“I learned that it’s possible for a woman to travel by herself. I was told for so many years that girls can’t travel alone. I was determined to prove a different story. I’ve been testing my power and what I can do to create my reality. I work on attracting positive people into my life, and it’s usually what I get. It really shows me how connected we are when we try to reach out. When you physically put yourself in another country, two things can happen: you can feel lost, fearful and alone, or you can feel beautiful, grateful and alive. You attract what you bring into your life.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Boca Raton, Florida

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“I’m moving to Oregon to set up a permaculture garden. In Utah, I lived next to two acres that were irrigated by the city. There was nothing there but dirt and weeds. I cut it all down, put in perfect beds and turned it into a Garden of Eden. I grew 7,800 pounds of food and gave it all to the neighbors for free. Friends, family, everyone. And that made me the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“When I started expressing my opinions, I had a lot of anxiety. I would absorb creativity from everyone I came across, but the expression of self wasn’t quite there. And then I had the realization that I wasn’t putting myself out there. I wanted to start connecting with people on a different level. My own creations have been interactions within the social community, and that is more tangibly rooted in a deeper self than anything else. My artistic passion is helping people spread their art. Art is medicine. We’re all creators in our own way.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Boulder, Colorado

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“We’re made of the Earth, and we come from the Earth. Natural medicine brings our body back into balance with nature. It’s about honoring and respecting this vehicle for our spirit. This is our only home here, and when we feel amazing in this body, our purpose is clear.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Encinitas, California

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“The Bunk Police has been providing test kits at festivals for seven years—and has hopefully been saving lives for that long. In 2009, at Camp Bisco, I walked into their tent. Now, I’m educating people on how to stay safe. The most important thing is helping them understand that they should want to know what they’re putting in their bodies.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Eugene, Oregon

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“I was looking for my friend Lo for the entire festival, and I found her right before the eclipse. We were secluded somewhere in these prairies. Did you see how the atmosphere changed? The birds started flying, the weather got colder. Everything felt still. It was surreal.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Miami, Florida

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“I actually didn’t want to come. I didn’t want to go to a big festival. I find it hard to go to big things and feel anonymous—to be just another drop in the ocean. I’m here to see the eclipse, and maybe feel some type of divine connection to the celestial body movement. This is not what I’m trying to feel right now… to go party. I want to feel a reset. I just want to roam free. I don’t know what I want. Ultimately, I have goals and desires to solve all these fuckin’ problems. But for now, I just want to be happy in the moment.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Surrey, British Columbia

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

“I’m a performer and I just had major knee surgery, so I’ve had to find other ways to contribute to the artistic community. I’m learning how to live without my essence right now, because what makes me shine—what makes me feel alive—is being able to perform and I can’t do that. I’m in the thick of that journey to figure out who I am. I rely so much on the identity of myself as a performer. Now I’m wondering… What else is there to Heidi? Who else am I in this world? What else can I offer and still feel fulfilled? I’m stage managing a play at this festival and that’s been really empowering. It’s highly logistical because there are a lot of pieces: sets, costumes, props, actors, aerial and all these things. I’ve been able to pull it all together and make it flow.”

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Traveled from Portland, Oregon

Oregon Eclipse Gathering 2017

Big Summit Prairie

Ochoco National Forest, Oregon