Nevertheless, She Adventured: Joshua Tree Part 4

I want to not leave a hole in my trip, in this story, but I also want to keep most of my experiences in these middle days to myself.

It has been quite a profound experience, finding my people. First, coming across the country to a giant conference I have heard about for a few years, longed for, but coming alone, is quite a stretch of my inner self. I came as a step of faith, because I was stirred. Because I just knew that I would feel at home among these people. I knew that being with them would fulfill a need in me.

Forbidden Archaeology Panel at CITD

I struggled to tell people that I was coming to a UFO conference. There are so many ways that the concept of someone believing in UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon is the updated term by the way, as not all objects may be solid objects) have been made into a caricature. We wear tinfoil hats and believe in little green men, what a joke! If something was really happening, don't you think the government would tell us? How could they keep it a secret?..I could go on.

Huge crowds at the biggest venue at CITD, the amphitheater.

However being surrounded by people who believe, who know either because of personal experience or they believe because of research is such a balm for my soul. I don't have to explain anything, try to justify or rationalize in order to have a conversation. I am not judged for what I believe to be true, I am welcomed and invited to add my experiences to the mix.

Live Broadcast of Fade to Black at CITD

I struggle with "woo-woo" aspects of things like this, but the energy here is amazing. Walking around feels like a hug, and if you turn and say something to the person next to you they are happy about that. The entire experience of unity, of shared excitement, has been such a balm for my soul.

Impromptu jam at Faderhouse. I love this because there was impromptu dancing and singing.

Then...there are the Fadernauts. This lovely group of people I found by way of a radio show, and connected with over Twitter, they are just amazing. It truly is a warm family. Corralled by Jimmy and Rita, these people come together in a really fantastic way.

Fadernaut compound..Jimmy and Rita are in the center in blue.

Last night I was at the Fadercompound for the big party. That was an honor! After sitting there for hours with my women friends, who I really came here to hang out with, the last session was over and cars poured in. I sat at my spot at the table and watched the enlightened, the experienced and the seeking all meld together. I watched speakers playing in impromptu jam sessions, I watched part of a podcast live broadcast going on in the back room. (Shift Happens. Cortana (one of the hosts) has adopted me as one of her mother's. She has many here) I sat and listened with big ears, to the amazing conversations going on around me.

Shift Happens live broadcast

It was FANTASTIC!

I could insert here a list of all of the speakers I chatted with, or eavesdropped on. I could tell you a whose-who list of last night, but I am not going to. I could tell you the stories I heard and the theories tossed around, but I will not. In part because "What happens at the FADERHOUSE stays at the Faderhouse" , but mostly because I was not there as a novice blogger wanting to share that incredible experience with the world. I sort of want to keep that night for myself!

However if you are someone who studies this phenomenon, you might recognize some faces in the crowd of my pictures.

So it is my last day here, and after a "breakfast for lunch" gathering at the diner, I have a workshop to volunteer at. Then, the quiet will descend and I will spend my last night in this lovely room.

Tomorrow the journey home begins. I don't want to make that drive already, and I don't want to leave my people.

Edited to add pictures of that last breakfast with my friends!