hurricane

I think Jill would love to do that along with Youngblood. Pencil her in, Captain!

Mission, you should see if you can set up under the arches on the far end. That's where we were. Shade, glorious shade. We used the period tables from the fort. -- Hurricane

As always William, you have the best way to look at things. I really enjoyed the fort. And frankly, you really don't even notice it once all the tents and people are there. It just becomes a big brick container for fun and fellowship. Let's face it, we could all make a cruise ship feel piratey and period with our collective creativity and resourcefulness. Man, if only we had a video projector. I have a killer presentation on Port Royal and life there in its heyday, along with what happened during the earthquake. Lots of photos of artifacts and stuff. Why can't video projectors be period? But then, I'd need a dark place to do it too. Always something. :) I'm not staying at the fort this year but if you need me to do a presentation, I can. I'm doing History vs. Hollywood at the Orlando Science Center in a couple weeks. I can also do what life was really like on a pirate ship. Kids love that one. :) I know my own crewe is here to make this a terrific Fort Fest and PiP, regardless of the location. -- Hurricane

I think this is a lot ado about nothing. The decision is made and was made some time ago about how this year's Pyrate Fest would be handled. From there, it's a simple matter of "go" or "don't go" given the constraints. It's like any other event where you have to take vacation time, travel, spend precious dough, etc. As for the demonstrations, we had fun in the fort doing ours. We did a period perfect (as best as you can in a fort) Port Royal pub and taught the period games to the visitors. They could here us talk about politics, fashions and news as we played. It was great fun for us and the visitors. And I know Diosa had large crowds around whenever she pressed sugar cane in period. I think it's a matter of picking the right demonstrations for the audience down there. Again, I'm no expert. Just know how it worked for us since we were always in the fort until last year. I have to agree with Cascabel, who's been there since the beginning and really has seen it all, even when it was one weekend in Marathon and the second weekend in Key West (correct me if I'm wrong on that one, Cascabel :). There was a disconnect between the paid area and the free camping area. People didn't have to pay to come to the beach. And those in the fort often didn't even know there was a beach to see. So now it's all together and that decision has been made for us. So we make the best of it. This event has changed time and time again over the last 11 years, including times when there was no fort and no camping. I for one would hate to see those days return. -- Hurricane

I came across these guys today. Love their explorer outfit and they have some Steampunk. Thought I'd pass it along in case it wasn't posted any other place here. http://www.gentlemansemporium.com Hurricane

The fort also is bug free. When we slept there we had no problem with mosquitoes, no see-ums or those pesky centipedes. I do suggest that someone there treat the parade ground with the stuff that kills red ant nests. We did have problems with those when we camped there. Otherwise, it's a nice place to hang - and for those who want a little extra privacy you can sleep up on the top floor and look out at the stars. Several of us did that as well. -- Hurricane

It's not too bad. Until last year we always camped in the fort. While I agree the beach was best, one must make due when playing in someone else's sandbox and the rules are the rules. But it's not as bad as it sounds. This isn't the hot time of the year and if it really starts to pour, you'll be thankful for the cover under the ramparts. Allows for some drying out time. -- Hurricane

Chances are very good they're already melted it. It destroys the evidence and it quickly becomes a bankable asset that is easy to sell on the open markets a piece at a time. Hell, you can sell it in a mall these days, no questions asked. Pirates would have done the same thing back in the day. Some things never change, especially where gold is concerned. Wished I would have thought of it. - Hurricane

You'd think if they knew it was gone within 10 minutes that they would have set up a roadblock somewhere on the only road leading out of Key West. They had photos of the guys. -- Hurricane

I didn't do it. But I sure wish I had. -- Hurricane

You'd have to keep in inland waters. The open sea can tear a tanker apart. Can't see this surviving in the 15 to 40 foot seas out on the Pacific Coast. Of course, I didn't do well in the 15 foot seas there either. -- Hurricane

No problem sir, I think they are really cool. Wish they would come out with new ones along the same vein. -- Hurricane

Like these? http://cgi.ebay.com/TRANSISTORIZED-CANNON-RADIO-/120585020246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 http://cgi.ebay.com/Spanish-Cannon-Novelty-AM-Transistor-Radio-GUC-/250683043312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 My dad was a TV and radio repairman back in the day. Man, if he had these I would have loved them. -- Hurricane

If you're looking for cool pirate radios, this one from the 30s is on auction on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/MAJESTIC-PIRATE-TREASURE-CHEST-TUBE-RADIO-1930s-RARE-/370421491140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 Hurricane

As they say, if the heat doesn't get you, the mosquitoes will. Even Dengue Fever has made its return in the Keys, thanks to our State Insect. -- Hurricane

Damn! Now what am I going to do with the 1/2 pound of "special" gunpowder I had for your coffee? You'll be missed, for sure! -- Hurricane

Kind of cool story. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/business/2010/08/13/boulden.east.india.company.cnn?hpt=Sbin

I think you need a compass. That's definitely not the Northwest, sir. -- Hurricane

We'll be doing a pirate event there at the Spirit Mountain Casino. We're performing for the VIPs on Friday at an invitation only dinner, but Saturday (Oct. 23) there is a pirate party we're hosting that is open to the general public and they'll be having a costume contest, karaoke and such. Everyone's welcome to join the fun that day. -- Hurricane

Man, too bad it isn't October. I will have 10 of my crewe up there to put on our pirate dinner show for some big-wigs. Love Depoe Bay. Used to go fishing (well, puking) when I was a wee one with family. Glad to see that pirates are thick as thieves there. Will be hoisting one to you at the Rogue Brewery when we come your way. -- Hurricane

The good captain has a good point on that. While events like Pirates in Paradise allow anyone to participate, many events are crew only if you want to get into the thick of the action. For our own crewe activities we're often required to show proof of liability insurance, which can be a pricey proposition for individuals. I guess it just depends on whether you want to participate or spectate. There are advantages and disadvantage to both as well. -- Hurricane

Good questions all! And more than happy to answer them for you from my perspective. Who are ye? And What do you do? I am Hurricane... Captain of the Pyrates of the Coast, an entertainment troupe here in Florida. In real life, I sit at home, make stuff up and clients pay me very well to do it. (Writer). Are ye, the members of this forum, mostly re-enactors? If you are, how did you get into it? Definitely a mix of people here. That's what makes it interesting and lively. How did you come up with your pirate name? Earned it due to my bellowing and outbursts of German temper Do you sell your goods online or at shows? Have never sold anything really. Takes too much time away from pirating. How does one find a crew or even start their own? A great listing can be found at noquartergiven.net... There are a lot more crews than are listed in this forum. Where ye be located? Florida. Used to be in Seattle. Brought the crewe with me here. Are you focused on being historically accurate or do you follow more of a modern view of Pirates? Done both but found the re-enactment side to be a bit limiting for me since my pirate DNA is as an entertainer and performer. So I am back to my "hystorical" view - historical and hysterical at the same time. Been doing it since 1982. -- Hurricane

Hah, Animal. You know me better than that! I'll always be a pirate through and through. But what better way to avoid capture than to read their own textbook. They've been reading ours long enough. Muhahaha! -- Hurricane