Well, despite my best efforts, I've gotten bit by the reenacting bug. A buddy of mine who regularly goes to this 18th century get togethers invited us down to Boonesborough a few times when some sort of event was going on. I've always liked history and it was was fun interacting with visitors to the fort and discussing the various characters who showed up on the frontier and had a hand in Kentucky history. I spent most of my time hanging out around the blacksmith shop and trying to learn a little about the craft. It's seems most of the folks are out to portray Dan'el Boone or Simon Kenton or someone resembling that type of hunter/explorer/indian fighter. I find myself leaning toward wanting to portray a farmer of the period. So, I imagine I'll be spending some time hewing out shoulder yokes, shaving down rake handles and assembling an eye hoe (preferably one who's metal end isn't stamped "made in India". My one disappointment is try as I might, I can't find a single reference to anyone coming through the gap on a mule. Sure, Boone brought horse on his 1769 trip to the Blue grass, but I can't find a single mule mentioned until the 1840s when Henry Clay imported a Jack to begin raising them. While I have my eye out for a short stocky horse that has sense enough to pull a plow, pack a load and preferably one with a pretty good gait, fox trot or running walk, this may also be that nudge I've been looking for to finally start a yoke of calves. The one down side I've seen to this new hobby, is it ain't cheap. I priced broad fall knee britches just yesterday and it's a heck of an investment. Couple that with buckled shoes, wool stockings, shirt, smock, and a tri corn hat and there's a sizeable outlay. It makes it hard to smear with grime and tear a little to give the outfit that authentic look. I may have to start off as a craftsman and see if I can peddle enough oak baskets, candle boxes, churns and plow handles to support this new addiction. I may have to look at it as my "indenture". A lot to learn and a lot to do putting together a character.