After Labor Day

   Yesterday was Labor Day.  It was a very nice warm sunny day.  Because it was Monday it was a regular workday for us.  I worked at the VC in the morning and then when R showed up, I went down to the fort.  I spent the afternoon at the ITC (Indian Trade Center) where the Native Americans came to trade their furs for goods.  They could bring in other items for trade, such as woven baskets, moccasins, wild animal meat, but the main emphasis was on furs, especially beaver pelts.  I was busy all afternoon which was fun.

   It also means that, as far as the park is concerned, summer is over.  Even though the forecast is for clear skies and temps into the 90's, the summer season has ended.  School and school related activites become paramount.  Here at the park, the two-a-day ranger programs have ceased.  The number of familes visiting the fort has dwindled to zero or close to it.  (we will have to wait and see about weekends)  It kinda sad.  The bright lights in this gloom are the special events that tha fort has planned for the next months.

   The first event is called "Campfires and Candlelight"  It happens on Sat. Sept 17th.  The Visitor Center is open its regular hours fo 9-5, but the fort doesn't open until 5.  At 4pm visitors start the event over near Pearson Air Museum.  Through a series of stops along a path, each one a representation of the certain time, like WWI, the Civil War, the Oregon Trail,  the visitors go back in time ending up at the gate of the fort in Sept, 1846.  The fort will be staffed with volunteers all in costume representing the people who would have been in the fort that evening.  It should be great fun and unbelievably, a free event.

   Other upcoming events are ;
 
Evening Lantern Tours  Oct 1 & 15, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3 & 17
Tales of the Engage's     Oct 8 & 22
Spirits of Oregon City     Oct 22 at the McLoughlin House
Heritage Holidays            Dec 3 at McLoughlin House
Christmas at Fort Vancouver  Dec 10
Cultural Demos               Second Sat. of the month Sept- Nov.  at McLoughlin House

so there is some life here at Fort Vancouver.