The Events of Friday, August 13, 2010

          I think we’re permanently going to get up early, because, like almost every day recently, we woke up and hit the road early. We had breakfast in the parking lot of Grand Portage National Monument. We were quite uninformed about what was happening that weekend, but it turned out that we had come just in time for Rendezvous Weekend. During this one weekend of the year, people come from all over Minnesota to participate in a historical re-enactment of the “Rendezvous” – an annual gathering of partners from the North West fur trading company, voyageurs that carried their goods and Native American Indians in the early 1800s. Historical re-enactors gather and various trade and craft people come, set up their tents and all have one fun weekend. There were numerous activities to sign up for, but when we got to the sign-up table we found out that there were only spots left for Scottish Music/Haggis Making and How to Make Voyageur Action Figures- a.k.a. Corn-Husk Dolls. The latter interested me so I signed up for that, while Daddy signed up for the Scottish Music/Haggis Making.

          At my program I made a girl voyageur named Tina. I call her “the strong, the lovely, the masculine, and the glamorous voyageur… Tina!” Daddy ventured over to the historical encampment and watched the preparations for Haggis. It was to be served at the communal dinner for the historical participants that evening. While Dad and I were doing our activities, Ben participated in the Dainty Voyageur Contest- whatever that is… and got second! I was later told that the participants in this contest were acting as the voyageur’s wife awaiting the arrival of their voyageur from his long journey. They had to do various chores with a baby- made of wood- with them all the time. Poor Ben had to wear a dress, tie baby “Pierre” to him with a voyageur sash, carry two full buckets of water on a yoke down to the river (represented by a ranger), fill a bottle with water using a large sponge, kill a rabid beaver (by throwing a frying pan on a beaver pelt), clean the home by sweeping pine cones off a blanket and hug a girl (to represent welcoming his voyageur home). He was the only non historical re-enactor participant and the only one from out of state. As an award for placing second, he received a fifteen dollar gift certificate to the store at the visitor center, with which he bought flint and steel. His name and hometown will also be published in the local paper. We also enjoyed touring the fort and Great Hall, and watching the cook, tin maker, gunsmith and basket weaver work. While we were there, they were also filming a documentary about the time that will be shown in the Grand Portage Heritage Center.

          Finally, we left Grand Portage National Monument, thoroughly educated and set off for Duluth, and Sir Benedict’s Tavern and Sandwich Shop. This restaurant had been recommended to us by our friends the Bjorlo’s in Brainerd, and we are glad they did. We thoroughly enjoyed our sandwiches and soda for the kids and Mom and beer for Dad. We even shared a bowl of wild rice soup. We went back to the RV, had brownies, and drove on in search of our campsite. We were supposed to camp somewhere else, but Mom missed a turn, and in looking for a place to turn around stumbled on Moose Lake State Park. Dad went in to check availability as it was after 9:30 on a Friday night. Soon after Dad went in, a ranger came out and hung a sign saying the campground was full. Mom cracked up, because this has happened to us several times during our trip. God always provides a place to stay, but often it is the last place available and delivered at the last possible moment.