For our friends that may not know about Cowboy Action Shooting, here is a quick summary.
You use period firearms from the western era, including 2 single action revolvers, a shotgun and rifle. You dress up in period correct clothing and you shoot at all kinds of different targets. Some are moving, stationary and some are knock down. I describe it as a big shooting arcade. I am sure most of us remember those back in our day.
It is a timed event and you shoot several stages throughout the day. You will shoot on average 140 rounds. If you miss, it is a 5 second penalty. If you shoot in a wrong order, it is a 10 second penalty.
Sometimes the targets are up close and sometimes they are far away. Some of the top shooters can shoot their single action revolver as fast if not faster than people who shoot automatics.
Normally Ralph and Hoppy go together which has been the case for the last couple of months. They went this past Saturday and Hoppy normally will not shoot on Sunday, so I went along.
I don't like when Ralph goes by himself. 25 years ago he had a heart attack while driving to work and that still plays heavily on my mind. I also get concerned at all the dangerous drivers out there. I like 4 eyes on the road rather then just 2 and I constantly am on the look out and a side seat driver. We recently put a dash cam in our truck and I am very happy we did.
Anyway, we drove north of Comfort, TX. about 1-1/2 hours from the Herbert Ranch. This club shoots both Saturday and Sunday. The range is on a real working cattle ranch called the Stieler Ranch. It was started by Adolf Stieler in 1878 and is know owned and run by Adolf's granddaughter Becky Patterson.
Every once in a while I can't get some of my pictures up-righted, so you will just have to tilt your head on this one.
Here is the club president of the Texican Rangers. He is "Yuma Jack". He calls everyone over to the gallows and soon everyone is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Then he will give a safety meeting and talk about rules and regulations and assign shooters to "Posse's" as they are called.
All the cowboy shooters have their own Alias name that they shoot under. Some are made up and some are based on fictional and non-fictional characters from the western era. Ralph's alias is Lefty Rhodes. He is a left handed and his last name in Roderick.
The cowboy in the purple shirt is "Phantom". He is running the electronic timer and also makes sure that the scenario is shot properly. Here I caught Lefty in the middle of reloading his shotgun.
Here Lefty is running the timer on a shooter. This shooter is shooting black powder.
Shooter's take turns with different jobs. Some are "brass pickers", "score keepers", or "spotters" and "loading officer", they sit at the loading and unloading tables making sure the firearms are being properly handled. After the shooter is done shooting that stage, they make sure that the firearms are empty.
Here Lefty is shooting his rifle. Notice that "Phantom" has several large buckles. He has won those at the Championship matches. Lefty has quite a collection of buckles what he has won over the years.
This day Lefty shot 125 rounds between his six shooters, rifle and shot gun. He had 4 misses this day and came in 9th place. At the monthly matches all you win are "Bragging Rights". At Championship matches you win buckles, plaques or bronze cowboy statues.
Here is a cowboy shooter's fancy holster.
Here is a cowboy shooter's fancy holster.
When I go along to this shoot, we sort of take the round about way home so we can
stop at our favorite restaurant called Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant.
There is a lot of interesting history here and of the surrounding area. I will try to be brief with the help of the Internet. Camp Verde was an Army Post opened in 1855 on the banks of the Verde Creek.
The Army did a famous experiment between horses, mules and camels. This was the brainchild of U.S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The camels were able to carry much more weight, travel longer distances, go with out food and water for days compared to that of horses and mules. The only problem was horses and mules panicked and bolted when they saw and smelled the scent of the camels.
The General Store opened in 1857 to serve the soldiers of the Camp Verde Army Post with goods and services. The Fort was about a mile away. The Post Office opened in 1887 and still today people come and get their mail from the pre- and post-Civil War brass boxes.
The original general store was swept away by flood and in 1900 it was restored because it had become a welcome resource for the daily needs of the pioneer ranchers, farmers and the community in the area. The present day general store was built on the original foundation and the original floor is still here. I love walking on this old time floor and listen to the creaking sounds. You can see the trap door that opens to wooden steps that lead to the cellar.
It has been steadily added onto and thankfully the history is being kept alive. During a recent expansion of the restaurant, an escape tunnel was found down in the cellar. This would have allowed those inside to emerge some distance from the store during any Indian attack.
All that is left of "Fort Camp Verde" is the foundation and that ground is now a large private ranch.
It is a popular stop for bicyclist and folks come from all over area to stop and visit here.
The General Store has 2 floors, each floor having several rooms filled with an array of products from jewelry, candles, clothing and unique furnishings for the home. It includes my favorite things and that is food stuff! Fine food items gathered from artisans and producers around the world. This includes dips, sauces, honey, relishes, candies, jams and jellies. Another room is filled with kitchen gadgets. I always find something I can't live with out.
They have summed it up in this analogy: "The more you linger, the more you will discover".
The restaurant is fabulous. It has beautiful decor and the staff is top notch as is the food! Their specialty is soups, salads, deli classics, country favorites, hot sandwiches and burgers on several kinds of specialty breads. my favorite is the sweet jalapeno bread.
Even though they have added on to the restaurant, it is still busy and wait times, especially during Sunday lunch time, can be 1 to 1-1/2 hour wait. But this gives us time to wander around and browse. They have beautiful landscaped gardens with outside seating and a fireplace.
Because I am on Weight Watchers, I did not get my 1/2 pound Three Cheese Burger with the works. I got one of their country favorites called "Donna's Meatloaf". It is described as a Camp Verde favorite. Meatloaf is baked daily with spices, mashed potatoes, vegetables and a whole lot of love topped with country style ketchup.
Ralph got his favorite, Tuna Salad Sandwich on a toasted sweet jalapeno bread with the works and a side of homemade meaty thick flavorful onion rings.
It was outstanding as usual. Every time we go, we request Debbie. Although all the waitstaff is great, we just got to know Debbie and we always enjoy seeing her.
They have a dessert bar and some lucky person ordered a banana split. It was a work of art and should have been on the cover of a magazine. Well I ran up to the counter and took this picture. Notice the chocolate camel.
stop at our favorite restaurant called Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant.
There is a lot of interesting history here and of the surrounding area. I will try to be brief with the help of the Internet. Camp Verde was an Army Post opened in 1855 on the banks of the Verde Creek.
The Army did a famous experiment between horses, mules and camels. This was the brainchild of U.S. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The camels were able to carry much more weight, travel longer distances, go with out food and water for days compared to that of horses and mules. The only problem was horses and mules panicked and bolted when they saw and smelled the scent of the camels.
The General Store opened in 1857 to serve the soldiers of the Camp Verde Army Post with goods and services. The Fort was about a mile away. The Post Office opened in 1887 and still today people come and get their mail from the pre- and post-Civil War brass boxes.
The original general store was swept away by flood and in 1900 it was restored because it had become a welcome resource for the daily needs of the pioneer ranchers, farmers and the community in the area. The present day general store was built on the original foundation and the original floor is still here. I love walking on this old time floor and listen to the creaking sounds. You can see the trap door that opens to wooden steps that lead to the cellar.
It has been steadily added onto and thankfully the history is being kept alive. During a recent expansion of the restaurant, an escape tunnel was found down in the cellar. This would have allowed those inside to emerge some distance from the store during any Indian attack.
All that is left of "Fort Camp Verde" is the foundation and that ground is now a large private ranch.
It is a popular stop for bicyclist and folks come from all over area to stop and visit here.
The General Store has 2 floors, each floor having several rooms filled with an array of products from jewelry, candles, clothing and unique furnishings for the home. It includes my favorite things and that is food stuff! Fine food items gathered from artisans and producers around the world. This includes dips, sauces, honey, relishes, candies, jams and jellies. Another room is filled with kitchen gadgets. I always find something I can't live with out.
They have summed it up in this analogy: "The more you linger, the more you will discover".
The restaurant is fabulous. It has beautiful decor and the staff is top notch as is the food! Their specialty is soups, salads, deli classics, country favorites, hot sandwiches and burgers on several kinds of specialty breads. my favorite is the sweet jalapeno bread.
Even though they have added on to the restaurant, it is still busy and wait times, especially during Sunday lunch time, can be 1 to 1-1/2 hour wait. But this gives us time to wander around and browse. They have beautiful landscaped gardens with outside seating and a fireplace.
Because I am on Weight Watchers, I did not get my 1/2 pound Three Cheese Burger with the works. I got one of their country favorites called "Donna's Meatloaf". It is described as a Camp Verde favorite. Meatloaf is baked daily with spices, mashed potatoes, vegetables and a whole lot of love topped with country style ketchup.
Ralph got his favorite, Tuna Salad Sandwich on a toasted sweet jalapeno bread with the works and a side of homemade meaty thick flavorful onion rings.
It was outstanding as usual. Every time we go, we request Debbie. Although all the waitstaff is great, we just got to know Debbie and we always enjoy seeing her.
They have a dessert bar and some lucky person ordered a banana split. It was a work of art and should have been on the cover of a magazine. Well I ran up to the counter and took this picture. Notice the chocolate camel.
Years ago I was so impressed with the food and service, I wrote a letter to them. I received a lovely hand written note from the owner. As we were leaving, we saw one of the staff wiping down the menu's. This is one of the most spotless restaurants I have ever been to.
Right next door is a ranch that has buffalo. We stopped to admire these majestic animals.
Until next time...........Happy Trails to all!
Great post again Angie!
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