Thursday, July 17, 2008
Rendezvous Pageant
Each year for the past 72 years, Pinedale has hosted the Rendezvous Pageant, a re-enactment of mountain men and Indians trading goods near the Green River. In the early 1800s, men from the St. Louis area traveled, hunted and mapped the uncharted West. It became necessary to designate meeting places and times in their new stomping grounds. Out of a need to trade supplies and enjoy the company of other “mountain men” (most of the year was spent in solitude), these hearty men created and attended the rendezvous. In the years of 1833, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1839 and 1840, six of the 16 fur trade rendezvous were held in Sublette County near what is present day Daniel (the annual rendezvous ran from 1825-1840). The rendezvous served primarily as a place of business – a place to trade fur and supplies. This, however, is not what the rendezvous is known for. Most perceive it as a great social event and party, and that it was. The rendezvous gathering lasted through September and the days were filled with purchasing, trading and gambling.
The Rendezvous Pageant includes nearly 100 locals who meet during the week prior to the pageant to rehearse their parts. There are no speaking parts as the entire pageant is narrated. I found out this weekend that I was in the pageant as a toddler, as was my brother. Mom dressed us up as Indians. My young cousin participated in her first Rendezvous this year as a pony dancer. J and I were both impressed with her riding abilities as she rode around the arena bareback. It's quite a tradition in our little community and something I haven't attended in 22 years.
The Rendezvous Pageant includes nearly 100 locals who meet during the week prior to the pageant to rehearse their parts. There are no speaking parts as the entire pageant is narrated. I found out this weekend that I was in the pageant as a toddler, as was my brother. Mom dressed us up as Indians. My young cousin participated in her first Rendezvous this year as a pony dancer. J and I were both impressed with her riding abilities as she rode around the arena bareback. It's quite a tradition in our little community and something I haven't attended in 22 years.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wyoming Birthday
We celebrated M's birthday a few days early. Mom and Dad had a small barbecue at the house. It was great fun. We even had some friends from California attend - what a great surprise that was! I don't want to say much here because the video truly speaks for itself. What a great memory this one will be!
Class Reunion
Well, we just got back from a world-wind tour of Wyoming, at least it felt like a world-wind. It was my 20th class reunion. I've posted pictures and descriptions of the events on our class website. Click here if you're interested in seeing what our class did. The links on the left side of the page will take you to the reunion activities. It was great to see friends I haven't seen in years. And I'm thinking of nominating J to be an honorary class member as he was willing to participate in all the activities and helped in all aspects! What a sweetheart!
It's about a 16-hour trip to home. M traveled extremely well. We made the trip in one day, leaving at 4:30 in the morning and arriving at mom and dad's around 8:30 that evening. M didn't miss a beat, went right to bed and was up at her regular time of 7 a.m. ready and willing to be spoiled by the grandparents. And spoil they did . . .
My sister-in-law kept us on a tight schedule with fun stuff planned all week, but it was hard to get it all in with the reunion going on as well. We made it to the lake one day where J did a superb job of navigating the boat while J, K, and D tried their hand (or feet) at wakeboarding. Because of the late spring, the lake thawed at a slower rate this year, which basically means it was darn cold. J, K, and D tried to tell us that it wasn't cold after the first five minutes, but that's only because your body is numb after the first 3 minutes! Needless to say, the two of us from CA stayed in the boat. I've never seen goosebumps that big - and I grew up in Wyoming!
And mom and dad had stuff planned as well. J found himself moving cows three days in a row. I'm not sure that's what he thought he would be doing on his vacation, but he did say he enjoyed seeing the country. It is beautiful this time of year and with the wet spring, the country is as lush and green as ever.
It's about a 16-hour trip to home. M traveled extremely well. We made the trip in one day, leaving at 4:30 in the morning and arriving at mom and dad's around 8:30 that evening. M didn't miss a beat, went right to bed and was up at her regular time of 7 a.m. ready and willing to be spoiled by the grandparents. And spoil they did . . .
My sister-in-law kept us on a tight schedule with fun stuff planned all week, but it was hard to get it all in with the reunion going on as well. We made it to the lake one day where J did a superb job of navigating the boat while J, K, and D tried their hand (or feet) at wakeboarding. Because of the late spring, the lake thawed at a slower rate this year, which basically means it was darn cold. J, K, and D tried to tell us that it wasn't cold after the first five minutes, but that's only because your body is numb after the first 3 minutes! Needless to say, the two of us from CA stayed in the boat. I've never seen goosebumps that big - and I grew up in Wyoming!
And mom and dad had stuff planned as well. J found himself moving cows three days in a row. I'm not sure that's what he thought he would be doing on his vacation, but he did say he enjoyed seeing the country. It is beautiful this time of year and with the wet spring, the country is as lush and green as ever.
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