for parking at some point and unless you're pulling in soon, you will be parking at a distance and hopping a shuttle or walking to the trailhead.

TIP!  In the early days, the USFS may change the parking rules multiple times and the parking that was legal when you put your car there may become illegal two days later. Stay plugged in to the parking rules on a daily basis for at least the next week or two if you want to avoid your car being ticketed to towed.

NEW INFO!    It seems that the Law Enforcement Officers (LEO's) are pretty regularly parked on the side of Forest Service Road 10, watching and pulling people over. They are set up "just past the last houses" and also between mile marker 3 and mile marker 3.5    Please make sure your car is legal and going within the allowed speed limit.


Please note there are Wilderness Areas near here and we want to stay out of the Wilderness Areas unless you're taking a hike.

Site Map with Trails, camps and kitchens.
For a link to a high resolution copy, click HERE.



Topo Map of Site Showing Major Locations


Click here for a Google Map from Danby, VT.
Click here for a topo map of the area with the coordinates circled in red.

Using Public Transit

Best place to get to if your busing, training, or flying is Albany, NY. We will be near Danby which is just off route seven about 75 miles north east of Albany, NY.

There is a bus which leaves the Albany, NY airport 7 days a week at 2:30 pm which travels up rte seven. The closest town where there is a stop is Manchester VT -- about 15 miles away from Danby. The price is $12.00 each way.  For more info, contact https://www.vttranslines.com/.

The nearest commercial airport is actually in Rutland, VT but it is really expensive to fly into that airport and the plane is a little puddle jumper

There is also a Yankee bus service which goes three times daily between Bennington, VT and downtown Albany. Bennington is about 40 miles south of Danby. The fare is $4. One would still have to get transportation from the airport to downtown Albany, NY.  There is city bus service to and from the airport.

A bus runs from Manchester to Rutland and from Rutland to Manchester and stops in Danby in both directions. Cost is $2. Driver will make unscheduled stops upon request, so you should be able ask the driver to stop at Forest Road 10 (aka Brooklyn Rd).  Click here for bus schedule. 

Please check back before you hit the road or leave internet access as updates will be provided as I get them.  Generally the more information becomes available a few days after the initial directions are posted. I will put a note at the top of this post with the date/time updated.

Click here for a handy printable version of this information in PDF format.


Rumor has it that there is good shopping in Brattleboro Vermont of I-91 at the southern end of Vermont.

Tips for avoiding New York State toll roads: 
How to get across New York state to the gathering without paying any tolls. Irom I 70 in Hagerstown, Maryland take I-81 north to Binghampton, NYI 88 northeast from Binghampton to Albany from Albany take NY rte 7 east which turns in Vermont Route 9 at the border. take a left when you get to Vermont Route 7 and head north to Danby, Vermont.

Misc. Info

 Elevation is 600 meters or about 2000 feet.

Please keep compost pits covered.
 For folks coming from the EAST, do your final shopping in Brattleboro, VT on I-91 just over the state line from Mass. It's a great town with a HUGE food co-op (feels like Whole Foods inside) and box stores. They like us … give them your business! If you can make it to Londonderry before 9 PM though, skip the ice in Brattleboro and buy the block ice at Clark's IGA in Londonderry. Clark's closes at 9 PM.

If you have questions about parking and shuttles, click here. 

Please copy and distribute freely. Ignore all rumors of cancellation.