William Brand

Welcome aboard, Mister Goldin.

Another fine mazer...

The Batavia is a personal favorite of mine, so thanks for the pictures!

Welcome aboard, Andy. You need to get your stuff on Bilgemunky Radio if you haven't already. http://www.bilgemunk...well-and-adieu/ You really put the funk in 'Firewalker'.

I use the following anecdote all the time when people are at events for the first time. I remember a moment at the beginning of that event when nothing in particular was going on and you were sitting at a picnic bench with an introspective look, so I asked, 'What do you think of all this? Think you'll do it again?" You just smiled a little and after a long pause you said, "Ask me again when the weekend is over." Soo...four days later I found you sitting at one of the tables again and nothing was going on at the moment and I asked, "So, what do you think of all this?" After an equally long pause, you admitted that until that moment you weren't sure you'd be the kind of person to do this sort of thing, but how you were now convinced you'd be doing it for a long time. It was an understatement of course, seeing as how you've been to nearly 10 times the number of events I've attended.

IT was an excellent read, as always. I was surprised to be included at the end. That took me back.

A very happy birthday!

Thank you. I hated missing this one. I really wanted to touch bases with you and other reenactors I only see at Fort de Chartres.

Did you happen to take pictures?

Some pics from Jack... https://picasaweb.go...eat=directlink# ...his poor tent.

When I asked Kitt about the tallships last night, he said that they were all fine. I've heard no other reports about them.

The power was just restored at the hotel where some of the Archangel crew is staying.

I just spoke with Haunting Lily. They saw the tornado pass their hotel and flatten a whole mess of tents and not a few cars. The power is still out at their hotel and people are doubling up in hotels. Their hotel has offered to move them down the road to a place with power, but they're in the dark at the moment. There are emergency generators at the camp and a tree is laying on Jack's tent, so they'll be bringing out the chainsaws in the morning.

The Hampton Blackbeard Festival just got hit by a tornado. I just got off the phone with Kitt Madden and everyone is fine. The camp was leveled and there was no shortage of debris, but everyone cleared the camp before the tornado came through, so there are no serious injuries reported. A few reoprts from people at the site... "One way or the other we are going to shoot cannons tomorrow. All Pirates are accounted for, No major injuries. But we took a direct hit. All the Crews want to continue with the show. Not much more we can do until day brake. Most of the camping crew members will be spending the rest of the night at the Virginia Air and Space Center. No power but at least it's dry." -Randy Gnatowsky "Well, everyone is fine. But the Camp is leveled. We rebuild tomorrow." -Robert Jack Permenter

Best of luck in your first year!

If I had my way I'd never miss Fort de Chartres. It's a beautiful fort and easily one of my favorite locations for a period event. I wish I was wealthy enough to go where I will.

Huzzah! It will be pleasure to finally meet all of you.

Thank you. I've been through the pictures some three times now.

The Shtandart, a replica of the Russian light frigate of 1703.

A tall ship thread is nothing without pictures. The Adventure ketch.

Fine looking group. That ship is looking smaller year to year.

Thank you everyone for posting pictures on Facebook in droves. It's great to see the ship and the community supported so well.

John made ship's biscuits three years back for Fort de Chartres. I kept one in my kit. It's still edible despite being hard as a rock. I think it will outlast me.

It's good to see that someone will be there to represent us in camp. You'll need to contact the powers that be at the fort. I'll talk with John about it and we'll get you contact information.

Thank you so much. I love a good set of pictures, especially when there are so many events that I cannot attend.