OGDEN -- "Rendezvous is family."
This proclamation from Randy Fenn is echoed by nods from everyone around the tent.
"We may not be related by blood, but we're family," adds Ben Burns.
The two men are only a couple of the many people setting up camp at the Labor Day Rendezvous at Fort Buenaventura this weekend.
While many residents will come to watch the black powder shooting, mountainman run and knife throwing, the people dressed in leather and fur are just having fun and seeing friends.
Joe Michelli, of Corinne, loves going to rendezvous because it's peaceful. He likes hearing a creek or watching an eagle fly.
"Most of the people that know me think I was supposed to be born 200 years ago," he said.
Educating anyone who comes along is part of the fun, said Richard Luke, this year's organizer.
While everyone comes to have a good time, their hobby also serves the purpose of educating people about history and giving them more primitive survival skills in case of a disaster, he said.
For the people whose hobby is going to rendezvous, the others become like family, complete with teasing, pranks and pride.
Luke said the nicknames they have for each other are either bestowed as a joke or earned through many years of attendance. His is "The Scotsman," while others are "Winn that Walks," "Whistling Otter" and "Animal."
They love playing jokes on each other, like staking down someone's canoe so it sends the boaters flying when they begin to paddle.
Despite all the teasing, the group has a strong bond and members brag about each other's workmanship, cooking and mountain man skills. The love of history and rendezvous bring them together.
When asked what brings her back, Monica Ingold, of Logan, immediately answers, "Camaraderie."
"Just the companionship, the friends and the lifestyle," she said. "We like camping."
And everyone loves the rendezvous.
"People tell me once you've been to one rendezvous, you've been to them all and that's not true," David Eugster said.
Luke said a special memorial for Tim Maycock, former Weber County parks and recreation manager, will be held at 7:30 tonight. The memorial is open to the public.
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