Family Fun!

New Baby Peterson is Coming!

Nick and Megan are expecting a baby! We are so excited for them!! Baby will be here in no time. 

Mountain Man Holcomb Valley Rendezvou

 Dad found out a couple of months ago that there was going to be a Mountain Man Rendezvou. He said he wanted to go so we planned to go. After seemly waiting for a long time the day had finally come. It was a very fun and eventful activity.   Just this week we realized that the rendezvou landed on mom's birthday. Steve and Tammy got to come with us! It was so fun to have them come with us!!! The rendezvou was located at Holcomb Valley by big bear. This is the road we went on to get to the place. Yes, it was a dirt road and not too much traffic and pretty smooth at first. 

Later we found that the road was not such a smooth road but filled with rocks and holes. It was an experience to say the least. 

Once we got there we had to pay to get in. It was $5 a piece. These guys were pretty authentic and happy. They directed us to where we wanted to be. 

Hey! Who's that man with the gun in his hand?

We met this mountain men while we went to the shooting range. They had lots of good information for us about the guns and how to shoot a gun. They also told us what was going on. There were targets that each participants shot at  and they would get points for each shot. They shot at targets in the shape of animals. At one station the mountain man shot the target over so he had to set it up again. They all work together down the line. When this man entered the shooting range each person called down the line to stop shooting. When he was out of the range again they yelled to one another all clear. Good Safety tips!!!

All guns were black powder guns. Some were flint and steal and others were cap black powder guns. Sometimes the flint and steel guns miss fired. I thought this was interesting because these were gun used in the Civil or Revolutionary war. I understand why they had knifes at the end of the guns. It really took them a long time to reload. I don't think I would be safe with that type of gun in a war.

Miss fired and had to reload.

He hit the target!

Even women were not afraid to shoot!

Characters!

I thought I might try my hand at throwing a tommy hawk. 

Well, honestly I wasn't so good at that!

BUT OH TAMMY!!!!

YEP! She was very good at that!!!!

The hatchet is located on the left side.

A cute family wondering the forest.

Mountain Men and Women waiting at the archery area.

Tammy and I decided to shoot a ball for a $1. She did really well. 

I wasn't sure I wanted to do it. I was a bit scared. They guy told me what to aim at
but I was so nervous I missed. But I did it again and 

I HIT THE TARGET!!!  I was so excited!

THE TARGET!

CAN YOU SEE WHERE I HIT IT!!!

Before we left we walked through the camps. It was interesting to see how they were all living.

This is the Holcomb Valley. Dad had camped here 5 years in a row with the scouts. I remember him talking about it  a lot but didn't remember being at the place. He was trying to get his bearing (bear -ing haha) standing here. We came in on a different  road so he was a little turned around. Dad also said that this is the valley that they filmed "Bonanza" the TV show. I recognize it, do you?

Dad figured out where he was and we also went on the road he had traveled and it was greatly improved.  Still a dirt road and pretty smooth and a few bumps but not many. 

Lunch by Big Bear Lake

Our hand stamp we got at the rendezvou. It was a bear paw stamp.

UGGGGGG!!! I just washed my car!!!

Yes, it was a fun day. We really enjoyed talking with the people and participating in some of the activities AND we had a great lunch. Funny how your car gets a little dirty on a dirt road! "~)