Sixty-ninth posting - hippie

Hi there. I'm watching the tour, glued to OLN expecting something big to happen tonight, as Dad said wait until the very end. I’ve actually ridden part of today’s rather boring stage, but with fond memories of stopping near Biarritz on the Atlantic Coast. It’s been tough to avoid hearing, reading or casually observing anything during the day about what I am watching at night. But, I’ve done this before, time and time again, and I can do it this year….albeit without Lance.

So this weekend I went to the craziest, wackiest, hippie-fest I’ve ever seen. Called the Oregon Country Fair (http://www.oregoncountryfair.org), I went with a riding buddy and his girlfriend – all 3 of us new to Oregon, but aware of how odd this place can be. Picture many thousands of tie-died folk of all ages, wandering around surprisingly organized treed pathways, lined with vendors selling various and sundry folk art and organic/healthy/vegan/vegetarian food. The first place we stopped was a booth selling hamburgers, but the cows they came from were free-ranging, Democratic-voting, and clearly intending to satiate our hunger.

The event’s been going on for nearly 40 years, and after parking in one of what seemed like a half-dozen parking fields, you’re greeted by friendly, waving (and probably high as kites) hippies welcoming you to the fair. Then walking up to the Will Call both, you’re thanked profusely (and in a haze of hash) by the ticket guy. Through the winding trails, no one gets jostled and the politeness level is high (like the people walking by). Music comes from one of 6 stages, ranging from a cappella to Pete Seger-wannabes to lots and lots of folk. And everywhere you look, is a tie-died hippie, many hand in hand with a half-naked, boobs-painted hippie chick.

All of it was very cool, and it felt good to be in a place so refreshingly non-corporate, truly friendly, and completely laid-back. Next year, friends, think about a visit, as I’d be happy to return for a second visit in 2007…!