Ásatrú Utah

by Hraesvelg

Althing 19 actually started back in January of this year . On the first business day of the year , we are able to rent the site . The best place we have found is Weber Memorial Park , twenty miles East of Ogden . Nestled between tall mountain peaks and covered with huge green trees , it is a place truly blessed by the Gods . Many people feel the same way so we have to be there early to one of the first in line . We were there at midnight the day before the Parks Department office opened and waited there in shifts until 8:00 A.M. the next day . After securing the site for the days we needed it , Papabear , Kelly , and I we went home for some much needed sleep . Before hibernating I called Valgard in Pason , Arizona and informed him of the dates so we could get the announcements out to our Folk as soon as possible .

Over the next few months , the menus were planned , who was going to do what was decided , and the equipment was made ready . Kinsmen were coming from all over the nation to share our hospitality and we had to make this experience for them as pleasant as we possibly could . Our young Folk had to be entertained and activities had to be planned for everyone .

In July Lorraine ( Rainy ) and I went to Harbor Freight and purchased a small 4 by 8 foot trailer to haul our ice chests , dutch ovens , and stoves up the mountain to the Thing site . This was a " build it yourself kit " and Little Jerry and I put it together in our garage . Jerry is ten years old and now able to help Dad whenever he gets a chance . This was really great for us to be able to spend time together and build something . We drilled holes , put in bolts , cut wood , and even painted as a team . When we were finished , we named the trailer " The Radio Flyer " because it reminded us so much of those vintage little red wagons so popular with kids through the years .

On Woden's Day , the 11th of August , Valgard arrived at our home with the funds to buy the food for the event . After hugs and greetings we sat down to talk for awhile , but soon , I knew I would have to get busy . The TV started blaring about a tornado that had just hit Temple square in Salt Lake City , the first one in 130 years . This seemed appropriate for a prelude to Althing , we thought , and hailed Mighty Thor for his presence . Kelly rolled in shortly afterward to help me with the shopping .

Valgard recently had a successful operation to help the circulation in his leg and was still recovering . After the long drive from Arizona , he was in need of a rest so after taking him on a quick tour of the town , we found a comfortable place on the couch for him while we went to pick up the supplies for the event .

First we went to the bread store and filled up the back seat of the truck with hamburger buns and english muffins . Next was a supermarket for the hamburger meat , lettuce , tomatoes , and hams . While we were filling up the back of the truck with our plunder , My wife Rainy drove up in her van with the kids and Valgard . Being a canny woman , she had cleverly guessed my route of pillage and had come to drag us off to dinner . A little bewildered at first , I decided that we had plenty of time to eat and still get everything done so after taking the groceries home we headed to the Cracker Barrel Restaurant for a great home cooked meal . Over the years , I have come to look upon Valgard as my brother and I enjoyed relaxing and having a meal with our family .

Next we went to SAM's Club to get the huge cans of vegetables and boxes of plastic eating utensils we would need for the feasts . This time , Valgard came with us . SAM's Club has these little electric scooters with a shopping basket on the front and Valgard took possession of one for the raid . Zipping around the store , he discovered " six packs of Spam " . He was delighted and " loaded up " on the magic meat as any self respecting Spam Godi would under the circumstances .After we returned home , our time was spent carefully loading up the many ice chests , dutch ovens , stoves , propane tanks . pots and pans and skillets into the Radio Flier for our long weekend.

The next morning I was up at 5 A.M. , went back to the store for last minute purchases then returned home to couple up our travel trailer for the journey up the mountains . Arriving at the site , I found a shady spot to park the trailer and proceeded to set up the jacks , roll out the awning and place the lawn chairs . Having accomplished this , we headed back down the mountain to pick up the Radio Flier packed to capacity with our supplies . When we returned there were no lack of hands to help with the unpacking . Many of our Folk had come up a day early to help with set up . This was appreciated more than I have words to say .

During the AlThing the travel trailer served the folk as a place for discussions under the awning and a haven for many Folk looking for a place to get in out of the heat .

We started the AlThing with a Blot to the High God Tyr on Frigga's Day afternoon . After a procession to the Blot site and preparation of the Stalli , I began the hallowing of the site . As I looked up into the sky , I say that the thin white clouds had formed an Elhaz Rune in the sky . After the invocation to Tyr , the clouds changed to form the Tiwaz Rune . It was good to know that the Gods were there with us .

Immediately after the Blot , delegates of record of the attending Kindreds gathered to the Thing grounds . After doing what business that could be done that afternoon , the Thing was adjourned until the next day .

In the evening we had our first scheduled informal Feast . Mitzi and Kevin flipped burgers while others cut up onions , tomatoes , and lettuce . If there is a world recognized specialty food for Vinland , it would have to be hamburgers . After dark , we formed the tables into a ring and started the Sumble . There was a warm feeling of kinship around the fire as we all took turns toasting the Gods and sharing our songs and stories with one another .

The next morning we had a Continental breakfast of pastries and coffee to get us started . Shortly afterward the Thing was conveined for the day , The young Folk were organized and began to paint the wooden Thor's Hammers supplied by our Kinsman Rex Juhlin , and later that day , the Viking Games were held . I can't say a lot about what happened at the activities that day because I had to prepare the Feast for that evening .

Don't think I did my labor single handed . There were many working together in the service of the Folk . Katheryn Church was there to help , Amy and her mom peeled potatoes , and Patti Hewett was wonderful in helping me put things together . Rainy , Katheryn , and Patti served the feast when it was ready . It was a team effort .

I made four Dutch Oven Cobblers for desert . I think they turned out OK because they were completely devoured five minutes after I set them down . I would have tasted some to see how it turned out but was afraid I'd get a fork in the back of my hand . You don't want to get between a Viking and his food .

After the Feast , I asked Steve McNallen if he would be the judge of the Thor's Hammer contest for the young Folk and he graciously accepted . Steve is great with kids and an extremely talented story teller . After inspecting each and every Thor's Hammer held out to him , he then told the story of Thor recovering his Hammer after it was stolen by the giant Thryme . The childred smiled , laughed , and clapped their hands as Steve artistically wove his web of words . It was an education for everyone whthin hearing distance , including the adults . After the story he handed out the prizes to all the children for their efforts .

While we had everyone present , Valgard had a volunteer pick the winning raffle ticket and after that started the auction while a meteor shower went on overhead . The money received from the annual auction of donated items goes into the Alliance General Fund to run our organization . To me , this is undoubtedly the most fun event of the AlThing . Every item is a priceless treasure to someone and it's my job to spark their imagination a little and get top dollar for it . Sunflower seeds and cold drinks sold at a premiun this year .

My head hit the pillow about the time that the mead competition started but they tell me that the mead this year was exceptional to say the least .

Early the next morning , we set up the stoves in the campsite lodge and Valgard oversaw the cooking of the traditional spam breakfast of the last day of the AlThing . At this event John Steiner was ordained a Spam Gothi by Valgard and Patti Hewett was named the Egg Goddess by Steve Church . No less than one hundred and twenty spam , egg , and cheese breakfast sandwitches on english muffins were served this last morning .

Packing up and leaving the site was not an easy task . After three days with the best of the best people in Midgard , I didn't want to say goodbye .