This was the first GW I have attended since before Hurrican Katrina. The first night there the temp dropped to 31 degrees. Cold weather indeed for tenting. Thankfully a friend loaned me a sheep hide with wool to sleep under. I dont think I will ever get used to sleeping fully clothed with a sweat shirt and hood on. Sleeping wasnt the biggest problem. When at such an event, the port-a-john seems to be miles away in the middle of a cold, cold night. Not to mention that the seat of said john feels like a block of ice. Beofre your tush hits the seat you are already shivering. Once back in bed (or what ever your sleep in or on) it takes some time to get warm again.

I learned that I need to have some latex gloves on hand (no pun intended) when refueling tiki torches. It took days of scrubbing to get the soot out of my hands. I'm sure people who saw my hands must have thought I'd forgotten how to wash up. But wash I did. Many times a day with powerful soap and cleansers and little hand scrubby things. And, that I need to find some smokeless torch fuel. If there is such a thing.

I also learned that friends will come to your aid when you have a problem. I was given a two man tent which included everything needed to set it up. Its roomy enough but you cant put a clothes rack in it. Ice chests make excellent storage for you gear. Garbage bags are great protection from the damp when it rains and your newly acquired tent leaks. Drops of water can find the center of your forehead in the middle of the night, And said drops are COLD.

Its great fun to sit around a camp fire, share Chaucers Mead with your SCA cousins and get silly. Add a few drums and you have a party! (Now I want a drum.) Even the most professional among us has a funny side when we let our guard down. My cousin Randall Guillaume found out that frayed jeans make a perfect wick for fire when your stick your foot into it. He's now called Bob-e-que or Phoenix Bob. AND he will believe us when hes told "You're on fire!" Silly rabbit.

Attending GW XVII was worth it, despite the cold and dust and the sound of 18 wheelers running over the rumble strips on Highway 59.. Helping Brother Karl merchant was fun as well. I just hope I didnt do more harm than good.

Bailey Rose aka Bats >'<

Long time gulf coast resident who loves anything medieval or renaissance. Into events and faires. Too bad I have to work to support my pasttime. Retired from one job but not ready to become sedate. I love sharing time with my family and sharing time with my "chosen" family.