This flag and ribbon shall remain here in memorium for  those who died today... 11 September 2001... May the Wolf accept their souls, and make their transition to the next world an easy one, and guide them for as long as they are in need.

This is a SPECIAL DEDICATION to a good friend who crossed over Tuesday night, 18 July 2000.  CHRIS GARDNER finally fought his last battle... this time with Leukemia. Go in PEACE my friend... and may the Wolf watch over you. Keep the fires lit to guide us there, and the coffee hot. We'll all be needin' some when we cross over...
 
 

     In the early decades of the 1800s, America quivered on the brink of a thrilling epoch in her history.  East of the mighty Mississippi River lay verdant states, rapidly filling with cities and towns as the hardy populace continuted its migration from the Atlantic Ocean toward the distant frontier.  But, West of the Mississippi lay the vast domain called the Great American Desert... the Plains of Grass.  This wild expanse between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean, with its Indians and wild beasts, was mainly unknown, and loomed as a great barrier.  It was marked an inhospitable wasteland by the early explorers, many of whom did not return.

    At first, only a few adventurers dared cross this boundry between civilized America and who knew what.  Then, the wearing of hats made from Beaver felt became the height of fashion in Europe and eastern America, and young trappers ventured into the wilderness in hopes of making their fortunes.  Few lived to see their dreams come true.  In one year alone, 116 men left Santa Fe, NM, to spend the winter in the Rocky Mountains.  Only 16 returned.  Those trappers who did outwit the hostile Indians, escaped from the clutches of Grizzly Bears, lived through the freezing winters, survived hunger and drought, fought raiders and theives to keep their plews, did not go crazy in the High Lonesome, would become the stuff legends were written about...They were the.......

J. F. Ballard, a MOUNTAIN MAN, once described himself as follows:

    "My mother was a badger, my father was a Griz... I can out shoot, out fight, out cuss and out drink any man.  I have the fastest horse, the sharpest knife, and the finest rifle in the mountains.  Hear my challenge echo in the valleys for any man of any nation to try to lift my top knot.  I will fight to the death for my right to be a free man, to trap the beaver and to hunt the elk, to drink from cool streams, and to sleep under the stars.  I have no road to follow, I make my own.  I have no man to answer to except myself.  I fear no creature on God's green earth, for I am a MOUNTAIN MAN!!!" (*chuckles* This was how they all felt, and it weren't brag... just fact!)

They would spend 11 months in the mountains, collecting beaver plews, and various furs to bring to Rondezvous in the late Spring.  The average take was about $1500 to $2000 (1840 money) for furs they trapped.  At "Ronnyvous", they would reprovision, drink til their money was gone, then go back to the mountains to do it all over again for the next 11 months.
 
 

      "Ronnyvous", as they were called by the old Trappers of the past, are an integral part of my life. I've been participating in pre-1840's living history Rendezvous since 1988. There is something about stepping back in time...living the way our ancestors did, that is magical to the heart and the soul as well. With the fellowship, it is a time of spiritual renewal for my wife and me, of reestablishing friendships made, and making new friends. Going to a Rendezvous' is a "sanity" break for us. It takes us from the stress of today, back in time, to a simpler way of life. A time where a man's word was his bond, and you could trust your friends. No finer a compliment could be given another man than to say, "He'll do to ride the river with". It was NOT given lightly. That meant you put your total trust and faith in this person, and he would watch your back no matter what. The same was expected of you also.

     To give you a bit of background, Rendezvous were held each year when free trappers would travel to pre-determined spots to meet fur traders. They would trade their furs for the "possibles" needed for the coming fur season. "Possibles" were Galena lead, black power, traps, Rendezvous whisky, coffee, sugar, pemmican, jerky, clothing, blankets, horses and mules, and other items that allowed them to live through the coming Winter. Included were "gee-gaws" for their "wives" and presents for the various tribes they might encounter. "Ronnyvous" was a time to see friends long missed throughout the year. It was a time of fellowship, and a renewal of the spirit. There are many sites (fortunately) on the Internet pertaining to Pre-1840's Rendezvous and their history. Click on the "Links" section in the Table of Contents to go to my special site page for these links. This was a special time in our history... It was......

About Ronnyvous'ers	Celtic Wedding
About Vicki and Me	Wedding Pictures
The "Mouse House"	The Alafia Rendezvous
Ronnyvous Prices	The Long Hunter
Ronnyvous Whiskey	Wolves
A Trappers Weapons	My Favorite Links
Whats For Dinner?	Books To Read
My Personna	Sign My Guest Book
First Ronnyvous	Nature
Campfire Stories	Making Mead
Trade Guns	Beaver
Making Fire	MidWest Primitive Ronnyvous 2004
Making Bullets	Dedication Page

My apologies here... this "page" initially started out just as two pages, for fun.  Well, it sorta got rolling and as you can see, has expanded alot.  It appears it will always be under construction, with more and more being added as I find more, and learn more, to put on this page.  Bear with me, and come back often to see what new has been added. It's an on going labor of love..... *grins*  Recently I got an email from Geocities that I was exceeding my "daily download allowance" (whatever the hell that is..), so I had to delete a few non-essential pages. I tried not to delete anything that was critical...

NOTE:  If you want to know what is happening where, then I suggest a subscription to SMOKE AND FIRE  NEWS... The rates are $18.00 per year and well worth it to know what is happening in your area. So... click HERE to go to their web page and order a subscription.
 
 

This Mountain Man camp is owned by  SeanBear.  Want to join the Mountain Man's Webring?
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