The BC Rendezvous for 2013 was a great time!! As Daryl said, it was oppressively hot, and it rained part of almost every day, but cleared niecely each time. Several days were clear blue blazers. The primitive camp was thinner than in past years, with more folks opting for the shade of "Tin Town". Still, for us diehards, the primitive camp was where it was at, and most folks from "tin" made their way down to primitive to socialize in the evenings. By Friday, just before the holiday weekend, there were 141 camps registered, and more poured in just to catch the weekend.
There were events each morning and afternoon, regardless of the weather, for rifle, smoothbore, shotgun, pistol (both muzzle loading and cartridge) knife and 'hawk, and primitive archery. Events are sponsored by either clubs or individuals, and there is something for everyone, including the kids. There's two events 'for ladies only' - a High Tea on Tuesday afternoon, and an 'Un-tea' on thursday afternoon. I'm not going to divulge anymore about those events - you have to come and see for yourself, but both events are well attended and apparently, a lot of fun.
Leatherbelly alluded to the Smoothbore event, and so he should, because he came in first with his 28 gauge Taylor - Made gun. I picked up firsts in rifle, shotgun, and both pistol events. In the trap match, I broke ten straight - a first for me and perhaps a record for the event too, though I cannot be certain. Daryl's plank shoot was really well received, and I expect double the turnout next year. His prizes were outstanding. My primitive archery competition was all but rained out. It stopped raining as the last shooter turned in his score card. Then the sun broke out, the temperature soared, and my buddy Steve and I shot the course for fun. Still, we had 46 archers take the field. I gave away a dozen primitive arrows with fire blued steel trade points, in three places for men, women, and youth, plus some surprise awards for things like 'unlikely bet' (worst score) and middle of the pack. The archery event consists of 16 targets - two shots at each, and my local archery club here in Prince George loans me the targets...from the biggest this year, a cariboo, to the smallest, a bobcat. Even had a 'gator' down in the long grass of an old swamp.
The highlight for me this year, apart from getting to spend quality time with old and new friends, was an award that I was presented with - The Spirit of Rendezvous Award. It was first presented twenty three years ago, and the people whose names grace it, are certainly a special group. It was indeed an honour to be named among them. Here's some pics...only took a few.
This is the back of my tipi looking toward 'Tin'. the Vehicles in the distance are perhaps a sixth of the camps that are up on the benches above this lot.
This is a shot of Mike and I during the squirrel shoot. Mike's carrying 'Packdog's Tennessee rifle, and I've got my Jacob Kuntz: both .40's.
Here's some of my neighbours in Primitive. Note the bedded doe on the hill behind the camp. Though we did see deer and a most unwelcome black bear in cinnamon phase, this doe is a rubber one - an archery target.
This fellow didn't give us any trouble - another archery target.
A view of part of Primitive...
More of Primitive...
...and lastly, me and the most prestigious award.
I encourage everyone, particularly those within a couple of days drive, to attend next year, for the 25th Anniversary of BC Rendezvous.
