Key to the success of any event is a good venue. Actions Past conducts its activities in many different venues from local halls and community centers, Boy Scout camps and City and Regional Parks, to the streets of Sacramento and San Francisco!

We are always on the lookout for quality venues which may meet the needs of particular events and situations. Although we love Camp Tamarancho in Marin County (and plan to hold other events there in the future) we are currently seeking a new venue which will allow us to bring back our cavalry unit for our Actions of the Lowe Countries event.

Venues will be evaluated as follows.

1. Allows (and can accommodate) horses and has room for horse trailers and portable corrals
2. Allows the firing of black powder muskets and canons, and the use of swords and pikes
3. Open level terrain sufficient to host a period military style camp, and ample space for drill activities
4. Allows the use of open fires (preferably in-ground fire-pits, but a requirement to use fire pans would be acceptable)
5. Reasonable policies regarding the use of alcohol

1. Close to population centers and airports in the San Francisco Bay Area
2. Remote rustic feel and viewscape, while retaining proximity to urban amenities
3. Privately owned property (public venues come with heavy administrative overhead)
4. Parking in close proximity to the site, but shielded from view
5. Drive on access to camping areas for all personal vehicles
6. Firm stable ground capable of standing up to wet weather
7. Allows us to dig in-ground fire-pits and has reasonable fire and safety regulations
8. Access to potable water and toilet facilities
9. Not open to the public or competing uses
10. Affordably priced
11. Managed by people eager to work with us

The active search for such a venue is on, and Barry Siler has already visited two sites which feature many of the above mentioned attributes. The final choice for a venue for next year's Actions of the Lowe Countries must meet all of the required criteria, and as many of the desired criteria as possible.

Keep this in mind while perusing Barry's review of:

• Phantom Ranch,  a private ranch located at Rail Road Flat, CA.
• Crill Property, located outside North Fork, CA

If you are interested in assisting us in this quest, please send an email to SiteSearch@ActionsPast.com.

To read more about this see the blog entry for No Horse Discourse.