If you’ve ever yearned to live off the land, you can’t miss the American fur-trapping-era reenactment which begins Friday just south of Coupeville.

Rendezvous Days covers common activities of the late 1700s through the 1840s, such as blacksmithing and the sale of beads, leather goods, black powder guns and supplies. Oak Harbor resident, “Blackhat,” (Grey Wunderly) will be there, perhaps fashioning a knife sheath out of buckskin and beads.

Wunderly, a retired Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate, will likely be in or around his canvas tent, which is patterned after a Lakota Lodge.

“I guess I’ve been doing this (Rendezvous Days) since ‘93 or so,” he said. “Many history textbooks no longer cover this era and its heroes — men like Kit Carson, Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger.”

Wunderly explained many of the early fur trappers and traders later became wagon train guides and scouts.

“We do these living history reenactments so that these pioneer traditions will continue to live on. In fact, I even make my own buckskin for this event,” he said.

“When you come out here, you get that same sense of freedom: It’s like you’re living back in that time,” said Oak Harbor resident “Powder Dancer,” also known as Chris Eliassen.

Activities include black powder shooting events, archery, tomahawk and knife throwing, in addition to children’s games.

Rendezvous Days take place at the north end of Central Whidbey Sportsman’s Association property on Highway 20 and Safari Road, just south of Coupeville. The event is free and open to the public Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.