Q-Tip: Visit mountain men

If you are not one of the many thousands of fishermen planning to participate in the opener of the 2000 California fishing season on Saturday morning, there is another unique outdoor event scheduled for this weekend in Carson City that should be on your "Must See" list.

It is something special called the Spring Rendezvous.

The Eagle Valley Muzzleloaders Club of Carson City will host its seventh annual Spring Rendezvous from Friday morning through early Sunday afternoon.

The Eagle Valley Muzzleloaders Club is a local organization of muzzleloader (black powder) shooting enthusiasts, who are dedicated to preserving the ways and traditions of the early west explorers (mountain men).

That rendezvous will be held at their muzzleloader range, located at the far west end of Rhodes Road.

The range can be reached by taking Curry Street south until reaching the Greenhouse Garden Center. Then, turn right onto Rhodes Road and follow it west to the mountain men's encampment.

This unique, annual event features individuals dressed in either mountain man or Native American attire, complete with the tents, tepees, equipment, food and weapons of that era.

Included in the list of events are such activities as black powder rifle shooting, black powder pistol shooting, knife throwing, tomahawk throwing and a special candle shooting contest.

The candle shoot will be held on Saturday evening, and the contestants must try to load their muzzleloaders in the dark and then shot out the flame of a lit candle, without hitting the candle.

The rendezvous will also feature traders and vendor booths offering assorted items for sale.

There is no charge for the general public to attend the rendezvous and to watch the various events and activities.

The rendezvous will conclude on Sunday at noon with an awards ceremony to be followed by the traditional breaking of camp by the mountain men.

So if you've never been to the mountain men's rendezvous, give it a try this weekend.

It should be a ton of fun.

For information, call Booshway Li'l Hawk at 887-1221, Segundo Two Falls at 884-4542 or the Kryer at 883-7736.