Just after the reverberations of musket fire and the resounding boom and hazy smoke of a cannon’s call, shouts came, proclaiming
“the voyageurs are coming“.
This was once the clarion call heard up and down rivers, lakes, and waterways from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and down to the Gulf of Mexico. It signaled the approach of canoes bearing goods from the French-Canadians. Goods to be traded with native Americans and with the settlers along the water routes. This water bound trade route opened the way for exploration that followed.
These voyageurs, as they were called, paddled up to 70 miles a day; powerful men singing songs that kept them rowing and set a cadence to match the pull of oars in the water.
Alouette, gentille alouette,
Alouette, je te plumerai.
This weekend, we witnessed a reenactment of voyageurs disembarking on the banks of the Des Plaines River and we saw settlers and traders welcoming them as they came ashore. They were greeted and asked for their “papers”, which seemed to have fallen overboard. No problem, for there was liquor to proffer instead.
A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous is an interesting and historical reenactment of the early trading and lifestyles in the Des Plaines Valley during the 1830’s. The rivers and rowers were the rapid transit systems of their time and predated the City of Chicago.
We have been meaning to go to the Rendezvous for several years and decided that it was time to make it happen. Busses shuttled visitors from an expansive free parking area to Columbia Woods, a Forest Preserve in Cook County, not far from our life here on the Cutoff. The Woods follow the river and are a scenic spot for fishing, canoeing, and birding – except on the second weekend in September, when it becomes an encampment for blacksmiths and tanners, weavers and potters, local historians and history buffs – and modern-day voyageurs of time.
As we disembarked from our 21st century means of transportation, we saw an expanse of 17th century tents, tools, wares and costumes. Campfires held that welcoming allure of being outdoors (or pretending to be in the wilderness) and we strolled around seeing what was to be seen.
It was fun to watch children attempting to make toothpicks and a potter turning her wheel, the milking of goats and the blessing of landing on soil by a priest. It was especially fun to hear our names called out in greeting as a relative who we haven’t seen in a decade recognized us. I love when these chance meetings occur, don’t you?
Voyageurs.
We are all voyageurs, are we not? So goes life here on the Cutoff.
Wow..quite an adventure! Looks like a lot of work went into the whole event.
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It was, Jennifer, and Dad actually said “Jennifer would really like this” and you would have. The cannon and musket were loud and the voyageurs were, too, as we would hear them singing. 🙂
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What a fabulous spectacular experience, Penny! I would have loved this! Your photos are so nice and help me envision what you must have seen, smelled, felt…this was total immersion into a time in history that excites me. I had never really heard of these men termed as “voyageurs” and yet that’s just what they were! I’m just thrilled you were able to participate and I’m delighted you shared with me. 🙂
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I was thinking exactly that – Debra would love this! It is a preserve I often go to, though seldom walk alone, so it was enlightening to see it a little bit closer than I normally do. As soon as we stepped off of the bus, the scent of campfire and the sound of craftsmanship captured my senses. The voyageurs were of hearty stock and really needed to be in good shape to paddle 70 miles a day! I was also thinking there must be a story in this for Andra. 🙂 The enactors we came in contact with were quite interesting and fielded all sorts of question with a great deal of knowledge.
Thank you, Debra. I was hoping you would see this one.
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Oh my goodness! You’re like Bill Bryson, Penny. So informative! I always learn a ton through your blog! What a great adventure! Your photos make everything come alive.
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I only wish, L. Marie, but, I do THANK YOU for that compliment. I am touched to read to words. Thank you so very much. This was fun and actually much more informative than some of these events can be.
Hope you enjoyed some of this gorgeous day.
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This I would love. Such a pleasant way to learn history of your area.. and any tourist who happened to be there for it would be fortunate as well. . (I’ve avoided most re-enactments because they always seem to involve war and shooting; not my thing,
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It was such a pleasant step back in time, Sallie. I wish you could have heard them coming up the river singing Alouette, echoing back the phrases. (there is a better term for that, which has, of course, escaped me at the moment). Call & response?
There was a cannon and musket, but, only to herald the approaching boats when we were there. I tend to avoid the Civil War enactments.
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What a fascinating adventure you had that day, Penny! I always enjoy the chance to step back in time to learn more about the history of our area. There is so much to learn… ♡
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It was, indeed! This was one of the better enactments I have seen and I’m sure we will return to the Rendezvous again. It is amazing, isn’t it, all we still have to learn? Have a good day. Fall is in the air.
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These reenactments make me more appreciative than ever of the people who came before us. They were brilliant, hearty, creative and also fun-loving. I can’t imagine trying to cook a meal or sew a garment or rear a child. It is a blessed thing that this has not died and that so many can now enjoy it. Life was a struggle and it makes me ashamed of the minute things I complain about! This was educational and I enjoyed it.
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It was a hard life, for sure, but a hearty stock. I was very impressed with this group of enactors, Marilyn. The kettles on the open fire, laundry out to dry, food preparation . . . it really gave us a sense of what it might have been like. Today, we are a very urban area, but, there the river sits, very close to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and airplanes soar overhead! 🙂 These enactors were very good and took the time to talk to adults and children.
I’m glad to enjoyed this, Marilyn. Thank you.
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When I was a child I loved to read stories about the Indians and first settlers in the new world. Little did I know that it would become my home. I would have loved to be there with you and learn more about the voyageurs.
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We never know where life will lead us. I’m glad it led you here to the States, and even more so that it led you and I to blogging. This was an event that I would have loved to share with you, Gerlinde. It made some of those stories read in my own childhood come to life, and, more importantly, I learned more about life here in the early 1800s. Thank you, Gerlinde.
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