House on the Metolius 2019
| 2019_house_on_the_metolius_poster_pdf.pdf |
Reenactor Information
House On Metolius, 5/9/19
School Day Friday, May 17
Open/Close 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Friday, regular set-up after ~ 3:00 pm
General Public Days
Saturday, May18, & Sunday, May 19, 2019
Saturday General Public: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday Late Set-Up, after 5:00 pm
Sunday General Public: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday Pack Up: after 4:00 pm
This is our fifth, 6th Civil War Reenactment in Central Oregon! The House On Metolius site is over 260 acres of private property with the Wild & Scenic, clear blue, Metolius River running right through the place. (http://www.metolius.com) At the camp area, north is towards Mt. Jefferson (10,495”), the largest peak in our view. To the west is Three Finger Jack (7,844’). Ponderosa Pine and a small knoll are to the south, which conveniently conceal the parking and modern camping area.
Our camping is primarily on flat meadow grass. This is springtime, so watch for soggy spots. I am trying to get the area mowed, but this might be a luxury. Everything is to take place on the WEST side of the river. There will be three cords of firewood and drinking water on this west side, north and south. A map with camps and civilian locations is attached. In general, the Union military will be towards the northwest of the main meadow and the Confederate camps are to the South. Union Civilians and Artillery are north, past the drainage trough, next to the river.
The Camp Sherman Store and Fly Shop is open 9 – 5 and has last minute items, including ice. http://www.campshermanstore.com, P: 541-595-6711
DIRECTIONS: From The Valley: take US Highway 20 East (The Santiam Pass) past Hoodoo Ski area to Suttle Lake. Four miles past the lake and down the pass, turn left at the Camp Sherman exit on Road 1419. Go 2.6 miles; stay left at the first intersection. After 2.1 miles more, pass the Metolius Meadows neighborhood on your left. At a 4-way intersection with a stop sign, continue straight. In a half mile another intersection is marked Allingham Guard Station. Don’t turn, continue straight on Forest Service Road 1420 for 1.2 miles, crossing a small bridge and two small rolling hills. Look for the signs for “House On Metolius” and turn right onto the red cinder road. Go down this road a quarter mile and look for directions and a left turn.
From Sisters, Oregon: take US Highway 20 (OR 126) 10 miles to the Camp Sherman exit. Turn right on Road 1419 and follow the same directions as above.
EARLY SETUP: Pre-setup is any time after 9:00 am Wednesday, May 16. If you absolutely have to set-up earlier, call or e-mail David Banks so he can clear the path and get the gate open for you (541-815-1975). Everyone can drive on the meadow to his or her spot for set up. All vehicles must be off the meadow Thursday night so that we are ready to go first thing Friday for School Day, which starts at 8:30 am. Sutlers can bring vehicles to the meadow evenings, 6:30 - 7:00 pm to clear valuables, and can then return merchandise in the morning from 6:30 - 7:00 am.
REGULAR SETUP: If arriving Friday, check in time is after 2:00 – 3:00pm so the 1,000 school kids can clear out.
PARKING & DRIVING: There is one-way road into the site for everybody. The red cinder (gravel) road is off Forest Road 1420, a.k.a. the way you can in. This zags about a quarter mile and then turns left, downhill, facing the meadow. Parking is then to the left, up a small rise. At the top, the first 300 yards is reserved for Friday school buses, then weekend public parking.
Past this area is REENACTOR PARKING. A hundred yards farther is the MODERN CAMPING site. It is about a quarter mile hike, at the most, from the parking and modern camping to the camps.
To EXIT the property from parking, take the red cinder road down and then up a small hill. This is the one-way exit, for everyone. This road joins the asphalt Road 1420 that goes back to Camp Sherman and the highway. The roads on-site are all single lane, so all “traffic” must follow the one-way entrance and one-way exit. Emergency and service vehicles need this road clear. Cars will be allowed back into the camps at 4:30 pm on Sunday after the battalion final parades.
MODERN CAMPING: It is pretty basic: just a treed, grass and pinecone field atop a small rise. Some drinking water and porta-potties are nearby. Fires are permitted in a ring, but you are in a forest, so please be very careful! Use camp stoves if possible.
WATER & FIRES: Water from the “Buffalos” and taps is well water that has been tested and is some of the freshest, mineral-rich H 2 0 you have had in some time. The water from the in-ground spigots is just for horses and fire-fighting. It is not bad, but it hasn’t been tested for human consumption.
Battalions are required to have two people on fire watch all day and night. This is less critical during the day, but from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am everyone must keep an eye on fires. Do not leave fire unattended! Please have fire extinguishers in your tents. Please restore fire pits carefully. Cut the sod and set it and the dirt aside. When done, put out your fire, replace the original dirt and sod and make it look like nothing was ever there to disturb the place. Don’t bury anything like food, trash, burned wood, etc. Critters will dig it up, the place will look trashed and we might not get invited back.
The Metolius River is beautiful, fast and cold. Small children must be supervised when near the river. Because there are so many of us, mostly “look, but don’t touch.” If you need to get into the river be careful and know that you are on your own. There are two bridges that offer great places to peer down into the swirling waters. Look for fish, baby geese and enjoy the sound, but leave fishing the river to the paying guests in the lodge. They are putting up with us, so the least we can do is give them their river. If we find out there are no guests, we can fish.
HORSES: Cavalry personnel get to choose what they think is the best site for their animals, near the south end of the meadow and near a stand of trees. This location is also near one of the in-ground water hook ups. Consult with David Banks upon arrival, but the places used in the past are about right.
DANCE: This has not been confirmed, but we are hoping for Saturday night, about 6:30 pm at the lodge. This beautiful dance floor overlooks the camps and battlefield. There are modern restrooms and an outdoor fireplace. Music starts with a sound check at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to play or dance. Family style dances with children are first, then it is all-adult.
ELECTRICITY: There are two outlets along the gravel road at the south end of the meadow near the catering station. You will see nightlights mounted on pine trees. These are mostly for the concessionaires, but all are welcome to plug in and recharge, if necessary. Also, up at the lodge there is electricity. David Banks may also have access to juice from an undisclosed secrete location (meaning if it is where I think it is, I will share.) This is a trip back to 1863; so, unless you are sending a telegraph, live without power for a while.
CELL PHONE SERVICE: Cell service in the Camp Sherman area is spotty at best. One can sometimes get a Verizon signal off site, near the turn off to the Camp Sherman store. There may be wi-fi near the concessions area, so the concessions people can process payments. This is evolving so I wouldn’t count on it. It is best to assume that you won’t be able to use the trusty hand held device while in camp. We will have Screen Withdrawal support meetings if needed.
This is a magnificent playground for all of us. We have been allowed back because of the excellent job everyone has done cleaning up, educating students and informing our paying customers. The House On Metolius staff puts in a whole lot of hard work and time so we can live in their outdoor paradise. I’m sure we all appreciate this and enjoy getting to camp for free on private property with a fantastic view of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains.
If you have any questions, find me and ask, or email: dbanks@bendbroadband.com, or try a cell phone call: 541-815-1975.
See you soon,
David Banks, Event Coordinator
House On Metolius, 5/9/19
School Day Friday, May 17
Open/Close 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Friday, regular set-up after ~ 3:00 pm
General Public Days
Saturday, May18, & Sunday, May 19, 2019
Saturday General Public: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday Late Set-Up, after 5:00 pm
Sunday General Public: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday Pack Up: after 4:00 pm
This is our fifth, 6th Civil War Reenactment in Central Oregon! The House On Metolius site is over 260 acres of private property with the Wild & Scenic, clear blue, Metolius River running right through the place. (http://www.metolius.com) At the camp area, north is towards Mt. Jefferson (10,495”), the largest peak in our view. To the west is Three Finger Jack (7,844’). Ponderosa Pine and a small knoll are to the south, which conveniently conceal the parking and modern camping area.
Our camping is primarily on flat meadow grass. This is springtime, so watch for soggy spots. I am trying to get the area mowed, but this might be a luxury. Everything is to take place on the WEST side of the river. There will be three cords of firewood and drinking water on this west side, north and south. A map with camps and civilian locations is attached. In general, the Union military will be towards the northwest of the main meadow and the Confederate camps are to the South. Union Civilians and Artillery are north, past the drainage trough, next to the river.
The Camp Sherman Store and Fly Shop is open 9 – 5 and has last minute items, including ice. http://www.campshermanstore.com, P: 541-595-6711
DIRECTIONS: From The Valley: take US Highway 20 East (The Santiam Pass) past Hoodoo Ski area to Suttle Lake. Four miles past the lake and down the pass, turn left at the Camp Sherman exit on Road 1419. Go 2.6 miles; stay left at the first intersection. After 2.1 miles more, pass the Metolius Meadows neighborhood on your left. At a 4-way intersection with a stop sign, continue straight. In a half mile another intersection is marked Allingham Guard Station. Don’t turn, continue straight on Forest Service Road 1420 for 1.2 miles, crossing a small bridge and two small rolling hills. Look for the signs for “House On Metolius” and turn right onto the red cinder road. Go down this road a quarter mile and look for directions and a left turn.
From Sisters, Oregon: take US Highway 20 (OR 126) 10 miles to the Camp Sherman exit. Turn right on Road 1419 and follow the same directions as above.
EARLY SETUP: Pre-setup is any time after 9:00 am Wednesday, May 16. If you absolutely have to set-up earlier, call or e-mail David Banks so he can clear the path and get the gate open for you (541-815-1975). Everyone can drive on the meadow to his or her spot for set up. All vehicles must be off the meadow Thursday night so that we are ready to go first thing Friday for School Day, which starts at 8:30 am. Sutlers can bring vehicles to the meadow evenings, 6:30 - 7:00 pm to clear valuables, and can then return merchandise in the morning from 6:30 - 7:00 am.
REGULAR SETUP: If arriving Friday, check in time is after 2:00 – 3:00pm so the 1,000 school kids can clear out.
PARKING & DRIVING: There is one-way road into the site for everybody. The red cinder (gravel) road is off Forest Road 1420, a.k.a. the way you can in. This zags about a quarter mile and then turns left, downhill, facing the meadow. Parking is then to the left, up a small rise. At the top, the first 300 yards is reserved for Friday school buses, then weekend public parking.
Past this area is REENACTOR PARKING. A hundred yards farther is the MODERN CAMPING site. It is about a quarter mile hike, at the most, from the parking and modern camping to the camps.
To EXIT the property from parking, take the red cinder road down and then up a small hill. This is the one-way exit, for everyone. This road joins the asphalt Road 1420 that goes back to Camp Sherman and the highway. The roads on-site are all single lane, so all “traffic” must follow the one-way entrance and one-way exit. Emergency and service vehicles need this road clear. Cars will be allowed back into the camps at 4:30 pm on Sunday after the battalion final parades.
MODERN CAMPING: It is pretty basic: just a treed, grass and pinecone field atop a small rise. Some drinking water and porta-potties are nearby. Fires are permitted in a ring, but you are in a forest, so please be very careful! Use camp stoves if possible.
WATER & FIRES: Water from the “Buffalos” and taps is well water that has been tested and is some of the freshest, mineral-rich H 2 0 you have had in some time. The water from the in-ground spigots is just for horses and fire-fighting. It is not bad, but it hasn’t been tested for human consumption.
Battalions are required to have two people on fire watch all day and night. This is less critical during the day, but from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am everyone must keep an eye on fires. Do not leave fire unattended! Please have fire extinguishers in your tents. Please restore fire pits carefully. Cut the sod and set it and the dirt aside. When done, put out your fire, replace the original dirt and sod and make it look like nothing was ever there to disturb the place. Don’t bury anything like food, trash, burned wood, etc. Critters will dig it up, the place will look trashed and we might not get invited back.
The Metolius River is beautiful, fast and cold. Small children must be supervised when near the river. Because there are so many of us, mostly “look, but don’t touch.” If you need to get into the river be careful and know that you are on your own. There are two bridges that offer great places to peer down into the swirling waters. Look for fish, baby geese and enjoy the sound, but leave fishing the river to the paying guests in the lodge. They are putting up with us, so the least we can do is give them their river. If we find out there are no guests, we can fish.
HORSES: Cavalry personnel get to choose what they think is the best site for their animals, near the south end of the meadow and near a stand of trees. This location is also near one of the in-ground water hook ups. Consult with David Banks upon arrival, but the places used in the past are about right.
DANCE: This has not been confirmed, but we are hoping for Saturday night, about 6:30 pm at the lodge. This beautiful dance floor overlooks the camps and battlefield. There are modern restrooms and an outdoor fireplace. Music starts with a sound check at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to play or dance. Family style dances with children are first, then it is all-adult.
ELECTRICITY: There are two outlets along the gravel road at the south end of the meadow near the catering station. You will see nightlights mounted on pine trees. These are mostly for the concessionaires, but all are welcome to plug in and recharge, if necessary. Also, up at the lodge there is electricity. David Banks may also have access to juice from an undisclosed secrete location (meaning if it is where I think it is, I will share.) This is a trip back to 1863; so, unless you are sending a telegraph, live without power for a while.
CELL PHONE SERVICE: Cell service in the Camp Sherman area is spotty at best. One can sometimes get a Verizon signal off site, near the turn off to the Camp Sherman store. There may be wi-fi near the concessions area, so the concessions people can process payments. This is evolving so I wouldn’t count on it. It is best to assume that you won’t be able to use the trusty hand held device while in camp. We will have Screen Withdrawal support meetings if needed.
This is a magnificent playground for all of us. We have been allowed back because of the excellent job everyone has done cleaning up, educating students and informing our paying customers. The House On Metolius staff puts in a whole lot of hard work and time so we can live in their outdoor paradise. I’m sure we all appreciate this and enjoy getting to camp for free on private property with a fantastic view of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains.
If you have any questions, find me and ask, or email: dbanks@bendbroadband.com, or try a cell phone call: 541-815-1975.
See you soon,
David Banks, Event Coordinator