Dayton, Ohio – National Museum of the US Air Force

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Wow! Just wow!

Booked in for a 3pm Fighter Pilot 3D movie in the IMAX style theatre. Grabbed a map of the hangars and just in total bewilderment already.

 

What an amazing museum!

First into the Early Years exhibition with everything from first ballooning to the most famous Wright Brothers and their flying machines, paving the way for many aircraft to come in the years since.

 

Three hours later, we have only completed the first gallery and viewed the art exhibit, Holocaust Memorial display and tribute to Bob Hope and his years of entertaining troops.

 

Picked up our souvenir photo, had a coffee and then headed to the souvenir shop while waiting for the movie.

 

We will be back tomorrow because there are technically 9 more galleries to see and we aren't missing out on this!

So yesterday we went back and checked out the massive display of WWII. Finished in Hangar 1 we looked at the Hall of Fame and into Hangar 2 for the Southeast Asia and Korean War galleries.

 

There is a lot of photography and artefacts throughout with just a staggering amount of aircraft and equipment. In fact through all the exhibits this is the same. Many of which have been donated or, as in the case of the vehicles and aircraft, when they have been decommissioned from service.

 

Of course the museum IS the National Museum of The U.S. Air Force but throughout there is mention and records of service men and women from other Allied Nations including Australia, Britain, Canada to name but a very few.

 

Sunday I mentioned we were going to see the 3D movie – Fighter Pilot, Project Red Flag. An amazing view of the top pilots training at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada (just outside of Las Vegas, we saw the base when we were there last year). Yesterday we watched Aircraft Carriers, 3D, ALSO an exercise involving military from around the world. Both films were about 25mins long and if you find anything online about them they are definitely worth the watch.

 

The rain had cleared in the afternoon again so we took advantage to see the Memorial Park as well.

 

This morning we got there early – doors ready to open early – heading to the 3rd hangar with the Cold War Gallery and current Air Force Operations.

 

We passed through the Berlin Airlift Exhibit and the Missile hall and on to the final new fourth hangar that houses research and development, space, global reach and presidential displays.

 

We were told you needed at least a full day if not more and that certainly proved to be true. It has taken us essentially 2 full days. It was most definitely worth it. It's free, but food and drinks, souvenir's, photos, theatre and the simulators are basically your donation to the museum. Prices were more than reasonable and photography is allowed in every part of the museum. (She says, some 500 odd photos later)

Kat xo

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/#_=_

 

Guns Of August 2016

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What a great weekend, done and dusted!

The weather was hot and humid, like, really humid, dripping is more precise! The shade and trees really only kept the sun off us, nothing else!

Bug spray kept mozzies and other bugs away so that was something.

Thursday was the side match day. Mini warm up, side matches, felt pretty good! Only 1 rifle miss. Rest of the day, clean and reasonable, feeling sensational!

Friday, Day 1 of main match, clean! Six stages and going awesomely. Jack had a couple of undesirables but is shooting really well! I might add that the opening ceremonies were pretty spectacular with Lady Lopez playing the Canadian, AUSTRALIAN and US anthems!! Impressive, indeed.

 

Friday night at the clubhouse was a ribs and corn dinner and damn fine it was! Thanks to Doc Eells and others!

Got to sit and talk to RJ Gatling and Paden Emmett Cobb only to find out they knew Mary-Lou June and Mary-Lou July! RJ Gatling showed me a picture of him wih the Deere Sista's and turns out Paden was one of the judges for the Daggers and Derringers saloon contest in 2013 when the girls visited End of Trail. Haa Haa Haa!

 

Saturday, Day 2 started off okay and then a couple mistakes with shotgun made for two not so pleasant stages for me. Jack still went really good.

 

Done and dusted, we did the shoot off Friday afternoon with rain expected on the Saturday. The awards and banquet were held and all in all we finished up well. I won Lady Wrangler, a few side matches and best dressed saloon girl. Jack came 2nd in Silver Senior. We finished 32nd and 36th overall.

A huge congratulations to Sage Chick finishing not only 1st lady overall but 1st overall! For 1st man overall, a big congratulations to Duke Skywalker!

 

We had a great Posse led by Two Bit Drifter, consisting of Clementine Valentine, Darby, Darby Belle, J K Tadpole, Bad Bad Beth, Don Jorge, Taco Belle, Billy The Avenger, Deuce Stevens, Drover Dean, R J Gatling, Paden Emmett Cobb, Crazy Mingo, Shell Stuffer, Lady Viper, Jackaroo and myself.

Thanks for having us Lassiter and the Big Irons team!

Kat xo

http://www.bigirons.com

 

Illinois-Indiana-Ohio

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Breakfast at Dennys's, fuelled up – us and the car, we are ready to head on down the road.

We don't get to see much of anything too exciting through Illinois along the I70 but we will get to a couple of places of interest.

Just outside of Greenville there is a stop that would make you happy Trailrider! Was a Farm Heritage Museum, a heap of old tractors and implements, restored beautifully, from what we could see.

First up Vandalia to visit the the State Capitol building where Lincoln's political career took off at the young age of 27.

 

Vandalia was State Capitol from 1819-1839 but this gorgeous building was only erected in 1836, taking only, a staggering 89 days to build!

 

You even sign the guest register with a feather pen! Cool!

The various rooms are set as they would have been for the Treasurer, Public Accounts Auditor, Court Staff, Governor and the Supreme Court. I'm gathering it must have got pretty cold in these rooms as there is always a fireplace!

 

There are some great old photos on the walls in the hallway too of earlier streetscape and where would you be without a wax statue of Abe?

 

Upstairs on the second floor, original floorboards I might add (downstairs had to be replaced in 1933), is the House of Representatives and the Senate. Four fireplaces in each of these rooms, bet that guy was busy keeping the fires stoked each day…………mustn't have been enough hot air already 😉 hee hee hee

There are some old hotels, stores and other buildings along this row unfortunately some stand empty these days.

Across from the Capitol is Lincoln Park, a small memorial to Lincoln, get good pics back across to the Capitol, although was a bit hard with the early morning shadows.

 

On the west corner of the grounds is a statue 'Madonna of the Trail' representing pioneer mothers of the covered wagon days. We reckon we've had it tough bringing up kids at certain times but I don't think it would be anything compared to those days. We are indeed very fortunate as mothers today.

 

Moving on its time to hit the road, we will lose an hour crossing through Indiana so we didn't have the time to visit the old Presbyterian Church Museum, the National Road Interpretive Centre or the 'Little Brick House' an 1830's Italianate architecture home – although the guide did say it was closed today.

We ducked into Casey and saw the worlds largest rocking chair and wind chimes and yes, the chimes actually work! Their catch phrase is 'big things in a small town'. They also have largest knitting needles, mailbox, golf tee, token coin, pencil, rule and a few other things.

 

We arrived into Ohio during a storm and headed through the town of Eaton, tonnes of charm and plenty of historic looking houses! Oooo what I wouldn't give to do one of these up! Couldn't get the camera ready quick enough and too busy looking to get photos.

 

We are on the last leg into Franklin-Middletown, Ohio. Lots of agriculture happening round these parts.

Middletown is also filled with gorgeous old homes. We found our way to the range and this is where, for the next 3 days, Guns of August will be held.

Made it!

Kat xo

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

http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/for-visitors/explore-vandalia/history-of-vandalia/

http://www.cityofcaseyil.org

http://www.bigthingssmalltown.com

 

St Louis, Missouri

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The Anheuser-Busch Brewery, in other words Budweiser! Amongst other brands they produce or own.

What a way to finish off the afternoon, arriving into St Louis, Missouri and taking the 4.10pm tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, in the historic Soulard area.

We booked the Day Fresh Tour that takes you on the 'Seed to Sip' with other bits in between. Visiting the Clydesdale paddock and stables, the beechwood aging cellar, the historic Brewhouse and the packaging facility.

 

Upon arrival, where would we be without a visit to the Biergarten while waiting for the tour to start?! I chose to sample the Blue Point, Toasted Lager and Jack the Hoegaarden (the lighter coloured one)

 

The Budweiser horse team consists of 70 Clydesdales, 50 of which are located here at St. Louis. Grants Farm, just a short distance away, is where the Clydesdales are raised. They eat around 20-25 quarts of grain feed a day but I think he's had a bit too much beer today!

 

Into the stables we go, an old building trimmed in red and green against the beautiful red brick exterior with its stained glass windows.

It takes about 5 hours to prepare the hitch for parades etc. and they first performed in 1933.

 

The Dalmatians were introduced in the 1950's to protect the deliveries on the hitches.

 

The beautiful chandelier, all 600 pounds of brass was installed after being acquired at the 1904 World Fair.

The smaller stalls are original to the beautiful 1885 building. I am blown away and we are only on the first stop of the tour.

Next we headed to the aging cellars. A pleasant to cool 50F/ all year round.

Beechwood chips are procured from the local areas, cooked up to remove any other flavours and then used 3 times over before removing, washing and mulching.

These aging tanks, if you drink a beer every 24 hrs would take you 137years to drink one tank. 1.2 billion 12oz beers per tank!

 

On to the process – Barley, rice, hops, water and yeast. Your 5 main ingredients to making a bud!

The rice gives the beer the crisp clear colour we see in our first sample for the tour.

The recipe today is the same as it was in 1867, in particular the yeast recipe, guarded with only 5 individuals having knowledge of its full potential.

To give you an idea of beer strengths, Bud Light stays in the mashing process for about 4 hours where normal Bud is only in for 2 hours. This is the process of breaking down the carbs and sugars, more calories in the short, less in the longer process obviously.

Next was up to the third floor of the brew house. Oh my god, the chandeliers, tiled artwork and architecture in here are exquisite! The 3 storey chandelier is all hops flowers.

 

During the prohibition era, the 'elephant' atop the pillar, was actually the logo for their yeast product on the back there was a warning about what not to use it with and how not to brew beer. Lol! During the prohibition time, to keep the company running they produced everything from barley malt syrup, bakers yeast, soda to ice cream! In fact 20 different products kept their company running during that time.

 

Opposite the brewery was an elementary school building until they decided that perhaps it wasn't a good idea to have a school opposite the brewery. It was their headquarters office until they outgrew it.

 

'Bevo' the fox featured on all 4 corners of the packaging warehouse is based on the fox from Grimms fairytale, who always knew where to find good food and drink at all times!

 

Up to the 3rd floor of the packaging warehouse. After rinsing and sterilising, the bottles are filled within 1/10th of a second to ensure purity and crispness to each.

750 bottles per minute!

At 24 beers per case, all cases are sent down to Mississippi River for storage. Housing half a million cases at any one time, say production was stopped and STILL, it would only take the whole Mid West to drink the whole warehouse dry in a mere 18hrs!

 

At the conclusion of the tour we received the freshest bottle of beer you'll ever get, bottled this morning around 3am! Room temp at moment so needs to go in the fridge.

Two free beers on tour plus a free ticket for a 16oz beer in the beirgarten after.

 

Luke and Allie were our tour guides. On their summer break this was their first year of tours, rotating between the different tours and the gift shop. If you're over 21 they can work the bar as well. They were sensational! What a job, 4 days a week, I think I could handle that easily! Although you wouldnt get any samples!

$10 bucks, holy hell, was so worth it! If you are ever in St.Louis, you really must do this tour!

Ahhh, life is good, cheers!

Kat xo

http://www.budweisertours.com

 

Jesse James, Missouri

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Travelling through Missouri we see a sign for a Jesse James, Wax Museum.

On the old Route 66 and adjoining the Meramec Caverns, once a hideout for Jesse James.

 

Jesse James and his brother Frank joined the Civil War in 1861 at a very young age. Whilst serving in the war they basically learnt to kill. They met Bloody Bill Anderson and William Quantrill thus becoming part of the Quantrill Guerillas rogue gang.

 

Meramac Caverns near Stanton, Missouri was one of Jesse James hideouts, famous now from Route 66 days. The entrance to the caverns able to fit 300 cars and a dance floor! I'm sure that's NOT what Jesse and his gang were doing back then!

Now this little museum is about….well maybe….that Jesse didn't die early on but that he lived to be 103, passing away in 1951. His cook and other gentlemen attested to this around the time of his 102nd birthday. Including a Colonel that he had known during the Civil War and around the time of his supposed 'staging' of his death.

It was said to be proven that the exact 8 markings on Jesse's body were examined and identified in 1951. A Mr Turilli (having written a book and given many public accounts) knew Jesse James for 2 years, otherwise records show he did die in 1882.

Included in the Museum are some gorgeous antique artefacts and wax figures. The antique post office was apparently the most frequently robbed in the state of Missouri.

Jesse's first daylight bank robbery took place on Feb 13, 1866 he had already done plenty prior to this. It was also the first recorded bank robbery in US history. The stolen amount was reported to be in excess of $60,000.

The man using the name J. Frank Dalton (take from those names what you will!) living in Lawton during 1948 and at the age of 100 claimed to actually be Jesse James. There is no actual record of a J. Frank Dalton.

(This picture from Wikipedia and I very briefly read the bio there)

There is a photographic aging picture without any digital change, just morphed, definitely looks like a much older Jesse James that's for sure. Truth? Or Fiction? You be the judge.

Kat xo

P.S. Unfortunately could not take any pics within the museum. The price to enter was a bit much for what it was but very, very interesting to say the least.

https://adventuresofjacknkat.com/2014/06/16/st-joseph-missouri/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Frank_Dalton

 

It’s the Cowboy Way

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It is with heavy hearts but the fondest of memories, that Jack and I raise a glass of Fireball whiskey to our friend Texas Slim and to his dear wife and good friend LilMcGill and family, our most heartfelt and sincerest condolences.

Any shoot with Lil and Slim was always an absolute hoot! Adoration and sincerely proud was Lil when Slim would take a win at a shoot we were at! It always made us smile.

 

Jack and I will never forget you Texas Slim, Slim's green all the way! Lil, love and hugs to you and all the family at this time.

Kelli and Jack xoxo

 

Skeet League

Posted on by kathousekelli70

I got my firearms license in 2006 intending to do clay target shooting after watching it in the Olympics. High hopes back then I guess, and Cowboy Action fell into my lap before I even tried it anyway!

So here we are today, having shot once with Flat Top and Missouri Mae when we first stayed with them in 2013. Come join the Skeet League they said, it will be fun….or words to that effect.

We never did get around to doing it with them last year and the question was asked again this year. Well, why the hell not, I'll give it a crack. How hard can it be? When we do clay toss from an activated shotgun target I can smoke them.

Haa, Haa, Haa not as easy as that let me assure you. Jack says, no way he is doing it, not much success getting them in cowboy but is happy for me to give it a go.

Soooooo, first night up for it I get 7 (out of 25 shots per round) in each of the two rounds. Not bad but a little disappointing. Etiquette is different to cowboy and there are some really good shooters including my fellow cowboys and cowgirl that make up our team. I can't swear/cuss or get over excited which is funny and a little weird.

 

Last week, second night I only get 3 in each round, now this is a little deflating! 6 out of 52 shots you have to be kidding me! Lucky I'm good at cowboy.

Anyway our friends say, let's go practice after cowboy (this is yesterday). Yep righto. 3 rounds, 78 shells later, I had some success! But that was yesterday….

So tonight was league again. You think I might have got somewhere with practice yesterday! Slightly ecstatic about hitting 12 in the first round and 13 in the second round! Yippee! I might be getting the hang of this gig. 😉 not changing from cowboy anytime soon though.

 

Here's to the orange 'birds' today!

Kat xo

 

Wicked!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

They say 'blue and green should never be seen, unless a colour in between' but that fashion saying is way behind in the colour stakes these days.

Humour me here as I describe the scenario for the making of this shirt (and certainly no offence meant whatsoever!!)……'Grace can you make me a poofy shirt?'….looking a little startled and having to think quick, my come back was 'do you mean a B-Western shirt?'…..'Yeah, some sort of fancy, poofy shirt!' – this coming from a shooter with a wicked sense of humour and wants to shoot B-Western black powder or something along those lines.

I had to laugh and take the order. Sure, no worries, coming right up. So in the book he went, his turn came round and here's what we have.

 

Not too extravagant on embroidery detail, different colours which I really do quite like – blue and green, together – and blinged out.

 

Hope it works for you CTM and that you shine out from the crowd when you wear it!

Onto the next!

Kat xo

(Should have pressed it properly before taking pics!)

 

Indian Territory SASS

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Headed out at sparrows today and took the almost 2hr drive up through Sapulpa and Sand Springs to Zink Ranch. Home of Red Castle Gun Club and the ITSASS club.

The Oklahoma State Championships will be held here in early September so it was a good chance to get up and shoot there again.

 

It was warm and muggy when we opened the doors to get out of the car at 8.30 in the morning. We ended up with a slight breeze, making it a little more comfortable AND nice cool watermelon helped – thanks Catoosa Red!!

Forty four shooters in total turned out for the day. With the match scored on total time it was a huge congratulations to Creek County Kid taking out overall, good friend Missouri Mae 2nd, Jack finished 3rd and I was 4th with the rest scattered throughout the pack.

 

Hope you had a great weekend.

Kat xo

 

 

The Gamblers, Heartland

Posted on by kathousekelli70

This weekend The Gamblers annual shoot The Heartland gets under way in our home town Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Pat Garrett and side matches will be over, and soon will be waking up to start main match.

To everyone attending from around Australia and from New Zealand, we hope the weather is kind, we know the stages are good and the hospitality outstanding. May you all shoot straight, have fun and be safe!

Look forward to hearing the outcome!

 

Hugs to all

Kat xo