MOUNT AND SHOOT...LAS TRES AMIGAS!

Well, it's nearly been a whole month of Sundays since I have posted...where's the summer? I miss the summer! These days, the daylight hours are growing shorter and the air has that Fall crispness. We've had miraculous drenching rains and I am so very thankful. It is certain that Fall is here.

Last weekend, "LAS TRES AMIGAS" - two friends and I, opened our western booth at the Gulf Coast Mounted Shooters event out at our county arena. It was a weekend that I will not forget. I had my turquoise jewelry, Old World Santas, beaded soap dispensers/crosses, some western clothing and gifts. Susie sold her beautiful gourds, hand tooled/stitched leather canteens, flasks, and mouse pads. Luanne sold fabulous handmade silver and gold wire wrapped bracelets, amazing handmade western pillows and old editions of Cowboys & Indians magazines. It was a great booth and had such a wide variety of goodies! Despite the loud gunfire and smell of black powder (which we quickly acclimated to), we had so much dang fun and even made a bit of cash along the way!

The whole mounted shooting thing is pretty cool! We were ready to sign up and hit the road with the shooters (or at least I was)! The World competition was being held in Amarillo the following weekend, so this was the last of the National competitions. There were riders from Tennessee, Florida, California, Texas, and all other areas of our great nation. There were families, moms and daughters, retired doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, young and old... a really neat "hobby". They dress in period clothing and the outfits were really cool! Each shooter had 2 pistols harnessed/holstered - mostly with shoulder/chest holsters. The guns were beautiful and heavier than I thought! I don't know how they ride at a full gallop and shoot! There was only black powder in the guns, so the heat and flash of the powder burning was what popped the balloons...no projectile.

On Thursday, the big rigs starting rolling in...HUGE 18 wheeler cabs pulling 25 foot horse trailers with full dressing quarters, showers, A/C and the works! It was an eye opening experience! The people were so very friendly and glad to be there and their horses were phenominal! Ranging in price from 5,000-30,000, these steeds didn't flinch a muscle when that black powder exploded near their head/neck

To learn more about the shooters, go to: http://www.gulfcoastmountedshooters.com/

Here are some pictures that my friend Susie took - she should work for National Geographic - her photography is FABULOUS!

THIS GUY WAS THE PREACHER FOR THE SUNDAY SERVICE - RANDY GUNN.

SATURDAY MORNING, WE HAD A CHUCK WAGON BREAKFAST! IT WAS DELICIOUS!

WHAT AN AWESOME WEEKEND! I WAS SAD TO BREAK CAMP AND HEAD HOME!

TODAY (10-26) IS MY DAD'S 78th BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! I LOVE YOU AND I WISH I COULD BE HOME TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!