To my fellow men of the gathering,
In reflecting on last weekend’s gathering, I think of several aspects
that stand out for me. The first is that I fulfilled my desire to ride
my bicycle from home to the gathering. That was perhaps the most challenging
ride that I ever did. I rode from Marc’s house in McKinleyville, down
the Hammond Trail, through the Arcata Bottoms to the Samoa Spit and
over the bridge to Old Town Eureka. I then connected with Highway 101,
and continued to Tompkins Hill Road. I stayed on that road and took
the harder and longer route over the top of Tompkins Hill, and then
I reconnected with 101 where I rode north to take the road to Ferndale.
By the time I got to Ferndale the wind had picked up, and that gave
me a headwind most of the way into town.
I stopped in town and bought a big turkey sandwich, and ate the whole
thing (dumb move). I then started up the Wildcat. It did not take me
very long to realize that my digestive system was competing with my
legs for blood. I agonized all the way to the top of the hill (a climb
of at least 1800’). I was hoping that Marc would come up with the 4-Runner
and my bike rack so that I could quit, but he didn’t. Near the top
it became quite cold and very wet. The wind created a microclimate
of very wet fog. I put on everything that I brought, including glove
liners and arm warmers for the decent down to the Bear River and sea
level.
When I got to the Bear River I stripped myself of one layer, and started
the steepest climb that I ever pedaled on a road bicycle. Thankfully,
I had recovered from my lunch, and with the aid of my triple chain-ring,
I pounded out the few miles to the next summit. It was at the beginning
of the steepest part of that climb that I had my first gathering connection.
I heard a car coming up behind me, and then I heard Richard Duning
asking if I was all right. Jim Vandegriff was driving, and they both
said hello. I told them that I was fine and that I would see them at
the gathering. I made the summit, and was feeling quite strong, and
confident. I now had climbed what I thought were the three toughest
climbs on the ride.
I had a wonderful descent down to the beach, hitting at least 40 MPH.
On the beach I had a very strong tail wind, and I was able to just
fly along at 20- 30 MPH cranking in the tall gears. I felt like Dave
Stoller
(The bicycling lad), in the movie Breaking Away, when he is riding the draft
of the Cinzano Semi down the highway at 55 MPH. I too was full of child-like
abandon and joy while taking in some of the best scenery on the planet. It
just doesn’t get much better when riding than that did.
I then came to hill number four, the climb off of the beach before
the drop into Petrolia. That hill was not bad at all, and I got to
talk with Jay Powers and Jim Hight. They offered me a ride, but I knew
that I was quite capable of making it since I was near the top of what
I thought to be the last climb. Well I was wrong about that being the
last climb. I did recall that there was a bit of a hill between Petrolia
and Mattole Camp, but I forgot just how steep and long that “little
hill” actually is. I really felt that several mile long climb, and
I was very grateful when I finally reached the apex and started down.
The rest was pretty much a cruise, and I felt pretty good when I reached
the gathering. All in all, I rode 76 miles, and had five significant
climbs. That ride was in many ways very satisfying. There is something
special about working so hard to get someplace that goes beyond satisfaction.
Yes I am proud that this elder can do the ride, but it goes beyond
physical pride. It is similar to growing one’s own food, or building
a home. I physically brought my body to the gathering. It was a lot
of work, but I did it, and as a result I really felt connected to the
gathering more physically then ever before.
So I was there in body, and my brothers helped me get there in spirit.
Into the arms and warmth of my fellow men I plunged. I had abandoned
most of my former duties as a planner, and left myself with the luxury
of just being there free of the responsibilities of the past few gatherings.
I rejoiced in setting up camp, in visiting old friends, in welcoming
new friends, and in breathing in the wonderful energy that was being
created at that place.
There is something very special in being free to accept love and warmth
from fellow men. There is something special about being free of the
fear that in the past kept me at a distance from men. Perhaps because
I was free of the responsibilities as a planner, and because I was
already feeling like a boy, that I was able to accept and give love
much like a six-year old boy. I recall that state of being from my
youth: A state of being where I was free to be myself. A freedom to
see with the innocence of a child who is free to be himself – to be.
I was free to accept a back rub from another man, and to enjoy it freely.
I was free to give a hug, and even a kiss on the cheek, and to not
feel odd. I was free to share deep and powerful conversations with
men whom I admire. I was free of any preconceived ideas about my brethren.
I accepted them and they accepted me, and we opened to the Universe.
I have now attended five or six gatherings in a row. I was thinking
that the “charge” or “gathering glow” was diminished because of the
frequency of experiences. But on the drive home I realized that I was
more open than I had been for quite awhile (since the last gathering).
For me, this opening is the greatest gift of the gathering. These openings
allow me to break through what ever it is that I have been working
on, and they allow me to really move forward in my personal work. I
am clear. I am attune with my concept of the Universe. I am alive,
vital and enriched. I know too that this state will continue throughout
the year. It may become obscured by my day-to-day activities, but it
is always there under the surface debris, waiting for me to bring it
forward.
My thanks and admiration goes out to all of you from this and past
gatherings. I appreciate the work that the planners do to make things
flow. I honor the courage and competence of the workshop presenters
for their wonderful workshops. I trust that everyone received whatever
it was that they needed. I am manifesting the intention that I hold
this place and that I move forward, and that next year I will see the
wonderful progress that each of us make.
Thanks for a wonderful experience,
Tommy Bethune
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