COLE CAMP

My new civilian impression clothing came in today. After the Academy activities today I'll go up and try it on at James County.

On the way home I'll stop ay SAMS and purchase 5lbs of block cheddar cheese.

Terry will come over and then I'll transfer the room to him in Warsaw.

Tomorrow, Qtr. Master Sgt. Mandrake and Liz will stop by and pick-up the cooking iron and rations wfor the weekend. Skip will met me at home.

I need to find my brogans and oilskin poncho.

Cole Camp Scouting Trip

Margaret and I drove down to Cole Camp this morning to look things over, set the GPS waypoint, and the elevationj of the Union Camp. It was a profitable trip.

For those with GPS ability in the vehicle your coordinats at the camp are:
N 38.27.769
W 093.09.594
+/-22 FT
ELEVATION 1088 FT

See new pictures of area.
Entrance to encampment is approx 1.6-2.2 miles from the FOUR~WAY STOPLIGHT in the center of Cole Camp ( see picture for visual reference). The gate is really small with a ditch on each side so be sure you negotiate it.

It seems the Reb's will have the afternoon shade!! While we get a nice suntan! See pictures.

BRING LOTS OF WATER AND ICE. YOU'LL NEED IT!!!
BRING SUNSCREEN. YOU'LL NEED IT!!!
BRING INSECT REPELLANT THAT REPELLS "TICKS". YOU'LL NEED IT!!!
At least we won't have far to march in the sun, since there are no trees on the orgianl battlefield, or between the camp and the battlefield. or for that matter, many at the Union camp. or to the Sutler area. All pictures taken today are on my yahoo group page missouriirisgbrigade.

My new 7th and 30th hat again opened doors to contacts. Margaret and I were eating in one of the fine German restaurants and the owner of the restaurant noticed my hat and started to ask me questions. He call Mr. Billy Hesse, the owner of the property where the reenactment will take place. After eating, I met with Mr. Billy Hesse at the camps sites.

Don't count on having a south exit or entrance to the area as noted on the Cole Camp Battle Web site. It doesn't sound as if the gate on the south side would be open as noted on the map. but that could change.

The entrance to the reenacment, as measured from the four way stop light in Cole Camp, at the center of Cole Camp is between 1.6 -2.2 miles. It's on you right (south side of 52 hiway) See picture for visual reference.

There are several gas stations in Cole Camp and a small Thriftway Super Market and fine German Restaurants. BRING YOUR CAMERAS BOYS!!

Total miles driven today was 237. That was from my front door and return.
Of note, that's a little farther than one-half of the way to PIPSTONE Minnesota. Total time moving was 3.5 hrs.

Hope this info helps you. See you after 6 or 7 Friday nite.

YOS,
Steward Bair

PIPESTONE SCOUTING TRIP

Margaret and I left for Pipestone on Tuesday morning. We arived in Pipestone at abt 4:45 p.m. after being on the road about 8hrs and 30-45 minutes.

The return trip on Thursday took about the same amount of time. We stopped about 1 hr and 30 miunutes on each leg. ie... gas, restooms, food.

Pipestone is a beautiful area and a simply wonderful small town in sw Minnesota.

We toured the Pipestone Monument area and the quarries as I did in 1970. It was just as interesting as it was 36 years ago!!!

Met the wet plate photographer, meet with thew Chamber of Commerce President and with the overall event coordinator.

I was asked to do the Medical demos at the main venue tent.
Father Jim was asked to do the religious service.

I have the time and event venue locations for the entire weekend, The event tri-fold and the Quarry News which has a detailed map of the area where we will camp.

Go to http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/cwd/Home.html and see the event web site.

The Union Camps are in a wooded area of the Hiawatha Paegent Grounds. IT'S IN THE TREES SHADE SHADE SHADE.

Trip details and costs:

There are several areas of one lane traffic in Iowa and South Dakota on I-29. There is one twenty mile stretch of one lance traffic.

Gas prices averaged $2.65 per gal.
Highest was in Pipestone at $2.84 per gal.
Lowest was at QT in KC atr $2.59 per gal.

Total miles driver was 850.0
Total gasoline expenditures were $134.52
The truck averaged 18.0 mpg without the a/c on. Only ran the a/c the last hour of the trip.
I used 47.2 gals of gas.

Stopped in Council Bluffs and played slots at the AmeriStar Casino,

Casinos in Council Bluffs: AmeriStar, Harrahs, HorseShoe Casino. All with great restauranrs.

There are at least six casinos along I-29 run by various indian tribes.

I strongly suggest that someone gets the ball rolling on the vans again.

We are going to have a ball in August at the event.

Belated Jefferson City Report

Reflections on Jefferson City:

Sorry for the belated report lads.

The Jefferson City event came off in good order. The men really came thru in regards to food. Everything, I mean everything, that was requested was provided by the men. We ate, and fought well.

I have a new and profound understanding of the job Qtr. Master Sgt. Mandrake and Pvt. Mallory due when it comes to cooking at the events My hat go off to them. After drill and battles they prepare wonderful food then clean up and get ready for the next meal and activity. They have a hard job indeed!!! I didn't really know how hard and taxing it was until Jefferson City.

Thanks also go out to Pvt T.Price, N. Price and Pvt. Merriman for their assistance and to all of the men who helped me set-up and tear down in Jefferson City.

The MIB turned out in good numbers for this event. God it was hot on Friday, when Skip and I arrived. It was 94 degrees and it stayed hot all evening. It was hot and very humid on Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully, the Battalion Command took my advise and made sack coats optional for the morning drills and activities.

Two real medical heat related emergencies were handled under the Stewards Fly. One each day. Saturday's patient was seen by the event paramedics. The normal aches and pains were treated as well. I myself became dehydated Sunday and ill after tear down and loading of the trailer.

On a personal note. I believe the event planners and sponsors need to provide more portable restroom facilities nearer the troops. Not just one set as was available at Jefferson City for the Union men, women and the public. We could have used and needed more at our end of the encampment. It was a long hike to the johns and there wasn't enough for the numbers of people present. It was even a longer hike at Mahaffie The planners can't be thinking of this in their planing sessions. Maybe they need to have a strong voice in the planning sessions on this matter. I know this sounds like bitching, but this criticism comes from my years of experience in planning events and working with the Americans with Disabilities Act. and just common ordinary horse sense!!

I measured the distance to the event parking. It was exactly 1/2 mile to the parking area. Well, I got in my required walking that weekend. I bet you did too.!!

ON TO COLE CAMP!!!!

YOS,
Steward Bair

June Poker Game Results

Boys,

The large traveling trophy is a real work of ART now. It has character and its' own personality.. In fact, it has a glowing personality. Come to the monthly games and you will see what I mean.

We have a new member of the winners club. Pvt. KACE won the monthly tournament in a face to face show down with Thersea Sample. Congratulations KACE.

July's game will be special. It will be on Saturday July 15th. Mark your calendars, We're trying to have it at a different locattion for July..We will have a cookout gathering for July. at a shelter house or at an indoor location in Lexington, Missouri.. Fiinal details and location will be posted within the coming week. Get your covered dishes ready lads. The croquet set and wickets are ready. if its held at a shelter house. Maybe we will be able to see the new baby that's due in July. What say ya Lep?

Again, congratuilations to the June Texas Hold'em champion. Pvt. KACE.

Our next gathering will be on Saturday, July 15th.

YOS,
Steward Bair

PIPSTONE VAN UPDATE

UPDATE:

CAPTAIN,
Please open a separate discussion Group such as the one for Cole Camp and the movie for PIPESTONE.

VAN deposits are coming in nicely.. It was decided that the Van will be rented on Thursday. Equipment will be dropped off at my home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Margaret and I will go up on Thursday moring early and be waiting for the van's arrival on Friday afternoon.

The Van will leave early Friday morning around 8:00 a.m. It was agreed that the Van needs to be able to leave KC in the early morning. arriving in Pipestone in the early afternoon. This will allow the riders to set-up, socialize, sight see and especially rest, after the long drive to Pipestone before the weekend activities begin earlySaturday morning.

If you haven't sent your deposit in or contacted me concerning your reservation, please do so.. Remember, this was a reservation made, reservatiom paid, committment.

The Van has five seats remainig. SAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON YOUR CAR---GET IN THE VAN!!!

The Van will travel up I-29 on Friday as Margaret and I will on Thursday. You can meet the Van or me in St. Joeseph, or Omaha, if you so desire to board and to drop off your equipment. No equipment will be transported in the VAN to save on space and for comfort concerns.

I will be making a scounting trip to PIPESTONE this month. If Margartet doesn't go, I would like to have a rider.
I'll camp in Souix Falls or at the Pipestone site. This will be a three day trip.
I plan to stop at the Souix Falls Zoo, which is a wonderful zoo.

Also, I will stop at the Sgt. Floyd site in Souix City. The Sgt. Floyd was a river dredge on the Missouri River. Souix City has a great riverfront area. Something Kansas City doesn't!

If time permits, I'll stop in Omaha and go to the Remington Art Museum which features western art. I believe it is still housed the the Missouri Pacific Railroad Museum Offices. Maybe LUCKY can tell me if it has moved. Of course, a stop at the Council Bluffs Dog Track and AmeriStar Casino for dinner will be on the agenda.

Men, the PIPESTONE excusrsion offers so much for you and your family. If you can take your wife and children or signifcant other on this trip in August. do so, and make it happen.

The Omaha ZOO is recognized as a world class zoo and a destination location in itself. The Souix Falls Zoo is top notch as well. Souix Falls offers many reasonable motels such as Super 8 and Red Roof Inn and Souix Falls is just about an hour or so from Pipestone Mn...

YOS,
Steward Bair