Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Many Whiskey Flat visitors escaped the crowds and stepped back in time at the Cowboy, Indian and Mountain Man encampments in Kernville. The living history reenactments were set up in a peaceful hollow, nestled in a grove of trees, where visitors interacted with others who have a passion for history.

Re-enactors at the encampments are committed to keeping their depiction of the late 19th Century, including their attire, lodging, housewares, weaponry and manner of speaking, as historically correct as possible, said Mike Woodward of Kernville.

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Dave Ryscamp of Mariposa, manning his authentic leather-working display, demonstrated how leather goods and saddles were made during that period. “The best weather in years,” prompted Halima Hamel and Bob Lever, of Santa Maria, to attend this year’s Whiskey Flat Days celebration. As history buffs, they were drawn to the living history encampments.

Sherry Newsome welcomed visitors to encampment saloon. Weldon story teller Nathan Eddy, aka “Crazy Fox,” told tall tales of the larger-than-life figures that lived here in the past. “We try to make this a real historical camp,” Eddy said. “When we tell our stories, which are taken mostly from Bob Powers’ books, people can learn the real history of this area.”

Randy Hoskins of Inyokern, who has manned an authentic chuck wagon for several years, explained the chuck wagon kept cowboys fed, but also served as the center of ranch life.

“I’ve been doing this for 50 years,” said David Laughing Horse Robinson, of Weldon. “I was born and raised in the valley. My great-great-grandfather homesteaded in this area. It’s all about tradition. My dad was one of the original founders of this.”

“This is a labor of love for me and my wife and son,” said mountain man Bugling Elk. “I love history and have been doing this for over 20 years.” He is part of a group that puts on a traditional mountain man rendezvous in Twin Oaks-Caliente each April.

In the Native American encampment seated in front of a traditional Moohost dwelling made of willows and tule branches, Wofford Heights resident Vickie Tanner said, “We try and involve families from the surrounding tribal communities in this event.” All four local tribal groups were represented at the encampment, she said.

Brian Garcia, of Ridgecrest, practiced tomahawk-throwing as his family looked on. “We come very year,” his wife said. It’s a wonderful way to teach future generations about their history.