Well I survived my trip here are the bare bones details: Left Seattle 6/14/2012 @1:30 pm arrived in Billings @ 5:30am 6/15/2012. Left Billings 6/16/2012 @ 11:20pm arrived home at 4:00pm 6/17/2012.
Now to fill in the gaps - I had a copilot so to speak of someone to keep me company and keep an eye out for me being too tired and weaving but that person was unable to take the trip after all and I was unable to convince anyone to make the grueling trip with me not the I blamed them I even tried to bribe a co-worker.
I believe in a universal being that provides if one truly is in need or makes a request for help. One only need watch the signs/queues along the way. So I made the first leg of my journey from Seattle@ 1:30pm arriving in Spokane @ 6:00pm, I contacted a high school classmate who lives in the area and asked if I could stop by for a bit just to rest my TB (tired butt) and stretch my legs for a bit. By 7:13pm I was on my way again it was at this point I asked "it would sure be nice to have a copilot someone to keep me company for the longer leg of the trip, a traveler, one who is a free spirit and not mentally unstable," I approached a small hill with a gentle slope going south bound direction feed from my SAT NAV, when I first detected the signs of my request being taken into consideration. I can't say for sure how many traffic lights I could see in the distant but the nearest one turned from Green to Red -- I half expected that a fire engine or aid car would be screaming by but nothing. I sat there for what seemed like forever, when I noticed the second occurrence that time seemed to have some how stalled. Similar to what we all experience when involved in an accident that thing happen so fast yet like a camera taking high speed shots the beginning is very fast almost 6 times normal perception then you enter a space time where everything is in super slow motion only to travel to the outer edge of the time disturbance only to see time ramp up and boom it all happened so fast. Except in this instance I saw with such clarity that all the traffic signals ahead on the rise which I estimate was 6 lights in total spaced every 2 blocks all went from Green to RED as well. I thought to myself how peculiar it seems as if I have been here for ages and there is no traffic crossing the east west path and the road seemed to be clear of all traffic in the direction I was traveling South bound. A perception of interest overcame me but soon I grew weary of this time pause and wondered if there were no pressure plates to make the lights change back to their normal cycle. BOOM time resumed its normalcy and I proceeded up the hill only to make it to the crest to experience the same sort of delay and lack of traffic as the traffic light in front of me seemly skip the Yellow light sequence outright again. Since the perception was obvious I gazed out of my rear view mirror and could see where I had been a few minutes ago and again all the lights went from GREEN to RED. Curiouser and curiouser! Boom -- pushed back into the normal time steam again. The SAT NAV indicated in 600 feet turn right onto I-90. Well I traveled almost all that distance when the traffic signals seemed to be back in normal green, yellow to red sequence again. I was stopped at an odd intersection where I could see where I had been and where I was proceeding to but the traffic lights from where I had just been were all solid RED. So there was no traffic behind me. It was then I saw a person standing on at the on ramp holding out his thumb indicating his hitchhiker intentions North bound traffic passed him up I suddenly thought could this possibly be my traveling companion? I quickly expanded my inner chi trying to make the connection between us to see if any warning signs were apparent I relished in that connection it was warm, centered and calm, peaceful and inviting, positive if not somehow euphoric. Shazam as the light changed I proceeded down the ramp blasting my Jeep Compass's horn letting the traveler know I was willing to provide him a ride.
I rolled down the window and ask - Where are you headed to. The young man in his late 20's early 30's replied "Tennessee". I replied "a rather strange destination from here by what route are you considering". The traveler replied I am hoping to go to travel along I-90 to Chicago and from there I am uncertain" "Well I responded " If you can stand listening to my eclectic choice of music which comprises of quite a bit of 1980's pop and Celtic, Classical music at near rock concert levels; I just think I might afford you a ride to Billings Montana. Additionally I intend to make 4 VERY brief stops along the way one about the Missoula area to eat, and a couple of gas stations along the way and perhaps a rest stop to stretch. If you can abide by a my request that when I exit the Jeep you too must exit. These are my terms for travel." The young traveler who was bearded and an attractive young man agreed. He placed his nap sack and sleeping roll in the back seat and opened the front door and I said "please buckle in and hold on away we go".
I pushed the resume play button on my Jeep stereo and can not recall what played but a few songs passed before I became interested in knowing the name of my traveler. I turned the music down and said well now for personal introductions I am Jason Styles and who might you be? To which he replied I am Joshua Erickson. I have had time to reflect on this Paradigm Shift. (watch the links) see the world as you have not seen it for sometime when you still had no concept of a 9 to 5 job. I have concluded that I asked for help and was guided on a path to meet with Joshua. Interesting enough his name has roots as "A savior; a deliverer" and People with this name tend to be quiet, cooperative, considerate, sympathetic to others, adaptable, balanced and sometimes shy. They are trustworthy, respecting the confidences of others.. could the universal being altered the time it took for me to travel to the intersection to allow for our time lines to cross?
Fast forward the trip time line to a bit I offered the travel companion sustenance at this location N 48° 12' 1.8606", W 114° 18' 54.4458".
I was spell bound by the young man in that we seemed to be compatible I asked him where he was from he apparently did not look at my Jeep plates and he said a town you may not have heard of
To which I responded that is near48°45′N 122°29′W. Why are you going to Tennessee his response was I am on my way to the
I am quite familiar with the Rainbow family as my father worked for the US Forest Service
my father being who he is despises free spirited individual people such as the Family.
Being that my family and I were always on the move because of my fathers employment
These were the following locations in which the Rainbow Family was on the Forest Service land
As my family moved on without me after leaving Billings in 1984- the family continued to have periodic encounters with the Rainbow Family.
1985: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri
I could not resist the temptation I invited Joshua Erickson to be my PLUS ONE to my trip the entire reason to surprise my brother for his 40th birthday. Do the math the first close encounter with the Family was in 1972 - Forty Years ago, and my family had 12 other encounters with them I knew it was many but only ask my father to state the years in which he could recall where we were close by their list of gatherings.
I find solace in knowing that in some way this travel companion and I were part of destiny to share in this trip. I was so consumed with the drive and the need for sleep on the other end that I told him when we arrived in Billings I will need to rent a hotel you can stay in the room I will rent with 2 beds and we can attend what will be an interesting party and I can send you along your way again. It slipped my mind that I should have taken a picture of him with my iPhone 4S. I did get his email address and had sent this to him and hope to hear of his end destination.
Hello Joshua Erickson :
It now 5 pm on June 17, 2012 I am hoping you found your next ride towards you end destination of...
The 2012 Annual Rainbow Gathering will be celebrated in Cherokee National Forest. The site is East of South Holston Lake between the lake and Holston Mountain in the NE corner of Tennesee. N 36.50175 W 82.04347
I enjoyed you company and our conversation along to way from Spokane WA to Billings MT.. 8 hours 17 mins 539.7 mi - I-90
I found it stimulating and engrossing.
I also hope you enjoyed my brothers birthday party thanks for your assistance in the tent set up.
Please let me know how the rest of the trip went and how the family gathering was. My wiccan friends in Seattle will be interested in your trial diary report.
I see you are on Gmail perhaps if you have a google + account you'll consider adding me as friend ?
I await to hear any details you may care to share. Be safe I wish you well.
Feel free to reconnect if you return to the pacific northwest or by remote undecided location.
Best regards
Ja'son A Styles
Two zero six 601-4539
