GATHERING FACES '99

Thank you EVERYONE and especially Rich, Elaine, Marcia, and Eric for a SPECTACULAR weekend ! It really was a joy for me to see everyone again and to meet so many new friends. May I also add that it was "beyond-belief COOL BEANS!!" to have met Eric Schweig - who was quite a gentleman and really a trooper for dealing with all the humidity... oorrr was that the heavy breathing? ;-) Well, you know,...they do things differently in NC....
Jeff really enjoyed the weekend and often mentioned how great the group and Gathering was. (pssst... I think he's hooked ;-) !
We both look forward to next year's Gathering and to staying in touch throughout the year.
Take care everyone ! You truly are a breed apart and we are quite proud to rub elbows with such wonderful folk ... caitlin & jeff (Indiana & California)

That was truly amazing.
Rich and Elaine and Eric H. (and Sharon): I said it before, and I'll say it again -- hand on heart, this was one of the top 5 weekends of my life! Thank you! xxoo!
For those of you who were there: I MISS YOU!
For those of you who weren't: I can't wait until next year when I can meet the rest of you!
I am so lucky to have been able to take part, so privileged to have found Mohican Press.
LHK to all ... Sarah M. (New York)

I cannot believe I will not wake up at 6am to see 12 other smiling, happy, enthusiastic faces, all desperate to get back on those trails, tomorrow morning!! :0(
But - what a weekend! What magnificent scenery, what exciting famous film locations to discover, what great people we met, but best of all, what wonderful friends we made!! 56(?) people getting together, having fun and accepting, nay, laughing and totally enjoying each other's funny little ways! All I can say is - I'm sure going to miss the gentle snores of my ex-roomies (you know who you are - Miss EEEM), situations being summed up in Mohican "quotes" and I'll sure miss being able to discuss our favourite movie with other people who do not view me as 'a breed apart'!!
So - who do we thank for all this? Rich and Elaine, that's who!! So, thanks, thanks, thanks!!!! And to Marcia, Ilse, Jo and Sarah and a big THANK YOU to our own very precious SOLDIER #2!!!! WHAT A TEAM!!
So, now we start to save up for next year's Millennium event!! (Don't we Rich?!?!)
My thanks to everyone at the "Great Mohican Gathering 1999" - every one of you made my holiday very special in some way! Truly, this Gathering was more stirring to the blood than any imagining could possibly have been!! Oh yes!! WHAT AN ADVENTCHA!!!!!
Take care everyone, here on the board.
Best wishes ... Kate (Scotland)

Dear Rich & Elaine,
Dave and I will never be able to thank you both for the WONDERFUL and ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL experience of the Gathering. Everyone was just as I imagined they would be in person. Special thanks to MMMMarcia for talking me up (and down) the mountain, and for Eric Soldier #2 for making it all so real. I've watched the movie three times since Sunday just to shout "I WAS THERE!" and "THERE" and "THERE!!!!" Oh Wow!! I feel we've made friends all over the world, lovely, lovely MohicanManiacs. And Eric,(Uncas) well what can I say, he was the icing on the cake. And I love cake, can you tell?
Please, please let this continue, I'm already planning my mountain attack for next year.
Thanks again ALL of you,
Blessings on you all ... Darla & Dave (Ohio)

Well, after an absolutely GREAT GATHERING weekend ... my sisters and I would like to say how much we truly enjoyed EVERYONE and every body at this year's gathering...our thanks to Rich and Elaine for all of their hard work and time to enable us to so thoroughly enjoy a weekend of Mohicanland...and to MMMMMarcia for all of her work with the Chimney Rock people (the bunkhouse decorations were GREAT); to Ilse for the great tee shirts and to Sarah Z...for the great work on the program!
The weekend was absolutely grand; we did miss all of you who were not able to attend; Chris: there were many "grey hairs" mine included; Carol: several charged up that Tablerock to give one a pause....DAR; only three of us had a top bunk...more importantly...your rest stop on the way to the Top of the World is now "Dar's Stop"...Ros...we needed the extra license plate to look at...and the movie was only the right side up!!! No surprises!
In other words; we had a great time; but did remember all of you "first time gatherers" who did not make it; next year!!!!
I can not begin to tell everyone how great a time it was; one just has to be there.... Thank you Rich and Elaine again for a great weekend and a day to experience a great event ... Jo and her sisters (California)
... and the half eaten fudge in the bunkhouse...I knew Simon Girty had been there to taste MMMMarcia fudge....glad to see you in spirit...

Thank you sooo much to Rich and Elaine and everyone else who worked together to create such a beautiful experience!!!!! Everyday was wonderful (rich and full)! I had a smile on my face the whole time. My husband and I really enjoyed "every" moment. I have been such an "indoor plant". I am surprised that I made it through some of the more rigorous hikes! It was the best workout! Many thanks again to Rich and Woody for helping me up some of the harder to get to places (the climb up the falls).
Being there with all of you "beautiful" people was an incredible experience. I am going through my Mohican withdrawals today and really "missing" everyone. Marcia, thank you for helping me to be more adventurous!
I can't wait to do this again! ... Thank you so much for everything! We really appreciate all of your effort to make this a great experience for everyone.
Have a great day everyone ... Ayesha (California)

Hello to everyone in Mohicanland: I'm home safe and sound and already miss those magnificent mountains!!! And what an ADVENTURE it turned out to be! I never hiked before and driving up mountainsides - with a lot of hairpin bends - is something you just can't do in The Netherlands (pancake flat country, remember...) Well, I'm an expert now!!! Thank you all for those wonderful days and nights, filled with a lot of laughter and friendship. You all made me feel very, very welcome!
A big hug for all my new friends ... Patty (Holland)

Dear Rich and Elaine and all the wonderful, fun mohicanmaniacs,
Thank you so much for all the hard work and thoughtfulness that went into putting together this years "Gathering". Nicholas and I enjoyed ourselves, made new friends and learned so much ! The pictures are great and brought back many happy memories for us.
I am also, as you all can imagine, overwhelmed with the sheer joy of winning Eric's mask. Thank you, Eric, for carving this powerful image and donating it and then coming to present it, thank you Rich and Elaine for making it possible, and thank you Marcia for suggesting that I buy a ticket.
With much appreciation ... Adrienne (Florida)

You people wore me out!!! hahahaha ... Very wonderful to have met everyone, to see familiar faces and new ones. Thank you so much for all your comments. Really it was nothing. I was just happy to have been there to show you new experiences.
Caitlin: You have found you a great fellow there. We just need to get him outfitted for next year.
Patty: Thanks for the warm hugs but you missed out on the hugging party.
Sarah M.: You just keep on thinking and it will just keep on going over my head.
Karen, Mary, Kathie, Jo: Never grow up! We love you just the way you are.
Mark Z.: Keep on watching Norm. Maybe one day I too will have my own show. HA! Take care of Sarah.
Sarah Z.: This has got to be the sweetest person I met. Take care of Mark.
Lynn, Len, Glenn, Gwen, Dave and Darla: What can I say if ya'uns find a seventh, ya'uns have to get Snow White. The seventh would have to be Grumpy cause ya'll are waaaaaaayy too nice.
Kate: What a Scottish lassie. BTW what were the colors again? Think...Kelt for Eric....Kelt for Eric.... hahaha
Jenifer: Thanks for being there for Sharon and MMMM. You're the best!
Ilse: You Trader!!! Dutch Trader that is. Wild!!!!!
Cecelia & Diana: The party animals!!!!
Donna: If you ever need a hiking partner. You have to take her with you. Laugh till you drop.
Woody & Claudia: The speed demons who care.
Jack & Stacia: Boy do feel sorry for Jack, but wish I was 13 again.
Collin & Ayesha: No doubt about it they get the smile award. Don't ever change.
MMMM: Momma......oh oh oh..... Get on that bike cause we're going again next year. And you never know....When you least expect it. DING DONG.......smile
Linda, John E., & Kelli: What a family. Smiles, Information and if I didn't know better I would say that Kelli's dream came true.
Penny & Alma: A mentor for all Mothers and Daughters.
Gayle: I still have my Bee. And I know the ballad now. haha
Emily & Kevin: A mentor for all married couples. Come early next year and lets do some rappelling.
Eric S.: 8 years and you still have all your hair. They melt at your sight. You lucky devil. Next year?
Adrienne: Everyone else is saying "You lucky devil" Please bring the children again.
Nicholas: I wish you were one of my sons. The things I could teach you about the outdoors. And I can see you want to learn. Next year, I want to see you tell Sharon about the year you have had. In sign!
John H.: Dependable, knowledgeable, caring. Your girlfriend must feel lucky.
Susan: I want to see Killdeer Agnes style.
Ann: You've been on the Price-is-right. I can tell. smile
Cherri & Don: You guys were waaaaaayyy too quiet for this bunch. We'll have to work on you two for next year.
Rich and Elaine: Never let it end..NEVER...
Sharon: What is left to say but 143 143 143 143.
... Till next year, "I will find you, no matter what it takes, no matter how far, I will find you."
See ya'uns ... Eric (North Carolina)

I hope everyone is making or has made it safely home. Normally, I can't wait to get back in the swing of things after a vacation, but this is one time I must confess I was a little depressed to see such a wonderful weekend come to close. Heavy sighs when rising to the 6am alarm and getting ready for a day's work rather than an excursion to magnificent cliffs or falls with new friends.
Thanks so much to Rich and Elaine for all you've done to make the Gathering a reality again this year and for all the things you both do daily in maintaining the site and the board. You truly are the foundation and the glue for many, many memories that will long be cherished. And of course, special thanks to MMMMarcia for having such a generous spirit and big heart for making all the CRP plans and many others. And I can't imagine what an LOTM Gathering would be without Eric Hurley and Sharon. Thank you Soldier #2 for all the explanations, enthusiasm, and excitement you brought to our days in MohicanLand. And thanks Ilse, Jo, and Sarah Z. for your contributions and efforts with the T-shirts and Program Guides. They were terrific!!! And thank you to Sarah M. for helping us organize our memories of such a WONDERFUL TIME!!!! And a big Thanks to Eric Schweig for the precious gift of his time spent with us as we visited MY favorite star of LOTM - the scenic NC mountains. I was so fortunate to grow up here, and now I have such special memories there with each one of you that I met this weekend. It was truly an exceptional weekend I'll always cherish ... So now I'll look forward, jump back into life and start anticipating a 3rd Annual Gathering!!!!!!(please,please,please!)
Miss you all already (in case you couldn't tell) ... Diana (North Carolina)

Hi Rich, Elaine, Eric H. MMMMarcia, and all of you Mohicanites, Well we made it home yesterday evening 6/15/99.
It was such fun to meet all of you super-special people(Mohicanites)!
Rich and Elaine, can't tell you how happy I was, to be there to experience this event! You came great in my video, and so did Eric Schweig! Thanks also for the super photos you quickly put up. It was a THRILL to actually see myself (there in them) this time! You can be proud of all your effort, and hard work. Thank you for your hospitality, and the loving care and interest you took in each one of us. Love you!
Eric Hurley will be one of my fondest memories,with your care, guidance and explaining how the LOTM movie was filmed in all those special locations, Thank you.
MMMMarcia, Oh gee, what can I say?!!! Your special hugs are the greatest! All your info really helped since I couldn't make ALL the hikes. You are truly our sweetest Mohican MAMA, Thank you. Oh, and I DID get to your fudge, by the way!!!! tee hee
Of course biggest highlight for me was getting to meet, talk with, take pictures and videos with Eric Schweig! He signed my "BUFFALO HUMP" photos which he appeared to get a charge out of seeing! Also, he signed that beautiful "INUIT STAR" handmade quilt I so desperately had to win, and ((won))!!!!!!!!!!!!
To each and every one of you 1999 Mohican Gatherers, may the good Lord bless and be with all of you.
Love-N-Hugs ... Mohican friend ... ANN (Massachusetts)

The Gathering was awesome - just AWESOME! I am still trying to assimilate all the impressions and activities and muscle challenges. What a lot to think about! I wish everybody who visits this Board could experience so much fun and comradeship and beauty along with us. It's an experience I would love to share with the whole human race.
Love to all ... Gayle, She Who Tracks, The Bee Holder, et al. (Texas)

I sure do wish I was back in CRP! Thanks to EVERYONE who made The Gathering such a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I miss you all, too!!!!!!!!! Guess I will just have to start looking forward to next year!!!! :-)
Love to all! ... Pilgrim Penny THE Mohicanite of CO (with Alamo Alma) (Colorado)

I got back to a desk full of work! It's so hard to believe I'm back in the real world now. I wish I could have stayed in Mohicanland forever! I had a hard time concentrating on my work before the Gathering -- but it's no better now! I keep expecting to go off to another location (following behind Eric's truck, of course!) I really enjoyed getting to know so many different people with this same strange obsession. Thanks for making a new-comer feel like one of the gang.
Thanks so much to everyone who helped put this weekend together and pull it off so well! Rich and Elaine, Marcia, Jo and Sarah Z. -- your efforts are much appreciated! ... Jenifer (Kentucky)

Hi gang.....though Peggie and I could only join you for the movie, you made us feel part of the whole. I must say that it was good to see the film on big screen again after all these years.
Thanks Marcia for talking us into going to the bunkhouse (after the movie) to see the goodies for the raffle, all the photos and memorabilia. We had a really great time visiting with you all and are sorry if we kept some of you guys awake with our laughter, but you know how entertaining Marcia can be ...
Congratulations Adrienne! The photo of you winning the mask was great.
We enjoyed meeting all of you.
Much thanks to Rich and Elaine and all who put in so much of your time and effort....great job. I hope you know how much it means to us who are the "dreamers" of the dreams and "keepers" of the memories of LOTM ... Judy (Tennessee)

I am back home, and already looking forward to the next chance of meeting you all. I had a wonderful time at the gathering, rekindling old friendships and bonding with new people. How sad it seems to be apart so far right now, but I know we can leave all those boundaries behind and meet whenever we want, in Mohicanland, and feel that togetherness again. One of the most beautiful things to come out of this website has been just that: a place where all distances and boundaries fall away and people come together.
I want to thank everybody being at the gathering, for just being you and adding your special flavour to it. I want to thank everybody on the board, who could not come but thought about the gathering, for being friends to meet up personal in the future...
Seneca once said: "The blessing is not in living, but in living well." I like to think that we are that.
Thanks to everybody, making it happen, no matter how far, no matter how long ... Love, Ilse (Holland)

I want to tell you what a pleasure it was to meet you at the gathering. I also want to thank you for all of your hard work organizing this wonderful event. Ann and I had a fabulous time. Even though we were expecting to have a lot of fun after reading about last year's gathering, it managed to exceed our already high expectations. This was do in large part to meeting all of the happy and friendly Mohicanites, and Eric Schweig�s :o)~~~~ (Oops. Sorry about the drooling.) beautiful Babes Ayesha and her husband Collin, Cherri and her husband Don, and Penny and her mother Alma. It�s great to be able to put a face to the name. I miss all of you already.
Of course it didn't hurt meeting Eric Schweig either. :o)~~~~~ I want to thank Eric :o)~~~~~ for taking time from his busy schedule to stop by the gathering and making my dreams come [true], and for allowing his Adoption Mask to be raffled. Congratulations to Adrienne, the very fortunate and lucky winner of this striking work of art. Thanks also to Rich & Elaine for arranging Eric�s :o)~~~~~ appearance at the gathering, and for donating the photo of Eric :o)~~~~~~ that I won and had autographed by Eric :o)~~~~~~~. Swoon!
Thanks to Eric Hurley for his fun insights into the making of LOTM. And if all of this wasn�t enough, there was the breath-taking scenery, the great hikes through the woods and up the mountains (thanks for the draft Caitlin) and seeing Eric :o)~~~~ �.er�um�. the movie for the first time on the big screen.
It's definitely an event that will go in my memory book and something that I can look back on with fond and joyous memories. Every time I think about Eric :o)~~~~ �I mean the gathering, it brings a huge smile to my face -- other people must think I'm crazy smiling to myself -- but what the heck, if they had been at the gathering, they would be smiling too.
Hmmmm! Gathering 2000! Let me mark that on my calendar.
Did I mention what a thrill it was for me to meet Eric? :o)~~~~~~
Best wishes ... Sandy (Massachusetts)

This past weekend was so special for Stacia and I. Everyone involved is to credit for that, especially you two, Eric H., and Marcia! I've sent an email to Marcia thanking her also.
Even though this was Stacia's 'End of the School Year' present, we'll be there next year and subsequent years because we've found a special group of friends that we will always want to have in our lives.
I'm already missing you and lots of the others too! Stacia and I talk about this past weekend everyday... with each other and so many of our friends and family.
Talk to you soon ... Jack (Georgia)

A special thanks for the warmth which you and Elaine greeted us with, it made us feel so very welcome and right at home ... Peggie (Tennessee)

I just wanted to send a short note to say thank you. The Gathering allowed us the unique opportunity to meet individuals, make new friends, see a region of NC that I have not been to and to visit with Eric Schweig. It was also a pleasure meeting the both of you.
Again, thank you and may God bless and keep you well ... Cherri and Don (Virginia)