4th of July

July 4, 2010

Okay, this summer is making up for last season. Jeez, it is so hot!!!! Oh my gosh, it was so hot at this event that I swear if I had leg hair, it would have been singed under my dress from the heat of the road.

This is a huge parade, we had to wait an hour to be called. We just kind of sat in the shade of the school and waited. At least we got to see the parade because we were at the end. A lot of really nice cars, antique and custom. But man it was hot.

I only took a few photos because I had to carry our ID sign. Freaking huge poster board that someone handed us just before we were up to start walking. I guess we did not win a trophy this year. Oh well.


We made it to the end of the parade and just collapsed in the shade. It was so nice and to be honest, me and Sandy were hot, but we were worried about the guys most. And our worries were justified because as soon as we made it to our rendezvous site, they all stripped down to their shirts and pants and just lay there for a while. Dave came over to me ("Come here, Baby.") and gave me a big, wet, sweaty hug. Yep, that's my man. But we did get food from the event coordinators. I have to admit, they were very good to us. And luckily, there are buses that take us back to where our cars are parked.

Next event Ft. Knox!

Train Robbery

June 19, 2010

First robbery of the year. Geez these people!

Okay, if I were a guy, how old would I be? Mrs. Bergeron (Deb) thinks I look about 15. If I were a guy, I would take offense to that, correct?


We wait patiently while Sgt. Henry gives the passengers fair warning as to their travel on this train through hostile territory.


Denny keeps a close eye on the Yankees.


COULD I LOAD THAT GUN ANY SLOWER?!?!?!?


Okay, I have no idea what was in that bottle that Chris gave me but it was not water and it was not alcohol, it was just plain gross. Ugh! Someone told me later that they think it's flat coca cola. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't asked.


What was disappointing about this train robbery, and probably for the summer, is that the steam engine will probably not be running at all this year. The Narrow Gauge Railroad has either two or three steam engines and only one is really ready for use all year round. Well, this past Winter, a fire set by vagrants got out of hand and severely damaged the good steam engine. It is a huge setback for the railroad. If anyone wants to help, they can either volunteer or donate to the restoration. I believe the goal is for the organization to get the steam engine running for their annual Polar Express runs. We do not receive any money for the robberies, we do these to benefit the railroad and to just have fun. If anymore Yankees, Confederates or ladies would like to come over, our next train robberies are September 4th, 2010 and October 9th, 2010. The train rides are every hour on the hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm. If you would like to come give us a heads up at the Maine Rebels website or talk to Captain Pratt on the Maine Militia website: there are links to both of those sites on the main page of my blog.

You can also check the official Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad website at http://www.mngrr.org for updates as to repairs.

Norlands

June 11-13, 2010

Norlands!! This is a nice event. We did not have as much of a Confederate showing as we did last year, but this is a decent site and the people are definitely grateful for our help in raising money for the barn. We saw that they have started purchasing the lumber for the structure and someone mentioned that they are going to start raising the barn later this summer. I hope so, I cannot wait to see it finished.



Here is Al and his advance team going for the Federals.


Here are the Federals firing back.


Okay, is it just me or is someone pushing the kid bearing the flag out in front?! I did not notice that until I downloaded the photos to my computer. WTH?!


Here is the fashion show presented by some of the civilian ladies. Sara was in it!


Oh, that's right. My friend Sara joined the 15th Alabama not last summer, but the summer before, went to a Camp Pratt (where she nearly got hypothermia, typical), and then left to teach English in a foreign country. This was her first spectator encampment. I am so glad she liked it, too. She has made dresses and purchased equipment so it was a good thing she had fun.

The Norlands committee has already announced the dates for next year's re-enactment, however, I have misplaced them, it will be in June of next year, most likely the second weekend. I cannot wait to see them again.

Memorial Day Parade

May 31, 2010

The Memorial Day Parades in Grey and New Gloucester, Maine.

As in past years, we pay tribute to those who have served and those who have fallen. Sandy is our usual widow and she does a lovely job of it.

Well, they lined us up for the parade (we are almost always in a different spot) and when we started out, I just happened to see the sign of the group behind us...


...awkward much?

Either someone was not paying attention or a republican when they put the Confederates (most pro-state's rights) in front of the "New Gloucester Democrats." I like to think of myself as an independent...What? I have to keep some of my liberal hippie roots!

And after a good parade in New Gloucester, we went to Gray, where someone made the mistake of giving the Confederates technology.

In our defense, it was a fancy walkie talkie and we were afraid to break it. It also did not help that no one told us who it belonged to and where it needed to go after the parade. I do not think we will be receiving one of those next year, we did not need it once and no one yelled at us while we had it.

Excuses...

I have been VERY neglectful. I just need to upload photos, I swear!!! Everything is typed out!!!

Stay posted for the 2010 season.