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Idaho Examiner: Three Day Rendezvous Event Thrill Young and Old Alike"Common Sense News"

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Three Day Rendezvous Event Thrill Young and Old Alike

Posted on: June 06, 2007

By Shawn Sayer
Photos by Jerry Adamson

For Lewis Campbell (81) of Chubbuck, Id., the faint smell of spent black powder in the Marsh Valley air and rhythmic pulse of muzzleloaders barking in the distance brings back fond memories of friendships formed during Rendezvous past. An original member of the Salmon River Muzzleloader’s (numbering more than 12+ during the 1980’s ), he now represents one of three such ‘early’ members still living today. A transplant to Southeast Idaho after retirement from the Forest Service, Lew has spent years following the call of the Rendezvous from state to state, forging not only priceless memories along the way, but earning the name and title “Grandfather Turtle” from countless friends and acquaintances whom would cross his path. Though on this Saturday afternoon, his attire is visibly absent of the buckskin pants and fur trade era clothing adorned by so many Rendezvous enthusiasts including myself, his weathered hands clutching the equally weathered possibles bag and double barreled/pivoting muzzleloader look at home amongst the backdrop of tee-pees, canvas military tents and numerous traders and merchants come here to celebrate a simpler time and a bye gone era.

Once each year in June, the Portneuf Valley Muzzleloader’s host a three-day Rendezvous event aimed to entertain young and old alike in a family friendly environment celebrating Mountain Men and Women, Native Americans, classic firearms, westward exploration, and the animals that sustained them in the process. This year’s events, for Lew, myself, and countless other spectators and participants alike, provided a myriad of opportunities to lose oneself in the splendor of the past, and try one’s hand at activities ranging from knife and hawk throwing, black powder shooting contests, Dutch oven cuisine, primitive camping, and my personal favorite, cannons and mortars lobbing bowling balls to hundreds of feet in height and distance.

Favorable weather graced each of the three days comprising this year’s event, and it would appear spectators responded in kind. During my daylong Saturday attendance, a steady flow of vehicles and spectators adorned both the parking area as well as traders row. Beads dating hundreds of years in age, mountain man apparel, guns for sale and trade, knives of flint and steel, hand made crafts and candies, each merchant’s tent provided the potential for a great deal and the promise of a tall tale or two for those willing to listen. Men, women, and children each sported their unique and colorful vestige in honor of their adopted alter ego stemming from times past. Just as each costume is unique to the person wearing it, so to was the experience to be had by all at this year’s event.

As the cannon and mortar fire ceased, and the afternoon heat began to overtake us, Lew and I leisurely strolled toward the shade and protection of the area comprising the black powder trail walk and shoot. Reluctant at first, Lew spoke of earlier times at earlier rendezvous’ when his aim undoubtedly was truer and his vision clearer. However, with gun in hand each of us took turns pitting our skill against the strategically placed metal targets depicting plains and mountain dwelling creatures of past and present. And once, following the large billow of smoke, I think I even heard the pang of lead meeting metal at a distance. Probably Lew and not myself, but graciously he gives me credit for a shot well placed. For a moment I think to myself the words of Del Gue in Warner Bros. 1972 classic, Jeremiah Johnson, “Waugh! I are a mountain man…I sez, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world. By God, I was right!”


Indeed Del, Lew, and those of your kind whom have come before and undoubtedly will come after, you are right! Thanks for sharing this sense of awe for the natural world and respect for an important group of historic figures that helped create the west as we know it today. See you at rendezvous next year!




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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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