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I am interested to know how many of you would be interested in touring the grounds in its rustic form?

There are no facilities (ie. no restrooms or running water) on the property, though by the 24th of January, there might be water...as I am applying for the Aqua Water Coop to bring water line to the land tomorrow.

Some of the main gravel roads will be intact by that date.

Here is what I was thinking:

Meet at the land around 3pm
Walk around the twenty+ acres where the first year faire will be.
Sit around and chat about any ideas yall have and drink a pint or three of ale (compliments of the host)
then, depart around dark...so folk can make it home from Houston, San Antonio and Austin at a decent hour.

There is a burn ban still in effect, thus a camp fire is out.  Sigh.  Maybe it will be lifted before that date, but I wouldn't plan on it.

Let me know if you are interested and if you'd like anything else to take place that afternoon.

I will have site plans to hand out...and brochures/posters for those who would be so kind to distribute them in your community.

Also, please sign up for emails or newsletter/announcements on the website (www.sherwoodforestfaire.com or www.swf-faire.com)...and its the link at the top where the scribe's pen and ink well are located.

Many thanks,

Rengypsy

I know I'm planning on being there!

I shall be there!

Making my plans now, we should be there also

*have you planted the rum trees yet?*

Planning on being there the 24th w/wife but no youngun's this time. Will be ready to get away even for only a few hours.

I'll be there!

at this rate, a couple six packs will suffice to squelch the thirst of those signed up. 

hoping i will have to provide several kegs of good ale.

check your calendars and sign up, friends.

Fear not, there's a bit of time left. I'm sure the turnout will be good!

Three weeks is enough time to get people together.

I'll make sure and point out the tour tomorrow at the San Antonio gathering.
(If you're available... come on out!)

*Maybe you should offer rum too... it would get me to come out... wait... I'm already coming... dangit*

I could post it on my mailing last and website if ya like. And the AARG is that night as well so we could all go to the Dog and Duck afterwards, I am.
M)D

apologies for not knowing what aarg is, but i am assuming its an austin gathering of rennies.  if yall dont mind the lack of facilities, feel free to make your gathering on the land following the tour.  i think some of us will likely be hanging around, drinking a few more pints and probably drumming, howling at the moon and the like until 10 or 12 that nite.

Wish I could make it, but I can't drive after dark, especially in an unknown area (no night vision).

Once things get rolling, I'd love to bring the travel trailer up, so that I could crash for the night and drive back the next day. Unfortunately the trailer will be down at Seawolf Park in Galveston for the next month or so for the volunteers to live in while we get busy restoring the military display. We took major damage there during Ike and we have been waiting on the contractor bids to get approved by the park board. Now we have to get the fishing boat from under the Stewart and get the Stewart moved back into place. Hopefully we will be ready for Memorial Day.

i wonder

i wonder when others walk these woods
if they will feel the magic
and see the faire as it will be
upon opening day

an act of faith
a dash of insanity
pixy dust dripping off
a sweaty brow

an acrobat
a fool
a troubadour or two
a gypsy and a drunken pirate

the sounds of drums
of kids laughing
of winds blowing through the trees
exhausted exhilaration

the sheriff
robin
his merry men
and fairies everywhere

I think that sounds like a good idea, marking calender for sure, possibly Ally if she is not working that dayl.

I might just be there.

This will be a beautiful communion--- We can't wait to see you there. To anyone on the fence, we are avoiding the burn ban with an nice enclosed outdoor fireplace, so the primordial muse will be present (though not the bon-fire we envisioned, a little company should in get cold).  The earth is sandy there, so setting up tents is a cinch-- digging a small hole in the ground is easy too.  The current entrance to the grounds is right on the main hwy between Austin and Houston, so it is very easy to find.  Thick and sparse forestry awaits you there of every different species known to central Texas. The heartbeat of Sherwood Forest Faire is growing louder----- come and add your own pulse to it!

We will meet by 3pm on Saturday
January 24th.  We will walk the grounds, sharing ideas and dreams. We hope you can stay
at least a couple of hours. Musical instruments are certainly in order. 

From Houston-- Take 290W till you are getting close to Austin.  5-10 minutes after a town called Giddings, pass hwy 21, and you're almost there. We will be on the right. There will be a driveway with a 4x8 sign by the gate. We will hang a butterfly kite on it to guide your way. If you see Old Potato Rd. you've gone just a bit too far.  Turn around , and take the 2nd driveway on your left.

From austin-- Go East on hwy 290 past Elgin.  You will pass a road called Old Potato Rd,
and the Land will be the second driveway on the left after that (and more visible than
the first).  There is a 4x8 sign by the gate. We will hang a butterfly kite to mark the spot.

Take care! It is a very fast-moving part of the hwy. 

Come help us bless the Land, see the forest, and sing a song or two of good fortune. Please let
us know if you will be making it out. We hope to see you there. 

Quote from: Autouloucous on January 09, 2009, 10:46:04 AM

From Houston-- Take 290W till you are getting close to Austin.  5-10 minutes after a town called Giddings, pass hwy 21, and you're almost there. We will be on the right. There will be a driveway with a 4x8 sign by the gate. We will hang a butterfly kite on it to guide your way. If you see Old Potato Rd. you've gone just a bit too far.  Turn around , and take the 2nd driveway on your left.

Driving West through Giddings on Hwy 290, the last traffic light is at Hwy 77.  From there, it's ~13 miles to the Hwy 21 overpass.  From the Hwy 21 overpass, the Sherwood Forest Faire site is on the RIGHT (North side of Hwy 290) 1-3/4 miles further West.

Quote from: Autouloucous on January 09, 2009, 10:46:04 AM
From Austin-- Go East on hwy 290 past Elgin.  You will pass a road called Old Potato Rd,
and the Land will be the second driveway on the left after that (and more visible than
the first).  There is a 4x8 sign by the gate. We will hang a butterfly kite to mark the spot.

Driving East from Austin on Hwy 290, you'll pass through Manor, Elgin, and McDade.  From the Flashing Yellow Lights at the edge of McDade, the Sherwood Forest Faire site is on the LEFT (North side of Hwy 290) 6 miles further East.


I believe the driveway is at these coordinates:  30°13'28.30"N, 97°10'10.10"W  (Enter them on the search line of Google Maps, and you can see the Street View photo that was taken of the Property For Sale sign.)


Take Care,
David Baldock

I hope a late arrival will be OK. I am planning on making it out. But it is a 4+ hour drive for me and i don't get off work until 12 noon on that day. If that's all good I'll be there.

late is fine.
thanks for your support.
rengypsy

would sure like to hear from more of you that you have plans to attend a gathering on january 24th.

need to make sure we have enough ale to go around.

lets hear from you!!!

sounds as if 30-50 will be attending. would like to have more, more, more........

 I plan to be there! I think Moon Dawg/ Bear plans to come also.
I can't stay- I don't drive after dark but live close by! Can't wait to see the land! I will sing a song or two to help with the merriment!

That is a beautiful area!  And Giddings has a Walmart, good news for campers!  Also, Giddings is used to people in strange clothes invading every few months.  Amtgard host events at the park there on a fairly regular basis.

Talked with the hubby last night about this event and it looks like we just might make it out there with little Capn' NoBeard in tow.  Can't wait to see the grounds, it sounds very pleasant.

Did I just read something about a drunken pirate? How about a Scot pirate?

Will see you all there. I really want to tour the grounds and hopefully stake a potential claim for the Bamboo Scotsman. I'll be there with kilt on!

I will be there. I'll be riding up with PyroMaster.
Love and Artillery,
Alan

Quote from: fireworks guy on January 21, 2009, 12:48:02 PM
I will be there. I'll be riding up with PyroMaster.
Love and Artillery,
Alan

Why does that sound scary?

*I am so hiding my rum from you too...*

It's looking like I'll be out there as well on Saturday afternoon, then swinging by the AARG event at the Dog & Duck that evening.

Helll if everyone can get orgasmized we can do it at Sherwood but so far I have had a bunch say they couldn't make it to the Faire grounds due to work so they would be at the D&D.
Moon)Dawg

Is there any chance I could bring my 30' land ship and hook it up somewhere and stay Saturday night? I'd love to have a place to crash after ale, music, company and such. It'll even accommodate extra bodies if they need a place to crash. All I know is that I'd like to pull it to the site and stay over night, rather than drive home tired as, well, you know.

I will be there with a buddy.  :o

Is there water, or do we dig holes to make our own porta-privvy?  ???

I'll be there, just need to be prepared!

no water. digging is definitely permissible.  sorry for the rustic adventure.  but i hear most of the roads are in the week. been in dc at the inauguration with my wife and two young sons.

there are roads as of this week.  no real place close to hook up to electrical, except by the cabin. unsure of what size volt/watt needs you'd have tho...

but hell yeah, or bring a generator.

If I can jack into a 220 socket, I'll be good to go. Not worried about location for the trailer. Just need power for a few lights, and the heater's fan and controls at night.

Wish I could make it out,but cedar is kicking my arse.  Have fun ya'll!!

apologies. i am fairly certain there is no 220 outlet.  there is an old cabin on site, but no 220 that i know of.  generator is acceptable. 

One half of Bedlam Bazaar will be there.  If I hadn't destroyed my knee this week both of us would be there.  She's riding up with a couple who also want to be part of the beginning of SWF.

Lady Runa

awesome.  so appreciative of all the support.  look forward to having all of your input and ideas and creative spirits.  rengypsy

Since there's a burn ban, what are the dinner plans? Going into town to a restaurant or propane camp stoves?

think its up to individuals. this is more of an impromptu event after the walking tour, though we will have an enclosed fireplace type contraption to generate some heat and be a focal point for gathering around.  propane cooking is surely permissable. 

i am providing the drink!

 What is the parking there like? I am a nervous driver!
LOL! Leave me room folks! Beware the MeowMobile! Yellow Mustang convt. I plan to come- in garb. Or maybe my evil twin might come instead? There are restaurants in Elgin- not too far away if folks want to go out.

I'll be out early afternoon. No trailer, though. Couldn't get out of work early enough to get to the courthouse to get it legal. Oh, well. Such is life sometimes. I'll still be there with kilt on!

parking is fine.  there is a long gravel road where folk will just park. no worries.

See ya soon

Due to a recent heart attack Lady Katherine and I will not be able to attend as we had planned but we wish everyone have a good time at the viewing of the new Faire grounds.

Couldn't make it. I had planned on driving up around noon after working at Seawolf Park in Galveston, but unfortunately the cold and wet weather took it's toll. About the time I got by my exit to Pearland on the Beltway, I was really bad off, so headed to home.

Hope someone gets some great pictures of the faire site.

Just got back a bit ago.
Walking about the grounds with Rengypsy you can really get a feeling for what is coming.
I am definitely hooked on this faire and plan to do anything I can to make it a success (even possibly opening a booth myself with some cohorts).

*I can see myself drinking a lot of rum out there...*

Quote from: *Teach* on January 24, 2009, 08:47:55 PM
Just got back a bit ago.
Walking about the grounds with Rengypsy you can really get a feeling for what is coming.
I am definitely hooked on this faire and plan to do anything I can to make it a success (even possibly opening a booth myself with some cohorts).

*I can see myself drinking a lot of rum out there...*

You're going to open a Rum Drinking Booth?   ;)  ;D

I hope to hear all about the site.  Master Benjamin and I are both excited about the new Faire from all we've been reading, and want to do whatever we can to help out.  We truely wanted to be there today.

I wish I'd been able to stay longer. Kilt, cold, blasted wind, all said go home. The grounds look good. I'll surely be peddling my wares at opening cannon!

Darn, we got there a little late and missed the tour.  Enjoyed the company and the faire plans in the tent.  Got too cold and windy, so left a little early (and missed the second tour if there was one).

Drove down Old Potato Road to see the "entrance".  When you drive that road, the first half or so has the wooded land to the right, then an open and sloping field to the right for the second half.  It's my understanding that the faire grounds will be on the open sloping portion -- is that correct?  Looks really, really nice.  Parking looks ample on the left hand side of Old Potato Road.

Turning left back onto 290 from Old Potato Road was pretty rough, though.

Quote from: Pascal on January 25, 2009, 09:18:53 AM
...
Turning left back onto 290 from Old Potato Road was pretty rough, though.

The safest way to cross Hwy 290 from Old Potato Road is to go East (Right) on Old Hwy 20 (at the back side of the Sherwood Forest Faire) to Hwy 21, then turn right and cross the Hwy 290 overpass so you can use the East-bound entrance ramp.

Take Care,
David Baldock

what a great outing yesterday.
thanks for all who attended. sorry we didnt make it clear that entry for the day's event was off 290--not old potato road.  at my estimate we had well over a hundred folk on site.  hope you could all see the vision and could start to find your space (and paint brush) within the project. 
lots of interest in vendor possibilities.  that was fantastic.
would like all comments, concerns, and suggestions...
deepest apologies for those who did not find the entrance on 290 well-marked.  i know we failed horribly at our signage and directions. we will do better next time.  hoping for a repeat gathering in late february. 

Quote from: rengypsy on January 25, 2009, 02:56:58 PM
entry for the day's event was off 290--not old potato road. 

Not a problem here -- after we left, we went down Old Potato Road to see the eventual Faire entrance.

I'm assuming the Faire grounds will be the sloped cleared area bounded by Old Potato Road and Old Hwy 20.  Will there be a view-blocking fence bounding Old Potato Road -- or will the backs of the vendor huts be visible from the road?

Or do I just have the map upside down! (a distinct possibility!)

There was a good turnout of Vendors and Rennies at the faire Grounds on a cold blustery Texas day this past Saturday. We had 1554, Ale and red Wine to fortify our blood somewhat and a huge dose of cheese pizza for fuel and we needed it. Some brave souls even camped out that night. Anyway here are the pic's from that day.

Sherwood has an absolutely beautiful site with trees of all kinds, a spring fed lake that keeps a creek flowing year round (Can you say "Skinny Dip"?) and sandy soil throughout! NO BLACK MUCK! HUZZAH! As things progress I will return and take more pic's!

Namaste
Moon)Dawg
Mage of the Majick Box
Keeper of the Pygmypony
Wizard to the Kingdom of Onondaga

http://www.pygmypony.net
Photos: http://www.pygmypony.net/Sherwood%20Forest/SherwoodForestPt1/index.htm

Thanks for the pictures Moon)Dawg.  I'm sorry I didn't make it, but the cold and the wind took it all out of me that morning.  That will be a lovely site with all those nice trees!

 I had no trouble finding the butterfly! Good directions! It was a lovely time! So grand to see so many friends and such a great turnout!
Many thanks to RennGypsy for a lovely party. The grounds are magical. I even found a wand ! Even on such a nasty cold windy day I could feel what a great faire this will be. I am excited! The faire is 20 minutes away from MeowManor! Huzzah!
I look forward to being a part of this wonderous faire! HUZZAH!
Can't wait for the next gathering in Feb!

queen bonnie,

thanks so much for making the trek.  your presence was most appreciated.  i apologize i did not get to bid you farewell.

rengypsy

Thanks again for allowing me to come out and visit the grounds, it was a great time. It was
great meeting everyone. I can't wait for the opening. I apologize for having to leave early,
but it was a bit cold and once it gets dark it can get slippery on a bike  ;D

-Harb

 LOl! I had to get the MeowMobile home before Dark- otherwise it turns into a Pumpkin! Sorry I did not bid you farewell- but I also needed a privy! Glad I was only 20 Min away!  Huzzah and well done RennGypsy! I thank you for your hospitality! I look forward to more good times at Sherwood and will happily spread the word far and wide about this lovely and magical faire to be!

Sorry I didn't make it out to the grounds. By the time I made it to Giddings area it was already 6:30 and very cold, so I just went I on into Austin and headed to ARRG. I did however get Molden to bring me some posters and cards, which I will pass out around Corpus Christi.    
    Is there going to be another gathering at the grounds?

yes, we will have several.  one in late february...though i doubt aqua water will have our water tap to us by that time.  and then for a camping weekend when the water and septic system is in.

keep the talk happening about the faire, please.  we need all of your energies and voices.

received two vendor apps today.  surely need more artists and artisans to jump in and commit to being there for the first year.

peace all!

rengypsy

Well both halves of Bedlam Bazaar made it up there.  I love ace bandages!!!  The site has such great potential, I can't wait to see it with less sand going up my nose.  It was well worth the distance and the cold to see the place, meet others and dream the dream.

sure appreciate the work moondog is doing on behalf of getting the word and pics out about sherwood.  we will try to host another gathering around the end of february to mark the one year time before the gates are flung open to sherwood forest faire's first year.

peace,

rengypsy

I think you should have the weekend of Febuary 28th. Not that I have an actual birthday this year, but that is as close as it gets to mine.
I prolly wont stay the night, just to easy to come home lol. But I love the idea of spending an unbirthday surrounded by ren-friends and a faire in the making.

*And Someone Can Make a Rumcake to bring!*

 Huzzah! I love unbirthdays! I am having one too!  I plan to spend lots of Unbirthdays at SFF!
Rumcake sounds grand Teach! Alas! Baking is nothing I excel at.  I will help eat it though! LOL!
Looking forward to the Feb gathering!

Last weekend I nearly froze my bootie off out there and most of the pic's I took were of the mob. This weekend under sunny skies and not being rushed I returned and took my time exploring the site. With the sun shining down I could see how much shade there would be for those hot (yes we have them in Texas) February and March days and I am happy to say that even with the leaves off the hardwood trees there are enough big pines to give shade on the forest floor.

The site itself is even better looking in the sun than it was last weekend. When finished it will really look like a English Game park or a Robin Hood movie set. There is a spring fed lake that stays full year round and supplies a small creek and the future "Adult" section is the best part of the grounds as far as I am concerned. I am really looking forward to this place opening and I will return as work progresses on the site.
Namaste
Moon)Dawg
Mage of the Majick Box
Keeper of the Pygmypony
Wizard to the Kingdom of Onondaga

http://www.pygmypony.net

Sherwood Forest Site Pic's PT2: http://www.pygmypony.net/Sherwood%20Forest/SherwoodForest.htm

Word is getting out big time.  After our Populace meeting last time we invaded our usual watering hole.  One of the Barony's members came up to me and said he had seen pictures of me from the walk-about.  We hadn't told him that we had gone up there, no clue how he came across the pictures but the word is spreading...

Lady Runa