Last Wednesday we went and visited the Big Cedar Lodge. Very, very nice, rustic charm, gorgeous facilities. It was raining lightly but still saw some of the grounds.

We then came back into the strip and visited the Veterans Memorial Museum. Fantastic display of veterans uniforms and information about their various deployments. Quite fitting for this Memorial Day weekend (Like our ANZAC Day) honouring men and women for their service,

There are hundreds of names listed on walls throughout, of those who lost their lives fighting for country. The central hall in particular, very humbling with just a lone casket and flag. One of only a few left in the nation.

Onward through other exhibitions right up to recognition for present day military.

Spent some time down in the historic district, in and out of the shops.

Wednesday evening was for the Dixie Stampede dinner theatre show. Horses, buffalo, fantastic performers, comedy, magic, dancing, trick performers, you name it – crammed packed into one, light and music show spectacular!

Good one Dolly! (Dolly Parton owns it) beautifullY done, fantastic costumes. The building, stables and grounds are also noteworthy.

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thursday it was out for breakfast and then went to the Titanic Museum. Couldnt take any photos inside which was a shame. This is an awesome museum put together by John Joslyn, the man who did the expedition to the final resting grounds of the Titanic in 1987.

It's two storey's of around 400 artefacts and experiences. There is the touching of the iceberg as you walk in, a model of the Titanic, a beautiful staircase like would have been on the ship and a music room honouring the musicians who all perished in the sinking tragedy.

After, we went to one of the craft mall's and then drove down to the landing to see where the Branson Belle showboat goes from.

Onto some fun/competitive putt putt golf! We played at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf. Great grounds and course, waterfalls, pirate ship and caves! Jack finished 3 shots ahead of me. He scored a hole in one but I scored a credible 3 hole in ones across the 18 holes. We had fun and plenty of laughs.

Thursday night we went to the Presley's Country Jubilee. A mixture of comedy, singing, gospel, country and bluegrass music. This family run show has been around for years and was very entertaining!

Friday we had a slow start to the morning and headed out round lunchtime, checking out some more shops, the Amish shop included.

In the evening we were on the Branson Belle Showboat for dinner and exceptional entertainment while it travels on Table Rock Lake.

Entertainment included Cassandré, Rhythm (four tap dancing guys), The Showmen (excellent vocals, can sing like they came from 50yrs ago or more) and the magician Christopher James.

That, folks, wraps up our visit to Branson, Missouri. We will be back for some more fun at some stage.

On our way out of town Saturday morning we went via Butterfield Trail Cowboys and did a quick 5 stage shoot with them before heading back to a stormy and wet Oklahoma.

Ahhh, life is good.

Kat xo

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branson,_Missouri

http://www.dixiestampede.com

http://www.presleys.com

http://www.silverdollarcity.com/showboat-branson

Posted with Blogsy

Last year we got a holiday package that only now have we been able to get round too due to the very busy shooting schedule!

Staying at the Radisson no less, a room with a view and shows booked in for the next couple of nights!

A relatively non shooting few days, so on the order is Veterans Memorial Museum, Titanic Museum, Auto and Farm Museum, Historic District, Craft Mall (hell yeah!), Branson Belle Showboat, Dixie Stampede dinner and show, The Presley's music and comedy show and putt putt golf!

At the moment though we are in the Time Out Lounge, yes, a bar and onto the second Blue Moon whilst enjoying the 80's music, contemplating to eat at the bistro here or walk 200 metres to another restaurant up the road…..

Kat xo

Posted with Blogsy

Senior Games this year were held at Old Fort Parker, Groesbeck, TX. It's as green as green with all the rain they've had recently and after Friday's rain and side matches has quickly turned to mud in a lot of areas.

With pledge and a prayer, we commenced the main match dodging mud and puddles as best as we could.

Rain held out to humidity and partial sunshine and having completed 5 stages it was decided that there would be a mandatory lunch break and then continue with another 2 stages. Leaving only 3 for tomorrow should it rain more.

Saturday night was banquet and side match awards to which Jack and I both faired well with that! We also won a beautiful steer hide, pieced, wall hanging with a Texas star in the middle, handmade by Texas Irish Princess.

Sunday came and it was bucketing down with rain again in the early hours of the morning. After an hour delay we headed down to the range and commenced on the “drier” stages. Feet were already wet now, so by the time we got to finish “in the river” at the Corral, no one really cared that we were now ankle deep in water!

So when it all came out in the wash – Haa haa pardon the pun! – Spirit of the Game Awards were handed out, match directors and helpers recognised for their efforts and match awards given.

Jackaroo finished 3rd in Seniors, Blind Bob 2nd and I Reckon in 1st Place! For the Yusta B's (or anyone in the Senior and above category) Jackaroo finished 4th.

In the field of Wanna B's (anyone younger than Senior category) I finished 1st and 7th place overall.

Overall winners for the Wanna B's was 'You Bet' for men's and 'Kathouse Kelli' for the ladies.

Overall winners for the Yusta B's were none other than 'I Reckon' for the men's and for the ladies 'Dream Chaser'. Along with their trophies they were presented with hand carved walking sticks! 🙂

Despite the rain and many deciding to not continue on the Sunday because of the weather, Bent Barrel Betty and Kow Katcher should be congratulated on a job well done! Thanks for having us!

Cheers

Kat xo

Posted with Blogsy

The 2015 Texas State Championships held in Lockhart started with beautiful sunshine and warmth. A little different to the days of rain they had the weekend before.

Agarita Ranch and the Plum Creek Cowboy Shooting Society have a beautiful range, great facades, 'working' buildings, and a saloon guest house with two rooms decked out in turn of the century furniture.

The Marshalls Office is unreal, the detail. You shoot out of part of it near the 4 bed bunk cell, in the front it's a stove, backgammon, a desk and other details.

The blacksmith with anvil on a stump out front, horse stalls inside and all.

Thursday we went for registration and side matches. There were Plainsmen and Wild Bunch matches and all the speed matches. Vendors are all set up and doing business already.

Texas Flower held a costume seminar in the afternoon and I did a brief presentation on my hats and different personas I take on for cowboy and wild bunch.

We caught up with some friends for barbecue that night at the Chisholm Trail BBQ joint across the road from the motel. Slick Dale Six-Guns (a new shooter and active serviceman) joined us with his Mum (Mom) and I guess we introduced him to some cowboy rot and Aussie nonsense! Lol!

Friday is first day of Main Match and we are on the late shift, it's rather warm and the early shift has filled the range with colour!

I went with Texas Flower to assess some of the shooting costumes and when it came time for the late shift safety briefing we were able to check out the rest of the shooters.

We have a mostly 'new' posse, we only knew Goatneck Clem and Capt Sam Evans. So our new friends were now Bronco Birnhaum, Chisos, Circuit Judge, Cowboy Small, English Bob, Farr Ranger, Jim No Horse, John Selman, Kettleman, Preacher Man Lee, Slick Dale Six-Guns and Wildcat Bob. Later, we had Colt Faro and Matt Black join us for the duration of the match.

The stages were well written, some with plenty of movement and reasonable sized targets. Good clean fun!

Saturday morning came and we headed out early for the morning shift. At the end of the day, I finished with a few misses and Jacaroo was clean!

Back out in the afternoon dressed up for a stroll down some old cowboy street, I was honoured to be part of the costume judging committee that Texas Flower had put together. Nellie Blue, Cowtown Scout (both very experienced costume judges) and myself would serve as the panel whilst Texas Flower organised, took photos and handed out numbers to the participants.

Costuming is a very important part of our sport and It was great to see a good turnout at the seminar and for the costume contest! I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it, if nothing else, to learn more from my fellow judges.

When it all came out in the wash that night, Jackaroo finished 3rd in his category and 23rd overall. Congratulations to 1st Place winner 'I Reckon', 2nd Place, 'Aberdeen', 4th Place 'Blind Bob' and 5th Place 'Verdadero Dan'.

I placed 1st in my category with fellow Lady Wranglers 2nd Place, 'Luna Blue' and no relation to 3rd Place 'Nellie Blue'!

Sunday was a gorgeous day and some of us decided to give it one last crack at playing in the man on man shoot out. I had a couple of goes with my last being against Fantom, a blistering run that ended up so close due to a hang up with his shotgun and couldn't get the reload in properly. AND Jack didn't video it.

Jack made it through to the end but was beat by Fantom, you will have to go to Facebook for that video.

The team shoot was a hoot, Jackaroo's team taking out over Oklahoma Dee's team which I was a part of. Great fun! Another great match!

Kat xo

Sorry, couple weeks late due to long days in the sweat shop! Look out for Senior Games

Posted with Blogsy