Category Archives: Love My Life

Love My Life

Few Days With Filly and Wrangler

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We arrived at Aspen Filly’s and Aspen Wranglers on Sunday afternoon and spent the next few days visiting with them.

Monday consisted of heading to the shop for me where Filly and I spent the day, chatting and sewing. Gym session in the afternoon before heading back to the house. Jack cleaned the car and the guns and enjoyed a somewhat restful day.

Dinner was had at Clancy’s Irish Pub – spectacular food and we all left there rather full.

Tuesday we started late and later went to Wrangler’s shop where it was sawdust and lacquer smells. Ahhh. Viewed some high end cabinetry these guys build and the went to lunch with his crew at Red Rooster Cafe.

Leaving Jack at the wood shop in Five Points (affectionately known as the ‘hood’) with Wrangler for a bit, Filly and I headed on over to Colorado Fabrics where I scored some fabrics for future projects and was happy to have been able to find them.

Jack got picked up and on the way home we had a ‘drive by’ tour of downtown Denver. Filly took us via the City Park, the City Golf Course, round past the Original old elitch’s gardens and fairground. We went past the theatre – Denver Centre Theatre Company – where Jane did 13 years of theatre productions. (12 shows a year) been a busy lady all these years and that wasn’t the only theatre she worked for at the time. (It’s the glass building in the pic below)


Buzzard Walkin and Lil Chickadee came over for barbecue and the 6 of us sat, talked and laughed til late into the evening.

Wednesday started with a gym session for Filly and I with a quick bypass to Inspiration Point, where we took in the views and got a little more exercise walking the pathway to the point.

The four of us then jumped in the truck and headed west in search of ‘white longjohn’s’ – mountain sheep butt’s in other words. Also deer and elk were on the list to find.

York Gulch road, the way to their mountain property and all along the way is gorgeous little wild flowers of all colours. Their trailer on the property sits up at 9600ft.

 

Down the mountain trail into Central City, an old mining town that now has casinos, fortunately some have kept the original facades. We saw the old Festival Hall, the Opera House and it’s neat little courtyard, Williams Stables building where opera shows are also held, Teller House still maintains its glory of yesteryear and the famous “face on the barroom floor” is protected under glass.

 

Had pizza and beer at the Dostal Alley Brewing Co for lunch.

From there we went to Estes Park via the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway.

We saw a moose! Yes a female moose grazing at the waters edge. Can just make her out in the shadows in the photo.


Trivia: moose, elk and deer have blood flowing through their antlers and are tender through May-August. Then they will shed their velvet and the antlers go hard. This occurs just before they start their fight for females and lose them before growing a new set each spring. The blood flow caps off at the base when they go hard and will start again come time for the new growth. If they are injured or a deformation occurs in the antlers, each year after the same deformation occurs.

Arrived in Estes Park 7522 elevation, time for a pit stop and ice cream, winding roads have been making us doze!

Here up on the hill, taking prime position, is the sprawling Stanley Hotel which is supposedly haunted. Built by Freelan Oscar Stanley of Stanley Steamer, it was opened July 4, 1909. He and his wife Flora moved to Colorado for his health. The hotel served as accommodation for wealthy socialites. It even had a hydraulic elevator and electricity!

Since the 1970’s there has been much paranormal activity and Stephen King has stayed there for inspiration for The Shining. Now that was a wicked movie!

Up into the mountains we go to 12,183ft. Along the way we got to see turkey, elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer. What awesome scenery, what an awesome experience on the whole!!


A great few days with great friends, thank you for having us!

Kat xo

July 23rd, 2015

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stanley_Hotel

http://www.stanleyhotel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Next?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

So we have been back from End Of Trail now for almost 2 weeks.

In that time it's been busy clearing washing, folding and ironing, for Jack, cleaning and reloading for the next trip, and of course a couple of club matches thrown in good measure and getting to the gym and swimming.

Then to the new fabric choices on the board, sorting out what needs to be cut, sewn, drafted, ordered and put into production.

It certainly has been a busy couple of weeks.

– finished making a bustle skirt and corset – sent!

– 2 vaquero suits underway, passementerie trim arrived and patterns half sorted in my head from photos.

– 2 reticule's made aka small hand bag or if you are Jack – a shell bag for brass……no comment.

– 8 corsets at varying stages of production on the table. Extra steel has now arrived for completion.

– 1 bar keep's apron.

Ready to cut out – 1 split skirt, 2 shirts, 1 pr bloomers, 1 pr pants.

 

Find fabric for – 1 civil war bodice, 3 corsets, 1 b-western outfit, 2 b-western shirts….and that's only a part of it.

Oh, and just a small portion of embroidery to be done.

But you know what, it's not a chore. Everything is different, I love it and can't wait for the next project.

This next trip though the sewing machine will be going with me to do some portion whilst enjoying some of the Midwest highlights of this great country.

This week coming we will be heading back up through to Colorado to Nunn and then spend a couple of days with Aspen Filly before heading through to Cheyenne, Wyoming and beyond.

Check out the 'Where Along The Trail' on the website to see the schedule.

See you on the trail!!

Kat xo

 

 

EOT 2015: Main Match Begins

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's Thursday people! This morning's early wave will be done, mid wave starting and at 1.30pm we will commence the late wave today.

As a side note: at the motel this morning it is a hive of activity. Etta Mae and Claudia Feather have vacated their room early but are standing in hopes of a glimpse of Jeff Bridges. Jeff Bridges you ask? Why? Well there is some filming being done at the Motel, so there are lighting crews, sound crews and production assistants moving gear left right and centre and some of the filming for the movie will take place in Rm18 (Claudia and Etta's room) right next door to ours! Plus the car park and the fields across the road.

 

……….Later that same day out at Founders Ranch, (The important stuff!) safety briefing was held with 12 (of the 36) excited posses ready to hit the range for their first 4 stages of the match.

We are with Posse 32 – Annabelle Bransford, Colbert, Dedo, Duke Skywalker, Hurricane Camille, Jackaroo, James Samuel Pike, John Bohemia, Kathouse Kelli, Max Montana, Rowdy Bill, San Juan, Shenandoah, Tejon Buckaroo, Tex, Texas Flower, Texas Mac, Thunder Man, Tom Payne, Tooth Ache, and V Luna (Viper not in attendance).

We have 2 Aussies, 3 Czech Republic and the rest American. It's a good Posse, everyone is working and relatively fast. So far so good, shot stages 8, 5, 6, then 7 – 1 day down, 2 to go.

 

With worn out feet we withdraw to have our Posse photo taken and we met a tiny little cutie named Clara. She asked for our autograph. So I had a picture taken with her. I actually think she might be Duke Skywalkers daughter. She was a sweetheart though and I hope she does get to be a cowgirl when she can one day.

 

Have a great 2nd day tomorrow those who are here.

Cheers Kat!

Oh, and I got interviewed by Shooting USA today when they were there interviewing the Czech's. 🙂

P.S. 7.32pm – It's still all happening outside! Sneaky pic out the window, I know it's not much but there is gear everywhere out there and soooo many people. Saw a couple of actors waiting on the porch when we came back earlier!! Wasn't game to pull the blind back further so you could see ALL the gear!

 

End Of Trail, Day 1 & 2

Posted on by kathousekelli70

After arriving in Edgewood Monday afternoon and checking in, Tuesday morning brought purpose to this next week of shooting.

It was Warm Up Match. We completed 8 stages for the day. All going good so far. The range is set up with some great stage design, a reasonable amount of movement this year but targets are still generous in size and distance. It will be an interesting match!

A wall honouring previous World Champions has been put together in the Belle Union Saloon. A fantastic tribute to our overall Cowgirl and Cowboy World Champs since SASS began. Some have passed, some don't shoot anymore, and some are multiple champions.

 

There is also a special tribute to the late U.S. Grant (SASS#2) who did so much for our sport and we were lucky enough to have had the pleasure of shooting with him.

Well done to all involved with putting this all together.

Prize draw is different this year too with everyone receiving a ticket in your pack to be placed in the jar relating to the prize. There is anything from guns, ammo, rigs or clothing vouchers to be won.

Into Wednesday and it's going to be another warm one today. This morning there is the cowboy flea market, time to visit vendors and peruse their wares, and, if you care to, take part in the odd side match as well.

 

This afternoon's Opening Ceremonies begins with Handlebar Bob as fabulous MC, introducing the Wild Bunch and proceeding with the colour guard of flags for nations represented at the 2015 World Championships.

 

The Star Spangled Banner was sung beautifully by Miss Autumn (Starr?) who has performed at the famous Carnegie Hall.

SASS Scholarship awards were handed out to some very worthy applicants by Justic Lily Kate, the new 2015 Regulators were announced by Hipshot (and to note, our good friends from Texas – Texas Mac and Texas Flower were part of this years recipients) the Judge was presented with a beautiful portrait photo from Major Photography in appreciation of their 20th year of SASS attendance, providing posse and action photos to Cowboys.

 

In closing Misty Moonshine gave a short eulogy type/let's remember US Grant tribute and a poem by Lassiter about remembering how to be cowboy and the spirit of the game, basically.


 

The canon went off with a bang and we all dispersed to pay respect to US Grant, hit the bar, eat and on to the Cantina for Margaritas!!

 

A good time was had by all and we look forward to a great weekend of shooting.

Aim straight and have fun fellow cowboys n cowgirls!

Kat xo

P.S. Among the vendors today, there is one called 'The Old Pine Box' they make beautiful pine box coffins…..I know, I know but I thought it was amusing and took Jack back by there because he always says he wants 'to go out in a pine box' – simple.

http://theoldpinebox.com

http://www.sassnet.com/EoT/

 

Heading to Albuqurque

Posted on by kathousekelli70

An early start out of Cortez this morning we headed for the 550 just South of Durango.

We went through a few little towns and into New Mexico we came across Aztec – your four corners playground, was the advertising. It was quaint and has a little historical museum and a gorgeous mural of buffalo being herded through town.

 

As we headed out on the open road we passed Angel Peak. Then Turtle Mountain (think it was mountain, remembered the turtle bit).

The landscape is changing fast from the Colorado trees and mountains to rock formations, flats and scrub.

 

We are going via Cuba! Lol!

Not much through there. Anyways made it into Albuqurque, changed and headed for the range, we are checked in, damn hot, off to Motel and settled in for the week.

End Of Trail 2015, bring it on! Hope everyone has a great match! See you on the range.

Cheers

Kat xo

 

 

Side Match Day, CO State

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Slightly on the cooler side this morning but with guns unloaded and then finding out side matches were being held over on the rifle range, the walk made for a great warm up.

We started with the Trail Walk (first with cowboy and then Wild Bunch) good fun! Man at this altitude you are definitely huffing and puffing by the end of your run though!

The San Juan Shooting Range sits at an altitude of 6,600ft and the gorgeous scenery is something to marvel at.

 

After the Trail Walk there was Speed Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun and feel my hands are back from WB use and ready for a cowboy match or 2….or 3.

Lunchtime and this afternoon will be Long Range events, Pocket Pistol, Derringer, 22 match etc. Hopefully they don't get dumped on out there. We decided to leave at lunch and it was black as black, thunder and some very light rain here.

Tomorrow is the start of the Colorado State Championships. In the evening will be dinner at the Turn Of The Century Saloon. After checking out their website, I'm looking forward to going there, as a whole bunch of cowboys is going to look sensational hanging out in a recreated 1890's saloon!

Yee haa, good times

Kat xo

 

Gorge and Pass Travel

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Leaving Cañon City this morning it's looking a little dark and may just get those storms they are predicting.

Now starts the winding road through Bighorn Sheep Gorge beside the river and some small rapids. Passed Spike Buck, Five Points, Salt Lick, Pinnacle Rock, Texas Creek to name a few.

 

We got rain on and off but with a spectacular view of the mountains, who really cares. Just beautiful!

 

Pity we left our rafting shoes at the house, could have done some more white water rafting next week. I'm sure we will find something else to amuse us between shoots though. We can see the first bus loads of adventurists getting ready for their rafting experience.

Salida, 7036ft and surrounded by a snow capped mountain backdrop. Only thing I've achieved on this part of the journey is to paint my toenails and take in the scenery. Lol!

One of our random stops, let's make a trip up the mountain on the Monarch Crest Tramway. A 20 minute round trip to the top of the crest, 11,312 at the top 12,012ft.

The gondola is the oldest one in Colorado at 49 years of age – Haa haa haa should have seen the look on Jack's face when the guy said that!

 

Ok so we get to the top and we are in the observatory. Standing either side of the Continental Divide.

 

Mount Ouray (pronounced u-ray) 13,971ft left of the tower,

 

San Luis Peak which is part of the La Agarita Mountains & Wilderness is 14,014ft but covered in cloud today.

Out there SW is the San Juan Mountains and Gunnison Valley, where we are headed.

 

Spectacular, spectacular, no words of the vernacular! (Lol, bit of a Moulin Rouge twist in there) An awesome quick stop!

Now it's back on the road and get some millinery done whilst navigating the bends.

Into Montrose round lunchtime, headed to the range and checked in, sussed out the beaut facades and chatted a while before heading to the Motel.

We caught up with some of the Aussies here as well and look forward to getting into some side matches tomorrow.

 

Beers and cheers!

Kat xo

 

Old Fort Parker, Groesbeck, TX

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Not many Australian's could claim they have shot out of an 1836 Fort block house and today this became reality for Jackaroo and I.

'On May 19th, 1836, a band of Indians came to Parker's Fort asking for beef, water and a place to camp. When greeted by the Parker's the Indians attacked, taking five captives! The most famous of these was 9 year old Cynthia Ann Parker. She was adopted by a Comanche family, grew up to marry Chief Peta Nocona and later gave birth to the last great Warrior Chief of the Comanche's, Quanah Parker' (as quoted from the Old Fort Parker web page)

By the way, Cynthia Patker is buried in Lawton, Oklahoma.

For the start of Senior Games (being held at Old Fort Parker hosted by the Old Fort Parker Patriots) we attended Long Range in the block house. How cool is that! We borrowed a 30-30 and ammo – thanks Kow Katcher and Bent Barrel Betty and then had a go at the 45-70 single shot, longest barrel I've ever seen, rifle and had a ball! 4 from 5 shots on each rifle. Got to be happy with that.

So below this is the block house.

 

And this is the view from the port where we shot. See the far white targets, right in the back of the picture? The hanging 'sight' target and then the two squares and the circle? That's what we were shooting at across the whole range.

 

Then after this we waited for rain to cease before Wild Bunch and side matches could begin. As luck would have it, it did, and we were able to complete 4 stages and the side matches with only very muddy surrounds but no extra rain!

 

Tomorrow will begin 5 stages and hopefully the weather will stay dry until at least we are finished.

Until then, (as Mister Skye would say) shoot straight and keep your powder dry.

Kat xo

http://www.oldfortparker.org

http://oldfortparkerpatriots.weebly.com

 

Ahhh, Range Work Day

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Land Run is coming up peeps! So the Territorial Marshal's were out in full force today, tidying, planning, fixing and moving anything from targets to buildings.

We had a great turn out and such divine weather to get the work done today.

Took out the latest prop for install – the dynamite box.

 

A half time break of hamburgers for lunch and then it was back into the final tasks.

Time to give up by 5pm and head home for drinks and, dare I say, pizza because I can't be stuffed cooking tonight.

Looking forward to shooting tomorrow!

Yee haa!

Kat xo

Trivia: things I learnt today

* there is a difference between a buck and a does hoof prints. More pressure in the print on the front of the hoof from the buck as apposed to pressure in the back of the hoof print of a doe. Therefore we had bucks running amuck on the range!

* a fish called a paddle bill is massive and has a flat long bill thing but more interesting has 2 sets of gills like a filtration system for the plankton and their eggs are regarded as high quality like black caviar.

* a shifting spanner to us Aussies is apparently a crescent wrench here.

🙂 So there ya go!

 

Chisholm Trail 2014

Posted on by kathousekelli70

A few days relaxing in Milmerran and getting things sorted ready for a week of Nationals Championship fun.

A club shoot at the Gold Coast Pistol Club found our rifle and Jacks shotgun not working as anticipated for the match. Thanks should be noted to Mad Dog for having a look at it and making some minor adjustments.

Next try out would be when we headed to Dalby with a good turn out of shooters having a practice match and lunch prior to getting out to Chisholm Trail 2014.

We caught up with many known cowboys and cowgirls and a few new faces for this year, well many actually which was fantastic to see!

Soooo, rifle still not responding so tried out the borrowed 38 of Trixies (thank you, thank you, thank you Trixie and Dug). Jack got a SKB from Mad Dog which worked well and we were set for the Championship ahead.

Although he did turn it into a 'cap gun'!

Monday 29th September – more cowboys and cowgirls arriving, I helped out with signing in shooters, giving out packs meeting new and old faces and loving the atmosphere this year more than ever. My little girl also texted and said she passed her next assessment with Defence!! One proud Mummy indeed.

Tuesday 30th September – a Chisholm Trail trip is never complete without Toowoomba Tuesday! Off we headed to Toowoomba for shopping in fabric stores, junk shops and having lunch (with Clancy, Ruby Redsmoke, Myskal, Dangerous Dolly and Luck E Shot)

Wednesday 1st October – The Trappers Birthday! Happy Birthday Trap. We went through about 3 bottles of water chatting on the verandah while Jack and others slept off the previous nights activity. Wednesday was Jack's John Wayne Challenge and afternoon warm up match.

Thursday 2nd October – this morning was the Pat Garrett match and we'd like to thank Bronco Billy for the use of his 30-30. We didn't do that crash hot but had a lot of fun regardless!

Saloon night!! Poker or Bingo, choose your poison 🙂 Clancy and Amazing Grace run the Bingo while RC Shot runs the poker game. We ran it hard and fast this year with 4 games and prizes. Congratulations to our winners!!

Friday 3rd October – opening Ceremonies for Chisholm Trail 2014 and first day of main match commences, we completed the first 6 stages, a full day finishing round 3.30pm in the afternoon.

Kick in the Redneck girls roaming around camp, stirring up fun, drinking tequila and freaking the hell out of new shooters! Haa haa haa. 2 choices for dinner, gator and fries or fries and gator – Mary Lou June and Mary Lou July assisted (lol, or hindered!) in the dinner line keeping the crowds calm.

Redneck games ensued afterwards (aka cornhole or horseshoe toss), it went like a well paired Fastdraw Match with our final overall winner being Lily aka Susan Jacobs.

Saturday 4th October – Second day of main match and completing stages 7-12, weather is continuing to be warm and sunny, well what will be will be after today. A few too many misses for the match but will see how it turns out in the wash.

Saturday night banquet and Spanish Grace emerges. Clancy and I check out the costuming for this year and then make a transformation into GI June and July aka Cpl Punishment and Pvt Parts! An eye opener for most I presume who had not experienced Mary Lou June and July before.

Here's Amazing Grace and Lethal Lilly.

What a blast, costume winners were announced and with the entertainment choices of Juan Marlboro aka Mexican cousin of Marlboro Man the GI's took care of crowd control for the men in black and Johnny Cash, helped pump up the YMCA crowd, the Cupid shuffle, Macarena, and the duck song with the kiddies. Didn't my knees pay for that the next day!! Holly thought it was fun and silly if nothing else.

The top 16 men's and Top 8 ladies were announced and festivities continued long into the early hours of the morning (not to mention 'shot glass sports' from the floor!) too funny!!!

Sunday 5th October – it's prize draw morning, saying g'day to all the shooters coming through and heading down to the range for the Shootout! Visitors from the camp oven festival have even turned up from Milmerran to see what the cowboys can do. We went through our eliminations with RC Shot for men's and Jazzi Jess for ladies taking Gunfighter rights for 2014.

Awards were held with top overall honours going to the following – Overall SASA National Champions, Henry Sharps and Violet Rose – Overall SASS Australasian Regional Champions, Henry Sharps AU and Ruby Redsmoke NZ.

To top it all off, Ricochet (aka Jackaroo) finished 15th overall and Australian National Senior Champion 2014. Amazing Grace (aka Kathouse Kelli) finished 3rd Regional/2nd National Lady overall in 23rd place and Australian National Lady Wrangler Champion 2014!

Congrats to my fellow Lady Wrangler competitors with Clancy AU placing 2nd and Myskal NZ in 3rd.

Many goodbyes happened this afternoon and the rest of the hangers on had dinner, conversations and of course the footy finals!

Final goodbyes, laughs, hugs and tears for Monday as we pulled out of camp and Chsiholm Trail 2014 draws to an end.

To all my Aussie, okay – and New Zealand, alright – and the odd couple of American cowboy/cowgirl ring ins, I truly miss you and your company this year, I've had an absolute blast!!

Love Kat xo