Break in the Action

Buck declared his first two days off as *no work* days . . . so, we've tried to mix in a little fun and learning. When we went to the big horse show a few months back, we met a man who is a blacksmith for interpretation weekends at a living history fort that we'd never heard of :) He gave me his card and encouraged us to check it out. I'd been saving the experience for around 4th of July because I figured there would be some neat patriotic elements to the living history. We made it in time to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a gun and cannon salute to each of the first 24 states (which were in existence at the time of the Fort's heyday).

Of course, there is plenty of Lewis and Clark history to be had throughout the region :)

That's my boy . . . cultivating friendship and understanding :)

Can you see the reconstructed fort in the background? Even on these closely mowed pathways, we were still pulling ticks off of ourselves. They are a plague around here!! But the fort was impressive!

Some of the waiting for the fellows in their reenactment clothes to get into formation was maybe not so exciting . . .

But . . . when you look this cool, who notices when time drags a little? :)

I wonder if the forts were really staffed by this diverse of a group . . . ages, abilities, and interests in being there :)

Peeking in the windows of the black smith shop

The boys thought this was better than the big historic farm from where we used to live! Signif cheaper too--only $8 for the van!

Watching the weaving demonstration

I've never actually seen someone make lace before, fascinating!

Watching the proceedings

All the kids had fun spending their dollars at the general store . . . lemonade, taffy, caramels, even beef jerky walls (as pictured below :)

Finger licking good? Or good thing he didn't have any loose teeth up front? Ha!