Tag Archives: USTrip

Nebraska – Wyoming

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Today we moved on and visited Gothenburg again briefly. Enough time for Jack to get another Pony Express badge, seeing as he lost it somewhere on the range a month or so ago and to send a postcard.

 

Next we continued on the Lincoln Highway to North Platte. We had also previously been here to Buffalo Bill Cody's house and ranch but this time we stopped in at the Golden Spike Tower.

With views overlooking the world's largest classification rail yard – Bailey Yard (have you been here before Paddlewheel???)

 

Here you can go up into the observation deck and watch Union Pacific Railroad workers 'sort and connect over 10,000 cars a day on two classification hump yards, with nearly 120 bowl rows and 315 tracks.'

 

It is 8 miles long, 301 sets of rails covering 2,850 acres.

North Platte was originally “Hell On Wheels Town” in 1866.

Inside the gift shop are historical displays and a short movie. Information boards line the walls of the internal observation deck and in the foyer to the outside observation deck the boards talk of the canteen.

 

This was a great stop and you could actually see the cars being pushed up the humps to be transferred down the other side into the bowl and let run down a track ready to be attached for their final destination.

 

It's lunch time and that means getting our skates on! Next stop Ole's for lunch and view some 200 mounted trophies displayed in this Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge.

 

The brochure says 'Rosser O. Herstedt (“Ole” to anyone that knew him) was one of a kind.' Born and bred in Paxton he seized on a unique business opportunity in 1933. (This part makes me grin) 'On August 8, 1933, prohibition in Nebraska came to an end. At 12.01am on August 9, Ole opened his tavern on Paxton's main street.' Lol!

He was a hunter and soon the lounge became a showcase for his hunting trips and safaris. It is still owned today by another Paxton native, Tim Holzfaster.

 

An Ole's club sandwich and a side of fries did both of us!!

On to our last stop before reaching Cheyenne, WY, we made a quick stop in Sidney, NE at the Pony Express National Monument which of course is right next to Cabela's….which of course we just had to go into!

 

Hope you've had a great day or having a great day!

Kat xo

 

Kansas – Nebraska Day Trip

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Travelling along, no car projects this trip, so snooze! Yeah that sounds pretty good.

We were heading north through Kansas and came across Waconda Lake between Beloit and Cawker City, a massive expanse of waterway. Not much out this way except lots of farming and Beloit is clearly a very large agricultural hub.

 

Continuing North we took a quick side trip for a mile off the Hwy8 which took us to the Dr Higley cabin. (Lovingly taken care of, restored and remaining on its original site thanks to Mr and Mrs Pete Rust)

 

Birthplace of 'Home On The Range' the Kansas state song was written in 1871 by Dr Brewster M. Higley as a poem of his property in Kansas alongside Beaver Creek. In 1872 he gave it to a guy by the name of Dan Kelley who set it to music. A refrain was added (the chorus, home, home on the range….) and his poem 'my western home' became 'home on the range. The poem and song were published in 1872 and '73.

It became popular amongst Cowboys riding long distances with cattle drives and later Franklin D. Roosevelt declared it as his favourite song. In 1947 a bill was passed in the Kansas Legislature establishing the song as the official state song.

Continuing on, we crossed into Nebraska, heading towards Minden.

Minden established 1877 – the Christmas city – has a nice selection of old homes and the Harold Warp Pioneer Village. Anything and everything you could think of from mans progression since 1830. 26 buildings, 3 city blocks – not enough time to do in a short afternoon.

 

Next to Kearney (pronounce Car-nee). We crossed the Platte River taking us through even more farmland. Soon we hit the I80 into Kearney through the The Great Platte River Arch Monument. We went into the Arch Monument and their historical exhibit, wow! Oh….my….goodness!

 

The murals were just sensational! So much detail! Standing there looking at them while listening to the commentary you saw so much more. This is a place I could come back to multiple times and still see more. You were given a device at the beginning of the tour that had multiple points during the tour where you got the information along the way. More than that, the displays, the video's, the models, murals, everything was sensational!

 

Then it was find a motel to stay in and tomorrow we will see the some other museums, maybe a railway one and Chimney Rock before moving on through to Cheyenne, WY.

Sleep well!

Kat xo

P.S. The I80 was Einsenhower's way of employing those back from the war by building the greatest Trans continent road between SanFrancisco, California to New York. A multi lane highway stretching from one side of the country to the other! Made transport easier and gave all veterans an employment opportunity.

 

Wednesday Hump Day

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's mid week and all down hill to the end of the week from here.

Headed to the range for practice today with 17 other brave souls in the heat. At 8.30am this morning we were already at 82F/28C and closer to 96F/35.5C by the time we were finishing at lunch time. Just another normal summer day and with the humidity, very much like shooting at home in Queensland.

 

Looking forward to shooting on Sunday for the club match and one more practice before we go to Czech Republic!

The last couple of weeks have been busy too besides the birthdays etc. managed to make myself a new saloon outfit and just finished the corset today. Grommets to two and it's on to shirts!

 

Hope you are having a sensational week!

Kat xo

 

Independence Day, 4th of July

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Happy Birthday to me!….and some others that I know – Trail Boss, Sweet Sherry and someone else I was told of lately but have forgotten…

The true meaning of the 4th of July however occurred in 1776 with the Continental Congress declaring Independence of the 13 colonies, now known as the United States of America, no longer a part of the British Empire.

It is written that Independence was actually declared two days earlier on the 2nd of July. Congress however reviewed the declaration and final approval came two days later on the 4th.

John Adams (who later became the 2nd president) wrote to his wife stating the day (well the 2nd but he was a bit off) shall be celebrated with ‘pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations…….’

On the first anniversary of their Independence in 1777, Bristol, Rhode Island fired 13 gunshots in the morning and again in the evening…..I guess celebrations have grown proportionately since then!!

Today it is celebrated with backyard bbq’s, visits to the lake, parades, American flags, red,white and blue bunting, fireworks and more!

 

The 4th is apparently the largest day of travel within the US as well, so for all of you commemorating your past forefathers of your fine country, travel safely wherever you may be headed.

Looking forward to fireworks tonight! Yippee!

Cheers

Kat xo

Happy Birthday to meeeee. It’s now 12.03333. (am in the morning, night!!)

 

Cushing, OK

Posted on by kathousekelli70

After a week of nothing, we had to do something! By nothing I mean no shooting! Lol!

We headed to Cushing, Oklahoma to Scott Wayne's range and along with 12 other keen beans – with about two thirds having just arrived back from Hell On Wheels in Wyoming, or End Of Trail in New Mexico – it was apparent that we just couldn't get enough.

It was hot and humid so actually a little more uncomfortable than the dry heat of New Mexico.

I swear you would not have thought some of us had even appeared at the World Championships after some of our stages but we kept smiling and just laughed it off none the less.

After 6 great stages, a split pistol stage, a run-down, a 'take your shotgun' with you stage, we finished up with hotdogs and chatter before taking the one hour drive back home.

Thanks Scott Wayne for a great Sunday morning!

Cheers peeps!

Kat xo

 

Regroup

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Unpacking is done, 2 more loads of washing are in their final stages of drying, brass is tumbling, shells are ready for reloading and other gear is stashed.

Time to regroup and get ready for the next round!

Having got back to Oklahoma on Monday evening yesterday and even today has been spent wandering around, feeling worn out, not concentrating on any one thing for more than a few seconds but slowly getting through it.

End Of Trail is done, friends have all gone their separate ways and it's time to get organised again.

I'm still dreading the ironing, that I loathe with a passion, but i'll get there. The machines are calling me and I'm itching to get into another eclectic mix of cowgirl wedding attire, day of the dead and another Hell On Wheels costume.

One bag was put away and 3 more came down from the attic ready for Days of Truth in Oparåny, Czech Republic! Looking forward to a bit of Prague and Germany in a months time. Stay tuned for that trip!


The trophy is in the cabinet and it's time to reset and move on to a new set of goals!

 

Here's to you and yours! Wherever you may be, hope you got back safely from End Of Trail and we will see you somewhere down the trail.

Kat xo

 

End Of Trail 2017 Cowboy Action World Championships

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The 'town' has filled with more cowboy's and cowgirl's from all around the world, ready to test their skills and compete for their World Championship ranking.

This year there were 17 from Australia, 7 from New Zealand, at least 2 from the Netherlands and Canada, and a few from Germany. My apologies if there were more from other countries.

The match this year 'A Tribute to Clint Eastwood' westerns. The NRA Firearms Museum had a fabulous display of all guns used by Clint Eastwood in films or by others in films he had directed. Such a neat display! EMF Firearms also had some excellent firearms and a beautiful piece fully engraved and gold plated from The Museum of Confederacy Spirit – an edition of 500.


Thursday was a great start to the main match, starting on the late wave with Posse 29. On our posse led by Shamrock Sadie, we had Knot Hardly Dunn, Christian Mortician, Trail Bandit, Randy Saint Eagle, Papa Dave, Reno Mustang, Dodge City Dixie, Wild Horse John, Trigger Happy Ted, Misty Rider, Avery Wade, Tombstone John, Red Johnson, Pancho Sin Lefty, Lucky Boy, Jackaroo and of course me, Kathouse Kelli.


Most of the week but particularly Thursday and Friday were hot! Think the statistics for this year's match was 1800 gallons of water (?) and this one I do remember 97 gallons of Gatorade. A personal thanks to Dusty Garnet and EZ-GZ for your medical aid and driving up and down the range keeping everyone hydrated, to the rest of the waddies for keeping the water containers constantly topped up. Even though we always have some with us, it's never enough and we so appreciate it.


Side match awards were held on Friday night in the main tent and I must say again thanks to Santa Fe Brewing Company for sponsoring SASS, the bar was frequented often. Congratulations to all side match winners. I picked up one for the .22 pistol – thanks Dixie Bell for allowing me to use yours!


It was a great mix of side match winners this year!

Saturday we had the early shift. With an overcast sky and much cooler temperatures it made for a pleasant start of the final shooting day. All wrapped up! What's done, is done now and Sunday would see what the outcome would be.

Saturday evening for the banquet and best dressed costume contests started well. There were some sensational entries this year with myself, Texas Flower, Shotglass and Dixie Bell placing in the Best Dressed Ladies. Jack had entered his first costume contest ever as Thomas Durant (Hell On Wheels, S4, Ep1) but I should have had him in the Silver Screen category. 😦 Never mind, he did a great job, we just need to get the right hat sorted for him and he will enter again. Got Artie from Major Photography to work his magic and subsequently he has this amazing photo now.

 

After the costume contests were done and the band was on, it was a quick change up and Mary-Lou July made her first solo appearance at EOT. She said she'd been to the Doily Gang Clinic, had her own badge and she had learnt some gun twirling skills from Lightning Buck McGaw (learnt that and practiced in 2 afternoons). Mary-Lou July helped out Sassy Dancer, Shamrock Sadie, Ruby Jewel and Hey You with the announcements of the Top 8 Mens and Ladies Wild Bunch and Top 16 Cowboy's and Cowgirl's for the shootout.

 

The band played, Mary-Lou danced and danced. People had a great time, Jack was busy trying to sell land plots as his Thomas Durant persona and having a few drinks at every stop I'm guessing. Haa Haa Haa! Got him home, just before midnight and I think he had the best nights sleep he'd had in a long time!

 

Shootout took place Sunday morning. R C Shot from QLD, Australia made it in the Wild Bunch and I made it into the Cowgirl's. We used a magnetic board this year, with Sadie and Sassy having done most of the work on this one, it was fantastic, everyone had been randomly drawn and paired up the night before when announced. Then as each one dropped out we could re pair them for the next round and everyone could see who was shooting against who.

The winners of the Wild Bunch Shootout were Captain Sam Evans and Texas Tiger. For the Cowboy Shootout it was Matt Black and Texas Tiger (she is the First Lady to have won both shootout's at the one match)

 

Down to the nitty gritty and it's a huge congratulations to all who placed in their respective categories!

Let's start with the Aussie's:

  • Clean Match – Sam Balin, Chuck, Ex Sighted, The Trapper from Oz.
  • Posse Spirit of the Game Award – Chuck, Deadwood Gunslinger.
  • Category Placings – KT, 4th Place Junior Girls. Sam Balin, 3rd Place Silver Senior Duelist. RC Shot, 6th Place Wrangler. Kathouse Kelli, 1st Place World Champion Lady Wrangler. Ex Sighted, 6th Place Lady Wrangler. Sister Sarah Carnegie, 2nd Place Lady Gunfighter. Pearl Starr, 7th Place Lady 49ers. Chuck, 7th Place 49ers. Jackaroo, 5th Place Silver Senior.

 

This is where we cross over into the Oklahoman's – The Territorial Marshal's faired well and we will include Deadeye Dillard as well 😉

  • Clean Match – Bashful Kate, Greenhill Bart, Highland Scottie (and forgive me if I didn't take note of anyone)
  • Posse Spirit of the Game Award – Grady County Kid
  • Category Placings – Grady County Kid, 4th Place Buckaroo. Roadrunner, 4th Place Frontier Cartridge Duelist. Lady Roadrunner, 10th Place Lady 49ers. Greenhill Bart, 4th Place B-Western. Deadeye Dillard, 3rd Place Cowboy. Jackaroo, 5th Place Silver Senior. Three, yes three World Champions – Kathouse Kelli, 1st Lady Wrangler. Missouri Mae, 1st Lady 49er. Roy's Creek Dan, 1st Senior.

 

Congratulations to the 2017 World Champion overall winners – Matt Black and SASSkicker!

 

Thanks must surely go to Lassiter and Deuce Stevens for a great match, to SASS, the Wild Bunch, Misty, the girls and just everyone who helps 'git er done!' Sensational work as always.

 

That's it…..goodbyes are said, tears are shed, friends will be missed. Safe travels to each and everyone know matter how far you came.

 

Kat xo

 

End Of Trail Opening Ceremonies

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Tonight, Wednesday, was the opening ceremonies for the 2017 World Champion Cowboy Action Match. What a sensational night it was.

Yesterday we shot some warm up matches to get rid of the Wild Bunch stuff and had a pretty good day. Today I spent the first half of the day instructing with the Doily Gang Clinic – Shamrock Sadie, Hey You, Sassy Dancer and Dixie Bell, giving some guidance and coaching to ladies both new and very good shooters. Spent the time talking transitions, shotgun differences, stance etc. hopefully all got a little piece of something out of it and we sure hope to see you again.

 

Jack spent the morning wandering the vendors, buying pants, braces pieces and viewing the Clint Eastwood guns from the movies that this year's End Of Trail is based on. I will have to go visit this one myself!!

Pearl Starr and I then went to Deuce Stevens shotgun clinic…..you are never that good that you can't learn something new!…..now if I could only go shadow little miss SASSKicker and learn from that girl some more!?! (Thank you to both Deuce Stevens and Cowboy Carty)

We did a super quick run through of the stages this afternoon and then headed for the main tent waiting for beer o'clock and the opening ceremonies.

RC Shot was this year's flag bearer for Australia and along with the other country representation led the colour guard into the main tent, topped off with cannon fire and Miss Amber Scott singing the national anthem. Sensational as always.

 

The Waddies, medical assistants and the Wild Bunch/board of directors were all recognised.

 

The 2017 class of Regulators were announced of which this year I was nominated to be one as well. Wow! Just wow! Truly honoured to be included, let me tell you.

 

The beer was flowing at the bar, Jason's Deli had provided the food for the evening along with Amanda Reckonwith's divine vanilla, chocolate and red velvet cupcakes!!

Tomorrow is start of main match! Bring your A game peeps! Have fun, shoot straight, play your own game and above all be safe, think about the process and be awesome!

Kat xo

 

Wild Bunch World Championship

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What an exceptional weekend of weather and shooting for the 2017 Wild Bunch World Championships.

Plenty of action and plenty of rounds down range. It certainly was a challenging match but the stages were fun.

This match definitely called for precision and by the time I got to day 3 I had worked out a better grip, better arm control and keeping my head aligned. What more could a cowgirl want! Just happened at the wrong end of the match! Haaa Haa Haa

Neither Jack or I had particularly stunning matches in the good sense but we weren't the only ones.

 

We had a great Posse with Jim Milker, Texas Tiger, Back Forty, Shell Stuffer, Lawless Lil, Molly Magoo, Rum Walker, Capitan Regulator, Trigger Happy Ted, Beaver John, Billy The Avenger, Wild Horse John, Squibber, Macon A Longshot, Grizzly Peak Jake, Duke City Deadeye, Calhoun Kid, Blaze Kinkaid, Jackaroo and myself.

We also had the 285 Scout troop picking up brass and painting targets for us.

This year we didn't do any side events but from what I heard there was a lot of fun and some great wins!

Costume contest was carried out with EZ GZ taking 1st Place, Dixie Bell 2nd Place and Kathouse Kelli 3rd. Men's was Captain George Baylor in 1st Place and Wild Horse John 2nd.

 

The Wild Bunch awards were held separate this year to the cowboy match. Santa Fe Brewing Company supplied the kegs to the bar, Pizza Barn provided pizza for the dinner (awesome pizza by the way and frequented often by many a cowboy shooter!) and so began the handing out of awards.

Congratulations to all shooters who placed in their category!

Wild Bunch Modern – Last Chance Morales

Wild Bunch Senior Modern – Evil Roy

Wild Bunch Lady Modern – Idaho Six Gun Sam

Wild Bunch Senior Lady Modern – Secondfiddle Sue

Wild Bunch Traditional – Capitan Regulator

Wild Bunch Senior Traditional – Marshal Stone

Wild Bunch Lady Traditional – Lady Jane

Wild Bunch Senior Lady Traditional – Lawless Lil

 

Congratulations to my fellow Lady Traditional shooters 1st Place Lady Jane, 2nd Place Lacey Doyly and myself in 3rd.

Phew! What a match!

Kat xo

 

Now, Where Were We?

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Oh yeah, so last Thursday we were heading here to Albuquerque, breakfast on the way, making a quick stop in Weatherford at the Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum….as you do.

We have driven past it a number of times and it's the usual, 'we should stop and have a look at that place one day'. So this day we finally did!

 

In we trotted. To give some small background General Thomas P. Stafford is a well respected Oklahoman, and indeed throughout the nation, a man who was an author, fighter pilot, astronaut and test pilot. He commanded Apollo missions.

 

Inside the museum there are a number of planes from the Wright brothers days to the Lindbergh non stop Atlantic flight in the Spirit of St Louis, WWI fighters, experimental aircraft and modern day marvels.

 

Then there is a whole section on space exploration including the Russian joint missions during the space race. There are replicas of satellite launchers from around the world and unique information boards to imagine how much 'John Deere' horsepower it would take to fire up just one F-1 engine.

Go on, you're dying to know right? Try 56,000 John Deere 9620R tractors equivalent! The Saturn V rocket used 5 engines so that's enough tractors to reach from Weatherford, OK to San Francisco, CA or 283,800 tractors end to end.

 

Anyway, from the information we read in the museum Stafford was a very influential man both in flight and space, not only flying during service, commanding missions in space but teaching others to do the same and his expertise in these fields earned him the highest honours and Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

 

All in all, this was a neat little museum and is worth a visit, takes about an hour.

 

Now it's been a wild weekend but I'll get to that tomorrow after the Wild Bunch dinner and awards are done.

Kat xo

P.S. Well it's today now as the bugs were finding the light of the iPad in the darkness last night. Wild Bunch Awards and dinner tonight. Will do Wild Bunch blog tonight! 🙂