Thanksgiving Week 2007 @ The Fort

[Tri-circle-D]

Well, the TCD gang is back again from another trip (our 6th this year) to the Fort. This time, we were able to camp from 11/18 to 11/25. The weather was perfect. The Fort and the parks were packed. But, a great time was had by all. We were at site 811. Great spot on a great loop.

As you have come to expect, I have lots of photos, and some behind the scenes info. I will have to cover this in multiple posts over the next few days, so check back.

Ready?

Here we go:

First, the Christmas decorations are all up! These appeared over the course of the week, and it was not until Wednesday night that the Christmas tree went up in front of Trails End, and the decorations went up on the outside of the trading posts. Here are a few quick Christmas decoration shots. More will follow:

The Christmas tree in front of Trails' End

Another shot taken early in the AM of Black Friday from a rocking chair on the porch. Notice no people! Somewhere else on the planet, people were mobbing the malls and even closer, people were mobbing the Theme parks. But all was calm on the porch at Crockett's. They have really nice calm Christmas music playing this year. What a great way to begin your day!:

Pioneer Hall looks great, too:

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

So, we have heard about all the clearing going on at the Fort. Here is an official proclamation from the top:

And, they are not kidding around with this clearing. There is heavy equipment all around the campground. Check out this back hoe behind the 800 loop:

Here are some more workers on the 800 loop:

When I first saw the results of all of the clearing earlier this year, I did not like the loss of privacy. Now, I like the openness.

Also, they have begun to plant new, native, tree species. Here are some shots that I took along the roadway behind the 700 loop. There are tons of new trees, and they have set up an irrigation system to take care of them. This already looks great, and will look even better as the trees mature. I saw slash pine, cypress, ligustrum, and maybe some magnolia trees. Really nice!:

TCD

 

[Gatordad]

actually, they are replanting all the vegetation I cleared while trying to park my rig earlier in the month.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Looks good, I like the replanting.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

So, what goes on at the Fort on Thanksgiving Day?

Here are the official activities:

Unfortunately, we were away from the Fort during these activities. When we got back that night, I was talking to my campground neighbor, and he told me how much fun his kids had had at dodgeball that day.

So, the next day, Friday, we went to check it out. We have been to the Fort, but never participated in the dodgeball. Apparently, it is a big deal, check it out:

I love this photo. Even if you don't want to play dodgeball, it is a hoot to watch. There were folks of all ages playing. Some of the older gentlemen were really competitive (probably were nerds back in the their school days):

Notice the shorts and t-shirts. This was the Friday after Thanksgiving. The weather was perfect at the Fort!

TCD

 

[Shannone1]

I love this photo. Even if you don't want to play dodgeball, it is a hoot to watch. There were folks of all ages playing. Some of the older gentlemen were really competitive (probably were nerds back in the their school days):

TCD

My hubby loved playing dodgeball with the kids & dads. As a matter of fact, the dads kept playing even when the last of the kids went back to the pool.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

There have already been a few photos and comments made about the tee pees set up in the group camping area. I guess we all need to correct our spelling, because apparently, these folks call their homes tipis not tee pees.

Not to worry, my DIS friends. If there is anything interesting happening at the Fort, your old buddy TCD is going to get the straight dirt for you.

So, I stopped by to speak to the tee pee I mean tipi people.

I met a real friendly man who was setting up his tee pee/ tipi. He told me more than I ever wanted to know about the tipi. It really went on for a while, and I have to admit that after a while, I stopped paying attention. He went on an on about how these tipis are more of an eliptical shape as opposed to round, and what all of the decorations meant, and he showed me the inside of his neighbor's tipi. I have a photo of that, too, which I will post later, because I haven't uploaded it yet. Don't get me wrong, this guy was really a nice guy, he just was really into tipis. Here are the photos that I do have:

So, the story. This is a group of folks who are real tipi enthusiasts. They get together every year. This was their 36th year. They used to do this at another campground in Florida, but now they come to the Fort.

Here is a link to a website with more info on who they are:

http://www.tipis.org/lodge_owners.htm

Also, here is some cut and paste from that web-site, as the page will probably be taken down for the year now that the event is over:

Lodge Owners-Disney World

36th. Anniversary Will be Nov. 2007

Jack and Karen Butler

Box 2536

Blairsville, Georgia 30514

Dead line will be October 3, 2007

Write the Butlers for more information.

No ground fires are permitted...bring a metal trash can lid and three bricks/stone to set it on to build your tipi fire.

White Canvas tarps and wood poles are requested.

Started by originally by John Niedenthal of South Florida, Thanksgiving Lodge Owners Rendezvous has been going on for over 36 years for family and friends. This is the time when all types of tipi owners gather for one large encampment. The only requirement is that you have a tipi. Other than family and friends, this campout is not open to the public. This event started out in a place called Fish Eating Creek located in central Florida. Later moved to Disney World some years ago after the Disney complex opened up a primitive camping area.

The Butlers invite anyone with a tipi to share in the largest sit down Thanksgiving family event in the South East. On one occasion over 200 people sat down to 25 turkeys and who knows how many pumpkin pies, dressing, baked potatoes and desserts which we cook on the sight.

Disney digs the hole for the turkeys and our "Cooking Crew" does the rest. The pit is lined with layers of aluminum foil, then several bags of charcoal are fired up for the baking of the turkeys. While the "pit" is being completed, turkeys are cleaned and prepared. Each one is placed in its own pan and covered in foil and then placed in the pit with the hot coals. The top of the pit is covered in large sheets of corrugated aluminum. Looks a bit like a Hawaiian luau. After several hours and charcoal changes, the turkeys are removed. Diner call goes out and everyone brings the rest of the fixings.


Sometimes to the tunes of bag pipes, a prayer is said and John leads all in a moment of silence. Then we eat. Lots of food and lots of good times. After diner, most just sit around to enjoy leftovers or each others company. Since we are in the Disney complex, the "Worlds" are open to us to enjoy. Camping is from a Sunday to a Sunday. This can give a family plenty of time to see the sights or just spend your time enjoying your tipi.

It is a lovely sight to see tipi poles tower above the Disney property. Tourists are not allowed to visit the site unless invited. Because the space is limited, so are the numbers of tipis. Invitations are sent out in August and must be in before the first week of October.

If you get the chance, check out the website, they have a lot of great photos.

TCD delivers again!

And, I have more behind the scenes info- check back later!

TCD

 

[tungpo1]

The only good thing about clearing the 800 loop is the pet walking area that part is nice, but they didnt need to clear so much between the sites.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Here is a photo of the TCD set-up on site 811:

Does anybody who was there last week remember us?

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Never, in all of my visists to the Fort, have I seen a snake.

Well, that changed last week.

We found this beauty sunning in the landscaped area right outside the former River Country entrance:

Really not a big deal in Florida. I believe this is a black racer snake.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The Ft. Wilderness Segway tours appear to be very popular. We saw several groups throughout the week.

When I first heard about these, I had no interest. What do I not know about Ft. Wilderness? But, I happened to hear the tour guide speaking when I snapped this photo. He was pointing out a resurrection fern in the tree that he is pointing to here. He explained that this fern appears to be dead when it is dry, but after a rain, it appears to come back to life. I never noticed any resurrection fern around the Fort, in fact, I never heard of it. Maybe one of these tours would be interesting after all. The folks on the Segways sure seemed to be having a blast just riding them.

Did any of you know that the barricade poles in front of Trails End pull out real easy? This could be handy info for some of you golf cart renegades:

TCD

 

[tungpo1]

For some reason I hate those Segway things, Golf Carts rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Shannone1]

Here is a photo of the TCD set-up on site 811:

TCD

Nice set up

 

[mash]

TCD, even though I don't post that often I try to read the Camping Thread regularly. I love your trip reports! They always provide so much detail and point out things that I haven't noticed when I've been to Ft. Wilderness. Keep 'em coming!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Never, in all of my visists to the Fort, have I seen a snake.

Well, that changed last week.

We found this beauty sunning in the landscaped area right outside the former River Country entrance:

Really not a big deal in Florida. I believe this is a black racer snake.

TCD

These are the snakes that many see and are convinced they are water moccassins - not so. These black snakes are harmless, beneficial and, I might add, delicious.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD, even though I don't post that often I try to read the Camping Thread regularly. I love your trip reports! They always provide so much detail and point out things that I haven't noticed when I've been to Ft. Wilderness. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks for the kind words, Mash. I will keep 'em coming! But, I am not nearly done with this report yet, so be sure to check back! I also enjoy the camping thread, and appreciate it when someone posts photos, so I am more than happy to return the favor. I also want to know everything that I can about the Fort, so I am always on the lookout for something interesting.

These are the snakes that many see and are convinced they are water moccassins - not so. These black snakes are harmless, beneficial and, I might add, delicious.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

As you might expect, TCD had to look for some behind the scenes info at the Fort. If there is a door or window open, I am going to look in it and let my DIS friends know what is going on.

So, who has ever seen what is behind Pioneer Hall?

After we saw the snake, and were heading back toward the Settlement Trading Post, I noticed that the big gates behind Pioneer Hall were open, and I saw a big sign mounted on the wall. Well, I had to know what it said. So here you go:

This is what you see when looking into this backstage area (check out the dude in the trashbag. BTW it was not raining or even cloudy-what is up with that?):

This is a closer up look at the sign (sorry it isn't very clear):

Looks like the Fort Wilderness staff takes pride in being the best campground in America!

TCD

 

[ftwildernessguy]

As you might expect, TCD had to look for some behind the scenes info at the Fort. If there is a door or window open, I am going to look in it and let my DIS friends know what is going on.

So, who has ever seen what is behind Pioneer Hall?

After we saw the snake, and were heading back toward the Settlement Trading Post, I noticed that the big gates behind Pioneer Hall were open, and I saw a big sign mounted on the wall. Well, I had to know what it said. So here you go:

This is what you see when looking into this backstage area (check out the dude in the trashbag. BTW it was not raining or even cloudy-what is up with that?):


TCD

He is just complying with OSHA regs and wearing his personal protective equipment. With FW's new green designation, they are protecting the environment by recycling used trash bags this way. Go FW!

 

[DznyRulz]

I too contemplated the Segway tour but unfortunately I am at maximum density and over the weight limit. As soon as Disney beefs up the suspension on those things I'm there. I can't wait to read more. Thanks for the info and pics.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I can't wait to read more. Thanks for the info and pics.

That's a big trailer.