And revising all of the above into one supposedly coherent post:
Dagorhir Mallenorod is hosting our first Campout the weekend of May 14-16, at Ed Levin Park, in Milpitas, CA. I'm dubbing this the War of Silica Vale I (because I'm prescient or at least ambitious), and invite all to come to northern California and join in on the fun.
For those traveling from afar, Ed Levin Park is off of Calaveras Road, a quick exit from I-680 (0r I-880) in the foothills northeast of San Jose, CA. Nearest airport is San Jose's Joseph Mineta Airport (SJC) - drop me a line ahead of time and we can arrange to pick you up, provide overnight housing, etc.
Here's an easy link:
http://tinyurl.com/353oyoIf you look at the County's Park Map pdf, we'll be in the Elm camping area, below the dam. While the weather is warm that time of year during the day, we expect things to cool down in the evening. Fog is a possibility, but rain is unlikely in this area.
We'll open the site Friday early in the day and we leave Sunday late afternoon. The cost for the weekend will be $12 (or less if possible) per person, and there's a $6 per day car parking fee. In addition, we'll be offering an optional Saturday night feast and Sunday morning pancake breakfast (details and pricing to come). We regret having to ask so much for the event, but due to budget cuts and insurance requirements, the price is high for a large group camping area with decent amenities.
More and more folks are confirming: we've got members of three Belegarth Realms and three Dagorhir chapters in California coming to Silica Vale. This is looking to be a great first event for our chapter, so we're rolling in a few extra goodies to sweeten the pot.
Folks will be rolling in from midday Friday, so come early and once your tent is set up we'll get the fighting going.
Friday afternoon - Noon onwards, just show up, pitch your tent
Weapons check will be run as needed - pick up fighting in the afternoon.
After a dinner break (you're on your own for this), we'll run some bear pits and other small group fights and then a torch lit sparring ring for those who want to keep fighting after dark.
Friday Night will include Birthday Cake to encourage everyone to celebrate one of our members' birthday. No gantlet is planned (Wren'd fight back), but a rousingly off-key version of Happy Birthday is welcome.
Saturday, get up and weapons check will open by 10AM - fighting starting thereafter (hand-held weapons that passed on Friday won't need to be rechecked).
Field battles, including two, three and more team scenarios from around 11-1. Then a break for lunch.
Then some Thermopylae and fort scenarios in the shade, followed by more field fights.
Late afternoon we'll move to small unit fighting, bridge scenarios, and pick-up fights, while the feast is being prepared.
Post feast if folks want to fight some more we'll have a torch lit fighting area till whenever. Saturday will not only be my Anniversary in Dagorhir, but the anniversary of the first Mallenorod practice that was held in Sacramento. So some extra festivities will be planned after the Feast, think libations and a campfire!
Sunday, get up and do it again. After the pancake breakfast of course. Weapons spot-checked before fighting starts, then pick-up battles, field scenarios, etc. We'll wrap up when folks get tired (but gotta be out of the park by 6-ish).
Fee will be $10-12 a person - we're trying to break even on this at best, so if the turnout is stronger we'll drop the fees or reimburse folks the extra couple of bucks. To help us estimate numbers (and thus costs, food to order, etc.), please email or pm me if you or your group are thinking of coming (and if you intend to join in on the feast and pancake breakfast option).