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Rainbow Gathering
About 300 Rainbow Family gather in the Colville National Forest.
Section:Picture story
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With cool nights in the Colville National Forest, many Rainbow Family followers sleep communally around campfires. About 300 Rainbows are attending this regional gathering, but a national gathering next year could attract thousands to a Washington state forest.
Colin Mulvany
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Newport District Ranger John Buehler, of the U.S. Forest Service, tries to convince Rainbow Family followers to sign a special-use permit for the gathering. The Forest Service says someone finally signed the document, but it would not say who.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
Arelim Steiner Rainbow Family follower
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Each evening in a large meadow, all six of the communal kitchens come together to share a meal with the gathering. While the food is free, it is expected that people volunteer time to help prepare and clean up after meals.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
R.E. Wall Rainbow Family follower
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Freshly made pizzas are loaded into a 55-gallon drum oven at the Montana Mud Kitchen.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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In the Montana Mud kitchen, James helps maintain the cook fires. The kitchen is one of six communal campsites responsible for feeding the “brothers and sisters” attending the Rainbow gathering. Pizzas cooked in a 55-gallon drum oven are the signature dish of the Montana Mud kitchen.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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Younger followers of the Rainbow Family gather in a meadow in the Colville National Forest. Many are wandering street kids that come from urban areas. They spend their days at the gathering socializing, bartering and smoking marijuana.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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U.S Forest Service rangers warn the Montana Mud Kitchen that high winds are expected by evening. The rangers strive to protect the forest and ensure the safety of visitors.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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At the Purple and Green kitchen, Dixie helps unload armloads of donated fresh corn for the camp’s evening meal.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
Gaia Rainbow Family follower
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Marie Weber does her morning meditation on a slackline tied between two trees.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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Where consuming alcohol is frowned upon at Rainbow gatherings, Marijuana is openly used, shared or bartered.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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At the Fat Kids campsite, Fry, who has been coming to Rainbow gatherings for eight years, practices juggling knives from the kitchen.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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Toreny, left, and Christina play a game of chess in the Montana Mud campsite. Younger children stay with their parents or caregivers at Kiddie Camp, away from the partying adults.
Colin Mulvany
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At the Fat Kids kitchen, Clem smokes a cigarette as he waits for the next meal to be prepared. Each if the six communal kitchens have groups of followers who gather around the cook fire to socialize, play music and smoke marijuana.
Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
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