In 1985 I retired out of the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer, and moved back to Naples, FL, to be with my family because they needed me.  A few months later, my father died, and I went into the family business.... Real Estate.

    In about 1988 or so, I got involved with Explorer Post 1838, here in Naples. It was the first Historical Post in the country.  I have always had a love of history, and had worked with the Scouts for over 12 years. The first Ronnyvous I went to, was the Harvest Moon Ronnyvous, outside Arcadia, Florida. *LAUGHS* It rained all weekend, and we had about 8" of water in the camp. That was quite an experience.  Then all I had was a modern nylon tent, a wood box I had built, and questionable "period" clothing... plus a few possibles. After that Ronny, I got me a Panther 10x10 wall tent.

    The second Rendezvous I went to was the Alifia River Ronnyvous, in Keysville, Florida.  It is hosted by The Florida Frontiersmen, a great group of people, of which I am proud to be a member.  Well, the first nite there, my pard and I, Chuck Coomer, got in late and didn't finish gettin stuff set up until after dark. Didn't even have lanterns to see what the heck we were doin.  Finally got a fire started (it had been raining) and decided on a cold dinner that nite.  It was still a mite damp, and we were both tired, and the thought of cooking in the dark, over an open fire, just was not appealing to us.  Out of nowhere, this lovely angel of mercy shows up (Cherry Clark), and asks us to come join them for dinner.  Now, friends, they didn't know us from Adam's off Ox, but that didn't matter to them.  We had a sumptuous repast of roast beast, green beans, potatoes, salad, good wine, and berry cobbler for desert.  That was my introduction to Ronnyvous'in, and I've been lovin' it ever since.  It is a unique experience, to say the least... and friendship never forgotten.

    At this point, all I had was my tent, a .50 cal T/C Hawken that used those lil shiney thingies, a cot, and a few trappins'.  It took me awhile, but at birthdays, Christmas, yard sales, etc... I got what I needed for a decent camp.  Got some 'skins, cloth to make some shirts, a good knife, etc... and was on my way.  My ex-wife thought it was all silly games, too much like work, and never went with me. (Sure don't miss that woman)  There's something strange about people who don't like Buckskinnin... <grin>  Well, my pard and I went to several Ronnyvous and did a few local reenactments for a few years, all the time accumulatin more "stuff".  Ya know, "stuff" just seems to keep growin as you go along.  Pretty soon, he had to buy his own tent fer his stuff, and I was just about out of room my own self.

    In 1995, I met a WONDERFUL woman, Victoria, (I call her Mouse) introduced her to the life of a Ronnyvous addict, and friends, she took to it like a duck to water.  Well now, with all my stuff, and then she got stuff, and well... I had to buy a bigger tent.  Ayep, our stuff musta been doing things while we weren't lookin, fer it sure did multiply awfully fast.  With all the Mouse baggage, I soon had to go to a 12x14 wall from the 10x10 I had.  It seems that "stuff" accumulates to match the empty spaces in ones tent. I started out with everything in the back of, and on top of, my Jeep Cherokee.  Then my Jeep and a 4x4 trailer.  Now it takes the back of my Jeep GRAND Cherokee, plus a 12x6 enclosed trailer to get it all to the events.  Now, we have a really nice camp (see pictures on another page), and are all set to hopefully go on the circuit for a time, possibly next year. (2001... I now have a Chevy 1500 Sliverado pick up truck with a topper AND my trailer... sheesh!! Also went to a 13x13 Markee tent... easier to put up than a wall tent. My Pard, Chuck, became quite ill and can't do this any more. Sure do miss him.)

    Vicki is from Colorado, and moved to Naples, FL, in December 1995 to be with me. Alifia '96 was her first Ronnyvous. This lil gal is quite some...  <chuckles>  Yessir, she took to Ronnyvousin' like she had been doin it all her life.  She loves the "French" style dresses... says it's the onliest time she ever has cleavage... (that's not true of course)... <grin>  She's been goin to Ronnyvous for years as a spectator but never as a participant.  Well sir, we get the tent set up and she shoo's me off fer a while and just sorta nests in and makes it a home.  Takes me two days just ta figger out where my stuff is, but I eventually find it.  Ayep... she'll do....

     I guess one of the problems is that I keep findin more things about Ronnyvous and Reenactments that I like.  I started out as a "greenhorn" trapper, and now do Oglethorpe's Independent Rangers, Rev War, Trapper, and a Highland persona. I sure wish someone had told me how expensive this "hobby" can get <chuckles> Not that it would have made any difference to me.... We, Victoria and I, do 3-4 of the Ronnyvous a year, plus several reenactments like Darien, GA, Camden, SC, and St. Augustine, FL.  These are our sanity breaks during the year. (I own a Real Estate company in Naples, and she is my Director of Marketing)  From about May to October, we don't do much due to the heat here in south Florida.  However, from late October to April, we are on the road a lot.  Fortunately, I have a good General Manager for my business, and we can take the time off we need. (Note - 2001 - We moved to West Virginia and do LOTS more events now... ones that were just too far to drive to from South Florida. Ft Frederick, MD, NMLRA Eastern, NMLRA South Eastern, Midwestern, and a few others.)