Getting Started in Primitive living

[pilgrim]

     I have been researching what it would be like to get involved in a primitive rondy.  I cant say I will try this, but sure looks to be fun.  I found this site and seems to have good suggestions.  Search in detail through site.  I like the Diamond tent.  Simple and to my liking.  Who knows, We might meet up sometime and and share a quiet enjoyable time out of the past.  Hope this helps someone.

                         http://www.wizzywigweb.com/longshot/main.htm

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[old salt]

The only advice that I can give you at this time, is to research for the time period you want to work from and then research what was avalable for uses in that time period

[flintboomer]

Sometimes you can just show up at a primitive event and start asking questions. Find a couple of events that you think you would like to check out and contact the person in charge a month or two ahead of time to see if they welcome newcomers who are wanting to learn.

[ErikPrice1@msn.com]

 Rondies are alot of fun, but if you have bad knees or are up there in years really look into a little taller tent. I liked my diamond but my knees and ankles didn't.

[crazell]

I would have to agree with BrokenHawk.If you have issue's with some part of your body,definitely keep them in mind.I know i wouldn't go smaller than a baker tent.. Ask lots of questions when you go to one.Most everyone will put their 2 cents in and point you in the right direction....

[dusty hill]

do not start out primitive. just get any tent or camper and stay in the tin tepee area most rondys have. look around, ask ? take money to buy used equipment BUT YOU HAVE TO GO TOOOOO MUCH FUN

[pilgrim]

    Thanks to all for you input.  In the east here in Pennsylvania, there are several.  One is within 10 miles of home and that I want to go to in the spring.  That is at Jacobsburg.  They had a fall event scheduled but it was canceled.  Another is within 2 hours to my west on the Blue Mountain area.  And another is in Lancaster county. Also several in Virginia.   All within same driving radius.   I will go primitive though.  Want to take in the full experience  of primitive.  Dont want to have to leave primitive just to sleep.  Ill get all the sleep I need when I pass on.  Only problem I have is that whenever I have camped out, either when fishing or motorcycling, IT ALWAYS RAINS LIKE A COW WHIZZING ON A FLAT ROCK.  Oh well, I was wet before I was dry!   At 65 years old there is not much time left to enjoy the finer things in life.  And I will be in GOOD COMPANY.

[old salt]

pilgrim

All the above advice is good. I went back reread my first post to you. It sounded short and not what I intended. I some time forget where I started from, you have  a point to start from.
By going to a few rendezvous first you will have an idea what time period you want to get into. Then you can start your research. I say this because you can tie up a lot of money quick and not have what you really want if you are not careful.
[voice of experince here]
Also as I am not sure what your family status is, take into consideration What your family will want to do and how they will get along with your choices

[flintboomer]

If you are lucky you might make friends with someone and become part of their camp or choose to camp near them.

[pilgrim]

Thanks again for all you help and advice.   As for time period.  As far as I can see, in this area it appears to be more colonial period.  And you are right, I must go and see for myself what is the period being portrayed.  Wont be too good to go to a Colonial type armed with the Lyman GPR or CVA percussion.  probably would not be too well recieved.  I figure for any time period, the Traditions Pa rifle would fit in nicely.  For a Mountain Man Rondy, the Pa rifle or the Lyman flintlock would fit in fine.  Depending on the time period being portrayed, I'd have to be careful with the caplock hawken.  Also it depends on the period of my dress etc.  All must blend in.  I have been checking into tents and lie the  tarp type or the baker.  But Baker seems too bulky for 1 person.  I could not expect my lady to camp out on cold damp ground.   Would be nice to go to one where I can pack in with my canoe, I could pack the canoe with 1500# gear and still have room.   but they didnt have Royalex in those days.  But that would not bother me.  If it would come nit picking, I'm sure NO ONE THERE would be 100% PC.  But I will follow your advice and do alot of researching before I decide to attend a gathering.  Or just attend for a day to scout out and plan from there.  Thanks again

[pilgrim]

     I have already encountered one problem already.  As for pc clothing, thats no problem, but pc footwear    I dont know were or how, except to make my own, am I going to find pc correct moccassins in a size 15.  Oh well, guess I may have to go barefoot.      and only go to warm weather rondy.   Day trip

[Rev]

Carl Dyer or Arrow Mocs will have what you need for PC Footwear as far as mocs. Jason Townsend would have Colonial footwear.

[mongrel]

http://www.fugawee.com/hilow.htm

I own a pair of these half-boots. They're comfortable, authentic to Colonial through Mexican War periods, and available at a fairly reasonable price in sizes up to 15EEE. Especially if (as I am) you're bothered by your knees and/or back, mocs can be torture. I hunt wearing Dyer's mocs but my hunting doesn't involve a lot of walking.

There was a problem with the pair of Fugawees I purchased, owing to faulty construction; I sent a polite e-mail with pictures to the folks at Fugawee and received a sincere apology and explanation (their shoes and boots are cobbled by sub-contractors and obviously I got a sub-standard piece of work), along with instructions to take the boots to any shoe repair service I found convenient, and send Fugawee the bill. I did this and they paid me in full and quickly. I might add that I was using my pair as work boots while mending fence in fairly rough terrain, and told the folks at Fugawee that I had been. Their answer was that their footwear is to be USED, not just looked at or carefully worn on well-kept lawns. In other words, they found any failure of the boots to be unacceptable and made good on it.

[pilgrim]

      Thanks Rev for the info on moccassins.

       Thanks  Mongrel for the info on the fugawee boots. 

        That solves that problem,  Thanks again for all your help

[Hawken50]

  People round here are the best.
Has any one else thought of the title to this thread.Gettin started in primitive living.I'm bettin a lot of us 50 and older spent the first part of our lives gittin away from "primitive living".Sorry just a random thought speeding across my brain.