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Camping with Chief Man Many Trees

Si ya. Grey Eagle here (of the Florida Wolf Clan). On July 19-23, I visited Man Many Trees. We camped in Cherokee National Forest. Chief had a spot already picked out, and had his tent set up to reserve the spot.

I had Cherokee history questions, and Chief had information he wanted to give me, both for my own knowledge and for this website.

He asked me to bring my laptop computer along so he could view and discuss the entire site. (You may notice some changes - these were the result of our conversations).

Chief took me to Chota (I had never been there). He made the mistake of telling me:
1) That the lake covering the Chota site was only 4-5 feet deep;
2) that a big post in the water marked the center of the Council House; and
3) not to look at my watch.

After looking at the monuments to the 7 clans, I walked, waded, and swam to the Council House, and SAT in shoulder-deep water, with my back against the post. I meditated inside the Council House!

In camp, sometimes we discussed Cherokee history, culture and language, sometimes we discussed the website, and sometimes we just stared at the fire. Star, an 8 month old 3/4 Wolf, 1/4 Husky, kept us entertained with her shannanigans.

When the Chief had gotten there to set up camp, a family was there 'day camping' (grandparents and grandson). He discussed the Overhill Nation with them. The grandparents said they would like to bring the grandson back out to join us Sunday or Monday evening.

We were waiting in regalia Sunday evening, but no one came by. Monday, after we figured the afternoon/evening rain had kept them home, they surprised us. Grandfather and grandson showed up just before dark.

After some stories and talking about the Nation, they decided to fill out an application. We even named the grandson. He is now YOUNG WOLF.


Grandfather Bill, Young Wolf, and Chief Man Many Trees after the naming.

On Tuesday, we saw a bicyclist go by our campsite as we were leaving to look at some things up the road. Chief felt a strong urge to talk to the man, so he stopped and did so.

Turned out the man was camping 2 sites down with his son, a friend, and the friend's grandson. The boys were 11 and 13. They were trying to get the kids interested in things besides TV and computers. We invited them by our campsite for that evening.

After we got back and settled back in, it decided to rain. It rained till around 7 PM or so. The folks from the other camp hadn't shown up. Chief sent me to let them know we hadn't been rained out.

When I got to their camp, no one was visible. Then the man we'd talked to came out of the tent and said they'd just gotten the kids to bed (it was 8:00 PM). I encouraged them to come by, and he said they would.

Things went similar to the night before, with stories (Chief had me tell two), and two namings (Running Pony and White Buck). We also did a little dancing around the fire.

(We should be seeing 3 new families at the September gathering, as each of these groups were excited at the idea of attending.

On Wednesday morning we broke camp so I could start back home to Central Florida. If you ever get a chance to camp with the Chief, I encourage you to do it.


On the road again.


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