Historical Camping

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Meet Chris and R.J., making coffee at R.J.'s camp. Yes, R.J. really slept there last night and now he's cooking breakfast (see the bacon in the skillet and the eggs on the Dutch oven?). His tent is not really a tent at all -- it's called a diamond fly and is just a flat piece of canvas propped up with a limb. It protects against the overnight dew and stays relatively warm with the fire in front.

Jimmy (on the left) stays in a similar type of shelter, but he has chairs and a few camp boxes to hold equipment. Mark and Sharlene are visiting.

Reggie and Keith hanging out at Woolly Hollow. The pile of canvas on the right is a camp in the process of being dismantled. Carol's camp is the large wedge in the middle, and Karen's wedge is on the left. Wedge tents (also called A-frames) are extremely common.

Another wedge tent, this one belongs to Ana and Grizz. Ana is wearing a kilt and Grizz sports a bonnet.

With a backdrop of tents, Frank and Karen discuss how to make a capote. This photo, taken at the Southwestern Regional Rendezvous, is deceptive. This event was extremely large (over 100 camps), but Karen's camp was on the outskirts and this photo is only showing the fringes. Again, there is a wedge tent in the distance, but there are also two marquee tents, with straight sides and conical roofs. Marquees are generally larger tents and both of these belong to traders.

Another great shot of the variety of tents, with the added bonus that we get to see Shep actually doing work. Mmm.. looks like he's really putting his back into it.

Bryant and Kathy in a not-so-typical camp scene. The backdrop is standard rendezvous. The problem here is that Bryant is sitting down and Kathy is not working bobbin lace. They must have had a rough night. Woolly Hollow.

This scene is very representative of our events. In the foreground, camp minstrels Chris and Donna Jean regale us with music. A tomahawk throwing competition is ongoing in the background. And, in the midground, we see Bryant traversing the camp and tourists milling about. Woolly Hollow.

Greg, Lewis and Neil sharing good times at Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous.

Another trio of colorful fellows: Mark, Tom and Ed. This was taken at the Gala Float at Cadron Settlement Park. Mark and Tom portrayed pirates who ambushed the keelboat that Ed was captaining. Seems like the adversaries are now friends.

For the last couple of years, a standard rendezvous activity is the "Ladies' Tea". The womenfolk take time out of their busy day to share tea and biscuits (in the fine English tradition) as well as "receipts" (recipes) and juicy gossip. The menfolk are not allowed. Petit Jean Mountain Rendezvous.

Smaller events are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the company. Black River Rendezvous.

Some events are entirely rustic and are not open to the public. This gives us a chance to hone our skills and become better acquainted. Larry and Tim spend such a glorious weekend in the Ouachita Mountains near Forked Mountain.

Another rustic weekend featuring Chuck Martin, Ed Williams, Dan Kohl, & Tim Richardson. They are on a bear hunt trek near Snowball, Arkansas. October 2001.

Jimmy Allen, Adam, and Tim Richardson floating down the Ouachita river in a dugout canoe made by EARA members. This was part of the Dunbar-Hunter video that aired on Arkansas Educational Television Network. Arkedelphia, February.

Of course, not all events are the same -- some events are just plain silly. Our annual event at Sylamore Creek is nicknamed "Sillymore". Do you think this sign has anything to do with it?

We all need quiet time every now, but the frontier life does not permit excessive leisure. Here Larry Layne combines leisure with productivity -- he's fishing for bass (or is it rocks?) in Sylamore Creek.

Sometimes the heat wins and all you can do is go somewhere to cool down. Here sits Lonesome-no-more in the middle of Sylamore Creek, with his favorite beverage and smokes close at hand (make that IN his hands!)

Speaking of water, here's Ed in our dugout canoe. He's in the pond at Woolly Hollow. This canoe has definitely seen better days -- you can see the water in the bottom.

Late at night, after the public goes home, we are left to amuse ourselves. Musicians generally gather around a campfire, in this case they are playing tunes for the Saturday night dance at the SouthWestern. Donna Jean is on the penny whistle, Chris on the mandolin, Larry Wheat on fiddle, and Ed on guitar.

Another great campfire scene, this one at Petit Jean. The candles in the background light the remnants of our potluck dinner.

At the close of a glorious day we begin a glorious evening. Here a lone woman overlooks the Arkansas River at Cadron Settlement Park.