The Thunderbird Atlatl crew is getting ready to leave for the 40th Pennsic War near Slippery Rock, Pa. on Friday, August 5. We will be at Pennsic through August 13. We are able to take orders and ship from Pennsic and will also have someone at home to answer our regular line. If you get a recording, leave a message or try our cell phone at 607-743-4379. Our regular numbers at 800-836-4520 or 607-659-3854. Give us a call or send an email to contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com

Recaps from our European Journey

We can’t thank our European hosts enough for their kindnesses and help during our recent visit. Uli & Jutta Weigel of Warendorf and their family opened their home to our family during our recent stay. Along with helping our son, Peter, get his team’s car ready for the Mongol Rally, the Weigels treated us to many great meals and impromptu atlatl contests. They also helped find a wonderful VW Passat station wagon to drive around Europe in. The car is now for sale to the next team of adventurers – anyone interested? The Weigels’ son, Paul, spent a year with us in 2002 to 2003 as an exchange student. It was great seeing Paul again and his brother, Max, and sister, Lina.
Our first weekend show was in Eisenbach, Germany at the The Internationale Eisenbacher Bogen und Messsermesse held at the internationally famous Hotel-Gasthof-Pension Bad, Familie Wursthorn. We made many great people and enjoyed booth space next to Angelika Hörnig, publisher of Traditionell Bogenschießen, and her staff.
The second weekend we were hosted by the Bad Munstereifel Archery Club. Many thanks to Bernard, Manfred and Frank for making this a possibility. Bob was able to demonstrate straightening cane darts, flintknapping and showed the atlatl to enthusiasts of all ages. We all had a wonderful time touring the beautiful city of Bad Munstereifel. The archery club is set in a beautiful location and is a great place to visit. Thanks to Frank Reinshagen for introducing us to this fine community and we hope to visit again!
When we arrived in England for our final program, Steve Medlock met us at the ferry and we followed him to a campground where he had set up a tent and all the camping supplies plus more that we would need for our stay. Our English hosts generously hosted us through the weekend and the following weekdays as we prepared to return home to the United States and Peter prepared to set off for the Mongol Rally. The workshops were great with workshops in flintkknapping, atlatl making and all sorts of fun times. Thanks Steve for all the help and your generosity. Enjoy the pictures.

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From the moment we boarded the ferry in France to cross the channel into Dover, England, we knew we were in good hands with our English hosts! Steve Medlock texted us before we boarded the ferry and on our two hour trip across. As we left the ferry and entered on to English soil, Steve was waiting to lead us to the campground.
We arrived (after following Steve’s car through the English countryside and driving on the opposite of the road we were accustomed to!) after 11 p.m. to find a tent entirely set up for us with sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, a refrigerator with food in it, a stove, lights, flashlights and an United States flag flying in the front! The next day Bob met with Steve and a great group to offer a workshop. The workshop continued on Sunday. We can not thank our English hosts enough for their kind welcome and for preparing great accommodations.
Following the workshops, Steve transported us to airports, took us on tours around the countryside and helped us find items we needed. Thanks Steve. Steve and Neal (accompanied by his delightful 10-month-old daughter) gave us a great tour of Lewes on Wednesday, July 20. On Friday, Steve and his son, Chris, returned to the campsite and took down the tent and packed away the camping supplies with our son, Peter, and his friend, Chris. Peter and Chris left to start their Mongol Rally adventure During their trip, they will be demonstrating atlatls and hope to put on an atlatl contest in Mongolia at the end of their journey.

Atlatl Rattle
The Atlatl Rattle is this weekend July 21 to 24 in Hancock, NY. It’s a great event along the Delaware River. We will try to be there but might not be able to make it since we are just getting back from Europe. Have a great time! Ray Turner is a wonderful host.

We are having a wonderful time visiting our European friends and demonstrating and showing the atlatl at various programs in Germany, Denmark and soon England!

The Weigel family have been terrific hosts and have helped us a lot during our visit. They have helped our son, Peter, prepare his team’s car for the upcoming Mongol Rally which begins July 23 in London. Peter, Chris Burt and Jeff Andrews will drive a tiny Fiat to Mongolia to London. They are talking about bringing atlatls with them and demonstrating on the way! A few years ago, Ray Strischek’s son, Corey and his girlfriend, also participated in the Mongol Rally. Corey has offered lots of advice and assistance.

We will post photos and provide more information as we get better internet access. A special thanks to Michelle Brophy, Martha and Danny for keeping Thunderbird Atlatl in good shape on the home front!

Thunderbird Atlatl is busy getting ready for our upcoming summer schedule which will include a few weeks in Germany and other parts of Europe this summer. We will be arriving in Germany June 28 and will be attending two shows the first two weekends of July. We will be listing those in a few days and will be updating our event calendar!
We had a wonderful time at two new venues in New Jersey and upstate (way upstate!) New York! We were at the Salem County, NJ Arts in Bloom program May 21 and 22. This was the first Primitive Arts and Flintknapping Gathering in Alloway, NJ. The program set the groundwork for primitive art shows in upcoming years.
Memorial Day Weekend we were at Marty Simon’s Wilderness Learning Center in Chateaugay, NY. This is a great place for anyone wanting to learn primitive skills. Along with Marty’s wealth of knowledge, he assembles a great group of instructors and you are within a stone’s throw of the Canadian border! The Center offers another free weekend for all on Labor Day. Wilderness Learning Center’s address is 435 Sandy Knoll Road, Chateaugay, NY 12920.
Check out their web page http://www.weteachu.com/ or give them a call at 518-497-3179 between 6 a.m. & 9 p.m.