Pennsylvania National Rainbow Gathering, July 1999.
Pennsylvania 1999, Allegheny National Forest
The kitchen was called Milliways and it was definitely a nod to Douglas Adams. But, it wasn't at the end of the Universe (or gathering). In fact, it ended up being on the middle of the trail.
Levi Motherfucking Coffman from Indiana, pictured here. With the Canadian gal he proposed to by asking if I'd "...like to wear flannel and have some porch monkey kids". It was actually quite flattering, and the first, and most interesting, of a few wedding proposals I would receive throughout my life eh.
National gatherings back before cell phones and internet were a magical experience for me. It was a big effort to find a gathering, and they happen all over the world since they started in the 70s.
On the tops of mountains, and in the forests, I found friends, family, people who don't correct you when you pronounce something wrong because they know what you meant and they're more interested in hearing what you have to say, the ability to cook anything anywhere, became a master level server (can fit any liquid or solid into/onto any container or object), found the confidence to execute ideas and thus became an all around much more valuable member of any team, made incredible memories that carry me through my life, felt truly free, learned how to be a better me, telepathically talked to a dog, and travelled across some of the most beautiful parts of America meeting some of the best people I'll ever know.
Not everyone has the same experience, but life is what you make it.
Lovin' y'all! Welcome home!