Cheyenne, Wyoming

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Here we spent a few nights with Wild Horse John, Saginaw Sue and Bonnie (a Miniature Aussie Shepherd or American Herding Dog).

The first evening we had a barbecue and the house fire a street away created an interesting backdrop and entertainment for the evening.

 

Friday was spent at Cheyenne Frontier Days “Daddy Of 'Em All” PRCA Rodeo. We had seats in the East Stand underneath the mist sprayers and as it warmed up and the sun crept over to us they came on and kept things cool.

The rodeo was amazing! Being reasonably close to the chutes we could see all the action. The events for the 3 and a half hours were saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback bronc's, steer wrestling, steer roping, barrel racing and then the wild horse race.

There was a carriage parade, the colour guard girls ripping around the arena on their horses with the sponsor flags, the Rodeo Queen and her lady in waiting, a mounted shooting lady and the guy did pistol his first run and the second with rifle.

They had an exhibition of a cowboy roper/gun twirler/whip cracker who's idol apparently was Will Rogers and I must say this guy was really good. Nearly went wrong with his flaming whips though! Caught fire leaving some light scorch marks on the back of his shirt and some melted fringing!

Friday night was followed up by Trace Adkins and Toby Keith concert! What can I say but awesome!! The place was packed, the music was loud, there were firework and video displays, it was so so good.:) 🙂 🙂

Saturday, after breakfast, the four of us headed to Frontier Days again. First up we went and did the 'behind the chutes' tour and heard information regarding the event as I outline briefly below.

 

Cheyenne Frontier Days started in 1897 and it cost 15c to sit in the bleachers.

The Rodeo only had two events then – 'pitching and bucking' and 'steer roping'. You rode til the horse quit bucking or you hit the dirt.

In the early days they used straight chutes, where at times if a horse started bucking before they got out could injure horses and cowboy's alike. The chutes now open sideways and bulls and horses do a quarter turn out of the chute. Cheyenne chutes are now used world wide.

Bareback bronc riders use what's called a riggin. Like a suitcase handle strapped to the horse. The saddle bronc riders use a saddle that is a little different from your usual saddle. (Info learnt from Wild Horse John who has previous rodeo experience) The saddle strap sits further forward on the horse and the stirrups adjust on a different point allowing the rider to move their feet forward above the shoulder and snap their heels back up to the horses rear,

Contestants must start with their feet above the shoulders of the horse as they come out of the chute. If their feet are down or back from the shoulder then they will get a 'no score'.

For the bull and bronc riding, the animals and Cowboys are drawn at random to see who will ride who.

The wild horse race (which was incredible to watch) consists of a team of 3. The first guy, a strong stocky guy is the one to hold the horse rope and attempt to hold the horse. The 'mugger' is the tall strong guy who will hold the horses head, sometimes covering the horses eyes to try and calm them. While this is all going on it is then up to the lucky/unlucky guy to saddle the horse as fast as he can and ride the 1 mile lap around the arena and see if they can beat the others to win.

A visual picture for you, these poor guys look like monkeys on ponies in a circus as they bob around the track trying to stay on the horse!

The only ladies event at the rodeo is the barrel racing event which runs at a fair pace, knock over a barrel during a turn and you get a 5sec penalty added to your time. Sounds familiar right?!

The animals are very well looked after and are in excellent condition. Different animals are brought in each year so as they don't get too familiar with the events. The animals they use for this rodeo are usually on the larger side compared to other rodeos. Calves are 300pds and steers around 600pds.

For the steer roping the steer will get a 35ft head start on the horses and riders. The 'header' will rope the steers horns, the 'heeler' will rope 2 of the steer legs.

In steer wrestling the rider jumps from the horse and must take the steer to the ground and all 4 legs must face the same way as the steer's nose for his score to count.

In short, I want to be riding horses again and become proficient at it!!

A jaunt through all the vendors, a few purchases, ran into a few cowboy shooters and another full day was done.

 

Margaritas were calling!

 

Thanks again to Wild Horse John and Saginaw Sue for their hospitality.

Cheers!

Kat xo

http://www.cfdrodeo.com

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sumpin’s Not Right

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well, I don't know why but the photos I've put into the blog don't want to allow me to upload my blog post from being at Aspen Wrangler and Filly's place.

All sorts of history, theatre and wildlife experiences.

A little of annoyance but hey, when I can get where it will upload correctly then it will be.

Sorry for the delay folks!

And this weekend we are rocking Cheyenne Frontier Days!

Kat xo

P.S. And Trace Adkins and Toby Keith concert tonight were awesome after a great day at the rodeo!!

Shootout At Pawnee Station

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We headed into Fort Collins late Thursday afternoon, well actually, perfectly timed for beer o'clock!

Friday we arrived ultra early for registration. Wild Bunch commenced at 10am with a posse of around 18 taking on 4 stages. Warm Up stages were then carried out to get the hands working in single action mode again and a few side events.

 

A full day, no lunch (forgot there was no lunch vendor out there) and we were ready to test each other's patience. We called it a day and headed for Walmart for supplies and dinner.

Saturday was rather warm and with Posse 1 we completed the first 6 stages. Two misses each and we are close in times – ended up 3 each.

Our Posse consisted of, Buckeye Al, Chey Town Colt, Cutter Schofield, Calamity Kitty Hudson, Dusty Garnet, G. W. Ryder, J. R. Tall-Eagle, Jackaroo, Josephina Bouchet, Juan Bad Hombre, Kathouse Kelli, Marshall Stockburn, Panhandle Kate, Red River Wrangler, Sandhiller, Sweet Lil, Texas Drifter, Wild Will Hudson.

 

We visited with a folks, did some measuring for future costumes and headed back to the hotel before the storm that was coming, reached the range.

It was Jack's Birthday (18th July) so we decided to forego the potluck dinner and side match awards instead heading out for dinner and margaritas.

Sunday morning and it's a pleasant, somewhat cooler, slightly overcast start to the last 6 stages of the match. The sun soon came out, really warming things up for the final 3. Clean for me, a couple bobbles and a miss for Jack but a great finish nonetheless.

 

After lunch was the Shootout, 'a throw your tag in the bucket and get drawn to shoot' against an opponent. Have a miss, you're out. Sounds like an easy elimination and way of progressing things quickly right?! Not! All of the women had a miss! So we went through another round and I finally went clean and finished the Last Cowgirl Standing and then I managed to beat (only just) Fort Hays Preacher who won the Last Cowboy Standing.

After all was said and done Jack finished 1st in Senior and 3rd place overall! I finished 1st in Lady Wrangler and 1st Place overall! Yes, you heard it right, I just edged out Union Jack. Haa haa haa two Aussie's and a Pom in the top 3.

In all seriousness, another fantastic match by the Pawnee Station Cowboys, their helpers, significant others etc thanks for having us yet again in Nunn, Colorado.

Cheers

Kat xo

http://pawneestation.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

 

 

Happy 4th Of July!!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Other than today being my birthday, (changing from a 44 special to a 45) it is American Independence Day.

 

We started the day with going to the Libertyfest Parade in Edmond. For an hour and a half with packed streets we watched participants, from School marching bands, bank floats, church groups, cars, emergency services to the Shriners. I've decided their group is obviously for men that have Peter Pan syndrome – never grown up – they have all the toys in the world to play with. Anything from cars, to 3 wheel bikes, the big wheel low bikes, small cars, dune buggies, you name it.

 

Later in the early evening we were back out and up to the University grounds for festival and fireworks. A walk through the grounds to the vendors found only 1 hot food vendor with a massize waiting line. It was quicker to go get take away and get back to our parking spot than wait in line and hopefully we have a quicker get away once the fireworks are finished.

So now we wait, 29 minutes left til fireworks go off. Sounds like it will be similar to Canberra's Skyfire with the fireworks synchronised to music.

They were worth the wait, fantastic, some massive ones that set car alarms off, and some fireball types – bombs bursting in air…..

 

Happy 4th of July America!

Kat xo

 

Back to OK

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It is the end of the trail….at least for now.

We celebrated Trooper's birthday last night at Pizza Barn in Edgewood. Yum! Bloody sensational pizza! A busy little place.

 

This morning it was of for breaky and then left them to get on the road back to Edmond. For them they head back through to Utah.

We took turns in driving and got through to the cars in the dirt just west of Amarillo. A Route 66 tourist attraction for many years we have finally, after a few times of driving straight past, managed a stop!

Someone gave us their paint can before they left which was great and we handed it on also.

 

I did however, find it a little disappointing to see plastic bags and numerous empty spray cans left on the ground around them 😦

It is however interesting to see over all the years, the amount of built up paint, the textures and multitude of colours makes for a pretty spectacular and unusual art piece.

It's very green coming back through the panhandle of Texas and into Oklahoma.

 

We are home, 101F, its maintenance day for the pool and the air con has been off for the 3 weeks! Hope it cools quickly!

Kat xo

 

 

EOT 2015: Day 4. This Is It!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The banquet and festivities began last night with the costume contest and I really only went in it for the hell of it with my 1890's bicycle. I gave my spiel about costume changes in the 1890's allowing the liberated woman to exercise without restricting clothing etc etc Blah blah, did not expect to place! Lol! Had so much fun.

 

The B-Western shirts and matching skirt for Katie Younger and Robb n Co won them 2nd place couples! And Lil McGill's Jane Russell – Annie Oakley outfit won her 1st place Ladies B-Western. A very happy little seamstress. 🙂 Doc Barium didn't wear her seaside toilette because of the mud we had – totally understandable – so you may have to wait for convention or beyond for that one.

 

Later in the evening the Top 16 were announced – Blackhawk Henry, Bobcat Tyler, Bull Shooter, Cobra Cat, Cody James, Colt Faro, Copperhead Joe, Deuce Stevens, Doc Burwood, Duke Skywalker, Lead Ringer, Matt Black, Preacher Kid, Prestidgitater, Slick McClade and Waterloo. The 6 alternates were Tres Equis, Constable Nelson, C.S. Brady, Roy's Creek Dan, Mose Spencer, and James Samuel Pike.

For the Sweet 16 it was – Barbary Coast, Echo Meadows, Half-A-Hand Henri, Hey You, Holy Terror, Kathouse Kelli, Lefty Jo, Morguns Ann Ammo, Panhandle Cowgirl, Sass Kicker, Shamrock Sadie, Slick's Sharp Shooter, Spur Broke, Texas Tiger, Turkey Legs and Two Sons. The 6 alternates for the ladies were Silver Heart, Lawless Lil, Ivy Hills, Etta Mae, Diamond Kate and Claudia Feather.

So into the shoot out we went, and I drew Holy Terror. I was happy to be close behind – man can she run that '97!

At the end of it all Sass Kicker and Prestidgitater won the Ladies and Men's shoot out.

Onto awards and from 586 shooters there were 99 clean matches! Out of those, the Aussie's collecting their white buffalo pins were Constable Nelson, Mulga Bill, Coyote Baz, Mystic Meg, Lazy Dave and Charlie Hart. I only recall 1 Okie in the list as clean and that was I B Slow. Apologies if I missed anyone. It's hard to keep up with it and applaude at the same time! 😐

 

A few quick memories of placements.

Constable Nelson aka Trooper, 10th Place, Men's Modern Wild Bunch.

Rooster Cockburn, 10th Place, Senior Men's Modern Wild Bunch.

K C Woody, 5th Place, Senior Gunfighter.

Aussie Drover aka Moonshine, 9th Place, Duelist.

Sam Balin, 4th Place, Senior Duelist.

Charlie Hart, 5th place, Frontiersman

Jackaroo aka Ricochet, 6th Place, Senior

From Oklahoma, Highland Scottie, 7th Place, Lady 49er

From Oklahoma, Roy's Creek Dan, 3rd Place and from Australia, Constable Nelson aka Trooper, 2nd Place, 49er's.

From Oklahoma, C.R. Hicock, 1st Place, Buckaroo.

Kathouse Kelli aka Amazing Grace, 1st Place, Lady Wrangler.

There were probably more I could have listed but haven't.

 

The 2015, SASS Overall World Champion Cowgirl and Cowboy are Sass Kicker and Matt Black. Congratulations! By the way, if you don't know, they are both junior shooters. Very impressive!

 

A huge congratulations to all the SASS team, it was efficient, flowing and great to have the photos done inside. That way everyone could view the category winners and they weren't out in the heat waiting to get pics taken and missing out on hearing other's wins. Great job!

After many goodbyes, a quick 'tinny' in the car park with some other Aussies (Oh, and that may be a new Aussie piece of slang for some – tinny means cold beer in a tin can) it was time for us all to roll out. The car park was barren, most of the RV's and trailers had pulled out and Founders Ranch was starting to look like a ranch again.

Still beaming!

Kat xo

 

 

EOT 2015: Day 3. And So It Goes

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Day 3, last four stages, this is it folks, this is what will make Cowboys and Cowgirls, nationally and internationally stand up and shout for joy or slump their shoulders and just go 'oh well'.

Soooo, we head to the range proclaiming how it looks a little grey but no rain expected until midday and feelin' pretty lucky about the early shift.

We are entertained by both good

Tom Payne playing harmonica for us this morning.

hee hee hee, and….bad!

Lazy Dave and Grizzly Grumps from VIC, Australia, hamming it up in their union suits. Said it was too early to get out of bed.

No words could describe the disappointment with the weather man when it started pelting down like cats and dogs and small hail to add to the terrible conditions that had set upon us!

 

BUT Cowboys are tough, we've shot in ankle deep water, snow, high winds and heat before – so really a little rain wasn't going to stop us but would certainly make us think about our footing and perhaps make these 4 stages a little slower for us than we would really like. Hay went down in areas where required and on we went.

Oh these poor baby birds were in the barn, hopefully mamma will be back.

It's beautiful out now!? So good luck to the other 24 posses shooting in fair weather.

 

For now, it's beer o'clock and get ready for the banquet. Tonight is costume contest, dinner, dancing and the announcement of Top 16 Mens and Ladies for the Shootout tomorrow.

Good luck!

Kat xo

 

EOT 2015: Day 2. Main Match

Posted on by kathousekelli70

After a brief moment of rain last night, it's not enough to settle the dust but brought clear skies and a breeze to the start of Friday.

Today we are on the mid shift starting at 10.30am and will do Stages 9, 10, 11 & 12.

Well, we did well, one miss today for me 😦 but we know rank points can change everything. Jack had a reshoot and remains clean.

Tex said this is his first selfie, somehow I find that hard to believe! He's a hoot!

Tonight is Saloon Night, so it's back to the Motel to change and come up with something to say for the Daggers and Derringers contest.

There were 6 soiled dove/saloon girls entered in the contest with a further 5 entered for the Parlour House Madam's.

As it turned out after giving my 'story' as contestant #2 I managed to win 1st Place and a Derringer!

Photo courtesy of Nellie Blue, effects by me.

For the Parlour House Madam's was my friend Texas Flower! So we had a picture made together. She had the best story ever and a couple of great accoutrements to compliment both her story and her look.

Think this was Nellies pic too, effects by me.

Time for bed, early to rise in the morning and be on range by 7am. Night!

Kat xo

Disclosure: this story was written for and on Friday, 26th June 2015. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by not airing this at the appropriate time.

 

Haa haa haa! Enjoy.