Have fun, Puddleglum! The weather looks pretty good this weekend.

My older sister and her husband will be camping in southern Minnesota, for about a week beginning today. Just like I did last August, I'll go down there to visit them (and my parents), and to show the ISS to their grandchildren (who will be camping with them) - not to mention having campfires with them (the kids love the Mystical Fire). There will also be a few side trips to other state parks, local water parks, and so on. Should be fun!

Stargazer.
Weather was good. Unfortunatly I could only make it a daytrip. Still, I was able to demonstrate cordage, and ropemaking to a few people while there. Even had a few children attempt to make cordage out of the willow bark I was using. They didn't do badly for a couple of three year olds. Their sister, I think she was about seven, was getting a little frustrated.
Stinks about not being able to stay the night, but it looks like I would have missed out on the meteor shower with all the cloud cover.
How was your visit with your family? I see by the radar they might be getting wet.

Glad you were able to help out, even if you weren't able to stay overnight.

We had a mixed bag, weather-wise. Only one clear night, which offered ISS viewing opportunities with my sister's grandchildren, followed by a much cooler day with occasional rain. Still, we had several campfires and dayhikes with the kids. All in all, quite a fun trip!

Now only 2 weeks to Labor Day, which will bring a camping trip to Lake Carlos State Park, near Alexandria in west-central Minnesota.

Alexandria? Ever visit the Viking Museum?
Our next rendezvous will be in Nowthen near Elk River, Sept 21-23rd. My back should be better by then. New local, so we will be starting from scratch it sounds like.

Had fun this weekend! The only complaint was the humid 90-degree weather - and even that was relatively short-lived, and the nights were quite pleasant for sleeping (not to mention stargazing under the just-past-full moon and enjoying the campfire).

Rain and thunderstorms were predicted for Sunday afternoon in advance of a weather front, and with clouds gathering we hurried our evening fire to make sure we got our meal in. No rush as it happened; about 15 drops of rain fell and then the sky cleared again.

Many of the ash trees were turning yellow and dropping their leaves due to the drought; other plants like sumac were also changing.

We did go to the Museum; my friends hadn't seen the Kensington Runestone before. There were some interesting new (compared to the last time I was there) findings supporting the assertion that the stone is genuine and not a hoax. It was fun to see in any case.

With spectacular autumn-like weather forecast for later this week, I'm contemplating a midweek camping trip (destination to be determined).

Nowthen really isn't far from where I live, Puddleglum. If my schedule permits I may try to stop by your equinox rendezvous.

Starting to get a little nervous about the rendezvous on the 21st. I have to finish my moccasans, and get all my gear in order.
We will be hosting Friday for some schoolchildren, showing them different crafts, and such of the 1700's, and 1800's. I have been practicing my cordage making with willow bark, and repaired the rope makers, so that part is ready.
I still need to finish prepairing the cedar polls for my awning, and make some rope for them. The problem of wanting to be of the right era is makeing everything by hand, and that often requires more than one pair.
I am also determined to do more open fire cooking this year. there is a squirrel in the freezer and I have my reciepe for apple turnovers for dutch oven.
Now for some fair weather.

Have you ever attended the Big Island Rendezvous near Albert Lea, Puddleglum? 'Tis the old hometown.

The weekend's weather was so nice I went on a spur-of-the-moment camping trip to Rice Lake State Park near Owl City (er, Owatonna ) Sunday afternoon. My campsite had an excellent view to the east and the stars were spectacular. Monday was pleasant, but it was 97F and downright windy on Tuesday...and my tent's not air conditioned. My stargazing site was north of the lake and inundated by thousands of cattail seeds on the wind.

Still, this can be a great time of year to camp and I hope to do it some more before the snow flies.

I regret to say I have never been to Big Island. I am only in my second year of participating so I'm limiting myself to only two, or three a year. I was considering going to Isle next year, as that seems to be the big one for everyone I know.
I would certainly hope you can make it next weekend. I forget if you had any era dress. Not that it is required for walk in guests. If you do make it, I am tenting with a friend. He usually has small trade goods out, and demonstrates dead-fall traps. I will have my lucets out for trade, and may be demonstrating rope making. though there will most likely be others with rope makers as well there. I would give up my camp name, but I'm not so sure about that here yet.
I have been told that there may be as many as 30, to 50 tents for the weekend. We are hoping that we keep attracting some younger folks. There is a bit much grey hair at these events, and it's good to see kids that enjoy learning, not just the dress-up, but the history that goes with rendezvous.

Well, almost everything is packed. Just a few more, and it's off to the rendezvous. I just worry a bit with the weather saying possible highs in the 50's. Good thing the old fox I'm tenting with likes to keep a wood stove going. I just have to remember if he likes to be called silver, or grey. Might be to much of a reminder of age I suppose.
I do hope the weather holds off tomorrow though. We still have the schoolchildren coming through. Might have to teach them a few knots.

How did your rendezvous go this past weekend, Puddleglum? Did the cool, breezy weather hamper attendance?

Too much grey, eh? I can relate.

The weather looks good again this week - mostly clear and dry with temps in the mid-to-upper 60s F, so I'm contemplating another overnight camping trip - or at least some fall color tours. I'll have to check the fall color report before determining a route or destination.

The attendance ,by the general public, for Friday was about as good as could be expected with the weather. It rained almost constant until noon, and was still rather windy after. The real challange was the 50 plus gusts that started about 8:45, and hit every hour for the next four. We lost a couple tarps to bad rips, and two tents blew over. One fellow knew it was bad when he awoke to find himself sleeping outside. My own tarp awning will need a hole patched, as the center pole went through.
We did have some people come through every day though. Many young folks were very attentive as I demonstrated the lucet, and I was able to sell a few. One youngster stayed behind after a demonstration, and was obviosly interested, so I gave him some personal instruction, which was rather challenging as he was left handed, and I had to switch hands to show him the proper motions. This proved confusing later as another group came by. I had now "leared" how to work left handed, and had to switch back to show right-handers again.
I was on the look-out for you, as you mentioned possible coming, but I realised too that I had given you no way of knowing who I was. We do plan on being there again next year, if you wish to come.
No more rendezvous for me this year, I shall have to satisfy myself with a roaring fire outside this weekend. If the wind stays down.
Enjoy the outside as bast you can, some of the trees are doing their best to out do each other. The sugar maple in my yard is just starting, and I awate the crimson glow that enters through the kitchen window when it is in full show.

^ Ah, but colder camping is always the best

Number one rule of camp planning- those who don't show up, shall be cooks!

Ah yes, It is good to camp when it's a bit chilly. You can always warm yourself by the fire, ( if the wind stays down ).
You must have ment, those who are late shall be cooks. But then it would also mean a late meal would it not?
Speaking of which, I must ask my fellow scout, have you yet had squirrel for a meal while out camping. You get the oddest looks from people walking by.

Though I'm a polar bear, winter camping doesn't excite me too much. My record of camping in 18F/-8C weather will probably stand for a while - especially since I'm not 50 anymore.

Still, I'm all for camping during 'chilly' weather (anything above 32F/0C). It's better than having to sit 30 feet from the fire as we've done on hot summer days.

I did a one-night camping trip Tuesday evening, ahead of this strong cold front that is bringing snow to northern Minnesota even as we speak. I wanted one last extended look at the fall colors, so I traveled to Frontenac State Park, in the Mississippi River bluff country of southeast Minnesota. The view was great as always, though the fall colors weren't quite at peak yet. But the trip had everything that makes camping fun for me: fire, freshly-grilled food, and plenty of stargazing (including the just-past-full moon rising over Lake Pepin). The lack of bugs and humidity was just a bonus.

I believe I passed Frontenac on the way east on the last family outing. It is indeed a sight.
I am awaiting news on how some of the more intrepid members of the rendezvous group are fareing. A couple who go by the camp names Crow Feather, and Chickadee are demonstrating primitive camping at a Scout camp this weekend. I certanly wish them the best, I understand the wind is to die down tomorrow, so I hopw she can treat thos youngsters to some genuine camp cooking.