Red River experiences

[Colonel Dave]

Anyone else want to chip in with their experiences at either of the Red River events or Into the Piney Woods event?

[MD_Independent26]

Last March, I slept with four Frenchmen and a Belgian in a water-logged shebang, shivering from a fever, but still game for the next morning. Can't wait to do it again.

[PMB1861]

I watched my Comrade attempt to sway the heathen French and one dirty bedraggled scarecrow from Cecille County Maryland to the path of righteousness that can be found in taking the Temperance Pledge and denouncing rebellion. He did this even in their own tounge.

Later, I don't know if my Russian/Irish bulk or his Italian fire kept us from freezing to death but it somehow worked one long, cold and wet night.

When the next one comes along don't miss out. Words do not do it justice.

[Mint Julep]

I wore my knapsack at Red River 2.

[Mint Julep]

When the next one comes along don't miss out. Words do not do it justice.

Pete, I know you already know this, but ...

In the Van. August 1 - 7, 2010.

Participants can portray a company of CS infantry escorting part of the wagon train following Kirby Smith into Kentucky in the late summer of 1862 as the invasion begins. The event starts on a Sunday and ends the following Saturday. For one week, we will march, guard against Unionists guerillas, push or pull wagons as necessary and, most importantly, live in the field as soldiers.

Several folks here are involved in the planning and participating.

Impression guidelines will be enforced, but are fairly easily met. There is plenty of time to acquire what is not already possessed to meet the guidelines.

If you want to go, let me know.

[Coatsy]

I was not at the RR events and school kept me from the first Tom and Fred a-palooza. I finally got to play at Piney Woods. I wore a knapsack all week, ate bacon and hard crackers for my fine dining, cooked said bacon in the dark, got water from streams, stood picket duty as Corporal of the Guard in the early AM fighting sleepy time, kept my outpost from blasting our adjutant because he forgot the countersign, was a part of a well led company, saw a battalion work as it historically should in adverse conditions, pooled my gear with my two mess mates to survive bizzaro weather changes, thanked my stars and garters for my blankey and a rubber blankey, helped push an army wagon up a few hills, loved my dried apples and “Irish Coffee” reward from the commissary officer for pushing said army wagon up the hills, fought with unbridled zeal to save our Soup ala Clucky against General Taylor's Legions of Seceshers, implemented the plan to keep the company fire going in a sideways downpour, didn’t care if I fired my musket at all, wanted to go home to my wife and family, saw Loo-Z-Anna one pine tree at a time, and finally sacrificed my pocket knife to the Bayou Yeti as a offering of thanks for letting me survive Commissary Banks ineptitude (recreated of course) unharmed.

Piney Woods was an experience that I won’t forget and it is the closest to being “on campaign” that I’ve experienced at events.

I got stuck marching next to that Pouge Mahone guy because I was the tallest corporal and he was the orderly sergeant. If you can survive that at an event you can survive anything at events.

I highly encourage folks to attend a week long campaign event when one is on the calendar if they have not done so. (or if they are crazy enough to do it again) I don’t know if I can take that type of time off again from the real world again. If I can’t go again at least I had that one outing and in some masochistic manner I am glad I went.

And Jeebus Wept…..

[old reb46]

I hate being cold and wet and I hate being hot. I hate sleeping on the ground. I hate off-sirs and I hate bad food. I hate the soldiering life. I hate marching. Did I mention I hate the soldiering life?

[Ground Hornet]

I have seen this "Old Reb" fellow at events. He was at Banks' Grand Retreat and Into the Piney Woods. One just had to look off into the distant treeline to catch occasional sight of him. Sort of a specter or a haint from the old times. He kept us all honest and despite his said hatred for soldiering, he is one of the truest and best at such.

[Spinster]

Yes he is.

And for women and children, who know nothing of the real parts of soldiering, but do know different hardships, the knowledge that he was out there, in front of us, behind us, was a comfort and a help.

And is one still.

[old reb46]

I prefer referring to him in the third person. He is simply an ornery old cuss, too stupid not to keep repeating the same mistakes, too old to do so, and too impolite and uncouth for proper society. Thus, he will no doubt pop up from time to time with his shotgun to gun someone down from the backside before returning to his rocker. But he prefers sleeping in a warm, dry house with Mexican women to attend him than sleeping on the cold wet ground. German women folks are accepted if no Mexican women can be found.

[Confederal]

Made both - Red River 1 , I was with Salt River Art CS. out of Ky commanded by Cpt Charles Shelton. Yes we were horse drawn and made the whole week. A few things that come to mind were when the Yanks took the town. I barely got out but one of our Pards didn't . I am thinking he was taken in by some ladies and was fed Cookies and Strawberries for a couple of days. We were jealous too say the least.The cold rain "wow" shebangs somewhat help. They did most of the nite but when morning came we were all stiff. Nothing like wet wool. Glad we all smelled bad or we would have rolled the one's that didn't in horse dung. Seeing the pionners build the Corduroy roads thru the swamp's was a sight to behold. They did a great job as it helped us get the horses and gun thru. Rations were great. We laughed at the ones that had no clue what to do with Cabbage. It was a great event and my hat is off too those that put it on.


Red River 2 Rode as Federal under Command of Col Terry Crowder as 1 Srg. Of Course after a few days as 1st Srg a few wanted to string me up from what I understand. They all wanted too sleep in. HeHe
Remember the ambushes and all the fights along the way. Sleeping under the stars and prepairing our food. Enjoyed being with my Pards that always make it fun. Hoping anyone who wants to get a change to do a event like this. You will always remember it. I may never get to again as I am getting long in the tooth.


Ron Orange

[PMB1861]

Pete, I know you already know this, but ...

I gave you a soft ball there. Good job hitting it out of the park Joe...

Oh yeah... In The Van, August 1 through 7, 2010 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/In-The-Van/) is the next one coming along from what I hear too.

[hanktrent]

Yes he is.

And for women and children, who know nothing of the real parts of soldiering, but do know different hardships, the knowledge that he was out there, in front of us, behind us, was a comfort and a help.

And is one still.

Maybe for you. He put us under arrest, on the illegal testimony of a colored man no less, and we barely managed to get released. When he let us go, he threatened that he'd better not see us again and we spent the rest of the way to Natchitoches looking over our shoulders for him.

He's not a nice man. I heard he was making money trading cotton with the Yankees, too. Better not trust him.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[old reb46]

Hank,
But you voted for him for sheriff. Twice I recall.

[Mint Julep]

Red River 2 Rode as Federal under Command of Col Terry Crowder as 1 Srg. Of Course after a few days as 1st Srg a few wanted to string me up from what I understand. They all wanted too sleep in. HeHe
Remember the ambushes and all the fights along the way. Sleeping under the stars and prepairing our food. Enjoyed being with my Pards that always make it fun. Hoping anyone who wants to get a change to do a event like this. You will always remember it. I may never get to again as I am getting long in the tooth.


Ron Orange


As I recall, there was a bit of tension at the outset of RR2 between the infantry and cavalry over the appearance of a "convenience" at the first night's camp. After that was settled, the cavalry regained the respect of the infantry completely during the course of the week. The cav kept our front open and shielded our rear. As we trudged along those roads in the wilderness, we could hear the nearly constant popping of carbines all day long. Occassionally we could hear the ax fall on some unfortunate tree that stood close enough to the road to make an obstacle.

I recall a dawn ambush on the 4th or 5th day. I was sound asleep in my blanket when shots rang out and in 2 minutes I was completely packed up and standing in line, loaded and ready to go. I recall sitting up and saying "It's Shiloh again, boys! They've caught us good!" I did NOT want to be a prisoner.

[Ground Hornet]

I got into this warped hobby in the early 1990's and heard talk of the Red River events at that time.

When Tom and I were daft enough to take up the reigns of event organizing for BGR in 2007 we were on new ground.

Frankly put, there are very few folks left out there who are a.) willing/able to take the time away from work and family and b.) physically able to do multiple days on the trail, humping what you need, where you need it and taking the heat and cold, the rain and the dry. BGR was a learning experience in terms of what folks could and couldn't do. I'll definitely remember the first afternoon pulling a guy out who looked as though he wouldn't even make it to the hospital. I'll always remember the frigid night in the "charcoal forest" and the next morning (St. Patrick's Day) passing a flask with Rob Murray with Rob Carter signing a ballad. I'll also always remember the final muster as we came out of the woods and gathered one last time, both battalions.

It was memories of those things that prompted us to put a second, similar event together. That event was Into the Piney Woods, which happened in the spring of 2009. Over the course of the event, the daytime temp dropped over 40 degrees and sun and heat casualties were replaced with cold, hard rain and hypothermia casualties. The creek bottoms flooded and the bayous started slipping their banks. Still, I shared some experiences with wonderful folks and will always cherish those memories.

At both events, I had the chance to be around two fellows who have since moved to that great battlefield in the sky- Steve Boulton at BGR and Charles Heath at IPW.

All in all, there are not enough words to capture the joy and the misery I experienced.

Regards,

Fred Baker

[old reb46]

So, if you missed RR I or II or BGR and IPW, the only multi day event I see on the horizon is In the Van. If one has never sampled a bite of an event that last more than 36 hours, and desires to do so, it is waiting for you in August. If you have experienced such an event, and wish to do so again, well, same as above.

[Confederal]

As I recall, there was a bit of tension at the outset of RR2 between the infantry and cavalry over the appearance of a "convenience" at the first night's camp. After that was settled, the cavalry regained the respect of the infantry completely during the course of the week. The cav kept our front open and shielded our rear. As we trudged along those roads in the wilderness, we could hear the nearly constant popping of carbines all day long. Occassionally we could hear the ax fall on some unfortunate tree that stood close enough to the road to make an obstacle.

I recall a dawn ambush on the 4th or 5th day. I was sound asleep in my blanket when shots rang out and in 2 minutes I was completely packed up and standing in line, loaded and ready to go. I recall sitting up and saying "It's Shiloh again, boys! They've caught us good!" I did NOT want to be a prisoner.

Thanks again it is always nice hearing a kind word from the Inf. Glad we could were there for you guys. Seems we did it the way it should be done. We had really good rider that even knew how to fight on foot as well as mounted. I myself fight Infantry from time too time and having done cavalry so many years when I am fighting as Infantry I have been know on more than once to cuss the Cavalry. Biggest Problem as in the war many don't know how to use Cavalry and and some Cavalry don't understand it either. Have done my cowboy stuff but not in the hobby.
Camping seems you all wanted to be near the wagon so you could get your rations before those thiefing Cavalry men got too it. Really we were only looking for a good area too picket our horses if truth be known.
Ron

[Stickbug]

I've done RRII, and the Sixth Corps March to Gettysburg, twice. And I'm actually seriously tempted to attend "In the Van" despite my Yankee heritage and pressure to get a house done before the snow flies. :) There is just NO way to know what a battle was really like. But a good road march that goes on for days? Aye, now THERE's a consummation devoutly to be wished.

Reminds me I've gotta get my brogans resoled.

[Spinster]

Doug,

There's a lot of fellers who normally bleed blue, going Confederate for this thing. And its not like you actually have to wear grey. A lookie at the military guidelines will find some unique clothing options as well.

And it IS the first of August, so theoretically, you do have time before the snow flies.

We won't talk about the originals encountering a freak sleet storm in the same time frame, now will we......

[wagen dawg]

I've done RRII, and the Sixth Corps March to Gettysburg, twice. And I'm actually seriously tempted to attend "In the Van" despite my Yankee heritage and pressure to get a house done before the snow flies. :) There is just NO way to know what a battle was really like. But a good road march that goes on for days? Aye, now THERE's a consummation devoutly to be wished.

Reminds me I've gotta get my brogans resoled.

I had the pleasure of doing RRII, marching between Stickbug and a feller who claimed to be the grandson of Yogi Berra. He must have been cause it sure got dark early out there.
It was a fantastic event. I kept a diary, which this tread forced me to revisit.

We had, by some miracle of organization, the most misfit and surly company in the Union force. Except for Doug. After five days of my best effort, I quit baiting him, only then to find out he deals with dysfunctional people and families for a living. No fair. Great week.

Best memory was going from stocking feet to formation ready to march in less than five min. when the rebs showed up a TAD early and our pickets skipped out (remember those three? Their leaders best line: "Hey Lt. nice horse, what do you feed him, C**K?).

And then there were the bed bug I got from a really sleazy motel in Shreveport the night before we flew home. It was a bigun!

[Jim Dedman]

Dave, you tell to tell the story of the mouse. It is my favorite Red River Story.

[Colonel Dave]

Actually, this thread is an offshoot of another wherein I was chastised for deviating from the topic. I told the mouse story in that post. To me, that is a story that could have happened in the real war. If you had not provided the late Tyke,(a great horse for those of you not familiar with him) I do not think I could have made the distance.
A story of Tyke at Red River is that we were making our way through a swamp and he decided he did not like the route I wanted to take. He gladly turned upon my command and headed a different way. He liked it even less so when I took him back to the origional route, he did not hesitate and just waded in. It was funny, once he saw the alternate route, the first one wasn't so bad afterall.

[KarinTimour]

I hate being cold and wet and I hate being hot. I hate sleeping on the ground. I hate off-sirs and I hate bad food. I hate the soldiering life. I hate marching. Did I mention I hate the soldiering life?

And you don't tolerate fools gladly, either.

Grin.
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[old reb46]

Miss Karin,
I joined up to keep my boy out of trouble and to get away from home and maybe play a little cards and sip a little whiskey. That decision has proven to be a bad one. However, taking notice of the sorry state of this reb army I have my doubts that the noble endeavor will last 'til Easter. If so, I will be home soon. If not, I will be home a bit sooner. I am headed home and Jefferson Davis can be damned! I do appreciate a good pair of socks that have served me well. That's 'bout all I appreciate at this writing.:)

[JEBeedle]

I missed RR2 due to work.

I was at ITPW as a sergeant in G company 24th Iowa and boy what a time it was. Met some old friends and made some new ones.
The first couple of days were hot with some men dropping out of the heat then going to cold and rain and having people drop out of the cold.
Some of my moments were...
Company volleys up a hill and cheering after everyone. Then looking to our left to find a company of rebs. (Rally around the stick fort)

Listening to my first sergeant visit the sinks and making his own music.

Watching Brian Hicks, Rob Murray and Kiev Thompson sleep in a tent no bigger than a dog house.

Trying to sleep the last night in the rain and have my first sergeant hand me a bottle of whiskey telling me "this you make it better"

I walk away having a blast but I have to admit the last night I was ready to quite reenacting.

For those looking for the same experience. "In The Van" August 1st - 7th 2010

"And Jeebus Wept"

[Stickbug]

Hey Dawg!! Great to see you here! :) We may have been misfit and surly but we had a good Lt. I don't remember his name but I remember he did a great job of getting us to work together. Even you. :)

And yeah, my joke in those days was, "I spend my week trying to get folks to negotiate with each other. On the weekend I get to shoot at someone."

I think of that week often and the fun (!?) we had. The feeling of accomplishment upon reaching Pleasant Hill at the end of the week is hardly to be understood by someone who wasn't there. I imagine it was something in the same vein, but no where the same volume, as what the Ol' Boys must have felt.

Drop me an email sometime, eh? Love to see if we'll be in the same locale together anytime soon. It would be delightful to see you again.

Your comrade,

Stickbug

[Spinster]

Now there you go Stickbug........

Just Gwine Down to Lynchburg Town---pick him up sometime on the 31st of July and just keep rolling Souf.

I can guarantee you two could spend some quality time together. Would you like to march behind the mules or behind the oxen? :mrgreen:

[PrattStreetRioter]

I missed RR2 due to work.

I was at ITPW as a sergeant in G company 24th Iowa and boy what a time it was. Met some old friends and made some new ones.
The first couple of days were hot with some men dropping out of the heat then going to cold and rain and having people drop out of the cold.
Some of my moments were...
Company volleys up a hill and cheering after everyone. Then looking to our left to find a company of rebs. (Rally around the stick fort)

Listening to my first sergeant visit the sinks and making his own music.

Watching Brian Hicks, Rob Murray and Kiev Thompson sleep in a tent no bigger than a dog house.

Trying to sleep the last night in the rain and have my first sergeant hand me a bottle of whiskey telling me "this you make it better"

I walk away having a blast but I have to admit the last night I was ready to quite reenacting.

For those looking for the same experience. "In The Van" August 1st - 7th 2010

"And Jeebus Wept"

I was one of the eastern boys of the G unit. ITPW was something I will never forget. That last night I almost come down with the cold till during the lull a pard pulled me out of the dog tent and threw me by the fire. That night sucked and hands down was the most miserable night of my life! But I'd do it again.

Being absolutely flanked and flushed out of the woods like rabbits only to rally round the stick fort and our chicken which a corporal with too much **** was cleaning was awesome!

That event was about as real as I figure you could get short of live rounds. The last two nights I didn't sleep, the second to last we had picket duty and the last the heavens opened up on us.

That event truly changed my outlook on events. I may be able to make into the van but right now taking a week off doesn't look to good. A week long event is simply where its at if you want to know what it was like. 36hrs can't do it for you.

I'm proud to say I survived the Piney Woods and can totally understand after that last night why someone tried to burn them down!

And yes that last night I too, before the cold scrambled my thought process, thought about quitting, but the fact the cars were 10 miles away in an unknown direction forced me to endure, and I'm glad I did!

Lets do it again next year!!!

[Coatsy]

Beedle,

Paul Bunyon Murray never could fit into the dog house lean-to that they were all piled into that Thursday evening. Kiev and Brian used him as a water stop gap ala sand-bagging the Red River of the North.

Bob,

I think I got more sleep during rainy Thursday than on cold Wednesday. I still have some hard crackers left over from the event. As folks were tossing them along the trail I was picking them up. Hate to see Commisary Banks Federal Hardcrackers go to waste.

[Mint Julep]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that considered quitting that rainy night. That one night has to have been the single most miserable night I have ever experienced.

Beedle, I'm glad I could entertain the troops, but that visit to the bushes weren't no USO show!

[PrattStreetRioter]

Beedle,

Paul Bunyon Murray never could fit into the dog house lean-to that they were all piled into that Thursday evening. Kiev and Brian used him as a water stop gap ala sand-bagging the Red River of the North.

Bob,

I think I got more sleep during rainy Thursday than on cold Wednesday. I still have some hard crackers left over from the event. As folks were tossing them along the trail I was picking them up. Hate to see Commisary Banks Federal Hardcrackers go to waste.


I slept good that cold night, I was lucky to have the first 2 hr shift and when I got back I wrapped my blanket and ground cloth round me like an enchilada and stayed fairly warm that way.

That last night...

Just when I was about to strip down and dry my clothes off by the fire and crawl into my shebang the skies opened up. I was soaking wet when the night began! Worst night in my life. I remember spooning with two pards there freezing and miserable thinking about my warm girlfriends bed and thinking what the **** am I doing!

I'd do it again though! No question. The fact that G Company had so many many characters in it certainly didn't hurt!

[PMB1861]

See it was Friday the 13th, my Birthday that morning and the Bayou Yeti I don't think was satisfied with the tribute left behind because Herb was picking up those crackers. It was cursed on multiple levels.

I know the whiskey I brought in to celebrate helped Company G the glorious morning, like I said then... I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

We had a bit of a Company G reunion in the hills of Tennessee a couple days ago... but the next gathering will definately be In The Van (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/In-The-Van/)

[Spinster]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that considered quitting that rainy night. That one night has to have been the single most miserable night I have ever experienced.



Fiddle. I thought about quitting, and I was only on the place 24 hours having driven through a sleet storm to get there. Y'all had been marching a week. I was utterly convinced I was going to die, down in the bayou all alone. Then some folks found me, and I was convinced I was going to die, with company, in the pitch dark.

Maybe that experience addled Gerry Barker, Rob Murray and I totally. The next time the three of us were together, and utterly crazed by chigger bites, an event crawled out of a brown jug:


In The Van (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/In-The-Van/)

[old reb46]

I really really wanted to quit! Fred and I did an medical evacuation at 1:00 am. It was my third since dark and I was wet and cold and wished I was any where other than where I was. But at that 1:00 am meeting maps were studied and an alternate route was decided upon. I had real concerns that the rocky bayou crossing (yes Kisatchie has a rocky bayou crossing) would be very dangerous. I believed this due to the fact I had crossed the stream when it was at flood stage before. Regardless, we planned to press on. A 4:30 am a visit from one of our EMT's that we had three more men suffering from hypothermia made it clear that to continue on would endanger everyone, not only from the cold rain, but the high water on the above mentioned stream crossing and that our medical support people would be traveling on bad roads. The plug was pulled! I was really really miserable!:( However, it is spring time in Kisatchie and it is very nice today. Rain is forecast for tonight. Soldiering and playing at soldiering can be miserable.

[JEBeedle]

Beedle, I'm glad I could entertain the troops, but that visit to the bushes weren't no USO show!

Johnny Loyd and I enjoyed it.

In The Van should be a good one. We get to move as fast as Oxen and mules so that will be interesting.

Can't wait to see everyone there.

[wagen dawg]

Hey Dawg!! Great to see you here! :) We may have been misfit and surly but we had a good Lt. I don't remember his name but I remember he did a great job of getting us to work together. Even you. :)

Stickbug

His joke in the trench (directed at me) : something about smoking, cub scouts and a full pack. I'm not sure I want to remember it. Good humor. Working together, hmmm...I've read about that somewhere.

The "remodel" we did on the swamp on our way back was something wasn't it? That was the day the rebs came early, so we did that march with no coffee. And then the uphill march on that sunken road picking our way through the freshly fallen trees. (Pioneers, here's a hint, the obstructions you create are supposed to be used ON the opposition, not your own troops. End hint.) Also the night "they" ran out of meat and cheese and our company didn't get fed anything except rabbit food. And then there was the last COLD morning and that impregnable defense we had at the top of the hill. And the ant hills. And drowning out the local's version of Dixie with Battle Cry of Freedom. And......

[Coatsy]

Pete, I gave the Bayou Yeti the OCN pocket knife of reenacting hype. That was worth more than a few paltry hardcrackers along the trail. Don't throw me under the "wagon" sir!

[old reb46]

I have in my possession a snowman hardcracker baked by Major Rick and his daughter for BGR. Actually, the snowman hardcracker was a special order and not issued to everyone.

[MD_Independent26]

I don't owe any of you chuckleheads any favors. With an excellent job, a new baby and a thousand new responsibilities, I wasn't even going to try to make it to ITV. This thread has inspired me to go in to work tomorrow and asking for a week off in August. Thanks a lot. Bill Birney, CR

[PrattStreetRioter]

I don't owe any of you chuckleheads any favors. With an excellent job, a new baby and a thousand new responsibilities, I wasn't even going to try to make it to ITV. This thread has inspired me to go in to work tomorrow and asking for a week off in August. Thanks a lot. Bill Birney, CR

If you're going Bill we should carpool!

[MD_Independent26]

We will, Bob, hitting every battlefield and bar between Balt-ee-more and east Tennessee. Without the straight-laced old folks babysitting us as usual, we'll have a blast.

[Spinster]

Good for you Billy--and blessings on you new son. I kept wondering why I wasn't seeing anything, and finally figured out something had gone squirrely with my Facebook Newsfeed.

For the rest of you fellers--hit the listserver on the link we've posted. All the registration information is there. Mint Julep is recruiting.

Priority Registration closes next month and the price takes a major jump after that date.

[PMB1861]

I don't owe any of you chuckleheads any favors. With an excellent job, a new baby and a thousand new responsibilities, I wasn't even going to try to make it to ITV. This thread has inspired me to go in to work tomorrow and asking for a week off in August. Thanks a lot. Bill Birney, CR

Billy, you're a moron. It will be good to have you along. Make sure Mother and your Boy are set first...

[flattop32355]

Cousin Billy, I am not sure the world is ready for a second edition of yourself, but since he is here, we will make him welcome and try to lead him along the paths of righteousness in spite of his parentage.

Cousin John will not be making ITV, but this cousin will, along with his son, your first cousin, once removed. You have not met him yet, and so he is still a good boy and of sound mind. I am sure that will not last long once I introduce him to his relation.

[Mint Julep]

since there is so much discussion about it here ...

In the Van information website (http://inthevanevent.homestead.com/Home.html)

Still in beta stage, so there may be a couple of kinks in it.

[MD_Independent26]

Brother Pete. The boss is looking at our work schedule to see if he can spare his pipefitter for a week. I don't know if I can take seeing you and the other sundry chuckleheads for a full week. I'll stay with my French, English, and Scottish comrades. Brother Beat 'er, man. It'll be good to meet the cousin. My boy's first event will probably be Westville. Trying to talk a new mother fresh out of the delivery room to take the baby into the woods of Tennessee for a week wouldn't go over too well. So Westville it is for him and her. Now to apply for the kitchen pass...