Renaissance Faire

A field trip can add so much to any learning experience.  But when you are studying history, and you get to travel back in time, now THAT is a cool field trip!  Here we are, midway into our knights and castles unit when up pops a Renaissance Faire (ok, the Faire is held every year here and I planned it this way, but we don’t have to tell the kidlets).

The scenery itself was spectacular.  We will at some point be going back for a rock climbing and caving expedition.  So humor me as I share some (lots) of photos of Natural Chimneys and the glen before moving on to the Faire.

There were so many things to see and do!  The girls loved the fire eater and the sword swallower.  This opened up opportunities to discuss not trying stupid things you see others doing..ahem.

The minstrels were a big hit, and they picked up a few extra musicians along the way.

Lindsey wasn’t as interested in trying things as Olivia was.  She was more into shopping and being cute.  The cuteness brought a young lad of 8 or 9 about, offering a white rose and a honey stick.  Too bad my camera battery died by then.

Olivia, my self professed “tom-boy”, wanted to try it all.  Archery is not a gifted area for her, although she can battle with the best of them during a sword fight.

Her skills served her well in the end.  She was “knighted” during a ceremony with Sir Blackwolf later in the day.  I give you “Dame Olivia”.

Sir Blackwolf also demonstrated the steps to putting on his full armor (chain mail instead of steel plated).  I won’t bore you with all the photos.  It was a pretty lengthy display. However, he assured us that in preparation for a true battle his squire could help him be fully suited in 10 minutes.

The girls and I met some interesting characters, like Henry the Irish Elk Hound (who by the way is still a pup and will get at LEAST 6 inches taller).

There was also Raven (the horse) and her barbarian friend.  Truth be told this was one of the most gentle spirited, polite men I’ve ever met in my life.

Now I’ll add a hodge podge of photos of the day.  As I said earlier, my camera battery expired before the end of the day, so I missed taking photos of the masquerade ball as well…sigh.

A good time was had by all!