Gulf Wars

Gulf Wars was a blast. I wish it was closer to home. The drive is a bit much but considering all the travel we have been doing this year it didn't seem that bad. I now consider a 5 hour drive short.

On March 9, Svienn, Deva, Linnette, Katsuo, Delphina, Mortin, and Hagan converged at my apato parking lot and loaded up. We had a lot of stuff to fit into two vehicles but Hagan and Mortin are very good at that so we thew our stuff at them and let them at it. It was about 20 degrees so we were ready to head to warmer climes. We finally got going around noon. The first day's drive was rather uneventful. We had supper in Columbia, MO and then traveled on to Cape Geradeau.

Linnette, Svienn, Deva and I were stopping for the night while the rest drove on. We had no desire to carry on since we had plenty of time to get there. Deva was pretty stoked to stop in Memphis. We figured we could make it there by lunch hang out a bit. We determined that Graceland wasn't too far off the interstate and maybe they would have some cool bbq place we could eat at. Not so much. Elvis Presley Blvd has tons of China Buffets but only one bbq place that we could see and at the time it was closed. We decided on the 50's diner that was next to Graceland Parking. The food was good but greasy (we would all be feeling it later). Deva got to try fried pickles, bought her souvenirs and actually got to do some "Walking in Memphis". Then they decided to walk up the street to take pictures. I didn't go since I figured alone time would be a premium on this trip and we had already driven past it twice. That was good enough for me. Elvis is cool and all but I am not crazy about tourist traps. After all the walkin in Memphis we headed down the road. Jackson was a bit nutty to drive in but we go there during rush hour. Not fun. We trucked it on down the road and made it to site around 8:30.

Troll was pretty easy after they figured out I was the Queen of Northshield. I tried to tell the guy who was helping me but he ran away before I could tell him. He came back a bit later and said he couldn't find it. I told him I was the Queen and that made a big difference. ;-) We met up with our people who lead us to the cabin. The cabin was pretty basic. Just beds in a large open room. We did have a couch, not very comfortable, but better than nothing. Shava, Giles, and Raito were already there with the rest of our crew.

Monday night it rained and I had a hard time getting to sleep. It was the rain not the snoring. In the morning there were all sorts of puddles and mud spots but they cleared up quickly. Got to love sugar sand. We went to breakfast and I was introduced to the Dinning Hall. For 60 dollars you can get 9 meals. Pretty good deal and convenient for the busy person at war.

Tuesday a bunch of people went to New Orleans. I had planned to go to but the thought of getting in the car just wasn't appealing. Hang out on site and having a relaxing day before the start of war sounded much better. Spent most of the day looking around, visiting, watching fighting on the main battlefield and doing a little shopping. I got new shoes!

Tuesday night we were suppose to meet with our horses. We walked down to the horse arena but Hagan's horse wouldn't be there until tomorrow so bummer to that. After that we went to supper and then the Gleann Abhann Social. We got to meet some of our Royal Cousins and chat a bit. We got there late and didn't stay long. Mateo was preforming at the Green Dragon Inn and we all wanted to go to that. The inn is a super cool place. I think I could have hung out there all war. By the time Mateo started to sing it seemed like most of the Northshielder's were there. Good times.

Wednesday morning came early and we down to the horse arena fairly early. Then we pretty much waited and waited and waited. Thankfully there were lots of people to talk to kill time. I spent most of my time talking to TRH Brenwen and Konrad of the East. After what seemed an age, everyone was finally mounted up. The order of the procession goes in order of age of Kingdom so Northshield is last. I had told Hagan before we went that I wasn't going to ride any horse so they arranged a cart for me. Much better. It probably would have been okay but I am not crazy about horses so it was just as well. The procession was fun and how can you beat everyone cheering DOOM at you after you have been announced. So cool. The Princess of Trimaris told me Queen of Doom was a super cool title. ;-)

The Diamond Tourney, started not long after the opening ceremonies. Count Raito and Don Micheal fought for Northshield. No pressure since Northshield had won the tourney every year except one. It the fights were exciting and a bit tense but we won. They won super awesome chairs. After that I went down to the battle field and watched a bit. That afternoon they had a party down at the Green Dragon for all the Roses. We got massages, goodies and margaritas. Very nice. By evening I was beat so I went to bed early.

Thursday was the Rose Tourney. Don Gauge and Edward of Kent fought for me. There were tons of fighters entered in that one. It was fun too. They had breakfast and more mimosas (we had them at the diamond tourney too). My fighters lost. But as a consolation they took me down to the place where they deep fry bacon. I now what the fuss is about. Trimaris had their luncheon before the big battle. That was awesome. Hagan is still talking about that cheesecake.
Later that afternoon we held court and then after was another rose tourney. I entered Svienn in it. Sadly he didn't make it past the first round. Later that evening was the Royal reception. That was fun although they had most people sitting on the floor so that made mingling more difficult. After that go over we headed back to camp. Duncan and crew hosted a Black and Gold party in the cabin court yard. The drinks were gold and black. Most of the people I talk to said the gold was better although if you mixed them the black wasn't too bad.

Friday morning it looked like rain but it held off until after the champions tourney. That was fun. Everyone sat around in a big circle at watched. The fighting was very good. Zig's bout was awesome. I wish someone would have got it on video. The pictures are not quiet the same. Trimaris won the tourney. Before everyone could leave we called a court to put Roisin on vigil.

Friday afternoon was the big rapier ravine battle. I hadn't been there on Monday when the heavy weapons fought it. That started really late but I was invited to sit with the Calontiri. They were having mint juleps and jambalaya on their "veranda" (they camp right next to the ravine.) I enjoyed watching it and our people did very well. Our allies, not so much. Our side lost by a point.

It had gotten really hot that day so by the time the battle got over and we ate dinner I was pretty wiped out. I would have like to have gone to bed but we were having the vigil in the court yard that night. I took a shower and that helped a bunch. The vigil was nice and there were lots of people there.

Saturday we headed out. Took awhile to get loaded up since we had got a bunch more stuff than we had brought with us. We got it all in and left site. The trip home was good for the most part. We got home late Sunday afternoon.

Gulf Wars was very fun. I wouldn't mind going back someday. Site doesn't seem so big, at least the main areas of action are close together. The shower house wasn't as nearly bad as the stories we heard but I am thinking they took extra good care of them this year. The weather is so nice down there especially after the super miserable winter we have had. I would almost like to move to Mississippi except I would have to find a summer house somewhere else, like Seattle.
The only sad news is that winter is not over here and it snowed the day after we got home. I think winter is going to give spring a miss and go straight into summer.