.....to either go to a gathering, and if I couldn't, at least meet people who have been and talk to them and hangout with them for a while. I can never find like minded people near where I live.
First, read the section. Secondly, see the regional HF pages And then, try this http://greatlakesrainbow.info/category/events/ What do you seek?
There might not be like minded people at gatherings. There is a huge selection of people. Lot's of street people go to gatherings. It's a bit of a homeless gathering. Then there are very dedicated heads and hippies. Also young people from college doing there thing in the summer. I haven't been to a gathering since a national in Utah or Idaho, can't remember where it was.
Sometimes you can find like-minded folks @ food-not-bombs events. These r ez to find. Or a drum circle. & there are potlucks, & campouts. There are infoshops around, too. Great lakes rainbow has a facebook page. & yes, it depends too, on what ur lookin fer. Some ppl just nd some1 interestin to smoke with.
I seriously doubt the possibility of finding rainbow where I live. Lol. There should be a rainbow bus that just picks you up somewhere and you go.