Cancelling Rendezvous 2021?

 

This past weekend at the Rendezvous in the Ozarks, we experienced all kinds of weather.  I arrived on Wednesday morning with just a little mist on me at times, but for the most part, it was perfect and I had the windows down the whole way.  That afternoon when Artemis arrived to begin setting up, the rain began.  It was a light rain that turned into Thunderstorms that evening.  It was not that bad and we weathered the storm like champs.

                In talking with Rick and Brad of Natural State Overland at the vendor check-in area, I asked them what the projected attendance was to be this year.  They stated with the registrations and all they looked to set a new record despite the rumors of cancelling the event due to rain.  "Why would we cancel the event due to weather?" I asked.  This is what we do.  This is our lifestyle.  We live outside where every single day there is weather.  They began to tell me that someone had called in the last few days wanting to cancel and receive a refund on their money for the Rendezvous.  This person stated they were not going to pay to stay all weekend in the rain.  After explaining that went against their policy and that the time for refunds had passed, this person threatened to spread the word to everyone on Social Media that the event was cancelled and nobody would show up. Do what you have to do was their reply knowing this would not be the case.  I was appalled that anyone would threaten this to begin with, but now that I think about it, I had someone message me and ask me if I would be attending the event.  I told them that I would.  Their response was "never mind, it has been cancelled."  I read that and responded right back, I think you have the wrong event.  This event would not be cancelled due to weather.

                Thursday it rained all day as the rigs continued to roll in for check-in.  Vendors continued to set up in expectations of a good time.  Friday morning came and I awakened to the sound of thunder.  Somehow, even though we had zero service on our phones, they all went off simultaneously with a tornado warning.  Soon, we were putting tents back up, repairing awnings and drying off product blown around by straight-line winds.  It was rough but we made it.  That evening the rain stopped for a brief moment and the winds picked up.  Chasing product and holding down tent poles from 20-30 mph gusts became our new assignment.  The winds died down and the rains picked back up.  The rigs steadily rolling in.

                Friday evening the skies cleared and the winds returned.  Colder weather set in.  Jackets replaced t-shirts and the wood piled up by the MOORE Expo rig began to dwindle as attendees stocked up for the evenings campfires.  The winds died down and Saturday morning arrived with a chilly, foggy start.  Rigs still were rolling in with those that had driven up for the day.  The fog burned off with a beautiful sun and the end of Rendezvous was capped off with two of the most beautiful days a person could have ever imagined.

                Yes, there was weather.  There will always be weather.  If you are doing this only during nice and enjoyable weather, you are in the wrong hobby and for you it is truly a hobby.  Those who consider this a lifestyle are here for a different reason.  Good or bad, they love this lifestyle for whatever it may bring.  The weather is constantly changing.  Weathermen are not even experts and spend their lives getting paid for something they are continuously wrong about.  Overlanding is living life in spite of the weather.  It is enjoying life no matter what happens or what is thrown your way.  You improvise, overcome and adapt.  Do you buy the gear to stay dry, but hope to never use it?  No, you have whatever you need so that when it does happen you are prepared.  That is just part of it.  That is how we do it.

                So we should cancel the biggest outdoor and overlanding event in the state because of rain?  I do not think so!  And if you demand your money back because you think that is a bad idea, obviously you are in the minority, for the number of those who stayed home compared to those who packed out the Adventure Center is not even worth my time in comparing.  Sell your tent and buy a Prius.  Make sure the wipers are good to get you to the next hotel.  Make sure there is cable tv readily available, the towels are folded, the bed sheets are soft and the pillows are fluffy.  If not, you can demand your money back from them as well.  Then go home and lay in your own bed dreaming of sitting on a creek bank in your favorite chair, smelling the sweet fall breeze and looking at the fall colors.  For that is the only place where you will find what you seek, a place where you are completely satisfied.  But be prepared, you will wake up and come back to reality where once again you are sitting at home, sulking and trying to make everyone else's life miserable just like you.  All the while, they are sitting around the fire, telling stories and glad you are not there to suck the life out of those amazing memories.

                Cancel Rendezvous for Rain?  That's funny.