I almost didn’t go. Memorial Day and Labor Day are the two times a year where Fort Larned National Historic Site formally features groups of re-enactors. I’ve shot the 1860s-70s era fort many times but not when it was populated by soldiers, wives and craftsmen in period dress. It’s been on my list for years, but it has just never come together. This year looked good, but weather became a worry as the weekend approached.

It’s a four hour drive for me, so I got up early (about 3:30) Sunday morning to check the weather radar. It didn’t look good. There was a large storm cell just west of the fort, moving east. A second line appeared to be forming behind it. The predicted 30 mile an hour winds didn’t look good either. I pretty much decided to skip the trip and try again on Labor Day but, while watching the weather breaks during the morning news, I saw the thunderstorm break up and dissolve. At 5:00, I made the decision to go after all. In the end, I was glad I did. Here’s a brief photo essay of my visit:

The doctor is in. A re-enactor portrays a post surgeon at Fort Larned National Historic Site near Larned, Kansas.

Barracks inspection at 10:00.