Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

I'd Like to Shoot a Gun

'Some fellas call themselves survivalists, but these mountain men were the true survivalists; they lived off what the mountain gave them. Most people thought these men died from fighting the Indians, but they died from starvation," says Don Denford, cofounder of the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous. "The mountain men came to the rendezvous, [which was] their get-together once a year to trade furs. It kept them alive for the following year." Denford has been involved in reenacting historical rendezvous for 30 years and founded the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous 12 years ago with his wife, Joann.

"When the rendezvous starts, the booshway is the one that runs it. His word is law," says Denford. "A lot of men back then would leave cities and trap in brigades. Each brigade had a booshway." He explains that much of the language used by hunters and trappers in the American fur trade between 1700 and 1840 was a mixture of French and English. The booshway is a man who has volunteered to be responsible for the rendezvous from beginning to end. For this year's Manzanita event, April 29 to May 8, the booshway is in charge for ten days. But he doesn't work alone.

The top dog appoints dog soldiers, whose duty it is to police the rendezvous. "If there are any problems, they can handle it," Denford says. "Fire watch at night and during the day, whatever it takes." According to Denford, the Manzanita High-Mountain Club has a spotless record. "We haven't even had anybody with a cut finger." Each camp is equipped with a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, and a shovel. There are emergency medical technicians on hand.

Some of the demonstrations and competitions include archery, tomahawk throwing, and target shooting. Participants "hunt" -- targets are three-dimensional, animal-shaped metal objects that make a loud gong noise when struck. Visitors must register prior to the rendezvous to participate in any competition or camp overnight and are welcome to learn and try everything that is demonstrated. "People can see how the guns are loaded and fired. Anyone can walk up and say, 'I'd like to shoot a gun.' He signs a waiver and they show him how it works," says Denford.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Last year there were approximately 250 participants (those who camped and competed) and about 300 visitors. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the gates are "closed" to visitors. "We don't turn them away, they're welcome if they show up, but it's just a dead day." During these slower-paced days, demonstrators are given the opportunity to compete.

The concept of rendezvous can be compared to that of a renaissance fair. Participants camp in a cordoned-off area (in this case, a privately owned cattle ranch), survive the elements, and do their best to keep the scenario authentic -- from clothing to cooking. "It's the idea that it's a challenge to do it," says Denford. "Get as primitive as you can." Denford wears leather moccasins, leather pants, a calico shirt, and a Bridger-style hat. He made most of this clothing himself.

Members of the Manzanita High-Mountain Club have studied the period (roughly 1700 to 1840) from a collection of resources including The Book of Buckskinning series, which consists of 12 books. In the first book, beginners learn about "clothing, guns, rendezvous, crafts and skills, tepees, and women in buckskinning [clothes made from the suedelike skin of a male deer]."

Though most participants refuse modern amenities and the majority of rendezvous around the country enforce authenticity, the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous is more lax and includes a section for "tin tepees." Denford and his wife, who is no longer able to sleep on the ground, take their tin tepee, an RV.

Sara Claypool, an environmental engineer, has been attending the Manzanita High Rendezvous for eight years. "My husband is the major history buff in the family. He dragged me out to the [first one]." Claypool's husband is what she calls an "amateur historian." How would she characterize the other participants? "Some are real history buffs, some are into archery or shooting sports, and a handful of people are really into family values. [There are] home-schooled Christian families and bikers."

According to Claypool, the best part of the rendezvous is nighttime, after visitors leave. "There's no electric light, so people are hanging out by candlelight." Like everyone else, Claypool dresses the part, but unlike the buckskinners, she does not make her own clothing from deerskin. "Some women dress as Native Americans. I go in more of a colonial costume: a skirt, a chemise. But my costume is not as authentic. The men just get really serious about their costumes. It's just a little bit harder when you're female. Mountain women didn't really exist." -- Barbarella>

Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 8 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fridays until 8 p.m.) Santa Ysabel Cost: $3; children under ten and military free Info: 760-745-2927 or www.homestead.com/manzinita/main.html

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Will L.A. Times crowd out San Diego U-T at Riverside printing plant?

Will Toni Atkins stand back from anti-SDG&E initiative?
Next Article

Hip-hop artist Don Elway makes movies for his music

Not Ordinary EP tells a story of life on the streets

'Some fellas call themselves survivalists, but these mountain men were the true survivalists; they lived off what the mountain gave them. Most people thought these men died from fighting the Indians, but they died from starvation," says Don Denford, cofounder of the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous. "The mountain men came to the rendezvous, [which was] their get-together once a year to trade furs. It kept them alive for the following year." Denford has been involved in reenacting historical rendezvous for 30 years and founded the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous 12 years ago with his wife, Joann.

"When the rendezvous starts, the booshway is the one that runs it. His word is law," says Denford. "A lot of men back then would leave cities and trap in brigades. Each brigade had a booshway." He explains that much of the language used by hunters and trappers in the American fur trade between 1700 and 1840 was a mixture of French and English. The booshway is a man who has volunteered to be responsible for the rendezvous from beginning to end. For this year's Manzanita event, April 29 to May 8, the booshway is in charge for ten days. But he doesn't work alone.

The top dog appoints dog soldiers, whose duty it is to police the rendezvous. "If there are any problems, they can handle it," Denford says. "Fire watch at night and during the day, whatever it takes." According to Denford, the Manzanita High-Mountain Club has a spotless record. "We haven't even had anybody with a cut finger." Each camp is equipped with a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, and a shovel. There are emergency medical technicians on hand.

Some of the demonstrations and competitions include archery, tomahawk throwing, and target shooting. Participants "hunt" -- targets are three-dimensional, animal-shaped metal objects that make a loud gong noise when struck. Visitors must register prior to the rendezvous to participate in any competition or camp overnight and are welcome to learn and try everything that is demonstrated. "People can see how the guns are loaded and fired. Anyone can walk up and say, 'I'd like to shoot a gun.' He signs a waiver and they show him how it works," says Denford.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Last year there were approximately 250 participants (those who camped and competed) and about 300 visitors. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the gates are "closed" to visitors. "We don't turn them away, they're welcome if they show up, but it's just a dead day." During these slower-paced days, demonstrators are given the opportunity to compete.

The concept of rendezvous can be compared to that of a renaissance fair. Participants camp in a cordoned-off area (in this case, a privately owned cattle ranch), survive the elements, and do their best to keep the scenario authentic -- from clothing to cooking. "It's the idea that it's a challenge to do it," says Denford. "Get as primitive as you can." Denford wears leather moccasins, leather pants, a calico shirt, and a Bridger-style hat. He made most of this clothing himself.

Members of the Manzanita High-Mountain Club have studied the period (roughly 1700 to 1840) from a collection of resources including The Book of Buckskinning series, which consists of 12 books. In the first book, beginners learn about "clothing, guns, rendezvous, crafts and skills, tepees, and women in buckskinning [clothes made from the suedelike skin of a male deer]."

Though most participants refuse modern amenities and the majority of rendezvous around the country enforce authenticity, the Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous is more lax and includes a section for "tin tepees." Denford and his wife, who is no longer able to sleep on the ground, take their tin tepee, an RV.

Sara Claypool, an environmental engineer, has been attending the Manzanita High Rendezvous for eight years. "My husband is the major history buff in the family. He dragged me out to the [first one]." Claypool's husband is what she calls an "amateur historian." How would she characterize the other participants? "Some are real history buffs, some are into archery or shooting sports, and a handful of people are really into family values. [There are] home-schooled Christian families and bikers."

According to Claypool, the best part of the rendezvous is nighttime, after visitors leave. "There's no electric light, so people are hanging out by candlelight." Like everyone else, Claypool dresses the part, but unlike the buckskinners, she does not make her own clothing from deerskin. "Some women dress as Native Americans. I go in more of a colonial costume: a skirt, a chemise. But my costume is not as authentic. The men just get really serious about their costumes. It's just a little bit harder when you're female. Mountain women didn't really exist." -- Barbarella>

Manzanita High-Mountain Rendezvous Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 8 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fridays until 8 p.m.) Santa Ysabel Cost: $3; children under ten and military free Info: 760-745-2927 or www.homestead.com/manzinita/main.html

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Gilbert Castellanos, Buddha Trixie, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Shane Hall, Brian Jones Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival

Grand Socials, gigs, and record releases in Del Mar, City Heights, Solana Beach, Little Italy, and Ocean Beach
Next Article

Dating Sites For Little People: Best Platforms & Tips

Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.