The following is transcribed
from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there
would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from an overnight I was able to attend in November of 2014:
Turkey Shoot Overnight
Saturday, November 1, 2014
I was driving home from the farm tonight. As I neared the town of Fairview, MT, from the North, I kept looking at the dash clock. It was 9:45pm. I decided to take a chance and see if the guys were still up. I turned east at the corner and headed to the Lassey cabin. With any luck there would still be a cribbage game in process. If I got to the cabin and saw no candle light I would hop back into the truck and head the rest of the way home. This was the weekend of our annual Turkey Shoot which had taken place earlier today. I didn’t think my odds would be that good of making it with needing to take care of some end of season chores at the farm. Lastnight as I was about to head out to the farm Kim handed me a bag with my fur trade clothing in it and said, “In case it works out, you should try to make it.”
Making the hike from my truck down the hill I saw candle light. Knocking on the door and opening it up I was heartily greeted by my fellow comrades of the Fur Trade. Dave Finders stated while shaking my hand,”Leif, normally I’d be in bed right now, but I decided to stay up just in case you’d make it.” “I may only stay for a while and head back into Sidney,” I replied. Paul Bauer quipped,”There’s a bunk right there with your name on it. Sit down.” He handed me a bottle. “You better try that. Looks like you’re staying”, he said with a grin. I shook my head. “I’ll go call Kim.” There was a minor outburst of joy from the party. I hiked back to the truck and changed, grabbed my Russian sheeting saddle bag, a couple of my wool blankets, my 1790s contract rifle, pouch and horn and headed back to the group.
Back at the cabin I was caught up on an idea that was suggested to potentially attempt to start a different style winter camp that could grow into something bigger.
Rod had set some traps at a beaver dam that was currently on Charbonneau Creek. I had modified a few #5 Bridgers to set as well, however, it was way too late to do that now. He would check them tomorrow morning.
The conversation ebbed and flowed, now history, now modern, now personal, now history, lulled by the candle light and the sound of crackling from the fire. Drowsiness was beginning to heavily set in. I crawled into the top bunk, warmed by my blankets and the spirits from a friend’s bottle, and for the time being, even for such a brief moment that it was all cares and burdens that had been troubling me were gone and all was right with the world.
Turkey Shoot Overnight
Saturday, November 1, 2014
I was driving home from the farm tonight. As I neared the town of Fairview, MT, from the North, I kept looking at the dash clock. It was 9:45pm. I decided to take a chance and see if the guys were still up. I turned east at the corner and headed to the Lassey cabin. With any luck there would still be a cribbage game in process. If I got to the cabin and saw no candle light I would hop back into the truck and head the rest of the way home. This was the weekend of our annual Turkey Shoot which had taken place earlier today. I didn’t think my odds would be that good of making it with needing to take care of some end of season chores at the farm. Lastnight as I was about to head out to the farm Kim handed me a bag with my fur trade clothing in it and said, “In case it works out, you should try to make it.”
Making the hike from my truck down the hill I saw candle light. Knocking on the door and opening it up I was heartily greeted by my fellow comrades of the Fur Trade. Dave Finders stated while shaking my hand,”Leif, normally I’d be in bed right now, but I decided to stay up just in case you’d make it.” “I may only stay for a while and head back into Sidney,” I replied. Paul Bauer quipped,”There’s a bunk right there with your name on it. Sit down.” He handed me a bottle. “You better try that. Looks like you’re staying”, he said with a grin. I shook my head. “I’ll go call Kim.” There was a minor outburst of joy from the party. I hiked back to the truck and changed, grabbed my Russian sheeting saddle bag, a couple of my wool blankets, my 1790s contract rifle, pouch and horn and headed back to the group.
Back at the cabin I was caught up on an idea that was suggested to potentially attempt to start a different style winter camp that could grow into something bigger.
Rod had set some traps at a beaver dam that was currently on Charbonneau Creek. I had modified a few #5 Bridgers to set as well, however, it was way too late to do that now. He would check them tomorrow morning.
The conversation ebbed and flowed, now history, now modern, now personal, now history, lulled by the candle light and the sound of crackling from the fire. Drowsiness was beginning to heavily set in. I crawled into the top bunk, warmed by my blankets and the spirits from a friend’s bottle, and for the time being, even for such a brief moment that it was all cares and burdens that had been troubling me were gone and all was right with the world.
Turkey Shoot Overnight
Sunday, November 2, 2014
I had slept all through the night, which doesn't normally happen for me. I got up and took a walk outside. Rod was nowhere to be found. He must have been tending to the cows and checking his traps. He walked into camp a bit later and dropped two beaver on the ground. He had been successful! After breakfast Rod looked at the two animals and said, "Well, I suppose I should stop putting this off.” He grabbed his knife and a stone and set to work skinning the animals. Shortly after I packed my gear, said goodbye and headed out feeling peaceful, thanks to a bag of clothing Kim handed me on my way out the door. It’s amazing how even just a short time out like this can refresh things for you.
-Leifer
I had slept all through the night, which doesn't normally happen for me. I got up and took a walk outside. Rod was nowhere to be found. He must have been tending to the cows and checking his traps. He walked into camp a bit later and dropped two beaver on the ground. He had been successful! After breakfast Rod looked at the two animals and said, "Well, I suppose I should stop putting this off.” He grabbed his knife and a stone and set to work skinning the animals. Shortly after I packed my gear, said goodbye and headed out feeling peaceful, thanks to a bag of clothing Kim handed me on my way out the door. It’s amazing how even just a short time out like this can refresh things for you.
-Leifer
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