2016 FUMLA Winter Camp
May 2, 2016 9:39:08 GMT -7
Post by Leifer on May 2, 2016 9:39:08 GMT -7
The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from the 2016 FUMLA Winter Camp. To read this entry with the included pictures click here.
Friday, January 29th, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
It was just past dusk when I arrived to the banks of the Charboneau Creek. I could see the faint glow of firelight in the outside camp and candlelight from the windows of the Lassey cabin. The ground was rather greasy under my moccasined feet due to the warmer than usual January temperatures.
With my gear mantied up and worn on my back, I made my way down the hill. I could see that Paul and Dave F. had their camp up closer to the cabin, with the Madden camp set up more to the east and closer to the entering trail. Terry and Caleb greeted me and invited me to camp by them and to share their fire. It had been a while since our last meeting so it was good to see them again. They had a leen-to set up with lots of furs. I picked out a piece of high ground to the east of them where I dropped the manty pack and readied my beading. Terry offered me some roasted meat and potatoes that were left from their meal so that I wouldn't have to prepare a meal. I gladly accepted. Terry, Caleb and I talked for a while and then we made our way to the cabin.
Mark and Chris, members of the Canadien contingent had made it as well. Chris was playing a rather animated game of cribbage with Dave F, Paul and Graywolf (Bob S). I sat by the stove, rifle in hand, talking and listening to the fun going on around us. Chris offered us some Canadien cheddar. As she was drawing the small knife from the bag which contained the cheddar her finger was cut... In short order we had it sorted and the cribbage match continued.
After awhile we were all starting to feel drowsy so we decided to turn in. Terry, Caleb and I head back out to bedding. I was glad to have my new red wool flannel shirt with me. I kept on waking up throughout the night on the verge of shivering. I finally was aware that I wasn’t feeling all the weight of my blankets and buffalo robe on me. Reaching out with one hand I confirmed that a few layers had shifted completely off of me. I quickly remedied that, adjusting the bedding and began to slowly warm up. I woke up a few more times throughout the darkness.
Saturday, January 30th, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
It was starting to get light when I threw the canvas and blankets off the top of me. The skyline to the east was beautiful with the sun just coming up. I quickly donned my sky blue capot, bullet pouch and horn, grabbed my rifle, pulled on my gloves and began a scout of the east.
I hadn’t scouted this side of the creek before. It was still rather cool and the what was soggy ground yesterday was frozen and hard underneath my moccasined feet. In an area where part of the bank had sloughed off a few years before there was a large hole that some animal had claimed for a den, but what little sign that was left suggested it had not been used in quite some time. I found rose hips as I followed the creek for awhile and stopped to repose briefly and take in the view.
After I returned the rest of the camp was up and about. I had brought a big bag of anasazi beans to share with the party. I had some blue check trade cloth so I made some bags to portion out the beans. Graywolf and Terry each got a bag.
Paul B. wanted to scout the area a bit later so he and I scouted even further to the east than I had gone before, reaching the boundary of the area. We found evidence of flooding from the previous spring. It was a nice walk.
Shortly after we had returned to the camp, Paul E. and Scott arrived and began to make their lean-to camp. We were now at the most people we’d had at a winter camp in some time.
Terry and Caleb welcomed me to use their fire again and I made rice with some of this year’s peppered deer breakfast sausage in my lidded copper kettle. We also added some anasazi beans, some of my deer sausage and even a piece of rattlesnake (fringe from my leggins, due to a story from years past) into their stew pot. All of the beans were eaten and none of us managed to find the piece of long leather fringe.
Dave E. arrived and made a little camp as well.
I roasted a set of ribs for everyone during the afternoon which were finished until the evening. We fired our rifles from the bank of the Charbonneau. Rod and his son did some shooting as well. It was his son’s first time and he did rather well. It was good to see the next generation enjoying the time with everyone and seeing a father teach his son.
As dark came on we congregated in the cabin. It was full due to how large the party had grown today. Cribbage was played, the ribs were eaten, shrub and other libations were passed, pipes were let and laughter and conversations ensued to the flicker of candle and lantern light. Great conversations that let us all get to know each other more. Alas, such moments like this must even end, and we began to turn in for the night.
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
I slept warmer last night, but was still cool. I need to make some winter mocs and blanket moc liners. I tried to get moving right away this morning. It was sure slow going. The coffee that Paul B. made sure felt good going down.
I didn’t take too much time to get my little camp mantied up and hiked out of the site and dropped it off at the truck. I then helped Terry and Caleb get their gear packed up as well.
Before we left we were able to get a sketch made of the crew that stayed last night. It was a good number of people for one of our winter camps. I got to know some of my friends more. I look forward to the next time.
Leifer
Friday, January 29th, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
It was just past dusk when I arrived to the banks of the Charboneau Creek. I could see the faint glow of firelight in the outside camp and candlelight from the windows of the Lassey cabin. The ground was rather greasy under my moccasined feet due to the warmer than usual January temperatures.
With my gear mantied up and worn on my back, I made my way down the hill. I could see that Paul and Dave F. had their camp up closer to the cabin, with the Madden camp set up more to the east and closer to the entering trail. Terry and Caleb greeted me and invited me to camp by them and to share their fire. It had been a while since our last meeting so it was good to see them again. They had a leen-to set up with lots of furs. I picked out a piece of high ground to the east of them where I dropped the manty pack and readied my beading. Terry offered me some roasted meat and potatoes that were left from their meal so that I wouldn't have to prepare a meal. I gladly accepted. Terry, Caleb and I talked for a while and then we made our way to the cabin.
Mark and Chris, members of the Canadien contingent had made it as well. Chris was playing a rather animated game of cribbage with Dave F, Paul and Graywolf (Bob S). I sat by the stove, rifle in hand, talking and listening to the fun going on around us. Chris offered us some Canadien cheddar. As she was drawing the small knife from the bag which contained the cheddar her finger was cut... In short order we had it sorted and the cribbage match continued.
After awhile we were all starting to feel drowsy so we decided to turn in. Terry, Caleb and I head back out to bedding. I was glad to have my new red wool flannel shirt with me. I kept on waking up throughout the night on the verge of shivering. I finally was aware that I wasn’t feeling all the weight of my blankets and buffalo robe on me. Reaching out with one hand I confirmed that a few layers had shifted completely off of me. I quickly remedied that, adjusting the bedding and began to slowly warm up. I woke up a few more times throughout the darkness.
Saturday, January 30th, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
It was starting to get light when I threw the canvas and blankets off the top of me. The skyline to the east was beautiful with the sun just coming up. I quickly donned my sky blue capot, bullet pouch and horn, grabbed my rifle, pulled on my gloves and began a scout of the east.
I hadn’t scouted this side of the creek before. It was still rather cool and the what was soggy ground yesterday was frozen and hard underneath my moccasined feet. In an area where part of the bank had sloughed off a few years before there was a large hole that some animal had claimed for a den, but what little sign that was left suggested it had not been used in quite some time. I found rose hips as I followed the creek for awhile and stopped to repose briefly and take in the view.
After I returned the rest of the camp was up and about. I had brought a big bag of anasazi beans to share with the party. I had some blue check trade cloth so I made some bags to portion out the beans. Graywolf and Terry each got a bag.
Paul B. wanted to scout the area a bit later so he and I scouted even further to the east than I had gone before, reaching the boundary of the area. We found evidence of flooding from the previous spring. It was a nice walk.
Shortly after we had returned to the camp, Paul E. and Scott arrived and began to make their lean-to camp. We were now at the most people we’d had at a winter camp in some time.
Terry and Caleb welcomed me to use their fire again and I made rice with some of this year’s peppered deer breakfast sausage in my lidded copper kettle. We also added some anasazi beans, some of my deer sausage and even a piece of rattlesnake (fringe from my leggins, due to a story from years past) into their stew pot. All of the beans were eaten and none of us managed to find the piece of long leather fringe.
Dave E. arrived and made a little camp as well.
I roasted a set of ribs for everyone during the afternoon which were finished until the evening. We fired our rifles from the bank of the Charbonneau. Rod and his son did some shooting as well. It was his son’s first time and he did rather well. It was good to see the next generation enjoying the time with everyone and seeing a father teach his son.
As dark came on we congregated in the cabin. It was full due to how large the party had grown today. Cribbage was played, the ribs were eaten, shrub and other libations were passed, pipes were let and laughter and conversations ensued to the flicker of candle and lantern light. Great conversations that let us all get to know each other more. Alas, such moments like this must even end, and we began to turn in for the night.
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
FUMLA Winter Camp
I slept warmer last night, but was still cool. I need to make some winter mocs and blanket moc liners. I tried to get moving right away this morning. It was sure slow going. The coffee that Paul B. made sure felt good going down.
I didn’t take too much time to get my little camp mantied up and hiked out of the site and dropped it off at the truck. I then helped Terry and Caleb get their gear packed up as well.
Before we left we were able to get a sketch made of the crew that stayed last night. It was a good number of people for one of our winter camps. I got to know some of my friends more. I look forward to the next time.
Leifer