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2008 Great Mohican Gathering ...... 'Twas Time for Yet Another ... 10 Years After [the First]!
All photos courtesy of Tammy Buckner & Stephanie Morrow
(“I come to you unarmed and in peace…”)
In the weeks before Gathering
2008, I had begun to question why I was doing this, should this be the last
Gathering, had it runs its course? Would this be the last Gathering?
However,
as the time drew nearer my anxiety faded and my excitement grew, and I couldn’t
wait to see old friends and meet the new Gatherers. The “gathering” officially
began for me Tuesday night, when Tammy and I began the set-up of the Ariel’s
Auction and raffle room at the hotel. Her excitement and enthusiasm were
contagious. Later,
Soon we were joined by Lori, Ariel, and Kyle. It was so
nice to finally meet these folks after hearing about them for so long. It was
almost hard to believe that Ariel was with us, right here in Mohicanland!
Lori described her advenchas already in the area…
she had been in town for a couple of days and had already taken the kids on some
fun outings and learned her way around. Let me tell you, nothing stops this
lady!
Oh, the
traffic! Always a Gathering concern, and some Gatherers were stuck in traffic
both eastbound and westbound on I-40. Sigh! Happens every year it seems, but
they made it in time and joined us at Biltmore the following morning.
The Biltmore Estate entrance was the scene Wednesday
morning of many happy reunions and introductions. So nice to see familiar faces
like Donna, Sarah, Brian & Carolyn, Phil & Karen, John H., Jayne & Karen, and
others.
New folks like Jill, the Boutettes, Joan & Woody, and Anna
were welcomed. Gathering
flags were handed out by Jayne, and everyone received their welcome packets. Our
Biltmore guide, Patricia, greeted us and led us to the ticket center, and from
there we hiked through the woods to the scene of the burial ground. Seeing other
Gatherers pitch in to help Lori with Ariel’s stroller over the rough spots on
the trail confirmed to me that the Gathering truly is magic because of the
people who come.
Later we visited the
Oh did I mention the weather? Probably the best yet for a Gathering! Wednesday morning when I left the house, it was only 47 degrees, almost unheard of in June. The Good Weather Gods stayed with us almost the whole week, with sunny skies and temps in the mid-70’s with lower humidity than usual. We only got rained on briefly at Dupont on Saturday, and by that time we were too tired to care! But I am getting ahead…
(“Ongewasgone, are you staying?”… “Yes…”)
Wednesday evening found us at an old gathering
favorite for dinner, Spirits on the River. We were all pleased to be there
because the restaurant has been for sale for a while and we weren’t sure it
would still be open, but thank goodness it was. We enjoyed a great dinner and
wonderful Gathering surprise. I looked up to see a group of Native Americans
walk out onto the deck, and one of them introduced himself as Dennis Banks.
Ongewasgone!!! I had heard he was in the area and had dined at SOTR the evening
before, and I had even asked the owner of SOTR to ask Mr. Banks to sign an LOTM
movie poster for the auction. He not only did that, but he dropped by to visit
us and told us some of his own recollections from the filming. He was very nice
and generous about signing autographs and describing some of his current and
upcoming projects. Yep, the Gathering was still magic, and was off to a
*fantastic* start. Could this be topped????
Thursday we headed to Chimney Rock, and stopped off
at the Pavilion for announcements, more introductions and reunions, and of course the traditional group picture.
Thursday afternoon it was back to
After that,
since we were in the neighborhood, it was dinner at Spirits on the River again.
Hey, why not, we may not be able to go back again in the future. Flip and Ann,
thank you for your many years of hospitality to the Gatherings. I was asked more
than once what surprise we would have that evening, but I didn’t have anything
up my sleeve, at least not yet…
Friday…. Oh Friday. The long, tiring, day.
We
followed the same format as established by Rich in previous Gatherings, sunrise
to sunset. Via the detour, we pulled into Green Knob Overlook just in the nic of
time for the sunrise. As usual, Phil kept us laughing. The sunrise was
beautiful, then it was off to breakfast at Louise’s, another Gathering favorite.
After breakfast, the drive up to Table Rock was one of the driest and dustiest
ever, and at times we couldn’t see the car ahead at all. But the view from the
top was worth it, and we were joined there by Sharon and some of the Hurley
kids. One question I was asked repeatedly was, “Is Rich coming?” I didn’t know,
and answered honestly. We all hoped he would!
After lunch
back at Louise’s (during which Sarah, Jill and I already began discussing the
“next” Gathering Program Guide plans), it was off to Linville Falls for the
afternoon, then Lake James to talk about the Fort Scenes. Soldier #2 was
generous with his time and personal recollections and described to us in detail
the filming around that area. It was almost dark, and having been up since
before 3am, I was about to drop when suddenly my phone beeped with a new
message. It was confirmation that a Gathering surprise I had secretly been
working on was going to work out!!! Soldier #1, Curtis Gaston, would be joining
us the following day for the movie screening!! I had been unsure that he would
be able to make it, but he said yes, and once again the Gathering magic, luck,
or whatever you want to call it, was evident.
The long and tiring trip back up the mountain to
After a few winks of sleep,
Saturday morning found us at Dupont, where we were greeted by Dupont volunteer
Chris McDonnell, who handed out maps and secured a vehicle pass for us. This was
a rare privilege, and we appreciated not having to leave anyone behind on the
trail. After a short visit to
After Bridal Veil Falls, we began the walk to
(“What exactly did you see?”)
Then, finally, it
was time for the movie, and our surprise guest. Curtis Gaston (Soldier #1)
arrived and it was quite a treat to see Soldier #1 and Soldier #2 together after
so many years. Both answered our many questions. Then it was time to watch the
movie, and I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would be better than last
time. It was! The screen in their screening room is HUGE, and with the
brightness slightly adjusted, many of us saw things in the film we had never
seen before. Add to that the running commentary from Soldiers 1 and 2, and it
was really a great and informative viewing.
Soldier #1 also pointed out some inconsistencies
(bloopers?) in the movie that most of us had not previously noticed.
I’m not sure
which I enjoyed more, hearing their comments or hearing Lori gasp as she
recognized the first few scenes in the film from visiting them earlier that
week. Having a new Gatherer put the locations with the scenes is one of the most
rewarding things about these Gatherings. This was one of the best viewings of
this movie I’ve ever had, and that sentiment was echoed in some of the positive
comments made by Gatherers afterward.
Sunday morning found us in Barnardsville, heading
toward the Elk Hunt and tracking the war party. After walking through a
Not quite! We still had some surprises waiting for us there. After a delicious
BBQ lunch (thanks, honey!), we were joined by Robbie Gilbert, a reenactor and
member of the French Broad Rifles who just so happened to have been an extra in
some movie a few years back. Yep, he was a French soldier in LOTM, and told us
which scene he could be found in, and shared some of his memories of his three
weeks on the set back in 1991. Gilbert’s talk was yet another wonderful
surprise, and one I had nothing to do with planning. Somehow some of these
people just fell in with us almost as if by… sorry to use this word again…
magic.
After that,
local newspaper reporter Mike Conley gave us yet another perspective on the
filming. Mike wrote several articles during the filming, and even interviewed
Eric for a feature years ago. Mike brought along his press kit and copies of his
articles, and talked about the movie from the press perspective, from “the
outside looking in” but still a closer view than most of us saw at the time.
Some hardy
souls dressed in period clothing, including Fitz, Robbie, Conrad, April, while
Michael borrowed Soldier #2’s uniform for the afternoon. Ok, I think he was
“forced into service”, but he looks great in the uniform and we always enjoy
seeing it.
I was afraid
the French Broad Rifles folks were going to have to run us out. So many of us
didn’t want to leave. It’s sad that we only get to see each other once every two
years, and the time we had together was so special, we didn’t want it to end! So
many great memories, from Dennis Banks’ visit, to seeing Michael, Eric, Nancy,
Kay, and others pitch in to help with Ariel, to Lori’s never-say-die positive
attitude, John Harkins helping Lori with her tire, Brian *finally* watching LOTM
all the way through, laughing on the trails with April, someone (was it Phil? Or
Brian? Asking Soldier #1 if he made more money than Soldier #2)… so many good
memories and good times.
When all was
said and done, I had the answer to the burning question about whether this would
be the last Gathering. It would not be, it could not be. There was no way to let
this die, and so many comments from other Gatherers affirmed that. Even Dennis
Banks encouraged me to keep it going, and I will conclude with the words he used
to sign my program guide:
“It is not so much that we spend 100 years on earth, as it is what we do in those 100 years. Keep up the dream, Steph, keep reminding us of the ‘good ole days.’" – Dennis Banks ‘Ongewasgone’ And so, for
two more years, I will put away my Gathering t-shirts, my LOTM keychain, my
Magua bracelet, knowing that sooner than we think I will take them out again to
wear to Gathering 2010. Hope to see you there!
(“My decision is final…”)
SPECIAL ATTENDEE:
Ariel!
Enjoy what has transpired at other Mohican Gatherings:
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The group grew to include Patrick, Diana,
Elizabeth, Conrad, Fitz, and others. Once again the weather was beautiful,
making this hike not as unbearable as some in the past. We walked the cliff
trail and saw where much of the last portion of the movie was filmed, then
enjoyed a picnic lunch at the top of the falls. A week after the Gathering I
learned that the portion of the trail that is of most concern to us was closed
due to an accident there several weeks before. Once again luck was with us and I
am thankful the trail was open during our visit!
Besides, we had to be in 
field of
poison ivy, we found the Elk Hunt’s rock, and Eric once again gave us some
insights into the filming. Then we visited the rock that Chingachgook walks
under when they are tracking the war party. Soon enough it was time to go to
French Broad Rifles for our finale party, auctions, and raffles. Could it be
almost over already?
Finally it was time for the auction, during which we raised money to help with
Ariel’s medical costs. Although we had a smaller number of people (some
Gatherers had already left to travel home), we were able to raise $951.75 which
was presented to the Boutette family. Many thanks to Patrick, Tammy, Jayne, Kay,
and others who helped with this auction, as well as the many generous Gatherers
who donated or bid on items. Finally, Kay led us in the raffles, which was so
much fun and a nice way to wrap up the day. I still want to know what Bill did
with that picture of Wes Studi he won!
