While I sit here in the passenger seat and prepare for the trip to Millmerran. Oh and yes, I actually have time to do a blog! Who’d of thought!!?? 🤣🤣
It’s the time of year where cowboys and cowgirls gather for a week’s worth of fun at the Chisholm Trail Australian SASS Regionals.
As usual we are loaded to the hilt and ready to play!
Jack got a tow at put on and cracked on with making a parcel carrier for the gun cart. Thank goodness he did 😳
Anyway, not sure on reception out at the range and I imagine it won’t be any different to previous years – intermittent at best.
If you’re headed to a match, shoot straight! If you ain’t, then have a sensational week. Oh and be kind to your Mother. Hee hee
Wow where does time go some days, oh I mean weeks!
Of course I’ve been busy, have been working, playing and trying to get sewing done.
Been visiting family, especially Mum and Dad xoxo
Jack and I have been house hunting! Now that right there is excitement plus!
We’ve been to a few club matches and suffice to say the Gunfighter practice is starting to come together. The thumbs and fingers are starting to get coordinated, so my new challenge is enjoyable to say the least.
I got a Cricut, so everyone’s getting pj’s 🤣🤣 it’s got so much capability, look out for more creativity from that as well. Look out Christmas!!!
For now it’s back to cowboy shirts, corsets, vests, gowns and more – even a kilt! 😉
Love y’all, take care of each other wherever you are.
Oh my gosh it has been crazy since being back from the US as we helped with the Heartland Territorial – Another Roll Of The Dice match.
Everything was registrations, spreadsheets and preparation in amongst work and some sort of attempt at sewing. The machines were serviced and back for more projects.
Got distracted with some new gun covers including a pair for donation to the shoot. Hmmm the 2,133,830 stitch counter reset on the embroidery machine has now a new 100,000 odd on it. Haa haa haa!
Hmmm seems I deleted that photo! I told you its been weird.
Anyway, what else? Got corsets underway for Pearl Starr and I – a gambling theme but then we didn’t get to wear them for the match but you will see us matching soon, we promise.
Anyway, as for the Heartland, it went off great, we had a great weekend and both faired well, winning our categories and Territorial champions. Congrats to all competitors who attended.
Jack had a good weekend too, winning speed Pat Garret Lever, his category – Elder Statesman, had a clean match AND he was the Heartland Territorial overall winner!
The rest of the week has been fighting a head cold, keeping an eye on Mum and Dad, practicing for Lady Gunfighter and work.
Oh! And I did complete the Push Up Challenge for Headspace – all 3,128 of them!
As normal as it could be haa haa, whilst I sit eating ‘burnt offerings’ for my dinner before I go to work this afternoon.
Yes, burnt schnitty it is!
I’m like a bower bird today flitting from one shiny object to the next. (Jacks background comment- ‘stop doing other things while you are trying to cook!’)
Jacks been playing with his car, working things out in it. I picked up my embroidery machine and put the other two in for their service.
There is still some ironing left to be done but otherwise I’m almost ready to rock and roll it and get to some cutting out for the next projects!
It’s Day 2 of the push-up challenge for Headspace and I’m over halfway with today’s pushups. 155 completed yesterday and on my way to the final 89 left to be done for the 177 today!
The weather is clearing from much rain to glorious days in the low 20’s (71-73f), who said it was winter here? Think we missed it! 😂😂
Anyway, we hope you are having a sensational day no matter where you are in the world.
It’s been a casual start to today and seeing as I have no car projects, it’s time for another little history lesson.
Hays was established in 1867, however prior to this, was located near the territories of Arapaho, Kiowa and Pawnee. It was claimed by France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and became part of Kansas Territory in 1854.
Fort Fletcher was established by the US Army in 1865 (southeast of present day Hays) to protect stagecoaches traveling The Smoky Hills Trail.
In 1866, it’s name was changed in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays.
In 1867, with the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, Fort Hays was moved northwest to better serve the railroad.
Then there is more history about a town called Rome, Hays City being formed, Rome was abandoned after cholera outbreaks and so became Hays!
A frontier town, it had its fair share of violence infamous in the American Old West. Some 79 outlaws are said to be buried in Boot Hill north of town by 1885. Wild Bill Hicock served as sheriff for a brief stint in 1869.
Germans settled in Hays around 1886, having a great influence on the culture of the town.
We continued south to Wichita, which began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860’s. It was a cowtown and frequent stop for cattle being driven from Texas to Kansas railroads.
The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railways ran through her during its cowtown days and across the Arkansas River was the usual entertainment of brothels, saloons and lack of law enforcement. Wyatt Earp was one lawmen who at some point got Wichita back on the straight and narrow.
As early as the 1920’s and 30’s it also became known as ‘the air capital of the world’ becoming a US aircraft production hub.
So named after the Wichita people, the Keeper of the Plains monument is spectacular! We have been and visited this in person previously but here is a great sunset pic of it.
Check this out! The first ever Pizza Hut building!
Many fast food chains actually started in Wichita, Pizza Hut in 1958. The building is now located within University grounds.
We exited the I-35 to Wellington but we’re again disappointed the Chisholm Trail Museum is closed and with over an hour til opening time we had to continue on our way.
We continued to Edmond, formed during the April 22, 1889 Land Run. It was named after a Santa Fe railroad traveling freight agent. Well it was the name of the train depot was prior to the town being established but was adopted for the town name also.
The first public schoolhouse in the Oklahoma Territory was completed in August of 1889 and still stands as a historic monument on 2nd street.
The ‘Edmond Sun’ located down the street in the opposite corner is the states oldest continuing newspaper dating from July 18, 1889.
And so it is time for last catch ups, washing and packing before we head for Dallas and departure tomorrow.
Kat xo
Photo Credit:
Stagecoach Robbery by R A Davenport/Hip Postcard
Cowtown – Cowtowns Kansapedia – Kansas Historical Society
Leaving the cowboy state of Wyoming and our gracious hosts, Wild Horse John and saginaw Sue this morning, we are headed for Sidney, Nebraska as our first stop.
Sidney is the home to the very first Cabela’s store – it’s always a good time waster going into a Cabela’s!
Not only one of the best fishing, hunting and outdoor stores but awesome displays of taxidermy adorn each one. Bit like a museum!!
It all started in 1961 for the Cabela’s and now 57 years on, they are still going strong.
Back on the 80, passing through lush green farmland, we are heading across Nebraska and will soon head south to Kansas.
Whilst a fair bit of the first stretch was seen through the back of my eyelids, we passed familiar places such as Fort Cody Museum, Golden Spike at North Platte, past Gothenburg, famous as one of the Pony Express post’s!
The temp has risen to a rather warm 98F (36.6C), even the cows are standing in any water they can to cool off.
Entering the ‘sunflower state’ we continue South to Hays for the night.
2019 Hell On Wheels got underway last Thursday in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
This year it is hot, the stages are utilizing every square inch of the bay – meaning you are going to have to get moving between positions – the glare of the quartz dirt is full on but the stages themselves are good sequences.
Thursday was Warm Up’s and side match day, with an adhoc Doily Gang clinic put together with Shamrock Sadie, Lefty Jo, Honey B Quick and myself for 6 lovely ladies!
Friday its an early start as we head to the range for a 91F day (33C) and 6 stages. We are done by lunchtime before too much of the heat sets in although with all the running around we are really feeling it anyway.
Jack is shooting black powder this match, so plenty of smokey fun for him.
Saturday morning again an early start although its only in the 80’s, more running, fun and laughter. The final 6 stages are done and we will see how it all turns out Sunday. Thanks to a great posse – Grizzly Grumps, Murky Mick, John Sawman, Trudy Hart, Outlaw Josey Wales, Paladin Pete, Pinewood Kid (we missed you Pinewood Rose!), Sandhiller, Panhandle Kate, Sentry, White Raven, Pick, Tin Lizzy, Velvet, Slickbald, Jack and myself.
Saturday evening we spent time with friends – Charlie Wagon, Pearl Starr, Clancy, Wild Horse John, Saginaw Sue, Jack and myself – at Accomplice Beer Company at the historic Cheyenne Train Depot. Pouring your own beer and only paying for what you’re pour, sensational place!! A great concept and not the first time we have been here. Of course, Clancy, Pearl Starr and myself had to have a ‘Margarita Sista’s’ token margarita whilst together.
Sunday morning and we head for brunch with Wild Horse John and Saginaw Sue before heading to the range for awards. Once again with 13 Aussies in attendance we faired quite well against the competition.
Stats: 208 shooters – 14 or 15 clean shooters – Grizzly Grumps, Murky Mick, Mystic Meg, Coyote Baz, Clancy won from prize draw – Senior Duelist 2nd, Sam Balin – Lady Gunfighter 1st, Sister Sarah Carnegie – Frontier Cartridge 1st, Henry Moon – Gunfighter 2nd, Deadly Downunder – 49er’s 1st, Charlie Wagon – Lady 49er’s 2nd, Clancy – Senior Gunfighter 1st, K C Woody – Senior Frontier Cartridge 2nd, Jackaroo – Lady Wrangler 2nd, Pearl Starr – Lady Wrangler 1st, Kathouse Kelli.
Lady Wranglers
Jack, 2nd Senior Frontier Cartridge
The Gamblers contingent.
With our honorary Aussie, Aspen Filly
Hell On Wheels 2019 overall champions for the Men’s was Cobra Cat and for the Ladies, Kathouse Kelli.
Hell On Wheels overall Ladies and Mens
Yet again, we had fun and enjoyed it. Now its time for packing, checking, shuffling, re-packing etc.
We left Manitou Springs yesterday morning, first visiting Miramont Castle.
Built in 1895 with a west wing being added in 1897, it was built as a personal residence for Fr. Jean Baptiste Francolon and his mother. Might I add right here and now – this place is huge just for two people to be running around in!!
Miramont has 4 floors, with 30 rooms covering 14,000 square feet. It features 9 styles of architecture designed by Fr. Francolon – shingle style Queen Anne, English Tudor, Romanesque, Flemish stepped gables, Venetian Ogee, Byzantine and half timber Chateau.
Inside and the first staircase to the 3rd level
One of the Entrance doors.
Being originally from France (then to New Mexico), I guess if he had travelled often through various parts of Europe before arriving in America then he would have seen many styles, thus incorporating his favorites into the castle.
Having been built in the late 1890’s and having some wealth, the castle included such luxuries as indoor plumbing, steam heat and electricity.
Fr. Francolon’s first house (located above the castle) was donated to the Sisters of Mercy for use as a sanitarium. They named it Montcalme.
Miramont means “look at the mountains” and when you reach the Queen’s Parlor Tea Room and feast your eyes on the stunning windows and view to the mountains you can understand why it was named so.
view from the parlor
this fireplace was hidden behind 2 lots of brick fireplace.
Hitting the road we make a quick stop into Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings. Man these people must have been tiny! Either that or they lived with hunched backs all their life! No room for you to stand normally.
The Anasazi cliff dwellings, built more than 700 years ago, can be touched, you can go inside and there is a 3-story Pueblo-style building housing the Anasazi Museum. Worth a visit!
From here we headed out to Garden Of The Gods, taking the one way road in. It was busy given it is summer holidays here but we managed a park at the Visitor Centre and got that spectacular view of the rocks.
Leaving Clancy at that point we all set off for our next destination – Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Well actually we are headed NW, passing Villanueva, El Pueblo, San Miguel, crossing the Pecos River a couple of times.
The landscape is once again changing, with hidden ranch’s amongst a very green landscape and red rock cliffs.
With Clancy in tow, we are headed for Manitou Springs. Others have headed for Deadwood, the Turquoise Trail or back to Australia today.
Our first stop would take us into Las Vegas, NM where a brief trip into the Rough Riders Antiques store saw Clancy buy a gorgeous silver barrette and my score was a nickel silver Mexican hat pin that simply was just too unique to pass up.
Harvey House items! I resisted this year.
Clancy’s new hair barrette. Handcrafted silver.
The ceiling inside the antique store.
The mexican hat pin that just had to come home with me.
We found that the Castenada Hotel is now open with 7 rooms and the bar for afternoon drinks. The ceiling, floors, windows are still original and yet there is still a lot of work to be done in getting the rest of the Hotel open. I look forward to a future visit to see her in all her glory!
Oh, and my fascination with the Castenada? She was the first Fred Harvey track-side hotel built in East Las Vegas that fed and watered passengers who journeyed the Santa Fe railway routes. When it opened in 1899 Teddy Roosevelt held a reunion of his Rough Riders here. The Rough Riders Museum just up the street is closed Monday’s but we did get to visit it last year.
As per the brochure (and having read the Harvey Girls book) Fred Harvey civilised the west. He developed and ran all the hotels and restaurants of the Santa Fe Railway, eventually controlling a hospitality empire that spanned the continent. He introduced linen, silverware, China, crystal and impeccable service to railroad travel.
We made a stop at Charlie’s Spic n Span Bakery – not for cream puff’s! – but a donut or key lime selection and coffee. We got a view of the mural whilst there. The mural is a documentary of South West and American History. Spanning the decades of time, it was created by some 300 students and additional community members.
We took a short trip past gorgeous Victorian houses and out to Montezuma Castle. Now and International school for students you can not visit the castle as its student use only now. It is truly magnificent in its size and presence set atop the hill in a secluded section of Montezuma.
We left New Mexico over the Raton Pass at a mere 7834ft and into Colorado. We are now in Manitou Springs.
As evening sets on this tiny town of Victorian charm, pubs, and shops, we enjoyed a couple of margarita’s and some dinner before retiring for an early night.
Clancy and I enjoying a margarita together, having a sip on behalf of Ruby and Pearl! Lol!
Some sight seeing tomorrow before getting into Cheyenne for the duration of the week!
Friday came and went and Saturday rolled around to the final 4 stages.
This was it. Make or break time and see how things work out.
Another hot and dusty day drew to a close with Jack and I racing then to get changed into our ‘Thomas Durant’ and ‘Eva Toole’ costumes (from Hell On Wheels) and head over to the costume contest.
Costume contest done, photos taken, we headed into the big tent for the banquet. The beer was flowing and everyone had a great time.
Costume contestants did a promenade after dinner and then the winners were announced.
I won Parlor House Madam with ‘Eva Toole’.
Jack placed 3rd in B-Western/Silver Screen Mens.
Best Dressed Mens B-Western/Silver Screen
In B-Western/Silver Screen Ladies, Lil Magill won 1st place with the ‘Buffalo Gal’ dress I had made.
Best Dressed Ladies B-Western/Silver Screen
For the Best Dressed Couples, Annie D Vine and Hawkshaw Fred won 1st place with Annie wearing the silver and bronze gown I had made last year. More on that later. Comin’ In Hot and Alamo Andy won 2nd place with their B-Western outfit I had just finished before getting here.
Best Dressed Couples
The Shootout competitors were then announced. Top 8 Ladies and Mens for Wild Bunch and the Top 16 Cowboys and Cowgirls. I had made it in! Happy Days!
Top 16 Cowboys and Cowgirls
Top 8 Mens and Ladies Wild Bunch
Sunday morning the shootout gets under way with a couple of ladies not shooting, as an alternate, Pearl Starr also from Australia, had her first chance at a World Championship shootout.
Jack & Kat
Pearl Starr & Charlie Wagon
Kat & Pearl
Lol! Sassy Dancer getting in on Jack & Charlie’s pic!
Congratulations to Texas Tiger, Ladies Wild Bunch and Last Chance Morales, Mens Wild Bunch shootout winners and for Cowboys, Cowboy Carty and Cowgirls, Bonnie Macfarlane.
Awards got underway just after. Posse 33 won the posse shoot with 5.04sec, so close! Our posse shot it in a 5.17sec.
Clean shooters? You heard me say it was a different kind of match and this was about to prove it. Only 29 shooters from a total of 565 shooters were clean. Sam Balin, Alvira Sullivan Earp and myself, all from Australia were clean and received the elusive white buffalo pin. 111 of those shooters this year were also first time participants to End of Trail.
The Ladies of Cowboy Action Shooters (LOCAS) announced its Cowgirl of Honor awards and this year it went to 3rd place Little Red Sure Shot, 2nd place Shotglass and 1st place Shamrock Sadie. Well done ladies!
All in all the Aussies faired well again!! 25 of us went this year.
Spirit of The Game – Bat Masterson, K C Woody, Doc Carnegie
Lady Gunfighter 4th place – Sister Sarah Carnegie
Senior Gunfighter (oops didn’t write down what place) – K C Woody
Duelist 7th place – J P Remington
Elder Statesman Duelist 9th place – Virgil Earp
Silver Senior Duelist 4th place – Sam Balin
Frontier Cartridge 8th place – Henry Moon
Ladies Silver Senior 2nd place – Alvira Sullivan Earp
Ladies 49er’s 9th place – Mystic Meg
Ladies 49er’s 8th place – Clancy
Wrangler 8th place – Bat Masterson
Cowboy 10th place – Deadwood Gunslinger
Lady Wrangler 2nd place – Pearl Starr
Elderstatesman 9th place – Jackaroo
Lady Wrangler 1st place – Kathouse Kelli
Elder Statesman
Lady Wrangler
Australia!
Pearl Starr 2nd, Kathouse Kelli 1st Lady Wranglers
Yay!! Another successful World Championships, a tougher match than some previous, just had to aim a little more. Dang kids ripped out some awesome times still and a huge congratulations to this years 2019 Overall World Champions – Bonnie Macfarlane and Matt Black.
Overall Men’s – Matt Black Overall Ladies – Bonnie Macfarlane
The Adventures of Jack n Kat 