Tag Archives: Australia

The Law West of The Pecos

Posted on by kathousekelli70

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!

Kat xo

End of Trail – Part 2

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Its now Thursday night and should be catching some zz’s as tomorrow we have the early start!

However, let me quickly catch you up.

Yesterday, Wednesday – Started out the morning with the Doily Gang Clinic, instructors this year, Shamrock Sadie, Lefty Jo, Honey B Quick, Iron Maiden, Sassy Dancer, Cooncan and myself Kathouse Kelli.

Was a great clinic, we had 2 shooters each to offer transition tips for pistols and more with long guns as well. Shot a couple of stages for critiquing and all in all, think they were all pretty happy to say the least when we were done. Thank you ladies for coming and glad we can offer something back to the sport for all.

Yeehaa ladies! Hope you are having great match’s!

From there it was grab some pictures of stages ready for main match. Go take a few runs at speed events. Pearl Starr and I then spent a couple hours in the LOCAS tent and in the down time helped Shamrock Sadie with a ‘craft task’ for later in the week.

Open ceremonies were held late in the afternoon. Alvira Sullivan Earp carried the flag for Australia! Legendary Lawman for Canada. Bloody Mary for Denmark. Chrissy Carson for Netherlands. The Kiwi Kid for New Zealand and in his uniform for the United States of America, Cash Cassidy.

With the anthem sung, the Wild Bunch, Match Directors, 111 first time attendees recognised it was on to the announcement of new Regulators. The 2018 Class of Regulators included many great recipients with none other than my very own Jackaroo!! Way to go man.

Two more from Australia – RC Shot, Mrs H, our Oklahoma friends – Flat Top Okie, Missouri Mae, Dutch friends – Dutch Bear, Justice Anne, Texas sweetheart – Sopapilla Sue and many more!! Congratulations to you all!

As the beer flowed, the Margarita party started at Hot Tamale’s and then it was time for sleep as Main Match was due to start today.

Now we arrive into today, Thursday – First day of main match. Jack and I are in Posse 21 with Red Haymaker our illustrious posse leader, Pepper Shot, C N Double, Captain Clark, Cowboy Jon, Deadly Don, Estancia Kid, Fast Fingers, Garrison Joe, Gilly Boy Hellbender, Huachuca Slim, James Colt, Lil Rob, Longcolt, Mick E Mouse, Old Frenchy, Sharpeye, Sunshine Belle, Jackaroo and myself. A big thanks to Nacho Momma for keeping score for all of us!

Four stages on the mid wave – 9, 10, 11, 12 were shot today with some degree of difficulty and success, blue skies, sunshine and a hell of a lot of New Mexico dust! Once we finished we shot the Posse shoot and we have a pretty good running time for that at the moment!

With weary feet, smiles as wide as you can get, we head to have lunch then back to the Motel for rest, relaxation and cleaning dust out of guns, nose etc. Haa haa haa

Coupled with a chat with Clancy, the occasional beer and a bit of hand sewing to finalise costume it is now getting late. Oh and a bit of cream puff for dessert. (groan after creammmmmm)

Charlies Spic n Span, Las Vegas NM ultra large mega cream puffs!

It is time to hit the hay, for the posse rides early in the morning with first shots down range at 7.30am.

Night peeps! Here’s to another awesome day tomorrow. Make it count! We are all still in the game! It ain’t over, til it’s over!

Hugs

Kat xo

Durango – Moriarty

Posted on by kathousekelli70

We left Colorado yesterday morning to the haunting sounds of a steam train whistle.

Heading along highways, through small towns and crossing the Animas River more than once, the landscape has again changed to a somewhat green desert. A lot greener than we have seen in the past.

It seemed fitting when passing through Bernalillo to snap this shot of the street sign!

For now we are in New Mexico and it’s time to get set for the World Championships!

Gather your posse and see you on the range!

Kat xo

Trippin’!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Yes folks it’s that time again where we get to go play on the other side of the world.

Only for a short stint now as this past crazy 6 months Jack and I have settled back into reality here.

Things have been quite on here but hectic nonetheless and will do some more blogs of costuming in the next day or so.

Today we head for Newcastle, bags packed and surprise surprise all under weight!!?? Yippee! More room to bring stuff back!

We fly out of Sydney tomorrow and head for the next adventure. Stay tuned!

Love and hugs to you all!

Kat xo

ANZAC Day

Posted on by kathousekelli70

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

Remember our fallen soldiers from Gallipoli and all campaigns. For those who have served or are serving – thank you, thank you for your service.

Kat xo

Trans Tasman – Duel Downunder

Posted on by kathousekelli70

‘The Special Breed’ that’s what us cowboys and cowgirls are. The Gamblers, Deslaredo had written a spectacular poem of this and so it became the theme for the Trans Tasman this year.

The Trans Tasman – Duel Downunder is a southern, across the ocean, challenge between Australia and New Zealand and alternates at a range on either continent every other year.

The Gamblers again hosted the Trans Tas and it wasn’t long before everyone arrived for the match held over 14-17th March.

It was great for Jack and I to catch up with many that we hadn’t seen for some time.

We had been busy in the weeks leading up to the match helping with match confirmations, prep and more!

What a great weekend we had! It started Thursday with the Pat Garrett match and Posse 4 – Bones, Carter Moss, Coyote Baz, Deadly, Doit Daily, El Rio, Fox, Meggs, Mad Dog Morgan, Painted Mohawk, Rick O’Shea, Two Gun Kate, Trigger Happy, Willy Avashot, Jack and myself.

That afternoon was spent doing speed events before we retired for Ex Sighted and I to get into the scoring and the rain set in.

Main match started on the Friday and we had a great lot of folks on Posse 5 with Alvira Sullivan Earp, Big Bad John, Bones, Boots and Spur, Chiquita, El Hombre, Etta Place and Doc Cummins, Coyote Baz, Meggs, El Rio, Curly Wolf, J P Remington, The Deadwood Gunslinger, Legend Lyn and Short Shot (both from NZ), Lucky Luke, Willy Avashot (with Narelle kindly doing the scoring all weekend) Jack and myself.

Six stages done, rain again that evening, scores done and it’s an early night. Well, early to retire home with Charlie Wagon and Pearl Starr coming to stay for the evening. Rain putting a dampener on the hawk and knife throw side matches.

Saturday and it’s just a few spits of rain taking us into the final 6 stages of the match.

I wasn’t clean by any means which put me very close with the other ladies BUT managed to hang on and clinch it by just 1.30sec’s! 6th overall, 1st lady and 1st in Lady Wrangler, with a few side matches thrown in.

Pat Garrett, Side Match, Main Match and overall buckle

Jack finished with just a couple in 5th overall and 1st place Elder Statesman. Good one man!

Pat Garrett and Main Match

A great weekend! Great gathering! Good fun that ended all too soon.

See you down the trail.

Kat xo

Do you have a cowboy in your room?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Having nightmares or dreams? Been woken by a random cowboy standing by your bed?

My eldest sent me this just now. 😂😂

I love it when my kids send me random things pertaining to the old west and cowboy times.

Now let’s go find Rex and have yippee-ki-yay kind of day!

Kat xo

Heading North

Posted on by kathousekelli70

From Newcastle to Gold Coast in a day, means around an 8 hour plus trip. Unlike days of old, it’s now mostly double highway, bypassing the coastlines and beach town views.

What would you find along the coast should you go the old route?

Newcastle

Beautiful beaches like Nobbys, Merewether and more.

Bogey Hole is a convict-built ocean bath. Also known as Commandants Baths, the sandstone/conglomerate rock was constructed in about 1820 intended for the personal use of Lieutenant-Colonel James Thomas Morriset.

Fort Scratchley today is a historic site and popular for watchers of whales migrating. Now a museum, it was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack. (Hmmm first time I’ve ever read about that!) The Fort never fired it’s guns in anger however, until 1942 during a Japanese submarine attack.

Seal Rocks

Further North you can find other popular surf spots such as Seal Rocks and Treachery. I frequented that area in another life.

Seal Rocks was originally named for its fur seal colonies that have not inhabited the area for many, many years, apparently they are being seen again in the Port Stephens area.

Popular for some awesome surf breaks, Seal Rocks and Treachery are very much a surfers paradise and still remains very uncommercialised.

Forster-Tuncurry

The twin towns on the coast about 20-25mins East of Mum and Dads at Taree.

Tuncurry is the smaller of the two towns and began around 1875. Tuncurry means ‘plenty of fish’, originally a timber milling area it is a beautiful sleepy little fishing town.

Forster being the larger town of the area, boasts beautiful beaches and surfing spots. It is a very popular Summer holiday spot being only 4 hrs North of Sydney.

Best fish and chips are found in coastal towns where it’s coming in fresh daily! No trip to Forster happens without fish and chips heavily salted and wrapped in paper! Yum!

Port Macquarie

First visited by Europeans in 1818 when John Oxley made it to the coast from his interior explorations.

It became a secondary crime penal settlement for convicts in 1821.

In 1823, the first sugar cane to be grown in Australia started here. Now that is interesting, as a kid, I only ever knew far north NSW and Queensland as the sugar cane country! Well there you go, learn something new ever day!

Anyway, lots of history there and gorgeous beaches also.

Up into further North NSW, the only remaining old section of Pacific Highway still goes through Coffs Harbour. Really don’t think there is anywhere for them to bypass this section but who’d want to miss the Big Banana attraction!?!😂😂

Coffs Harbour

Home to Big Banana, banana plantations (being superseded by blueberries), sugar cane regions, beaches and porpoise pool.

Was named after John Korff when he sought shelter from a storm in 1847, later accidentally changed to Coffs by an administrative error by a surveyor in 1861.

Many resorts and marinas here, very big tourist area.

Further there is Grafton, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads before crossing into the sunshine state.

Soooo much coastline to explore and then from Coolangatta up is beach after beach after beach!

Get some sand and surf into ya!

Kat xo

P.S. with Drive thru and a couple quick stops it took us just on 9hours.

Sunday Sightseeing

Posted on by kathousekelli70

As we left Mean Mongrel Matt, Sassy Belle and Broken Spur to enjoy the rest of their weekend, Jack and I took a Left out of town and headed for the hills.

Well, hills being the Blue Mountains area; Lithgow, Katoomba, Laura, Wentworth Falls, Glenbrook, then down into the Sydney greater region heading North then to Newcastle.

The Blue Mountains

Aptly named for its haze, a mixture of fine drops of eucalyptus oil (given off from the Eucalyptus trees) dust particles, water vapor and that little thing called light waves cause this beautiful blue hue to the mountains.

The Blue Mountains were inhabited by aboriginal tribes when the First Fleet landed. First Governor of NSW, Arthur Phillip had seen these tremendous ranges from a ridge at Castle Hill some 40-60miles East of them. He had named them Camarthen Hills and thought them to be worthy of government stock.

In 1799 it was the place Gidley King established a town for political prisoners from Ireland and Scotland.

The name was first documented in Captain John Hunters account of Phillip’s expedition up the Hawkes yet River in 1789.

There is a whole other story about who passed over them first and when and the explorers who are actually noted for gaining passage through here but I’m not going into that today.

Suffice to say at its highest point at Mount Werong is 1215m/3986ft above sea level and it’s lowest point on the Nepean River at just 20m/66ft.

It is home to such beauties as;

The Three Sisters

A quick stop at Echo Point to get our own snaps at The Three Sisters.

Coffee with a view.

Jenolan Caves

And Wentworth Falls

Poets, artists, sculptors and lovers of nature have frequented the Blue Mountains region for years. One of the most notable and one of my favourites – Norman Lindsay.

http://www.normanlindsay.com.au/

So as we continued to wind through the eucalypts, past car shows, reminiscing about visits to the caves, galleries and sights; we eventually came out on the flat plains into Penrith, heading towards the outskirts of Sydney and onto Newcastle.

spectacular, spectacular!

Kat xo