Got back early from rendezvous on Sat. Mostly due to weather. Rain, and thunder on Friday night, and it took forever to dry out during the day. Unfortunatly it looked like more that night. It also appeared that there was less than an interest in having a service Sunday morning. I was borrowing a tent from the fellow running the event, and my staying meant it was going to get wet again, so I decided to to pack up, and take down rather than leave Sunday, and stick him with take down.
Pretty good bunch attending, especially for the host's retirment party. He's offical this week, and looks forward to spending more time doing things around his place. He's one of the few truly independent folks around, no electricity, or running water, and he actually sleeps in one of his tents during the summer.
Got plenty of practice in with cordage making, and mixed in a little witnessing with it. Was young fellow who has an interest in norse mythology how to twist basswood bark, and did a little talking about the Gospel. He was suprised I was a Christian, apparently other experiances were less than good. He in turn suprised me by being one of the few open minded people I've met who actually was. He plans on being at another encampment in August. Perhaps more opporunities will arise.

Even though I rarely post in here, I really like keeping up with all who do. I have done a fair bit of camping in my life, 'though much more in my teen years and early 20s. I treasure being out in nature, but in my middling years now, have found a bed indoors almost a necessity at night, sadly. I'm an extremely light sleeper (you'd be amazed at the slightest noises that wake me up), so while I still love going for daytime hikes in the woodlands and hills, I find it tricky to sleep outside. Maybe in the New Earth I will be able to enjoy that once again.

coracle, camping in the foothills of mountains sounds amazing!

Puddleglum, how special about your conversation with that young fellow this past weekend. Being in nature seems to induce more transparency and sharing, I find. I enjoy reading about your Scouts camping adventures.

stargazer, enjoy your first camping weekend of this season this coming weekend! I hope the weather is suitable for y'all.

My family loves camping and my husband takes the kids and friends/relatives on roughing-it camping/canoe trips out in the wilderness yearly. They sometimes set up camp in one spot and do canoe day trips out from there; other years they have canoed each day to a new location. Great memories for them all! And they try to go in mid-late August when the mosquitoes are not nearly so bad, as the nights begin to cool down again. They are still in the middle of deciding what to do this year, because as the kids get older, jobs to get them through university take precedence. Still, they hope to get away for a few days in August.

I hear ya, jo. Not sure how much longer I'll be able to sleep on the ground in my tent. Especially after the first night of a trip, I tend to wake up just a wee bit stiff.

Right now the weather is awesome - about 65F and crystal clear. I plan on seeing some planets tonight, but that's a topic for another thread. The weather for this long upcoming weekend looks sketchy, especially on Monday when there may be some thunderstorms. It seems the farther north one goes, the drier the weather may be, as our prospects in west-central Minnesota are better than they are for southern Minnesota.

Getting that time again for my donning the old timers outfit, and attending some rendezvous. Went to one on a day visit last weekend, and did a little trade, and spent more than I intended.
Also looked at some tents. I'm determined to get my own by next spring. The tough parts are getting the money together, (a good era tent can run from $300 to a couple thousand). Then there's getting the right kind, do I want a Wall, Bell-A, or a Baker's? Trying to find the one to suit my needs, and wallet is a challenge.
But anyway, I'm getting wound up. I have a friend who had some basswood blow down the last storm, so I should have plenty of material for cordage demos. If anyone cares to see some old style camping, or some blacksmithing, corn bread making, and maybe me tying my fingers into knots, come join us at Clearwater on August 2nd to the 4th. We will be at the park north of Cobern's.

Back from camping at Kathio State Park with one of the siblings. Other than the rain, it was a pretty good few days. Mosquitos were suprisingly well behaved, even though they were definitly in attendence.
Fishing was dissapointing, with only one to really show for the effort. Let the poor fellow go. I guess it goes to prove the old adage about "wind from the North, don't venture forth."
Now the fun begins of cleaning, and repacking for next weekend at Clearwater. From what I hear, the weather forcast says fair. We can trust that right

I quite enjoy camping at Kathio, Puddleglum. Occasionally Mike Lynch (local radio meteorologist and astronomer) has his Labor Day weekend astronomy program there (in the interpretive center parking lot near the campground), and we've seen the ISS, Mars near opposition, and Northern Lights (not to mention the occasional glimpse of big fat porcupines resting in the trees during our day hikes). Fun times!

The weekend after next is our annual trip to Baker Park Reserve just west of the Twin Cities (a conveniently close location in case the weather really turns sour or there's some other reason to leave early). This is usually quite a large group, including Ryadian's family and other friends.

Then, just a couple weeks later is our Labor Day weekend trip to Glendalough State Park in northwest Minnesota. It's a cart-in campground with lots of trees - which is nice except it hampers the stargazing a bit.

I shall have to keep an eye out for the astronomy program stargazer. Sounds interesting.
I hope to be up on the North Shore in a couple weeks with the Mrs. We planneded to hotel it this year, but we found it would cost not half as much to camp. Now if only the weather cooperated we might get in a little stargazing ourselves.
Just a reminder that the Wapati Historical Rendezvous is in Sept. 20th, to the 22nd near Elk River. I believe you expressed interest in that last year.

Almost finished re-packing the rendezvous gear from Clearwater, and prepping for Wapiti.
Just got done stripping bark from some Basswood branches for making cordage. Hope to have plenty of youngsters trying their hands at making string this year. A friend of mine is bringing a homemade hibachi this time. He claims that George Washington had one to do all his cooking done in while out in the field. would make an interesting historical reference.

Thanks for the Rendezvous reminder, Puddleglum. Perhaps my schedule will permit me to attend this year.

This past weekend had generally awesome camping weather for our trip to Baker; the only improvement might have been clear skies at night for meteor viewing. But the days were dry (despite rain forecasts for early Sunday morning) and pretty comfortable. Some mosquitoes were around, but nothing like their legendary presence this past June.

Two new recipes were tried, thanks to suggestions one of our party members found on Pinterest: cinnamon rolls baked over the embers (it's easy to use the ones that come in a can. Cut an orange in half and remove the fruit so you're left with the peeling; place a roll in that half-orange, wrap in foil and place in embers.
Another dessert variation was camper cones: fill waffle cones with your choice of treats, such as miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanut butter, banana slices, etc, then wrap in foil and heat in the embers until the contents are nice and melted. Note that the cones are easily crushed when wrapping or unwrapping.

Looking forward to the upcoming rendezvous in a few weeks near Elk River. I hope to have my capote sewn together by then. I think I shall need it as the weatherfolks are already calling for highs in the mid sixties by the end of next week. Been practicing on rope, and string making with plant fibers, so I hope to have something to show the kids during open time.
A little reminder going your way star gazer
Weekend before the Mrs. will be joining me up on the North shore for an extended weekend. With the temp change expected, and it being further north we will be definitly be packing the longer pants, and sleeves. We are hoping to see some nice fall colors in the trees by then, as well as some clear nights for stargazing.

Thanks for the reminder, Puddleglum! It sounds like fun. I hope to attend this year but a number of real-life factors may alter those plans.

Our Labor Day trip to northwest Minnesota came as a strong cold front pushed in from Canada to relieve the heat and humidity. It was one of the most spectacular lightning shows I've seen in a long time of weather-watching - the catch is that we were driving straight for it.

We encountered torrential rains on the road but the storm had mostly passed by the time we reached the park. Turns out a lightning strike had taken out a transformer and with it the electricity. Good thing I just had a tent!

There was a gorgeous sunset that evening as the clouds broke; the sky lit with deep purples and blazing oranges. And we were treated to a clear sky that night - probably the best I've seen all year - with some Iridium flares and a great view of the Milky Way. We may have seen Northern Lights low in the north but it might have just been lights from a town far away.

The days were cool and variably cloudy, allowing us to hike and enjoy campfires. The nights were clear with wonderful views of the stars. I'm ready to go again! (Not sure exactly when that will be, but hopefully at least a few more times this fall).

The Mrs. and I are back from camping along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Must say the weather was quite agreeable. That is if you did not think about the temps getting below freezing at night, but that's what cold weather sleeping bags are for right
Agate hunting was sporatic. We had a bit of surf to contend with. Saw one young lady who was better prepaired than this old scout, and had brought rubber boots. My hiking boots are waterRESISTANT, not waterPROOF, as my soaking toes will attest. I shall have to bring my pair next year, f I do not die of pneumonia before then.
Had to get up to check the outhouse door in the early morning, as usual. But it was well worth the chilly walk when I looked up at the night sky. Orion is starting his trek across the evening sky, and was in full view.
Gotta go to bed now. Tomorrow begins the repack for next weekend

Back from the rendezvous, and I must say it was worth the trip, even if I had to leave early.
Only downsides were;
It was a bit windy, and due to my forgetting the center pole for my canopy I had to borrow another pole from a friend, which promptly put several puncture holes in the canvase
Yellowjackets, which are a small form of hornet were all over. Several stings were administered by the little pests, but fortunatly no allergic reactions that I heard of.
On the upside;
Turnout was excellent. I don't know the exact numbers, but we defenitly had more tents than last year, including some new faces.
Weatherwise, it was a bit spotty with the wind, and a little rain ( followed by a grand rainbow ), but for the most part it was very calm.
Public turnout was sporatic, but it usually is. Though the people for the most part seemed very behaved. Even the children, for the most part. Though there are always those I am sorely tempted to teach knots to.
The demonstrations went well, with the blacksmith drawing many as usual.
We had one lady showing, and explaining the spinning wheel, and it's development. I did not know that Davinchi had a hand in some of that. Also the bowmaker held little archery instructions for many a child. (No younger siblings were asked to hold targets).
I was able to take some photos, some with the sepia setting on my camera, as well as motion video. If possible I will be posting them on the facebook site before next week. If you are interested look up Wapiti Historical Rendezvous Elk River. There are already some other folks who have stuff posted.
Now I must be off. I have yet to finish unpacking everything

Yes, I know. Snow on the ground, and more in the forecast. So call me determined, or just plain insane, I am still planning on pitching a tent by the first weekend of May.
Actually, the Boy Scouts are going to be hosting some Weblos, and I have been asked to teach fire-starting, ( great skill for young boys to learn ), and I figured on showing up in my rendezvous outfit. If possible I will be pitching tent before the boys arrive, and be all in character.
Have a couple other encampments to hit this year, so this gives me a chance to get a jump on the season, and make sure all my gear is ready.
As for other adventures, The Mrs. and I hope to be seeing the southern shore of Lake Superior this summer. If we are lucky there might be some agates in out pockets when we get home.
Anyone else planning on excaping civilization this year?

Anyone else planning on excaping civilization this year?

Believe me, I want to! The wife and I are talking about getting a camper/trailer and then going on trips to campsites. It appears to be much less expensive than staying at a hotel, and frankly I miss making campfires and cooking over them. I wouldn't mind going on another canoe trip after a two decades or so, but that's a bit more involved. Right now we're looking for a camper that my wife's Jeep can tow...she's convinced we can only two 1000 lbs. and I'm reasonably sure we can do a lot more provided we're not towing around a tractor trailer rig.