In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

[Spinster]

Fellow Travelers

Registration is now open for In The Van, August 1-7, 2010

Registration forms and other required paperwork is available on the event listserver

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/In-The-Van/

It seems each time I turn, new opportunities for acquiring common 19th century skills arise. A few folks spent a bright cold weekend last month in one such endeavour, and the fruits of that labor will provide much merriment in August. This weekend's workshop for wagoners and swampers is full to the barn rafters. Such fun!

An excellent resource for this adventure in moving wagons is Ezra Meeker's Ox Team Days on the Oregon Trail, the account of his 1852 journey west by wagon with his bride, and his subsequent retracing of the route in 1906.

Project Gutenberg has it: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/29543
Or the nice folks at Librivox will read it aloud to you. For free

http://librivox.org/ox-team-days-on-the-oregon-trail-by-ezra-meeker/

Looking Forward, .... to Living in the Past,

[PogueMahone]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Folks,

Please take note that early registration ends May 1. That is only about 90 days away. Late registration ends June 1. A full weeks worth of rations for all participants has to be obtained and prepared for the event so the event needs a little lead time.

Please register ASAP to help the event staff get ahead.

thanks,

[Rob Murray]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

It was already warm, dry and dusty in August of 1862, as General Kirby Smith’s train of freight wagons creaked and lurched its way east. They looked like a flotilla of ships with their white canvas bonnets on a brown sea. A team of four drew each of the wagons. The drivers were a mix of local citizens and the Santa Fe trade from Missouri. The men walked on the left of their animals whips over their shoulders or carried loosely in their hands. The caravan moved silently, and slowly, just a little slower than a person walked. After the first flurry of commands to the teams, the drivers walked with their animals saying little; An occasional gruff “gee” or “haw” was all that was needed to remind a team that it was to stay in line with the wagon in front of it. With the most experienced teams in front of the column, the teams were content to follow the wagon in front of them. Before long, the only sound was the creak of the wagons or the sound’s of the infantry escort marching with the train…

Registration for “In the Van” has opened. As previously stated you will need to join the yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/In-The-Van/

Joe Smotherman has been asked to command the infantry component of the event and has graciously accepted. If you would like to offer your services as a subaltern or non commissioned officer, please contact Joe.

This event will have a cap on participants. If you are serious about participating, my advice is to register early as once the caps have been reached, a waiting list will be started.

Any questions, feel free to contact me at in-the-van@charter.net

Rob

[Michael Comer]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

I've paid my money and I'm ready to take my chances!

[Spinster]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Mr. Comer

You know that commercial where the phone starts beeping with incoming messages and then sorta explodes?

The event Paypal account did that to my phone today.......

[Haversack]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

I know that this will sound kind of stupid, but I am a bit confused on how to register?

[OlszowyTM]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Per the instructions & link in messages #1 & #3 --Join the group & follow the directions.

[PogueMahone]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

I know that this will sound kind of stupid, but I am a bit confused on how to register?

Shawn,

Your confusion may derive from the lack of an "official website" link. The event is utilizing a YahooGroup instead. Event announcements are posted here from time to time, but the YG is the place for questions and details.

Not a stupid question, just a different approach to event communication.

[PogueMahone]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

REMINDER: Early registration ends on May 1 - 30 days from today. Late registration ends June 1.

And, as noted in a seperate thread, and to address some of the confusion mentioned above, a website has been put together for those interested in checking out the guidelines and getting some basic info without signing up for the Yahoo Group first: In the Van website

Enjoy!

[JEBminnesota]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Registration in.

Should be a interesting event.

[JEBminnesota]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

This event should be like no other and with early registration ending in a few weeks (May 1st) the time is now to register.

[Spinster]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Thank you Beedle, you read my mind. I figured that I might better get over here and articulate a few things, since I'm the registrar for In The Van

(1) Joe Smotherman is recruiting infantry. There is an informational website he's set up to that purpose, so men can see the guidelines and general information. Its here: http://inthevanevent.homestead.com/Home.html

(2) Registration is $75. The fee AND its required paperwork is due IN MY HANDS no later than May 1. This does not mean postmarked by May 1. It means received. Your forms are going to my home in Alabama. This is somewhere beyound where the sidewalk ends.:wink_smil We do not get regular mail service that the rest of the country does. I suggest you mail it now.

(3) It will take fellers about 15-20 minutes to fill out the paperwork. Then they will either have to send a Paypal payment or a money order. Either way, its due by May 1. In order to get the paperwork they need, fellers will have to join the listserver. This will take time.

In other words, don't wait until May 1 to start the process of getting registered, and be surprised if you can't get done.

After May 1, the price for the event goes up--to $100. That price holds until June 1.

[JEBminnesota]

Re: In The Van Aug 1-7 2010 Registration is Open

Just wanted to remind everyone that registrations ends April 30th. That means that you need to have your registration in by April 30th. Get that registration in the mail today.

Information can be found http://inthevanevent.homestead.com/Home.html